Originally Posted by
Two's in
Some time ago the REME (the thinking man's Army) did experiment with Direct Entrant Artificers, where with appropriate academic qualifications and a crash course in square bashing, you could attend the Artificers course (nearly 2 years) and if you qualified, start your first real job as a Staff Sergeant (E6/7 Equivalent). Theoretically, after 4 years in role you could be selected for Warrant Officer Class 2. Not sure how many tried, but it was regarded as a dismal failure. Who knew that crashing around as a Staff Sergeant with only 2 years experience sat in a classroom behind you was not good grooming for being a Senior NCO? Oh that's right, everybody knew...
Didn’t the same happen in the RAF V Force with direct entry crew chiefs?