Hay after abit of advice or to see if what people are telling me is the truth or if there going off what they where told by some one eles who was told by some one eles etc...Basically my SQN was disbanding and i thought screw it lets do somthing abit different ive worked jets and helicopters and wanted to do something completly out of my trade and something new to see what i could learn and gain from it for personal and service reasons but mainly personal.I put my app in via my line management all was accepted and i got the job, now when speaking to few people while clearing the unit i have heard no end of horror stories that i find too hard to believe to be true so here we go,1. as i will be in an army camp under army managment ill have to change my head dress to theres but keep the RAF badge. (well my assignment order states no sub branch on it so i cant see why i would have to)2. as the post is out of trade and it really is out of my trade my promotion chances are shot to hell and ill never get picked up as the army will write my assesments so they dont get looked at by the RAF board. (Again im RAF not army im just working along side them)Just owndered if any one has had any simular exprience the post im doing is the Watchkeeper post if that is any help as to what im going in to. Thanks
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I was at Abbey Wood working for an Army WO1 and CS in my reporting chain, it didnt stop me being promoted. My 1st RO appreciated that the RAF have their own ideas about promotion boards etc. If you have a good relationship with your 1st RO, you could ask them to sanity check with an RAF RO if you can nominate one. Get yourself on a SJAR course and if you can, get your 1st RO on one as well...although that might be a tricky one.
Gettig yourself on a SJAR course will at least give you the knowledge to be able to discuss the nuances of RAF promotion boards.
What flavour of Army are you going to be working with?
Dan_Brown
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1. Never heard of that.
2. There is an element of truth in this, although the selection boards should see through this. The problem with the Army reporting system is they do NOT evidence. Where we would say "x has excellent leadership and management skills evidenced by when he organised xxxxxxxx". The Army can write "thoroughly nice chap, is ready for promotion" end of.
What is even worse is that the 2nd RO need only write "I concur with the 1st RO" - that's it, no thought or effort, or more importantly EVIDENCE!
You may get lucky and get an Army bod who knows the RAF system and will adjust as necessary - maybe.
However, what the boards are looking for are people like you who has taken on something out of your comfort zone and volunteered to do it - try to get that into your SJAR.
My advice would be ensure your RO knows what the RAF board are looking for and if your SJAR is bollox make sure you know who to take it to within your RAF CoC if you have issues; failing that there is always the Service Complaint route.
2. There is an element of truth in this, although the selection boards should see through this. The problem with the Army reporting system is they do NOT evidence. Where we would say "x has excellent leadership and management skills evidenced by when he organised xxxxxxxx". The Army can write "thoroughly nice chap, is ready for promotion" end of.
What is even worse is that the 2nd RO need only write "I concur with the 1st RO" - that's it, no thought or effort, or more importantly EVIDENCE!
You may get lucky and get an Army bod who knows the RAF system and will adjust as necessary - maybe.
However, what the boards are looking for are people like you who has taken on something out of your comfort zone and volunteered to do it - try to get that into your SJAR.
My advice would be ensure your RO knows what the RAF board are looking for and if your SJAR is bollox make sure you know who to take it to within your RAF CoC if you have issues; failing that there is always the Service Complaint route.
Point 1 is bollox unless SF orientated where you might wear a different beret or badge.
Point 2 alas has some truth in it especially if you're at my joint (spelt Army) Unit! Good advice above about what to do if you feel aggrieved or want to influence your SJAR, my advice is the same as I give to my juniors give your 1st RO a comprehensive brag sheet, as long as you don't embellish it too much you can almost write your own sjar! Well almost, it certainly makes the whole process easier for all involved.
Point 2 alas has some truth in it especially if you're at my joint (spelt Army) Unit! Good advice above about what to do if you feel aggrieved or want to influence your SJAR, my advice is the same as I give to my juniors give your 1st RO a comprehensive brag sheet, as long as you don't embellish it too much you can almost write your own sjar! Well almost, it certainly makes the whole process easier for all involved.
Disclaimer: The information below is only relevent if you are not working with the Royal Signals or Int Corp, due to the fact they can be complete B******s, when they are in formed units. And is drawn from my recent experience working within an infantry garrison. The headress thing is wrong, RAF Beret all the way. It can be a bit of a **** deflector in some respects, as the proper army really don't get us, but be prepared for some serious banter. Give as good as you get without getting nasty and you will fit right in. Take an active part in garrison life, really does help; if you're in the mess go to the monthly meetings. This will help keep the RSM/GSM happy, but don't worry about wearing an RAF tie (in leu of Regimental tie) just explain we don't have them and they will be happy. Secondly my experience of the Infantry side of the army is if they think you are worth promoting, the OC of your unit will take an active interest in what it takes to get you promoted and how our SJARs work, how far away you think you are, be truthful as it helps him to help you. If he has got anything about him and there is an RAF person any where in your command chain, be prepared for them to be your 2nd RO or even suggest it, even if they are out of trade, this will help steer the 1st RO into writing an SJAR with the right info. Something else to remember is the Army call a spade a spade on their SJARS, hence why they don't do examples, if the reporting chain says yes to promotion, then they are saying promote this man now, the average time in rank to reach WO1 in time for the 20 yr point is 3 - 4 yrs, this means unless they are gods gift from the minute they step into a new job they will never get high or exceptional. Depending on your trade, for 3rd RO they might try and find a specialist in the your chain, but more likely in the units chain of command to comment, even if it is from another service to try and hit all three bases to get the point across for maximum impact. Remember this is drawn from my experience of working under an infantry Lt Col for 2 years, but both the RM Lt Cols before and after him had a similar outlook. (Paragraphs don't work)
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