The question was put to the AMPBT during their RAF Honington visit on the 7 – 9 Dec 14
Question to the AMPBT: As part of the Whole Force Approach, why is there a need for PTVR personnel to wear distinguishing insignia?
The response from the Team: Whilst members of the RAuxAF subscribe to the WFA, they are fiercely proud of the fact that they are different. The vast majority of them are volunteers who simultaneously hold down a full time civilian job. Whole force is about delivering military output effectively from the separate elements that constitute the whole force.
Some years ago the RAuxAF, which in legal terms remains a separate Air Force, although not in practical terms, came to the conclusion that on working dress they would be indistinguishable when alongside their regular counterparts. However on ceremonial occasions they would retain the distinguishing badge that sets them apart. The RAuxAF has a long and distinguished history, only 6 years less than the regular RAF and there are currently no plans to disband it.
The comments we received were many and varied, a sample of which are:
As to ‘visually recognising’ a Reservist, there may be some small advantage to doing so as it could show a Regular ‘employer’ that they have access to the skills of an airman/officer with (potentially) wider skills and experience than their rank suggests. However, I believe that such a move would only serve to highlight the Reserve (who is likely to be an Individual Augmentee) as different and lead to discrimination - I would argue strongly against any such move.
One force concept - in the Territorial Army there is no visual recognition between a TA soldier and a regular soldier, however, RAF reservists have to wear a letter ‘A’ standing for Auxiliary on our No.1 uniform jacket. I have been the victim of social media name calling just because a letter ‘A’ is seen on the uniform. I feel that as soon as the ‘A’ is seen it is said that we are not as good as the regular force.
Reservists don’t need special “Insignia” to be identified (although a greying and bald SAC is usually distinctive enough!) - I am a fan of the tradition of keeping “A” on No 1 and No 5 Uniforms for heritage reasons
I am totally integrated with Regulars and the fact I am FTRS is invisible to Regulars, which is as it should be under the Whole Force Concept
I feel most strongly that reservists should wear insignia to indicate FTRS. I would hope by doing so regulars may use FTRS personnel for their depth of experience and knowledge rather than dismissing them on the grounds of their current rank.
It is always better when the Regulars are unaware that they are dealing with a Reservist.
To highlight a reservist from his regular counterpart, would be like drawing attention to someone’s colour or weight and that is bullying.
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www.raf-ff.org.uk
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