As a former cadet and then a regular soldier. I decided to join the ACF as an instructor.

Is it just my county or does every county have the same problem with walts. As it seems quite a high number claim to have been in yet can never remember their Army number. And they all hate ex regs.

Ive also found that promotion (not that its a real rank) is down to nepotism and not how good you are. Saying that there are a lot of funny handshakes in my county.

My main problem is civvys that join the ACF as instructors genuinely believe they have EARNED their rank? and 21 days worth of courses and you are qualified to major? We have even had a few who have had their rank on their credit cards. Ive even had one tell me how he earned his Jubilee medal.

The cadet officers who get a TA Cadet commission actually believe they are real officers? Seriously they do a 10 day ITC and a 2 day selectoin course and they think they are the real deal. We even had one who got a cadet commission and then tryed joining the TA and tryed to transfer his commission?

Now is this all in my head or is it a genuine problem in the ACF. Personally my rank in the ACF doesnt bother me as it has no impact on my army pension.

Overall I think the ACF does a fantastic job as it helped me when I was younger. But these wanabes who couldnt get in the regs or TA for what ever reason ruin it. They are in it for their own self gratification.

So how can we rid the ACF of these idiots? and make it the organisation it should be!!!

I have no experience of the ACF etc. Therefore this reply is a gut reaction rather than a reasoned opinion.

The people who would be best for the cadets to learn from are unlikely to be interested as a whole. They have done their time as a regular soldier and are moving on. Some do remain committed to providing the youth of today with a genuine option for extra curricula activities, which can be beneficial to them and their community in both the short and long term, but they are few and far between.

Alas, caring for kids takes a lot of time and effort these days. The time commitment is likely to be a block to many potentially very good instructors. Families have put up with all sorts of trips, tours, courses etc. that have removed the individual from them. They are unlikely to be fully supportive of another reason for being away a lot when it is not a necessity !

This means that there is gap to be filled. Many of those who step into the gap will be genuine, motivated individuals who are keen to provide the opportunities to the children that I mentioned above. However, it is the easiest way of getting to wear an army uniform. I know, as a STAB, that while the support for HM Forces is high at present, understanding of the most basic aspects of the work/life of soldiers is not understood.

Such ignorance is a breeding ground for stories and story tellers. Get the uniform and let people know you are an officer in the ARMY Cadet Force. My emphasis but I believe it holds true. Nepotism/handshakes etc. are the result.

I should love to see it change but the change it needs would result in a different ACF that would need to be assessed and altered to make it "correct" according to the government !

For what it is worth you have my whole hearted support.

Originally Posted by filfy

Overall I think the ACF does a fantastic job as it helped me when I was younger. But these wanabes who couldnt get in the regs or TA for what ever reason ruin it. They are in it for their own self gratification.

So how can we rid the ACF of these idiots? and make it the organisation it should be!!!

You need to get over yourself and pull your head out of your arse, because...

Overall I think the ACF does a fantastic job as it helped me when I was younger.

...and...

how can we rid the ACF of these idiots? and make it the organisation it should be!!!

are mutually exclusive statements.

Make your fucking mind up.

I'd admit that some staff come over as utter wankers, but a few people I had written off as pompous uniform collectors, eventually came up with the minerals when required and did a fucking good job. Some ACF people get a bit carried away and can rub people up the wrong way unintentionally. But few,if any, are net detractors from what collectively the ACF wants to achieve. But there are a few we could do without if only to improve the outward appearance and tone of the org if nothing else, and as a bonus, possibly improve morale. But you could say this about any large national heirarchical organisation that inadequates, bullies and incompetents can hide in, the Armed Forces included.

The ACF and the army have done a lot to improve the calibre of its staff over the last 10 years, and more is on the way. But you can't sell this job to anyone unless they have grown up with it and seem what it means to the kids. Some counties have so few volunteers that appointment criteria are a pulse and an acceptable CRB clearance. Anything more is a bonus.

Mate, I don't know you, but with your opening post, you sound like a bitter Westbury reject. Is that the case?

Originally Posted by filfy

As a former cadet and then a regular soldier. I decided to join the ACF as an instructor.

Is it just my county or does every county have the same problem with walts. As it seems quite a high number claim to have been in yet can never remember their Army number. And they all hate ex regs.

