WHAT A SHAME

[SACSmith]

Isn't it a shame that we blue-jobbers are all afraid to air our views publicly? I thought the RAF wanted people who could think for themselves, had their own minds and weren't afraid to go against the grain. If I wanted to be a mind-less drone that just blindly followed orders, I'd have joined the Army. How wrong I was/am. I've seen so many people (including myself) who have tried to fight the system (not for the sake of it), and lost, and their 'career's' are destroyed by their 'superiors' via the annual confidential report. People should be able to state their views (as long as they don't personally insult anyone) without the fear of their promotion prospects going out of the window. I've had the privilege to meet some maverick RAF men/women who have some backbone and have not been afraid to challenge convention, but they now might as well PVR. I personally will be submitting my PVR papers this year, before my spirit is completely crushed by the system.

A 6 year SAC adminer. . <img src="confused.gif" border="0"> <img src="frown.gif" border="0"> <img src="eek.gif" border="0"> <img src="rolleyes.gif" border="0">

[Cooperman]

You don't work for Admin Guru do you? I'd understand your upset if you did.

[Molesworth Hold]

I’m surprised that you haven’t been inundated with replies telling you to go and sort out some travel claims and stop being a sad tw@t. If you decide to PVR as some kind of protest against your annual appraisal,I can assure you that no one will give a stuff. You must be extremely naïve to believe that openly expressing contrary opinions will help your career prospects, in the RAF or any other organisation.

I would suggest the following options:. .1. Get posted, play station sport, get on the NAFFI committee, run a charity event, brown nose around your boss and keep you mouth shut.. .2. Don’t buy a video; don’t buy a car, save all your money and PVR. (Taken from the Midland Radar guard hut circa 1989)

It’s worth remembering that this is a Military Aircrew forum, I’m a very blunt Air Traffic assistant who lurks, to be enlightened and entertained.

You don’t also go by the name of Admin Guru, do you?

[Taffmerlin]

I understand your frustrations, but why give up! do something about it. If you feel the system stinks. Go for your commission and try and change the system from within. I know many engineering officers who would not have made Cpl ( due to options for change etc, or maybe I am too kind), but have now got quite a healthy career. What you must remeber is that everybody is sensitive to critism, therefore you may have to improve your delivery technique.

Good Luck with the future which ever path you choose.

[Scud-U-Like]

As Taffmerlin suggests, it ain't always what you say, but the way that you say it. If you think the Service has got it wrong on a particular policy matter, why not send a letter to the RAF News? If published, not only will your letter come to the attention of the entire RAF brass (who, contrary to what you may read in this hallowed forum, are the guys who run the mob), but you will also keep a senior officer gainfully employed for a day while he drafts an official reply <img src="wink.gif" border="0"> Provided you make a calm, considered and well presented argument, it will almost certainly be published.

If the problem is more local in nature, then, take a deep breath, draft a memo (same principles as aforesaid letter apply) and send it up your chain of command.

Unfortunately, if you are just one of life's rebels, then the RAF probably is not for you. It is worth remembering that in any field of employment, you are always going to be answerable to someone, whose views will not always accord with your own. Sometimes, you just have to bite the bullet and get on with it. This can be particularly galling if you work for a complete to55er, but that's life matey.

Oh, and remember, this is a public forum, so (much to the consternation of the purists) you can air your views here on any subject you choose

[ 17 February 2002: Message edited by: Scud-U-Like ]</p>

[6nandneutral]

When you are asked or told to do something $hitty just smile and do it, then later either on your own or with someone you can trust with the emphasis on trust talk it over and you can slag off whoever has upset you till your hearts content, it will make you feel better. I found out that if you speak your mind even when you are right, it will more than likely go against you. So basically bite the bullet and just play the game.

[Blacksheep]

I say Smithy, its just not on, letting the side down like that. We true Blacksheep are made of sterner stuff! Dish out the criticism, take the brickbats and keep on working. You won't get anywhere but if you were a true Blacksheep you'd know you were right and you wouldn't care, you'd just get on with it. PVR? What kind of a sheepish characteristic is that? Perhaps the Royal Air Force really isn't for you, but true Blacksheep don't wimp out. We stand on our principles and either desert or mutiny. Get a grip man and do as Scud-You-Like suggests. The true satisfaction of Blacksheeping is that you can force the incompetent to respond and in doing so one hopes that they will find enlightenment when they research their reply.

