The RAF needs to be very careful as it expands the Reserves. On the subject of training, it must start developing bespoke training courses tailored to the needs of Reservists, rather than just stripping out the Regular version and calling it a “”Reserve Course””. The starting point should be a blank sheet of paper NOT the Regular course. Logistics seems to be flavour of the month at the moment. That’s great, but positioning 3 Logs Spt squadrons in the midlands means that we’re all trawling for the same people in the same area.
The 3 new General Service squadrons (NI, Lancashire and South Wales) are presenting a whole new challenge to the service. On the one hand they offer a quick fix to the recruiting issue. On the other, they’re a developing nightmare as far as command and control, training and corporate governance are concerned.
The ethos of the RAF Reserves is subtly different to that of the RAF. Reservists are loyal to their squadron first, the RAuxAF next and the RAF last….. It’s that bond that keeps the Reservist coming back month after month, year after year. The RAF needs to be careful that its efforts to integrate the Reserves into the “”whole Force”” don’t weaken squadron cohesion to the detriment of retention. We’re Reservists, neither better, nor worse than our Regular counterparts, but different AND proud to be different!
The allowances and availability of medical services together with a better pension abatement deal needs to be put in place to prevent the loss of some very experienced personnel. Get this right and recruitment will improve, ignore this advice and as the economy improves personnel will surely look for other employment. Don’t lose the people who are the backbone of the Services and helping to keep things afloat!
The loss of medical and dental treatment is accepted, as is the policy regarding accommodation. Obviously each individual Reservist will have a different perspective but, for me, the big issue is the daily travelling cost. If I could afford to move closer to my place of work, I would do so. Thank-you RAF FF for the opportunity to make known my reservations (pun intended)!
I think the Army really need the Reserves, I think the RAF are playing at it. One could be forgiven that the RAuxAF and RNR got a boost largely because of a major shift in Army strategy boosted their Reserve component. I am not sure that the RAF really know what to do with all of us, we’re just a pool of cheap labour.
www.raf-ff.org.uk
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