Originally Posted by
nigegilb
Interested by your comments about CAS preparing to leave. He has only just taken over has he not?
With ref to your comments I believe that former chiefs of staff sitting in the Lords would absolutely agree with you. Some of them have publicly stated that what is needed now is strong leadership, someone prepared to march over to Downing Street and bang on the table. Have to say I have been impressed with Sir Richard so far.....
Sorry, Nige, as usual I appear to be behind the ball, which is now well and truly in CAS's court (and my head hurts!). Unless he embarks on a root and branch reform of the higher echelons, as well as establishing a line in the sand that the politicians and civil servants respect, we are on a downward slide. That is the crux of the issue, and BAFF, or any other such creature is merely a diversion. Have an organisation that is complementary to the chain of command, which can give specialist advice or pastoral care, viz SSAFFA etc, by all means. What must not happen is to take away the power and responsibility of command. It is because that has, to some extent, already been allowed to happen that the RAF finds itself in its present predicament. I speak only of the RAF. I believe passionately in an independent air force, albeit one that cooperates with, and alongside, the other two services. Administrative convenience and savings by scale must not compromise that.