Brian 48nav ... many interesting points in your #8735. If you weren't so coy about your age, we could discuss whether we have old colleagues in common!!
I was rejected for the civil Cadet Scheme in 1964, as the Civil Service Commission were insistent on A-levels and wouldn't budge. So I joined Min of Av as an ATCA III in May 64, whilst waiting for the ponderous wheels of RAF to get round to me visiting OASC [again]. I resigned in Dec 64 after an interesting 6 months at Southern Centre [as was], and donned the Light Blue suit in Jan 65.
PS: I loved doing Local too, but Mil (Area) is where the big boys get to play. The part-trained ATCOs don't know what they're missing