Ive also found that promotion (not that its a real rank) is down to nepotism and not how good you are. Saying that there are a lot of funny handshakes in my county.

My main problem is civvys that join the ACF as instructors genuinely believe they have EARNED their rank? and 21 days worth of courses and you are qualified to major? We have even had a few who have had their rank on their credit cards. Ive even had one tell me how he earned his Jubilee medal.

The cadet officers who get a TA Cadet commission actually believe they are real officers? Seriously they do a 10 day ITC and a 2 day selectoin course and they think they are the real deal. We even had one who got a cadet commission and then tryed joining the TA and tryed to transfer his commission?

Now is this all in my head or is it a genuine problem in the ACF. Personally my rank in the ACF doesnt bother me as it has no impact on my army pension.

Overall I think the ACF does a fantastic job as it helped me when I was younger. But these wanabes who couldnt get in the regs or TA for what ever reason ruin it. They are in it for their own self gratification.

So how can we rid the ACF of these idiots? and make it the organisation it should be!!!

How about rescinding the commissions and replacing with a contract of employment as a part time MoD civil servant at the equivalent grade?

Replace uniform for adults with mufti for drill nights and suitable overalls for field work.

The genuine peopke would probably not gve a toss about the status change and the nutters that you describe would leave in droves.

In addition, you would probably find a lot of good people would want to join as the pompous half wits that you describe probably deter mant right minded people from becoming involved.

I'm in process of becoming an instructor with the CCF - to be honest, I'd be okay with not having a rank. I certainly don't intend telling anyone outside of the cadets that I'm a 2nd lieutenant - it makes a mockery of those who have earned their rank. We have 3 serving regs who regular come to help. Are they really supposed to salute me??

I got involved because being in the cadets as a kid gave me a huge amount, and I'd like to see other kids get the same out as I did. I also generally like the idea of trying to help instill leadership, respect, discipline and, most importantly, a sense of adventure, that you can have a go at anything. I also hope that it will be a bit of fun.

You can be sure, no matter what rank I have, it won't ever be on my credit cards!

So in answer to your question about how to change it - I say keep doing what you're doing and encourage others to do the same.

Originally Posted by Bushmills

Replace uniform for adults with mufti for drill nights and suitable overalls for field work.

The genuine peopke would probably not gve a toss about the status change and the nutters that you describe would leave in droves.

In addition, you would probably find a lot of good people would want to join as the pompous half wits that you describe probably deter mant right minded people from becoming involved.

So ACF adults only join for the uniform? Bollocks.

The ACF std dress now is CS95 for all ranks. 1s, 2s and SD is not to be worn unless there are extenuating reasons like bands personnel or representing the ACF nationally at an event.

AFAIK, Not one member of staff left the ACF after this order was promulgated.

CS95 is fucking PPE. If I put on a yellow jacket with a reflective panel and steel toe cap boots, does that make me a binman walt now?

I reckon if the rank and uniform was taken away from these ACF Orficers, then there were be few left, I have no doubt it is the uniform and dare I say it 'rank' that attract them, and ah hem, maybe some are attracted for other reasons, if you know what I mean. You know like some Scout Masters.

Originally Posted by walt_of_the_walts

So ACF adults only join for the uniform? Bollocks.

The ACF std dress now is CS95 for all ranks. 1s, 2s and SD is not to be worn unless there are extenuating reasons like bands personnel or representing the ACF nationally at an event.

AFAIK, Not one member of staff left the ACF after this order was promulgated.

CS95 is fucking PPE. If I put on a yellow jacket with a reflective panel and steel toe cap boots, does that make me a binman walt now?

binman walt -

Originally Posted by Mav

We have 3 serving regs who regular come to help. Are they really supposed to salute me??

Yes they are.

You salute the Queen's commission, end of.

My question is whether a part time public service grade might be more suitable for this appointment rather than a military rank. I suspect that the current policy of issuing comissions may be hindering rather than promoting the ACF's mission.

Originally Posted by Bushmills

Yes they are.

You salute the Queen's commission, end of.

My question is whether a part time public service grade might be more suitable for this appointment rather than a military rank. I suspect that the current policy of issuing comissions may be hindering rather than promoting the ACF's mission.

I understand the rules... it was more a reference to the fact that these guys have 5 or 10 years o experience, have been in combat... and I got my rank with some weetabix tokens. I'm being a little extreme, but I you get my point.