Air Cadets grounded?
Staff Cadets - the future of Air Cadet Gliding.
That man is an embarrassment to the RAF and full marks to the interviewer for asking some pointed questions.
If he was being interviewed by me and he looked as disinterested and laid back as shown in the film, he would not get my vote for a job, any job. It was plainly obvious that he disliked being interviewed by a lowly cadet.
........and his answers were (even after considerable thinking time and errs) part of the same old, same old!!
He should have been asked if he knew what a Staff Cadet is/was and how important they were to the future of Volunteer Gliding Squadrons. His answer would be "No, what do they do?" - "Oh, those menial tasks like opening up the hangar doors before the instructors get there, DI the MT, DI the gliders, DI the cables, prepare everything for a long day's gliding, driving the winches, driving the ground vehicles - from start of day to dusk, and then put it all away at the end of the day, often in the dark."
His response would be, "Oh we have people who are paid to do that at Syerston! .....and they have to finish at 17:00hrs otherwise we would have to pay overtime and we do not have money to burn, do we young man? This is the Royal Air Force, don't you know!"
If he was put into post by VSOs to create this misery (conspiracy theory again) for the Air Cadet Organisation and sees the destruction that this has caused, he should carefully rethink his future involvement with this slow motion car crash.
We need Staff Cadets, they are the future of Air Cadet gliding. More importantly we need senior officers who the cadets and junior instructors look up to and respect.
If he was being interviewed by me and he looked as disinterested and laid back as shown in the film, he would not get my vote for a job, any job. It was plainly obvious that he disliked being interviewed by a lowly cadet.
........and his answers were (even after considerable thinking time and errs) part of the same old, same old!!
He should have been asked if he knew what a Staff Cadet is/was and how important they were to the future of Volunteer Gliding Squadrons. His answer would be "No, what do they do?" - "Oh, those menial tasks like opening up the hangar doors before the instructors get there, DI the MT, DI the gliders, DI the cables, prepare everything for a long day's gliding, driving the winches, driving the ground vehicles - from start of day to dusk, and then put it all away at the end of the day, often in the dark."
His response would be, "Oh we have people who are paid to do that at Syerston! .....and they have to finish at 17:00hrs otherwise we would have to pay overtime and we do not have money to burn, do we young man? This is the Royal Air Force, don't you know!"
If he was put into post by VSOs to create this misery (conspiracy theory again) for the Air Cadet Organisation and sees the destruction that this has caused, he should carefully rethink his future involvement with this slow motion car crash.
We need Staff Cadets, they are the future of Air Cadet gliding. More importantly we need senior officers who the cadets and junior instructors look up to and respect.
VSO Input
Regardless of the actual 'instigator' in all this no one is coming out it showing any sort of acceptance that there has/is a problem.
We know JM is a complete W O S and it is a mystery that the CO's/Former CO's of the schools did not rebel en-mass when confronted by this individual who it is plain to see has not the slightest idea what a fine system he has destroyed.
The fact the no VSO seems to have any qualms with regard to the outcome leads one to believe they are also completely out of touch with what they had ALLOWED under the name of the MOD/RAF.
TO be honest if i was still involved with this organisation that was being 'crushed to death' i would feel the best option was to LEAVE with my staff and make the point BIG TIME.
That is the only way this scandal of disorganisation will really get exposed and with no flying going on there is NOTHING TO LOOSE.
The media will then do the rest as the message to the Government will be clear.
If the Air Scouts wish to pick up the pieces (and experienced staff) then so be it as the ACO are obviously not capable of individual thought in all this.
As for AEF well this has never produced 'Cadet' flying in any great amount with the resources available and there is no indication that this will change either.
We know JM is a complete W O S and it is a mystery that the CO's/Former CO's of the schools did not rebel en-mass when confronted by this individual who it is plain to see has not the slightest idea what a fine system he has destroyed.
The fact the no VSO seems to have any qualms with regard to the outcome leads one to believe they are also completely out of touch with what they had ALLOWED under the name of the MOD/RAF.
TO be honest if i was still involved with this organisation that was being 'crushed to death' i would feel the best option was to LEAVE with my staff and make the point BIG TIME.
That is the only way this scandal of disorganisation will really get exposed and with no flying going on there is NOTHING TO LOOSE.
The media will then do the rest as the message to the Government will be clear.
If the Air Scouts wish to pick up the pieces (and experienced staff) then so be it as the ACO are obviously not capable of individual thought in all this.
As for AEF well this has never produced 'Cadet' flying in any great amount with the resources available and there is no indication that this will change either.
