I wasn't putting down DHFS, early exposure to other services is priceless, people make good contacts for the future. However, I stand by what I said (as a through and through RAF man), that the AAC got the product THEY WANTED, faster than the present system. Faster was the critical word a few years ago, they were very very short of pilots because the new system took longer. If the pilot couldn't captain an aircraft to Split, so what? They generally used a P2 system that worked for them. I think the RAF/RN system produced a slightly better product, but it took me a hell of a lot longer to get to the front line. My first 6 months on 33 Sqn are still a blur, I was so maxed out, we needed the extra training. Horses for courses, train what YOU need for the front line, as fast as possible.
PS. CFS checked the army regularly, other than wearing the wrong uniform, they were as good as us.....
