PPRuNe Forums - View Single Post - Why Not Let Aircrew Run The Raf
View Single Post
Old 21st Oct 2005, 06:01
  #6 (permalink)  
allan907
Nixor ut Ledo
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: In a Beaut of a State
Posts: 499
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Silly, silly boy Phoney Tony. as pointed out by SMT the RAF is already run by aircrew (and has been since 1 Apr 1918).

They call the branch the "General Duties" branch - not the "Pilot" or "Aircrew" branch - for the very good reason that Trenchard wanted managers who had broad experience of the whole RAF to run the show. That broad experience had to encompass the flying side of things - seeing as how that was the business at hand - and not everyone could or would be involved in flying.

Unfortunately, with the advent of more complicated aeroplanes the aircrew felt that they had to have more stick time to keep on top of the beasts and, as a consequence, General Duties Branch postings such as OC GD Flt and OC Admin were given over to the 'blunty' branches. Then, before you knew it - oops! - matey becomes a gp capt and takes up post as a stn cdr. Unfortunately some in that position had bugger all between their ears in the man management and broader view of things. Fortunately, most of those chose to be guided by the professionals under them. Unfortunately that gave them the right 'scores in the doors' and they became elevated to exalted heights where their word was bowed to. Result - great heaps of smelly brown stuff where the pile has appeared to reach so high that those under them are walking off the job.

Answer (and please refer to other threads viz 'secondary duties' et al) - retain the GD branch but only for those who wish to partake of a full career; who wish to involve themselves with the wider aspects of service life; who don't bitch about Command and Staff courses; and who retain a passionate interest in flying but don't mind the odd ground tour where they can see how the majority of the Service works and lives. Then create an 'Aircrew' branch. Fill it full of NCO aircrew - you don't have to be an officer to fly - and those that have the talent and ambition to lead then send 'em to IOT and transfer them to the GD Branch.

Still, it'll never happen - too much vested interest at the top now.
allan907 is offline