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Dear Lord, what a total ass---le! If this is the type of twit that can rise to senior rank in the RAF then you Brits are doomed to at the very best to sink to the level of a third world Air Force. He showed a total lack of respect for the cadet and needs to sit up and not sprawl like a total slob! {Now let me tell you how I REALLY feel!}
Embarrassing: and did he have to wear his medals? ( I'm just surprised he didn't also have his hat on the desk in front of him,so we could all see the scrambled egg 
)
)
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JM interview on You Tube @ 162F Stockport Sqn
Well he's lived up his vision, 14 X VGS gone and massive staff loss, but I await the proof of "higher quality", that is, if they can even make these 10 X RGC's ( Regional Gliding Centres) even function at anything like the former VGS efficiency levels with no CGI's and no FSC's !
As the old adage states, " the proof of the pudding is in the eating thereof" , mind you they haven't got the recipe yet, and the cooker is bust, and there's a power cut for another year or so ! Don't hold you breath.
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Goodness me Haraka - have you been living under a stone man ?? - Of Course you have to wear the medals, it emphasises just how superior the wearer is to the spectator...............
OBE - Other Bu$$ers Efforts..............
Arc
OBE - Other Bu$$ers Efforts..............
Arc
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So has anyone got a straight answer yet as to what the future requirements are going to be regarding non-QSP AEF pilots? Are they still going to insist on a CPL, or will PPLs with a minimum number of specified hours suffice?
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I think somebody may already have alluded to this, but just out of curiosity...
A handful of years ago, approx 2012 if I had to guess, the gentleman featured in the video on the previous page (you know, the one with the abysmal 'I'm better than you' body language) wrote a report whilst he was Comdt North Region about the future of Air Cadet Gliding. I seem to recall it was sent out to all VGS OCs but am not sure if it went into general circulation. Shortly thereafter, he was installed into position as OC of the newly formed 2FTS. We all cynically japed at the time that he'd written his own retirement job description. I fear this may have come back to bite us horribly.
Sadly, I only have a cloudy recollection of what exactly he wrote in his report (which, from what I gather, was written largely from his own opinions and put together without him actually taking the time to go around the bazaars and take on board the views of the experienced personnel). However, the 'new look' 2FTS does seem to bear a striking resemblance to many of the basic elements of his report.
I'm just wondering out of curiosity, does anybody happen to have kept a copy of Mr. Middleton's vision for Air Cadet Gliding? I'm sure we'd all enjoy a compare and contrast of what has actually happened!
A handful of years ago, approx 2012 if I had to guess, the gentleman featured in the video on the previous page (you know, the one with the abysmal 'I'm better than you' body language) wrote a report whilst he was Comdt North Region about the future of Air Cadet Gliding. I seem to recall it was sent out to all VGS OCs but am not sure if it went into general circulation. Shortly thereafter, he was installed into position as OC of the newly formed 2FTS. We all cynically japed at the time that he'd written his own retirement job description. I fear this may have come back to bite us horribly.
Sadly, I only have a cloudy recollection of what exactly he wrote in his report (which, from what I gather, was written largely from his own opinions and put together without him actually taking the time to go around the bazaars and take on board the views of the experienced personnel). However, the 'new look' 2FTS does seem to bear a striking resemblance to many of the basic elements of his report.
I'm just wondering out of curiosity, does anybody happen to have kept a copy of Mr. Middleton's vision for Air Cadet Gliding? I'm sure we'd all enjoy a compare and contrast of what has actually happened!
I'm told that a large number of VGS staff have not returned the form expressing their intentions to continue in the roles they have been offered in the new set up. And just to stoke the fires of conspiracy a number of forms that have been returned have been 'lost in the post'.
Never made it to Staff Cadet
CLUNK You are right on the nail.
Any organisation needs competent leadership,and one that has a high level of volunteers needs the HIGHEST LEVEL OF LEADERSHIP coupled with the ability to show the highest level of EXAMPLE.
The Cmt 2FTS (what does that mean anyway) fails on both counts, and also has shown complete disdain to the very people that made the organisation what it was/is.
Just on those counts he should be history,and for the mishandling of the situation packed off to to run the stamp room at Sleaford.
I can say with all honesty this sorry individual would never had made it through our Gliding School Staff Cadet Selection.
The Scouts have got it Right on the Nail with their 'example'
Any organisation needs competent leadership,and one that has a high level of volunteers needs the HIGHEST LEVEL OF LEADERSHIP coupled with the ability to show the highest level of EXAMPLE.
The Cmt 2FTS (what does that mean anyway) fails on both counts, and also has shown complete disdain to the very people that made the organisation what it was/is.
