Exactly that. We in the RAF Regiment have our own fitness standards to be achieved, in a pass or fail test that replicates elements of our operational role, failure severely restricts employability. Why not ditch the common to all RAF fitness test and each sub division of the professions have its own physical employment standard/fitness test, if the test for the new cyber people is level 2 in the bleep test or successful turning on of a laptop so what?

Different fitness standards for different specialities, eminently sensible as long as there is a basic minimum. Recruiting “autistic and neuro diverse” people who might not be safe with a weapon, not so sensible maybe.

Repeated OTR’s in full NBC gear was far more demanding than the fitness test, yet some on the teams regularly failed at the beep test. Saying that I believe repeated generation exercises are a thing of the past nowadays.

Anyone remember the original method where suitability for the role was determined by the size of the moustache?

We got shouted at whilst running around and faking pressups. Will the cyber-couch spuds be shouted at for crap keyboard speed, or what?

CG

Any of this sound familiar to the Life in the UK?

I recall that the fitness test was first brought in to get rid of some of the tubby SNCO's/WO's.
If they failed a couple of times they had to see a doc.
However, they moaned. So aircrew had to take yet another test each year - threatened with having to see a doc. DHO!

The former thing did work though. A lot of shiny-bummed individuals did disappear.
One found it strange though that the Wg Cdrs and above - our leaders = were exempt.

That sodding beep test did knacker a lot of knees during the 180 turn.

One might have to find them in their covert portacabins first. BTW, why do they wear flying suits?

Nob!

I am on the autistic spectrum and flew in the RAF for nearly 30 years!

Your response to the quote is, well, definitive.

Autism is still very much misunderstood by people, and those who have the condition are routinely stigmatised as a result. I knew one young man who has the condition...he was working on safety critical rail maintenance and operations...a "manager " openly said "anybody with autism is a retard "....he's not a nice person at the best of times, but, when I submitted a witness statement and said I would testify, on oath, in a court when the young man took action against this particular employer, strangely, he suddenly became very quiet.

Another autistic friend of mine had his IT skills used by certain security organisations who specialise in such matters some years ago. He would be perfect for the proposed roles, albeit I wouldn't trust him to portion out a cheesecake dessert...ask me how I know.

The fact is, there are people out there would be delighted to join the RAF and be part of the Service. As others have stated, their "T's and C's " can be adapted to suit their niche area of employment and, with those small adaptations, the RAF can become a very attractive employer to those hitherto excluded and whose contribution thereafter could be invaluable given the developments and changes long evident in the" back room" as it were of the defence of the UK.

Scraping the barrel?
 

Good on yer mate. It reminds me of Churchill's comment after his first visit to Bletchley Park, ' I know I ordered no stone unturned but really......he was referencing the oddity of some of the more effective practitioners of the black arts. thank god for the Josh Coopers, Alan Turing's and their ilk.. Brains win wars

MGD

I totally agree! I now work with the RN and am constantly embarrassed at the laughing stock he is turning the RAF into with some of his 'initiatives'.

The trouble is (and I speak as an engineer) we have always had varying degrees of attitude towards being military, dependant on what is your chosen aircraft. This varies from Support Helicopters (hole in the ground), Harrier Force (tent on the ground), Tornado Force (hotel near large runway) or Maritime (very nice hotel at some coastal resort). You will notice I am not picking on the Air Mobility people, as their lot has changed dramatically over the years (thinking about the conditions on Op PITTING). They just go where the work is!
Before everyone jumps on the 'outrage bus' I have done all of these with the exception of SH, so feel I am SQEP to comment. Most good engineers are probably somewhere on the neurodiversity spectrum anyway, it is what makes us good at what we do!
Having spent the best years of my career on Joint Force Harrier I enjoyed the whole 'green' thing and took personal fitness and military skills very seriously, as did the vast majority of my team. Why would you join a military organisation and not think it necessary to be fit enough and have the skills to able to look after yourself and your team? Let's face it, who wants to look shabby against the Army?
Or of course, you could put all the unfit 'nerds' in Space Command, give them a funky new uniform and separate them from the parts of the RAF that are actually military?

Just my thoughts
Mortmeister

Mercifully I was spared all this stuff, due to timelines or rank. But I was still perfectly capable of doing my sedentary ATC/MoD tasks, and coped with 4 months of FI [7-day weeks] and GW1 [permanent nights in AFOps].

And as a life-long target shooter with both Rifle and Pistol at International level, I would be a hidden asset in Ground Defence if anyone would actually issue me with a weapon and ammunition. At Stanley I drew an SLR, as we were inappropriately scaled - I was Green Carded on same. But was I allowed to have a few rounds to check zero? No, not allowed, even if I could hit a man at 600m.

Horses for courses gets my vote.

As members of the current RAF are all healthy eaters, and, super fit without an ounce of excess flesh, the question is....where did they find the flying kit to fit Boris ?

Newspaper headlines: Sunak vows to 'ditch EU laws' and 'Europe burns' - BBC News

Brize?:E

CG

Or, indeed, set up a Cyber Command so that they can actually do their work in a dedicated environment and, where and if necessary, work jointly across all the Forces.

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....a1913f889.jpeg
talking of fitness should they go through this for tradition. Should be wearing lightweight cam gear!

There are some amusing anecdotes about Foot Guards clothing UNDER the Home Service and UNDER the greatcoat. Probably ARRSE territory, and the anecdotes include, of course, officers. Worth a Google.

The American Army is doomed!

But Hey.....we can get our Pronouns straight and know all about CRT and stuff!

The right kind of "Brains" is what wins Wars.

He can say all he wants, in regards the fitness of potential recruits. To do this the whole entry medical requirements would have to be re written.