Get on with it Smith, never mind the six year crap, sign on for twelve and try to really make a difference. Per Ardua and all that...

**********************************. .Through difficulties to the cinema

[Chilli Monster]

6 years - stil wet behind the ears! Try 15 and still feel frustrated!

I'm afraid in your position mate you are one of the smallest cogs in a big machine. If you want to change things then you have to bide your time, learn the hoops to jump through to move on up and then do something. But be under no illusion - the military as far as you're concerned is just that - a hoop jumping exercise. There are those above who have seen the likes of you several times before and have jumped on them too. Them's the facts <img src="smile.gif" border="0"> The Military is no place for idealism <img src="wink.gif" border="0">

But if it's any consolation my move outside is now earning me more than double what I earned inside - with a lot more job satisfaction

Molesworth - drop me a line - do I know you? (Ex AATC 80-95)

CM

[SACSmith]

Thanks for you advice everyone, and no I dont work for Admin Guru. <img src="smile.gif" border="0">

[SACSmith]

Thanks Arrse, and nice web-site. There is a lot of constructive advice up there, but essentially, I have to conform or get out, play the game, let the bull-Sh*t go over my head, and play my part in the generation of air power, and act as a force for good in the world etc etc etc..... I've actually got all the paperwork ready for applying for a commission. I figure, what the hell, if I don't try, I'll never know. Admin Sec looks like the natural way to go. Being an ex-ranker, I probably won't get past Flt Lt, but at least I won't be given sh*tty monotonous repetitive mundane task by a flight sergeant. <img src="rolleyes.gif" border="0">

[StopStart]

No, you'll be given them Sqn Ldrs.

[Megaton]

Who're given them by wg cdrs.

[Thirteen-Twelve]

FIFO

[NOODY]

SAC Smith. . .With regards to your remarks about the army in your opening post... you pompus ass.. .I spent 2 years pretending to be a infantry platoon commander before joing the RAF. My experience of both services is that i never, in 8 years, met an admin anything from sac to Wg Co who showed the leadership and managemnet skills that were demonstrated by many of the very switched on l/cpls and cpls i worked with.

So a 6 year sac adminer.....good going. What a shame the airforce dosn't have more 'mavericks' like yourself to save us all.

Talent rises to the top. I can only guess that your present prediciment speaks for itself.

Enjoy serving those burgers.

[Jump jump John]

Bear in mind that scum also has an interesting habit of rising to the top (just look at a water barrel). .No analogies drawn with anyone here, cos I don't know you, but do you know anyone like that?!

[NOODY]

touche,. .had the pleasure of lunch with a certain aoc 11 gp who's name couldn't be uttered in the bar. Yes many times did i sit in the crewroom and all we talked about was the tossers getting promoted etc etc etc. In many way's that is why i am a civie now!. .The original post however contained not a single positive thread. It talked about fighting the system and mavericks! My experience, all be it not a lifetime , was that the best Sen Officers / SNCO's all shared the talent of natural leadership and the ability to get things done both with and without the sytems help.

The force's offer the chance off achievement to everyone. Anyone who want's to blame the system for their lack of success is just copping out.

[SACSmith]

Spoilt Tom, sorry if I've caused you offence, I worked with the Army for 3 years, and that was my experience of them, which obviously differs from yours, but then this is a debating forum, so opinions are bound to vary. <img src="rolleyes.gif" border="0">

[Admin Guru]

I think there is a distinction to be drawn between reasoned arguments for changes, and a merely windmilling in on an ad hoc "this is rubbish" basis. Adminers should know better than this; where as it seems to be the aircrew perogative to slate something that doesn't directly improve their standard of living, us in the admin branch realise the channels that need to be gone through to make changes.. .I agree, that those in the army are more used to taking orders rather than giving them.

For all you doubters; Cooperman take note, I have no SAC Smith working for me. Just for the record, my staff are highly motivated by me and my drive for perfection and there is little talk of PVR. Also, I believe that SAC Smith is possibly a made up name.

Ed Winchester, feel free to not come back and criticise me again. For those interested, my new Forum will come up next week.

[SACSmith]

Dear Admin Guru, I can assure you I am an SAC adminer, and if you read my reply to Fay in 'ONE TO ONE WITH CAS', you'll see I've had a change of heart. Are there any vacancies in your section?? And why are you so........ popular within this cyber-debating type place?

[Megaton]

If it was between AG and SACSmith, I know which one I would rather have as sqn adj!