Just on those counts he should be history,and for the mishandling of the situation packed off to to run the stamp room at Sleaford.
I can say with all honesty this sorry individual would never had made it through our Gliding School Staff Cadet Selection.
The Scouts have got it Right on the Nail with their 'example'
Last edited by POBJOY; 21st Apr 2016 at 23:35.
Are the aircraft unserviceable, or are they unairworthy? Or both? It looks like the latter has been ignored for years and people have carried on regardless, and then been bitten. Same as Nimrod.
That Group Captain looked very peculiar wearing his medals. Did he know about You Tube?
That Group Captain looked very peculiar wearing his medals. Did he know about You Tube?
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I was pleased to see this on the "Orkney Community News" page of Facebook yesterday:
This reply was heartening:
I would like to help but I live on Stronsay which is a 2 hour ferry journey away from mainland Orkney (and my age - 72 - would probably count against me!)
Calling all young people of Orkney.
Are you interested in outdoors pursuits, shooting, flying & becoming a better, more confident person?
1769 Squadron Air Training Corps has just opened a detatched flight in Orkney.
More information can be found at facebook Orkney DF or by email from Squadron HQ at [email protected]
Are you interested in outdoors pursuits, shooting, flying & becoming a better, more confident person?
1769 Squadron Air Training Corps has just opened a detatched flight in Orkney.
More information can be found at facebook Orkney DF or by email from Squadron HQ at [email protected]
I just have to comment here and say that as the mother of a son that spent his teenage years as an Air Cadet in Yeovil Somerset, I am thrilled that young people in Orkney can now have potentially, a similar opportunity/experience. My son joined at 13 as a cadet and worked his way up to Flight Sergeant by the time he was 16. Many of the activities were free, which allowed me, as a single Mum then, to access superb opportunities for my son. He learnt discipline, respect, self care, compassion, independence, leadership and endurance with the support of an amazing group of dedicated volunteers. He got to travel to Spain for his Gold D of E and got his glider pilots licence. Although he has not chosen to pursue a career in the armed forces, the skills he learnt with the Air Cadets has contributed to his ability to manage in the world. My son chose to travel and after a 6 month stint with TEFL in China he is still there after nearly 2 years, teaching English to young children. Good luck Air Cadets Orkney.
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Forms
"I'm told that a large number of VGS staff have not returned the form expressing their intentions to continue in the roles they have been offered in the new set up" VX275
Well that's the first I've heard of these forms..........
Well that's the first I've heard of these forms..........
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I'm told that a large number of VGS staff have not returned the form expressing their intentions to continue in the roles they have been offered in the new set up. And just to stoke the fires of conspiracy a number of forms that have been returned have been 'lost in the post'.
Are the aircraft unserviceable, or are they unairworthy?
dervish wrote
Methinks it will not make much difference if this farce carries on, the airframes will be time expired!
.....and please can I have the contract for the parachute repacking? That could be a nice little earner knowing that they are not being used!
....and what about the white fleet? I hope they are being maintained in accordance with the maintenance schedules! Oh, on second thoughts perhaps some thinking soul has cancelled the contract knowing that no gliding will be carried out for a long period of time. Or, nobody thought about that one........yet!
Are the aircraft unserviceable, or are they unairworthy?
.....and please can I have the contract for the parachute repacking? That could be a nice little earner knowing that they are not being used!
....and what about the white fleet? I hope they are being maintained in accordance with the maintenance schedules! Oh, on second thoughts perhaps some thinking soul has cancelled the contract knowing that no gliding will be carried out for a long period of time. Or, nobody thought about that one........yet!
Freda Checks
Point taken on the time this is taking to be resolved. But I gather this has been known to be coming for at least 8 years so maybe the Group Captain inherited a bag of nails. The MAA has been there for 6 of those years so WTF have they been doing to help him?
Point taken on the time this is taking to be resolved. But I gather this has been known to be coming for at least 8 years so maybe the Group Captain inherited a bag of nails. The MAA has been there for 6 of those years so WTF have they been doing to help him?
Unserviceable or Unairworthy
The Airframes are neither but they have suffered BOREDOM trauma and will now need counselling/cascading sessions, and go on to the couch to be told they are still loved and its not their fault.
They will then be given a walk around the peri track to get them accustomed to daylight and a nice wash and polish.
After a short 'holiday' at Membury they will be as good as new even if the organisation they belong to is a pile of C...p,and dis-organised by Twatter Control.
They will then be given a walk around the peri track to get them accustomed to daylight and a nice wash and polish.
After a short 'holiday' at Membury they will be as good as new even if the organisation they belong to is a pile of C...p,and dis-organised by Twatter Control.
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