Overshoot and Obi, I would argue that perhaps it is not the argument I made which is entirely at fault, rather the system that sees the pilot as a non-specialist on the battlefield. Perhaps you would agree with me that the way the AAC recruits and retains is flawed along with the view of cabs being "assests" in the same manner as landrovers. I can't fault a bandsman or a nurse for getting through a course, but I can fault a system that hardly differentiates between an Mil Flying Qual and an FMT600. I can drive a tank, but that doesn't make me a Trp Cdr, or even a crew member. If I wanted to re-badge to the RAC I am sure I would have to go back and do a troopie's cse first before the RAC would let me fight in a tank. I think OS' comments about integrated all-arms ops being part of the course for non-fighting or CSS elements has a lot f credibility. Ultimately the answer will only come with a re-think of the entire ethos of the AAC and its philosophy.
[ 28 July 2001: Message edited by: kbf1 ]