Help needed teaching disaffected kids about the RAF
 

I'm teaching in a comp a few hours a fortnight: Uniformed Public Services Btec L3. Don't ask!

Without breaking any rules, I'd like an update on the organisation of 'A Station'.

Is it reasonable to stick with a model I remember from the 80s:

Staish;

OC Ops, OC Eng; OC Admin

OC Ops blamed for:
OC W Sqn; OC X Sqn; OC Y Sqn; OC Z Sqn

Each Sqn with 2/3 flights

Yes, I need it that simple!

These boys don't really want to do or learn anything, but I am finding they are happy enough to be story-told by an old bloke.

Thanks

CG

PS, the unit is about command and control and ranks, hence referencing the people not the wings and squadrons.

I have pm'd.

A quick glance, of one of the Homepages of an RAF Station, shows newish speak dickdance names for the old Wings.

RAF Lossiemouth - RAF Station homepage for example

If I were you I'd stick to the old style. The old KISS principle.

Mind you, left to me we would still have Fighter Command. Much more evocative than 11Gp.

Thanks Taxydual, after asking the question, I've done the simple search, and I can see the basic structure remains recognisable.

Therefore, no further answers needed. Cheers all.

CG

Scribbly: :ok:

CG

Oh, a thought, CG. If the disaffected kids are from a certain College near Sleaford, you'd be better speaking in newspeak. They'll catch on quicker.

CG- Brilliant, well done. the youngest W did the Public Service Unifomed National Diploma at Brockenhurst College a few years back Great course, managed at that time by an Old Cranwellian called Roger Moore (is he still around?). Through Yacht Club contacts, the Royal Institute of Navigation and the Southampton Uni RNR Unit each year we managed to get those on the course considering the RN as a career a trip from Lymington to Portsmouth in the P2000 Archer class patrol boat, an arrangement that continues 10 years later

Wander- this school wanted to chuck em out basically. Thy don't want to do anything- it's not personal- but they don't want to work either!

I've seen a couple off simply for refusing to attend, but once that message was received, I feel I have a duty to get them through the course. After 17 years of primary headship, I'm now the de facto most junior teacher in the school! The head is backing me, but there's a rump of, 'why should we have to put up with these wasters' teachers on the staff, one in a strong role.

I'll never give up- I'm the (alleged) adult! And they are not acually bad lads!

CG

Cg: I think your problem (if there is one) is in your description of what you're trying to do:
Teach what happened in the 80's. Who TF cares? They must be bored out of their tiny minds.
The mil is a bit like the church - playing catch up with the youth of today who are wiser, smarter, sharper than anyone from the 80's, I would suggest. The only negaitve I have with the youth of today is their boredom threshold is way way too low.
Perhaps its time to think about your sell by date? No?

CG - I admire what you are trying to do. Brockenhurst was a bit better environment - high up the results totem pole. But there kids there who were disaffected but others wanted a career in the military or police/fire/ambulance God luck to you, Mate

Several thoughts here TC- sell by date? F**k off mate! I'm getting paid to teach a class, it might be nice to teach up to date gen- who said 80s? These boys HAVE to know the rank structure and who (broadly) does what at each rank. I intend, iaw my contract, to teach them it. Who mentioned teaching what went on in the 80s? What is your alternative- give up on them?

Blimey!

CG

Charliegolf
 

You are right mate. I was a flight commander at Hereford in the early 70's. My blokes varied from thrown out of home so might as well join the services RAF sounds easier than working to bright sparks who would succeed anywhere. I even got a few commissioned one of whom made wing commander

If we are not to supervise this continual descent of kids into the underclass world of the social services and courts we must teach them two things;
1 improvement is possible,
2 it is smarter to claw your way upwards than to sit on your hands

Hmm, I for one can relate with the children (not kids (goats surely)) that you aspire to inspire. I was fortunate to have joined the RAF as a young 15 year old as an RAF Halton apprentice. Country, duty, democracy ? As an alternative to a career rabbit poaching and working on a local farm it offered merit, and I certainly didn't want more schooling. Nobody forced anything into my mind, the education regarding our history and involvement in the development of the planet ensured that I think I have a balanced idea of Britain's history and in that vein have been a reasonably dutiful citizen (or are we still subjects ?) to my country, and, unlike the "worzell muncher" I may have become, might appreciate the importance of identifying with our duty to our nation. Perhaps a bit "last night of the proms" I make no apology. If you are helping youngsters to grow up charliegolf, best of luck, it's certainly an endeavour worthy of merit.

Smudge :ok: