Originally Posted by Finger Poking
Whilst I understand the rationale of putting personnel selected throught the standard training course to become SNCO Aircrew, why would an established SNCO need to go through the Initial course which is designed to bring a Civvi up to SNCO status in a hurry?
There is a difference between NCA and "regular" SNCOs.
As more and more aircraft become 3 crew, the emphasis goes less and less towards NCO qualities and much more towards the airmanship and crew integration aspects.
The man management skills of a "regular" SNCO are not really required at Sgt NCA level, but having the balls to tell your Capt they're about to fook up is very important. (Obviously, only if they are going to fook up!!)
I'm not saying a "regular" SNCO couldn't do it, just pointing out that although they share a rank, they need not share exactly the same skill-set.
That is why the selection process is different, and Logistic Loader, that's why you can't just stick a mover onto the aircraft.