RAF Branches and Trades; to be reduced from 68 to 11

[Oldstacker]

In my time in uniform, the general rule pretty much everywhere was first name terms for up to 2 ranks up (SAC - Sgt or Cpl to FS) with rank used beyond that.

I did once have the 'pleasure' of seeing a visiting AOC being formally introduced to my Flt Cdr (a 1st tour Fg Off).... The catch being that they were actually father & son.... On the rehearsal walk round, the introduction was about to be made when the Fg Off (a good bloke) just said "Hi dad..." to laughter all round (even from the SWO!)

 

[SAXAVORDIAN]

I think I always kept Sarge and above. Cpl most I knew was a similar age, so first name but unfamiliar normally Corp. mid eighties.

 

[Gonterseed]

....Many of the aircraft tech trades were merged, one of the new trades was called Avtronics, I think that was instruments, elec and radio, engines and air frames were also merged but I can't remember the new name.

Here is a good quiz for you all. How does Dog Sh@gger fit into Avtronics?

 

[busby1971]

I

Here is a good quiz for you all. How does Dog Sh@gger fit into Avtronics?

think you’ll find that it more avionics fitting into dog shagger

 

[Rigga]

First name terms to maintenance teams within a hangar (LAC to C/T)
Ranks used to Office wallahs (C/T to W/C)...at work, anyway.

 

[Stevienics]

If they do merge, then they will have to accept longer training before first posting. As RAFP starting Acting CPL surely they can use the same practice as modern police structure. Bobby on the beat with bag of boil sweets or without. Sgt Everywhere or Sgt Lardarse-Deskjob. Is there a example Air Force of which the debate refers too.

RAFP merging with Regt and....wait....PTI; can't remember what it's called now

 

[Tin basher]

RAFP merging with Regt and....wait....PTI; can't remember what it's called now

As the departed Gem would have put it as they aren't armourers they are simply

Ancillaries

 

[Stevienics]

...and Movers, Stackers, Drivers and musicians all now Loggy Trade.

I rather like this, as I've always wanted to play the trombone.

 

[SAXAVORDIAN]

...and Movers, Stackers, Drivers and musicians all now Loggy Trade.

I rather like this, as I've always wanted to play the trombone.

I know in civilian world they are called Transportation and Logistical

 

[Oldstacker]

Movers & Drivers being absorbed into TG18 (Supply) makes some sense - it's where they were branched out from in the first place (read Sustaining Air Power by former Wg Cdr Trevor Stone). But Musicians!!! WtF???

 

[AirForce]

An old story often told by those in the RAAF who have worked on exercises with the USAF,

In days gone by we had a RAAF mustering (trade) of General Hand whose duties were any unskilled duties required in any area, we also had Stores Hands and Kitchen Hands.

Anyhow, on arrival by Herc on a USAF Base the crew and pax were greeted with all the pomp and circumstance by the Base Commander in order to greet General Hand.

 

[Stevienics]

Movers & Drivers being absorbed into TG18 (Supply) makes some sense - it's where they were branched out from in the first place (read Sustaining Air Power by former Wg Cdr Trevor Stone). But Musicians!!! WtF???

Say what you like, with interoperability the key - as a Loggy, I welcome the opportunity to play the trombone

 

[Rugby-Jock-Lad]

Say what you like, with interoperability the key - as a Loggy, I welcome the opportunity to play the trombone

I thought Officers did that anyway as part of their "duties" for the next rank up??!!!

 

[Rugby-Jock-Lad]

An old story often told by those in the RAAF who have worked on exercises with the USAF,

In days gone by we had a RAAF mustering (trade) of General Hand whose duties were any unskilled duties required in any area, we also had Stores Hands and Kitchen Hands.

Anyhow, on arrival by Herc on a USAF Base the crew and pax were greeted with all the pomp and circumstance by the Base Commander in order to greet General Hand.

Think years ago we used to have General Duties type staff (well before I joined) but now these type of duties are contracted out!

 

[Spearmint]

Think years ago we used to have General Duties type staff (well before I joined) but now these type of duties are contracted out!

USAF still do as far as I know. My last encounter with one of them was as he was changing a lightbulb in our area on Red Flag. When asked what his normal role was he answered, 'This, pretty much.....'

 

[Tin basher]

Think years ago we used to have General Duties type staff (well before I joined)

We did back in the day they were know as Trade Assistant General or TAG's supposedly available to help any trade in need of manpower. Mainly though they worked odd jobbing for the SWO.

 

[Oldstacker]

Think years ago we used to have General Duties type staff (well before I joined) but now these type of duties are contracted out!

We did indeed have the 'trade' of Trade Assistant - General who were ACs (& LACs ?) straight from Swinderby with no trade training. Normally employed under the SWO, they could be deployed anywhere on a station where an untrained gash hand could be used. Washing up in the tin rooms in the messes for example or as guardroom gophers. After a period of time, if they were good enough, they could be trained and re-traded to General Duties (GD) and work in the guardroom where they worked up the ranks as GD staff, running guardrooms etc and as station discip staff until finally becoming SWO's. Looked down on by 'proper' trades they nevertheless played an important role in the running of the station.

 

[GD on Wheels]

I had a couple of good mates who were GD's. And I never thought of them as being of a lower status. One even applied to be a Rock!

 

[br9mp81]

GDs really had the shitty stick at stanley, but we would have ended up on working partys without them

 

[fourteen2two]

Some were OK others were a waste of space.