I do agree with Jackinocko that the RAF needs a mix of DE and UAS candidates but i also disagree with some of the reasoning...
20 years ago, only the top 2% went to Uni, and the RAF relied on this top 2% to provide just under half of its pilots. Now the top 40% go to Uni, and you're talking about recruiting only from the rest......
Surely what you're looking for is quality of individual, not what percentage of society they are from. It doesn't matter whether someone has been to uni, is coming straight from school or has been in employment for a few years, if they have what it takes - recruit them! Having recently finished EFT on a UAS, i wouldn't follow half of that 40% to the pub, let alone to war.
"Career compression" - would be a good point if DE blokes' younger age wasn't used to allow an inefficient system to give them longer in pointless andunproductive holding posts.
Maybe. However, I am currently gaining plenty of experience in the UN Command HQ in Tokyo and would argue that the productivity of this holding post is unparalleled by any other post I may have as a junior officer in the air force.
Most 18 year olds regard 12 years as a life sentence.
Disagree. Most guys I joined with are on PC's. I fully intend on staying in until 55.
I am in no way saying that DE's are the only way forward for the future, I just think you need to strike the right balance and recruit the right people.