OCTU Briefing card
 

Gentlemen,
Many years ago, during my time at OCTU, I was given a management card, hand written and copied by the thousand, which led simple souls like me through the principles of managing an operation. On one side were three circles with the words Task, Team and Individual in overlapping circles. On the other side were a breakdown of what applied under each heading. The first item under Task needs was 'Appreciation'.

My daughter is currently applying for grad schemes and it is evident from the questions that the principles which we learned at the OCTU from our little cards are very relevant in answering the questions.

I kept my card for years but, during a clear out and house move I threw it away. Does anyone have such a card that they can scan and e-mail to me? It may be that the RAF has moved on and put the stuff on a pdf. Does anyone have one?

My e-mail is [email protected]

Thank you in anticipation

FALA if I remember from 37 years ago - Functional Approach to leadership Analysis. (Don't have the card though).

FALA
 

Having spent 2.5 years as a Flt Cdr, and a year as a Sqn Cdr at OCTU in the mid 70s, I remember FALA well. The only link I can find to it is via the Air Training Corps, who borrowed the concept from us. Here it is:
Functional Leadership

John Adair
 

It's the functional model of leadership, developed by John Adair and adopted by the RAF as the basis of its basic leadership programmes (Officer, Senior and Junior NCO) many years ago.

Action Centered Leadership

He's written a number of simple, clear books on leadership that are worth reading, and re-reading, even by experienced leaders. In a world bent on over-complicating everything, I find Adair to be a beacon of common sense and experience in an area that has sprouted a plethora of bulsh1tters.

Sun.

Would this have been at the Camp on Blood Island? I seem to remember some questionable advice on the role of regular drill as a means of maintaining morale amongst bored airmen. Oh, really, technicians and others with highly responsible jobs, being yelled at by a thick DI (of that period) or, worse, a squadron NCO who didn't believe in what he had been ordered to do? I think not. Most definitely a managerial solution, not a leadership one.

I ate my FALA card.

Was that before PAYD?

WAY before. And a better standard of cuisine, I think.

I'm a SMEAC man, myself.

Situation
Mission
Execution
Any questions
Check understanding

Still had the overlapping circles on the card, though! :ok:

LJ

Ain't those the bad guys in James Bond?

Am I sad?
 

1973 RAF Henlow 275 Yellow Sqn
It took longer to scan than to find.
But I am surprised no one else has their copy to hand.

http://i1342.photobucket.com/albums/...ps58cbf7f3.jpg

http://i1342.photobucket.com/albums/...psd9d82c5a.jpg



Hope it helps


XN593
Edit to update links

I presume that the modern card has just one circle which is labelled "Task Needs" and carries the legend "Get it done as quickly as possible or else".:uhoh:

I think you mean as cheaply as possible!

I have no recollection of that from OCTU (Feltwell 1964) but I do remember GSMEAC from my regiment course at Catterick as the model sequence when briefing before an operation

Ground
Situation
Mission
Execution
Admin & Logistics
Communications

It's all new to me, they had not invented it for Feltwell in 1965 !!

I don't remember it either, but it was a quality intake year :cool:

Leadership
 

On the E-3D fleet we ran all operations on the L.A.T.H.E.R principle :-


L = Location
A = Allowances
T = Transport Hire Car
H = Hotel
E = Entertainment
R = Rations (in flight)


Worked well for us!!.....

You have to watch 'Twelve OÇlock High' next.

Much is done neither cheaply or quickly these days.

Get it done in the manner which least affects the boss's chances of job security and pay raises.

In most cases, this means doing it exactly how you've always done, but integrating any new directive from on-high (no matter how stupid), whilst paying lip-service to any laws, H&S, etc.
Leadership only asks for input on the explicit understanding that said input will not rock the boat in any way.
The best methods for assuring nothing goes wrong on your watch is: Shouting, and silent prayers.

I love the bit about "motivating, PRAISING, giving a sense of purpose." I hadn't realised just how out of date my training is.