OFT - Failure to complete will result in X-Factor removed!
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OFT - Failure to complete will result in X-Factor removed!
I was informed today that the X-Factor will be removed for those who fail to pass their OFT. Obviously there will be caveats but essentially a good incentive. I'm sick and tired of seeing wasters getting away without deploying due to LMF or a poor personal standard of fitness.
But I'm sure there will be someone who comes up with a reason why they can't do it.
Better still, why not increase the benefits for those who deploy at a greater frequency. That will get the chunkies running round the block.........
But I'm sure there will be someone who comes up with a reason why they can't do it.
Better still, why not increase the benefits for those who deploy at a greater frequency. That will get the chunkies running round the block.........
Unlikely, I'd have thought. X Factor is set by AFPRB as an integral part of service pay and is meant to compensate for all the emb
erances of service life, not just the dangerous bits.
erances of service life, not just the dangerous bits.
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Nah - he just made it up when he was posting on the other thread about fitness. Food For Thought For The Old And Bold
He seems to have missed the point about fitness, which is - you don't have to be fully physically fit to be operationally effective! You just need to be motivated. Here's an example of what I mean.
He seems to have missed the point about fitness, which is - you don't have to be fully physically fit to be operationally effective! You just need to be motivated. Here's an example of what I mean.
Last edited by LFFC; 25th Aug 2006 at 21:55.
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LFFC
Not quite, this has been rumbling around the PEd world for some time. Also, the required pass/fail will be the same regardless of being Male/Female, which would seem sensible!
And I haven't missed the point! When I am re-deploying guys the back to the sand pit 4 weeks after they have returned because another chimp can't be bothered to pass his fitness test, why should he be paid the same? In fact, if his motivation is that poor why should he wear a uniform at all?
Not quite, this has been rumbling around the PEd world for some time. Also, the required pass/fail will be the same regardless of being Male/Female, which would seem sensible!
And I haven't missed the point! When I am re-deploying guys the back to the sand pit 4 weeks after they have returned because another chimp can't be bothered to pass his fitness test, why should he be paid the same? In fact, if his motivation is that poor why should he wear a uniform at all?
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At a secret Wiltshire Air Base last year we all turned up over a few days to trial the wonderful new OFT which was full of irrevelant and quite pointless exercises.
None of the females in my group achieved a pass, there were several injuries and the level of supervision and knowledge was appalling.
Now I have nothing against the requirement for fitness but:-
Can we have relevant tests - how about the BFT/CFT??
How about some time programmed into the working week for supervised physical training - not during lunchtimes or at 7am!!
I for one was medically exempt the RAFFT for 18 months with a leq injury but that didn't stop me doing 189 days deployed during that period - would have been pi ed off if I'd been doing that with less pay.
None of the females in my group achieved a pass, there were several injuries and the level of supervision and knowledge was appalling.
Now I have nothing against the requirement for fitness but:-
Can we have relevant tests - how about the BFT/CFT??
How about some time programmed into the working week for supervised physical training - not during lunchtimes or at 7am!!
I for one was medically exempt the RAFFT for 18 months with a leq injury but that didn't stop me doing 189 days deployed during that period - would have been pi
ed off if I'd been doing that with less pay.
As topgas pointed out:
"The pay allowances and pensions of the Armed Forces are reviewed regularly.
Pay
Rates of salary are reviewed annually by the independent Armed Forces Pay Review Body and are generally related to the wages paid in civilian life, with an addition known as the 'X' Factor to compensate for the special circumstances found in the Services. With effect from 1st April 2001Pay for airmen was reviewed and a new pay structure "Pay 2000" was introduced. Pay 2000 depends on the airman's, trade, rank, time in rank (if promoted after 1 April 2001) and commitment - the period of engagement. For officers, pay is based on their branch and length of service in their rank."
The X factor is not just for deploying to nasty places, we received it well before life in the sandpit came along!
What hacks me off is the females who get cushy postings to the sim/ops because they have 'sprogs' and therefore 'can't' deploy because of childcare issues, etc. Or the guys who always seem to have 'domestic' problems which mean they can't deploy either (or are recalled whilst away requiring someone to replace them at short notice). I would have thought the divorce rates show that most of us who do go away regualrly have domestic problems of our own!
"The pay allowances and pensions of the Armed Forces are reviewed regularly.
Pay
Rates of salary are reviewed annually by the independent Armed Forces Pay Review Body and are generally related to the wages paid in civilian life, with an addition known as the 'X' Factor to compensate for the special circumstances found in the Services. With effect from 1st April 2001Pay for airmen was reviewed and a new pay structure "Pay 2000" was introduced. Pay 2000 depends on the airman's, trade, rank, time in rank (if promoted after 1 April 2001) and commitment - the period of engagement. For officers, pay is based on their branch and length of service in their rank."
