What is a Bluntie?
 

There seem to be lots of references in many of the threads refering to 'Blunties' etc. What exactly does everyone think a 'Bluntie' is these days? Most of the Chefs, Stds, Clerks, Stackers and Drivers that have worked for me, have more operational experience than most aircrew types (standfast Helicopter Force but what about the AD world?) Isn't about time we all accepted what everyone brings to the party?

A bluntie in the true sense of the word is anyone who doesn't fly (after all, a/c are the force we project at the 'pointy end') but over the years some people have felt it doesn't include them and have tried shuffling sideways into pointy land, techies for example.

Happy with the origin, just think that its an outdated concept. Could live with it when we all hid in our bunkers and the boys flew off to take the fight to the enemy, but seems really inappropriate now.

TTTH

depends what you mean by operational experience really. If you mean doing one's day-to-day bluntie job in support of an operation living in a tent, then fine, but the distinction is really that blunties do not normally operate at the sharp end of ops as the aircrew do. Of course there is a blurred line when one considers the RAF Regt and others that work outside the wire, but hey, who cares? Anyone who doesn't fly is a bluntie!

Tell that to my guys and girls that were convoy commanders and guards in Iraq and they are most certainly not RAF Regt

talk

It's a nice principle to think 'everyone brings something to the party', but I personally think we're still inundated with too many people who I can only describe as parasites. I don't mean those who indirectly support the front line without necessarily knowing the days flying programme, I mean those who are seemingly unemployed for the most part and spend their time coming up with new ways to reinvent, reorganise, rebrigade, restructure, recost and generally interfere with an often working wheel.

Perhaps it's time to contact the OED and redefine 'bluntie' and I'm sure we've got a spare Wg Cdr and couple of Sqn Ldrs to staff the project for 3yrs...

TTTH
 

You're right. Combat admin. Wow!
BV:E

TTTH - clearly those boys and girls are still blunties, just combat blunties....:E

What is a bluntie?
 

Answer from the RAF website:

Stewards run dining rooms and bars in Officers’ and Sergeants’ Messes. Trained in silver service, you’ll serve food and drinks to hotel and club standards, making sure that your customers have everything they need. As an RAF Steward you’ll cover a far larger field of professional experience than your civilian counterparts could ever hope for: running dining rooms, bars and reception offices in Officers’ and Sergeants’ Messes, working in field dining rooms and accommodation.

Archetypal bluntie? What is the war role of a steward? If none, why is there a need for uniformed stewards?

Decoys?

:E

Well thats about 3/5ths (being generous) of the RAF's officers accounted for, imagine the LEAN savings there.....

;)

Ps, Why do pilots still have to be officers?

I cant believe you even have to ask what a "bluntie" is!!!
It doesnt really matter if you run the DAG from the comfort of your tent albeit in some dump desert somewhere = bluntie!
Convoy driver (all respect due) but probably still a stacker/engineer/admin bod = bluntie.
A leopard cant change its spots. A bluntie cant get over that they are not aircrew.
The RAF is all about projecting Air Power. Those that dont project Air Power support those that do!
Abuse inbound but happy to merge with it!!! :cool:

Because if you can't even manage to get in as an officer or are unwilling to accept the responsibilities involved, you have no business captaining an aircraft.

Sorry Tourist, that just fell out of the non-neighing end of a horse. Lots of non-officers shoulder responsibilities immeasurably greater than many officers who captain little more than a desk, yet project interference towards tasks they often have little first hand knowledge in.

I would also say many of todays aircraft captains may be qualified to land a jet but lack other qualities.

The Blunt Ones
 

For my money, everyone in a light blue uniform contributes in some way to the delivery of Air Power, like it or not. Agreed, some do it in a very below-average way.

And some of the non-flyers/Regt put themselves in harm's way, of that there is no doubt.

I think 'Bluntie' is a state of mind - wire locked in the 'hate pilots' position; the answer's no, now what's the question; you can't do that, its against the rules; I don't care if your engine blew up, you were late sluting the flag; I never wanted to be a pilot anyway....

I also think that I like calling blunties blunties; its like a little prize you get when your wings are pinned on. I like prizes.

Question is, is bluntie still a derogatory term in 2006, or is it just a name? Like 'Jockey'? Which I hate.

FO
So why are they not officers?
Lack of ambition?
Lazy?

Some bods are getting their knickers in a twist here. Bluntie is a title, that's all, like trucky, rock ape, plod, zob or blanket stacker. Wear it with pride, knowing that you are one of the thousands of cogs that makes the RAF machine turn.
Here endeth the lesson.

If you have to ask what a bluntie is ------ you're a bluntie!! :E

Helpfull Stacker (Yea right!!).

The Question is not "Why do pilots still have to be officers?"

It should be, how come non aircrew are officers?

Says it all in the name really... Blunt = BLoody Useless Non Tactical!