RNR ditched the R

[doubledolphins]

Well its finally gone. Well ,all right, it's hanging on by a golden thread for a month or two. At least it will have gone by September. It will save all future air branch recruits having to get new rank slides when they join.(Or is that "transfer" in the brave new world?)

Do the RauxAF still have the A on No 1s? I know its been gone a long time from working rig.

[Chris Kebab]

..what, you mean they are no longer Royal?

[Wader2]

Actually I thought the "A" was on the rank slide, same as VR and VRT.

[airborne_artist]

Not before time. Even 20+ years you could only have distinguished TA soldiers/officers from regular if they wore a TA only cap badge. Rank slides etc. were identical.

Not that anyone had any difficulty tell me apart from one of Hereford's finest. I hadn't mastered the stare, and I had no adornment on the upper lip :E

[gijoe]

Without wanting to turn this into a TA/Reserves bashing thread, is it a good thing to remove all signs of being a reservist?
Why do I ask?
Well, there are more than a few FTRS people around in the Defence world at the moment and more than a few that are sometimes not upto the mark. Not always their fault because of experience, training etc so would it not be a good idea to retain the mark so people on meeting for the first time can have an idea of someone's potential background, training, likely experience and capability?
Repeat - this is NOT a bashing thread and I am trying to be helpful.
Helpful replies from reservists welcome please.

[althenick]

Good point GIJOE,
As an Ex-Reservist I always thought that The 'R' and shoulder flashes were a good idea for the exact reasons you described. It also meant that the regulars in your trade knew who to ask about civilian oppurtuinities in your industry :E

[Ops and Mops]

The RAuxAF still wear A's on No1 and No5 dress, but not on any other since the Total Force Concept of a few years ago.

I think it is important that on day to day uniform, there is no differentiation between "operational" reservists (as opposed to cadet forces) and regulars. In days gone by, it caused predjudice from the moment the reservist walked in the room.

As regards FTRS folks not being up to standard, that is a matter for branch/trade STANEVAL to pick up on as both FTRS and Volunteer reservists are subject to the same Trade and Branch ability audits/reporting as regulars.

I have to say that there are a few regulars out there that could also be accused of not being up to scratch....

Lights blue touch paper and retires! :E

[gijoe]

Thanks for taking my post in the way it was meant and, Ops and Mops, I cannot disagree with you.

I try not to be an ARAB at the best of times...:ok:

[Wycombe]

I first joined the RAuxAF in 1985, even then never wore anything on the working dress uniform (green or blue) that marked me out as an "Oggie". Was a different story for the Occifer-types.

Talking of the No.5's, I still have a very nice set (with the aforementioned "A's"), only worn a few times, to fit a short, slightly portly chap, if anyone's interested - don't have a use for them anymore :{ (and, yes, I did buy them).

[WE Branch Fanatic]

Deployable (as opposed to honourary, SCC etc) RNR Officers are losing the R from the curl. RNR ratings are losing the "Royal Naval Reserve" shoulder flash. RNR ABs now wear slides marked "Royal Navy" instead of RNR. This is all part of our closer integration with the regular service.

Ok chaps which of the two R's are they getting rid of?

Wah?

[tablet_eraser]

As an aside... I've put in my PVR in the last week, and would quite like to transfer to the RAuxAF when I leave (I'm on a PC so there's no automatic transfer to the reserves). How do I go about this? Presumably I just need to speak to an AFCO; but will I be able to transfer automatically, or will I have to do some trg at Cranwell? THERE'S NOTHING IN THE AP!!

[gar170]

an aside... I've put in my PVR in the last week, and would quite like to transfer to the RAuxAF when I leave (I'm on a PC so there's no automatic transfer to the reserves). How do I go about this? Presumably I just need to speak to an AFCO; but will I be able to transfer automatically, or will I have to do some trg at Cranwell? THERE'S NOTHING IN THE AP!!][/quote]
I think if you approach the sqn you intend to join then you may find that it is a simple task to join with respect your training it depends on experience.
As for some not being up to scratch.All i can say is that i remember we had a no 1,s inspection and after wards the flight sgt apologies for the turn out for the shift as i was the only one that had made the effort i can honestly say to stand in file with people wearing boots no jackets could not be bothered to wear a tie it was to say the least a bloody embarrassment and that was the regs.

[Squirrel 41]

Anorak on

RAuxAF still wear "A"s on No 1 and No 5, but has been correctly pointed out, lost As on working dress about 5 yrs ago as part of "Total Force Concept" integration. Aux Officers also seem (led by 600 Sqn, I believe) to have vermillion lining in No 1 / No 5 jackets, and forrage caps.

Certainly the old RAF Volunteer Reserve (RAFVR) - 7006, 7010, 7630, 7644 - wore VR flashes on their working dress to the amalgamation in 1997; not sure what Aux units were doing at the same time.

Anorak off

T_E

Depends what your current specialism is and what you want to do, and where you are going to be living after you leave. In principle, however, if you were to move across to doing your existing job at something like your existing rank, you probably won't have any training to do. You'll also come in at maximum tax-free training bounty (£1500) IIRC.:cool: Pls PM if I can help.

S41

[buoy15]

Oh dear, very sad, never mind! (the lovely Windsor Davies) Weekend soldiers - Bah!
gar170
You are on a PC?
Looking at your post, i would hsve gessed yu wer stil in prymary skool:O

[wobble2plank]

I wouldn't get tooooo teary eye'd :eek:

'Tis only a bean counter cost cutting measure to allow commonality of all slides to cut the production costs. We get no 'RNR' and some fat a$$ed desk jockey civil servant gets a big pay off for a minute cost saving measure..... or am I being too cynical.

Personally I liked the idea of RNR with the 'R', certainly within the air branch as, as has already been said, it distinguished you to your colleagues as the bloke to talk to about getting a civvie job. Most of the time, as an active aviator, it also showed that you had worked your time and had the experience to show for it.

T'will be missed me thinks.

:sad:

[doubledolphins]

Woble, I'm afraid you are incorrect about it being a bean counter diven move. No one told them. That is why it was not put into place by 1 July as the Flag wanted. Central stores are still ordering them. Also as I said before it is going off the cuff as well.
I agree with any one who says they will still be able to tell the difference. After all the fairer sex replaced their blue stripes with gold in 1990 and I can still tell the difference. ( If you can't it dosen't matter;))

[Jimlad1]

Not bean counter, mainly driven by current Flag Officer Reserves who makes no secret of his admiration for RNR.

Also worth noting that on ops, RNR lose the R and go to normal stripes anyway, this is merely formalising the situation.