The X factor is not just for deploying to nasty places, we received it well before life in the sandpit came along!
What hacks me off is the females who get cushy postings to the sim/ops because they have 'sprogs' and therefore 'can't' deploy because of childcare issues, etc. Or the guys who always seem to have 'domestic' problems which mean they can't deploy either (or are recalled whilst away requiring someone to replace them at short notice). I would have thought the divorce rates show that most of us who do go away regualrly have domestic problems of our own!
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From a good source this week-"OFT will be withdrawn until incentives/ punishment can be ironed out"
If you fail OFT do they then not let you deploy
I DON'T THINK SO!
We'll have to wait and see what the NFWs come up with
If you fail OFT do they then not let you deploy
I DON'T THINK SO!
We'll have to wait and see what the NFWs come up with
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There seems to be plenty of confusion here between the OFT (which I personally think is a poor idea executed appallingly) and the RAFFT.
Also standards will never be the same for male and female because that would be sexual discrimination. If you dont get that then go on another equal ops course!!
Also standards will never be the same for male and female because that would be sexual discrimination. If you dont get that then go on another equal ops course!!
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Does this mean that you will now do 3 fitness tests a year?? 
The one on your birthday, the one at the start of the financial year and now this new one. I preferred the one on your birthday only. I was Exempt for 2 1/2 years from the test, passed first time on my return, but out of 30, 20 - 30 year olds 10 passed. That included me as a cripple and 4 girls. If you think adding a bit of sand bag filling etc is going to make people pass you are wrong. Also take away the X-Factor and you can't be deployed.!! 
Hang on!! That means I don't have to go to the desert or other nasty places around the world, and I get weekends off. Can I also have a personnel chauffeur called Les!! Get a grip. If you can't pass, you should be beasted 
( OH my god I used that non PC word) until you can. If you are massively overweight, then a regime of diet 
and exercise should be enforced. My god, you're in the military, have a bit of pride. I for one am no lean mean fighting machine, but I can out pace some of the younger generation we have joining up.
Welcome to the Dictatorship of ROGUEDENT
Edited : If people struggle with the test here, the 5 runs of 1 1/2 miles in the heat to acclimatise (SP) will be impossible!!
The one on your birthday, the one at the start of the financial year and now this new one. I preferred the one on your birthday only. I was Exempt for 2 1/2 years from the test, passed first time on my return, but out of 30, 20 - 30 year olds 10 passed. That included me as a cripple and 4 girls. If you think adding a bit of sand bag filling etc is going to make people pass you are wrong. Also take away the X-Factor and you can't be deployed.!! Hang on!! That means I don't have to go to the desert or other nasty places around the world, and I get weekends off. Can I also have a personnel chauffeur called Les!! Get a grip. If you can't pass, you should be beasted ( OH my god I used that non PC word) until you can. If you are massively overweight, then a regime of diet and exercise should be enforced. My god, you're in the military, have a bit of pride. I for one am no lean mean fighting machine, but I can out pace some of the younger generation we have joining up.Welcome to the Dictatorship of ROGUEDENT
Edited : If people struggle with the test here, the 5 runs of 1 1/2 miles in the heat to acclimatise (SP) will be impossible!!
Thread Starter
There are obviously big differences around the Service with regard to the RAFFT. We currently do one each year; still doing mine around my birthday. Then 6-weeks prior to deployment we are supposed to do a max effort, with advice given to improve your scores, then you do another a week before you leave. Most of the guys are doing at least 3....
Also, to take admin action against an individual who fails his FT, that individual has to fail a further 4 times........... Surely it should be 3 strikes and your out?
Also, to take admin action against an individual who fails his FT, that individual has to fail a further 4 times........... Surely it should be 3 strikes and your out?
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From a good source this week-"OFT will be withdrawn until incentives/ punishment can be ironed out"
Personally I know one guy with 18 months left who will not voluneteer to put his back out carrying sandbags and leopard crawling under wire!!
FI should also have a 2 can rule and this must be vigorously enforced.
Last edited by ZH875; 27th Aug 2006 at 11:11.
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Originally Posted by SaddamsLoveChild
Its not as though there is a real job to do down there anyway
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Anyone who fails the fitness test should be deployed to the Falklands for a period of not less than 6 months and put on remedial PT in the fantastic Gym. FI should also have a 2 can rule and this must be vigorously enforced. That way we should then at least get them back fitter than when they went. Its not as though there is a real job to do down there anyway, the army dont even class it as an operational tour anymore.
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I actively engage their Desky to get them moved up the list to go OOA or have them posted somewhere else, they are regularly volunteered for UK exercises on the plain, Cornwall or scotland living in tents,
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... I actively engage their Desky to get them moved up the list to go OOA or have them posted somewhere else, they are regularly volunteered for UK exercises ....