Chaps (because you all clearly are).
First I apologise for losing rag and no phone calls or e-mails made.
Here's a few facts (drawn by market research done over the last couple of months):
80% of the public do not know the RN operate aircraft.
The reason for the badges is straightforward and commonsense. If you live anywhere more than 20 miles from Culdrose or Yeovilton your chances of knowing what rank insignia on uniform means is zip. So pictures on TV or in papers of RN crews in green ovies says RAF to most. How do we get over this ? (and its not just a recruiting issue). Do we invent some new trendy badge that has little public recall value (like flags) or do we use the now universal RN logo. This was a striaghtforward exercise that cost less than a months flying pay, is simple and in some areas has been readily accepted. It was not my idea but made sense when proferred.
Showing the proverble kit blowing up pictures does little to inspire the kids of today especially when they tend to be risk averse and prepared to drop everything when it all gets too tough. We need high calibre people and compete with a lot of other organisations after the same skill sets.
We in the RN have to apprecaite that we languish behind the other two services in the desire of young people to do the job. It is in the background and with Air Stations situated to the West of Bristol get little coverage and going to sea does not do it for most.
On the point of schools visits if you ring me (and those in the know know) I will furnish you with a letter to say your visit is DNR sponsored and get the local careers office to coordinate. Your insurance worries are then over.
VVC has a good point about DNR flight and maybe it will return in some form.
Overall I want those in the FAA to go out and promote the job for us. This is the best way to do it and research proves it. Adverts are fine but kids want the truth from those doing the job. Having spoken to loads at length, they are generally impressed but most wish they'd known about the FAA a lot earlier.
rafloo thanks for starting the thread. I think the more we discuss recruiting the more the message hits home that we are all involved and it is not just up to those in DNR (where there is only one active aircrew recruiter).
