Dimsum said:
Split from the MQ-25 Stingray discussion and the subsequent "should Pilots be officers" discussion, the RCAF doesn't follow our Commonwealth allies (RAF, RAAF, RNZAF, etc) with NCM Aircrew ranks either.
In those forces, when one becomes an aircrew NCM either off the street or OT, they immediately become promoted to Sgt. There is no aircrew NCM rank below that.
I'm wondering why we didn't do that with our AESOPs, FEs, SAR Techs, Loadies, etc who can be Avrs? There's the obvious "they don't have enough TI to be Sgts" but obviously the other forces get over that somehow.
I've had discussions about this with the RAF NCM and Commissioned aircrew who were on SEEDCORN or those that transferred to the RCAF around that timeframe. One RAF Officer believed there was no need for a L/AES Op, as an example, because "
the TAC or Skipper could deal with unruly Cpls". My counter was "that is what MCpls and Sgts are for, for minor transgressions...and who is going to teach the Cpls how to be MCpls and Sgts...Captains should be teaching Lts how to be Captains". It was a good, spirited discussion in the crew rooms.
The one main reason we don't do it is our NCM training model, specifically WRT leadership training; it isn't embedded into our Recruit -> OFP training like it is in the RAF NCM aircrew system. We do it IAW the
DP system and the NCM General Specifications; these of course are pan-CAF and apply to all trades (a limitation, IMO).
I'm only familiar with the RAF training thru conversation with a few who went thru it, but here's what their recruiting website indicates as the 'current way'. I'll compare the stream for their WSOP (ISR) to our Direct Entry AES Op.
AIRCREW WEAPON SYSTEMS OPERATOR
INITIAL TRAINING - Your career will start with the
10-week Basic Recruit Training Course (BRTC) at RAF Halton in Buckinghamshire. The course is designed to help you adjust to a military environment. As well as fitness and military training, you will also learn about the RAF lifestyle.
Following the Basic Recruit Training Course (BRTC), prospective Weapon Systems Operators...will complete the
*Direct Entrant Senior Non-Commissioned Officer (DE SNCO) Course at Airmen's Command Squadron (ACS), RAF Halton.
The 8-week training programme will develop the students’ knowledge of leadership within the RAF and increase their understanding of their management responsibilities as SNCOs. The course includes Air Power academic study, Practical Leadership Exercises, an Appraisal Workshop, Interview Techniques and Fitness Development.
* this is a significant difference between RAF and RCAF NCM aircrew trg; 2 months of Leadership training before even seeing Specialist ("trades") training.
SPECIALIST TRAINING
WSOP INTELLIGENCE SURVEILLANCE RECONNAISSANCE (ISR). If streamed (ISR) you will undergo a
12-week foundation phase. On completion you will be streamed to either the WSOp Electonic Warfare (EW) or WSOp Acoustics (ACO) specialisation.
WSOP (EW) / WSOP (ACO): Both of these specialisations will complete a
20 week course, followed by a
6 month Operational Conversion Course.
RAF WSOPs arrive on Sqn with about 74 weeks of training, including 2 months of leader/SNCO training.
YOUR CAREER PROSPECTS - "...You will hold the rank of acting Sergeant during your professional training. Once you start your front-line job, and you are assessed as being capable of operating independently, you will be promoted to substantive Sergeant."
Compared to RCAF Direct Entry AES Ops:
BMQ - 10 weeks
AMT/Sea Surv/ LOS Aircrew (BSERE) - 4 weeks
Basic AES Op Course - 6? months
MOAT - 6 months
Approx.
70 weeks of training, no leadership training. In conjunction - 48 months service, promotion to Cpl / 36 months minimum for Advanced promotion to Cpl.
Our 70 weeks produces a B Cat on Sqn, who is now starting their OJT (a course, formally) that they have *up to* 24 months to complete to achieve Advanced Category. After achieving A Cat, they do not have BIT (Basic Instructional Techniques), they will not have FIC, and they will not have PLQ; yet they are assessed on their ability to lead/develop/mentor B Cats. Zero leadership or instructional training.
Under the current Occupation and NCM General Specifications, the CAF NCM DP system etc, I don't see how we could produce "Acting Sgts".