Bonfire of the Generals
Gentleman Aviator
Said it before and I'll say it again - too many ranks. We (RAF) are now - or shortly will be - smaller than the Met Police, who manage with 10 total ranks from Plod to Commissioner (other forces have 9).
So why do we have 20-ish......
So why do we have 20-ish......
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For Army officers of 1-star and above and for RN/RM and RAF officers of 2-star and above, the assumption will be that service will cease following the end of the current tour, without payment of a SCP, if no offer of further employment is made at least 6 months before the end of tour. This is reflected in the flowchart at Annex A.
Rank of command should be based on responsibility and accountability. An airfield of 4,000 people and 100 aircraft seems reasonable for 1* command.
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
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So we could stuff all the Navies Aircraft on one Airfield, get shot of the rest, stick a one 1 star Seaman in charge of it and get shot of the rest of them too, plenty of work for them out in the real world, they could take turns on the Birdseye Fish Fingers packaging......
This Minister of Defence lark is easy.......
This Minister of Defence lark is easy.......
PN, we'll take you as our excellency before a lot of them.
Nutloose, it's a lot easier than many think. It only gets complicated when (a) the Minister gets changed every few months and (b) when politics become the dominant factor. Mostly, it's a matter of learning to understand what's going on, what's required and how to make it happen. All the "minions" around the Minister take care of the detail, as long as the "man" is well briefed, competant and willing.
Nutloose, it's a lot easier than many think. It only gets complicated when (a) the Minister gets changed every few months and (b) when politics become the dominant factor. Mostly, it's a matter of learning to understand what's going on, what's required and how to make it happen. All the "minions" around the Minister take care of the detail, as long as the "man" is well briefed, competant and willing.
Why do the Police have so few ranks? Because they don't have an officer's and other rank's career structure. Although fast track is available, all are expected to join as a Constable (graduates on a higher pay band) and do their time of up to 5 years minimum to progress into the rank of Inspector - they have played with direct entry Inspectors but I believe that ACPO aren't very keen.
So really it isn't comparable...
LJ
So really it isn't comparable...
LJ
Red On, Green On
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Worth bearing in mind that police forces have large numbers of non-uniformed civilian staff many of whom perform tasks similar to those in the ranks in the Services. They also have more senior civilian staff in finance, admin etc.
The Met has nearly 14,000 civilian staff and 32,000 full time officers.
The Met has nearly 14,000 civilian staff and 32,000 full time officers.
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I just wanted to revisit the NCO Pilot question from earlier. I have to ask, what is the benefit of NCO pilots over junior officer pilots? Just cost-saving (or not, as you say).
Firstly, where do we grow our future flt cdrs, sqn cdrs, det cdrs and the like? Yes I know it's not fashionable to expect our stn cdrs to have experience flying to types they command on their stn any more, but there has to be some type experience in the command chain.
Second, the reduced return of service necessitates more training resources, so, presumably, bigger OCUs.
Third, not good for comradery when half your sqn pilots are drinking in the Officers' Mess, the rest in the Sargeants' Mess.
Slightly simplistic, I know, but in the interests of brevity.
Firstly, where do we grow our future flt cdrs, sqn cdrs, det cdrs and the like? Yes I know it's not fashionable to expect our stn cdrs to have experience flying to types they command on their stn any more, but there has to be some type experience in the command chain.
Second, the reduced return of service necessitates more training resources, so, presumably, bigger OCUs.
Third, not good for comradery when half your sqn pilots are drinking in the Officers' Mess, the rest in the Sargeants' Mess.
Slightly simplistic, I know, but in the interests of brevity.
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Could be the last,
Of course it has, but it still doesn't help with sqn identity or comradeship, which was my point.
I'll check my birth certificate this evening, but obviously planet two-seat.
Biggus,
Good point, well made.
OK, forget my point 3!
M2
Of course it has, but it still doesn't help with sqn identity or comradeship, which was my point.
I'll check my birth certificate this evening, but obviously planet two-seat.
Biggus,
Good point, well made.
OK, forget my point 3!
M2
Gentleman Aviator
Why do the Police have so few ranks? Because they don't have an officer's and other rank's career structure.
And in the finest traditions of the Army, he was assigned to a hairy old sergeant to look after him!
