Dukeyboy,
It is pma that have nominated said individual to be a surveillance operator (not controller), without any consultation whatsoever with Waddington. He will not be controlling, little interest in airspace (controllers again), and it is only because he is ex-NCA, therefore no need for the PET course (that is not available for the next course).
Yes, most people could be trained to be a surveillance operator, it is not always the most demanding job on the E-3, but the fact remains that there are aircrew filling ground posts that would welcome the chance to fly on the E-3. I would also re-iterate my earlier post that what the E-3D needs is NCO surv ops right now, not commissioned. PMA TAKE NOTE!!!
AFAIK said Air Trafficer was not even aware that he had been nominated for the course before it became (semi) public knowledge who he was.
Y_G