Ok Pete a rundown on RAF training in management for pilots. It isnt meant to be absolutely accurate to the last detail but will give you an idea of what goes on. Anyone else care to comment?. .. .Basic management training starts during the initial Officer training course; this involves the study of the theory behind leadreship and the practical application of leadership techniques. Routine administration and office practice is also covered quite extensively during this phase as is the application of the law in employment situations which pertain specifically to the RAF. The use of the witten word, be it a simple memo through to the reporting of meetings is also studied.. .. .After graduation the pilot will then enter professional training; this can last up to 3 years. During this time he / she will undergo further training in the study of and application of leadership techniques, both in the field ( literally) and also in a less physically demanding environment. There are opportunities to examine and study the efficacy of a variety of well known historical figures leadership ( management) techniques and of course many opportunities to experience at first hand the way other NATO Air Forces work.. .. .During this phase of their education, the exposure to management responsibility may be limited to the control of a small budget.. .. .As a first tourist, the pilot would normally be left unecumbered by secondary duties until they had become combat ready and had consolidated their place on a Squadron. Again, a limited budgetary responsibility may be the first secondary duty the new pilot would pick up. Thias could range from running the Squadron fund to having to control the allowances for a detachment; the Squadron fund, bear in mind, involves accounting for your colleagues contributions, amongst other things, and requires absolute integrity. The first detachment I was involved in was for 3 months and we took 30% of the Sqn personnel; the amount of money we had to deal with ran in to 6 figures each week ! I also had responsibility thrust upon me as Entertainments Officer; pretty tricky when you are 1200 miles from nowhere and over 100 personnel are relying on you. It does encourage planning and the ability to think on your feet and be flexible !. .. .The key to this is not the task you are " lumbered" with but the processes you have to undergo to achieve success. Note that I mention an ability to plan and also to think on ones feet and be adaptable. You could add to this of course the need to take account of inividual opinion and to balance all of this within a budget. Additionally, undertaking such seemingly trivial tasks as being responsible for the entertainments programme encourages you to listen to the views and opinions expressed by others and take, where necessary, a route which satisfies as many individual needs as possible. It also facilitates good communication skills as you have to explain your decision, and often why you have not actioned someone's particular request, with clarity and impartiality.. .. .At the end of the first tour of duty, a tour is typically 2.5 to 3 years, the pilot may now be responsible for a junior ranks accomodation facility. This would introduce the officer, amongst other things, to dealing with civilian contractors and the civil servants who form the " Works and Bricks" dept. You should note that throughout the first tour the junior pilot will have a ready source of advice and assistance from his colleagues and superiors. When given a more onerous secondary duty it will as a deputy which brings in the "mentoring" side of things. The majority of these jobs, though, are secondary ( hence secondary duties) to the primary task of being a pilot. . .. .On the admin side our plucky hero may find himself undertaking security courses and becoming the Sqn Security officer or the Adjutant (responsible for assisting the Boss and Flt Cdr's with the admin). He or she may pick up a job on the
PR side of things espe if the Sqn is high profile (617 always seem to hosting visits from all walks of life for example).. .. .As a second tourist the pilot will be working up to leading larger formations(FJ) or doing a post grad QWI course and aiming for Deputy Flt Cdr slot. In the ME world our hero will starting down the road of his/ her first command and working towards becoming Pilot leader. The secondary duties would become slightly more onerous and may involve mentoring a more junior officer. Command training would continue with staff courses involving even more joined up writing practice and further study of leadership. Skills in presentation, public speaking and analysis ( sorting the wheat from the chaff) are honed by in depth Defence Studies. The officer will also qualify through a series of training courses to sit as a member of a court martial.. .. .The staff courses will continue with Flying Supervisor's then Flying Authoriser's course and a thrid tour may involve the CFS course and a spell as an instructor with responsibility for the welfare and development of the student pilots. . .. .Without harping on at too great a length it is, in short, a structured developemnt of management skills using the building block approach with continual mentoring and advice available. Aditionally, this is reinforced by a programme of development training both theoretical and practical.. .. .Finally, bear in mind that wherever possible the Services will resolve a dispute or problem at the lowest possible level as it is quicker, cheaper and far more effective in kiling any bad feeling or discontent.. .. .A brief addition in response to gengis remark. . </font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica">
I know this doesn't address the root cause of the problem, but how about nobody giving any flying to this lady? </font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica">I recall flying with the lady when she was a new F/O; having done the pre flight paperwork and checked the Wx and notams etc she turned to me and asked " Which sectors do you want to fly then?". .. .Perhaps the rsponse should have been " Why thank you, I'll do all of them" <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />. . . . <small>[ 12 March 2002, 10:11: Message edited by: PaulDeGearup ]</small>