REME Rebalancing Round 2

[bluebells]

Those industrious chaps at DEME(A) have produced another cunning plan to reshape the Corp. The paper is being staffed for comment and should be filtering down the chain of command. Looking forward to the debate when this hits the streets at unit level, as it will impact on the majority of LADs and REME Bns.

 

[Outstanding]

I think you are being reshaped prior to a merger with RLC!

 

[Cable_Ties]

Is this the plan of doing away with the HQ Bty/Coy/Sqn Fitter Section and Armr's, Metalsmiths etc. leaving the OC and ASM?
Heard about it, I await as ever with bated breath. Could it be good news and a stunningly elegant soloution to manning probs within the Corps? Or will it be an *ahem* "original" plan that will make me blow a gasket?

Answers on a postcard to......

 

[Outstanding]

It would be radical, and quite economic too as you could ditch several layers of units/HQs and Corps HQs. I can see training being difficult unless all phase 1 was centralised and then Spec Trg took place seperately, much as we do now. The biggest losers would be the REME whose Officers couldn't command RLC sldrs, whereas most REME Units are ably led by ASMs and WOs, Officers walk around and sign stuff!

 

[baldricksdad]

Where is this so called plan coming from?

DEME(A) was in my vision and hearing distance less than 2 weeks ago talking all things REME as was the Corps ASM and there was no mention of another rebalance. Like 20 year old HP......possible a bad source?

 

[Outstanding]

Most likely -but unlikely to really ever happen, The Canadian army tried the same thing and created a monster. It was cheaper, but less efffective, sounds familiar!

 

[Nige]

If you all get fed up of being at 2nd line, transfer to RAEME. 1st line is still king here.

2nd line is a place that supports 1st line, no quibbling about who's job it is or what forms to fill in, job just gets done.
The blokes at 2nd line fix stuff too, they are not on exercise all the time or running LEAN lines, preparing for ECIs or painting bollards, they really work and enjoy it - honestly!.

Almost utopia......

 

[baldricksdad]

Nige can u message me i got a Q about a mate who i believe has transferred to Aussie army, i know it's a long shot but you may be able to help me find him cheers.

 

[bluebells]

Baldricksdad, I can assure you that this is good info.

The DEME(A) paper is titled ‘Developing ES to meet the demands of expeditionary ops’ and it is currently on AD level circulation. Whilst it has not been titled Rebalancing Round 2, it does have the same effect as it proposes a reduction in 1st line posts and an increase at 2nd line, along with a shake up of REME Bns and the creation of Off Platform Repair Coys.

Given the concern that the original Rebalancing prompted, I am not surprised that this latest plan is not being marketed as Round 2.

 

[Cable_Ties]

In effect, A+G would disappear along with the LAD Fitter Sect back to 2nd line and those functions would be IST'd as and when required.

Welcome to 2nd line boys! If it happens...

 

[Engineer(ish)]

We have to merge with the RLC before we can become the RASC.... which you must admit has a familiar ring to it...........

 

[Outstanding]

After the merger I would suggest RLC is divided into 3 discrete areas, Transport , Supply and Repair. Perhaps with a command structure and seperate training.

 

[the_man_in_the_corner]

Fingers crossed, with 6 yeasr left ill be out before anything come in to play.

 

[Cable_Ties]

The REME wouldn't disappear, what would happen to all those lovely SO1/SO2 posts in DLO?!?!?!?

I am cynical, yes, but whaddya expect?

 

[pied_piper]

The DEME(A) paper is titled ‘Developing ES to meet the demands of expeditionary ops’ and it is currently on AD level circulation. Whilst it has not been titled Rebalancing Round 2, it does have the same effect as it proposes a reduction in 1st line posts and an increase at 2nd line, along with a shake up of REME Bns and the creation of Off Platform Repair Coys.

Can anyone in DEME(A) explain to me how ISTs are going to work in Helmand or somewhere similar? Surely for expeditionary operations you are trying to deliver logistic support (and that includes ES) up front. Unless I have missed something but the days of rigid boundaries between us and the bad guys are long gone. The 'three block' war and multi-dimensional nature of threat on current and most likely future ops make any further re-balancing non-sensical. Mind you, when did that stop anyone in DEME(A)...

 

[oughttobe]

Lets just transfer to the RLC and be done with it! Promotion wud be easier as you wud only be competing against a bunch of numpties!!!

 

[two-four-albert]

Reading said doc now, first point is the removal of metalsmiths from 1st line, then saying VMs to carry out metalsmiths work at first line, 1, its bad enough trying to teach new sprogs how to turn spanners let alone give them fire to play with, and 2, who does the VM tasks while the VMs away blowing themselves up??????????? On a plus point just think of all the bombs we can make

 

[smeagle]

whos gonna build bbqs for the sergeants mess if metalsmiths are removed from first line?

 

[counterstrike]

Those industrious chaps at DEME(A) have produced another cunning plan to reshape the Corp.

On Ops at the mo, anyone got a link (preferably internet) to the document???

 

[Spanner]

Trouble is - we cannot get anymore people in the corps. The Army's manning is capped at 101,800 and will not increase in the slightest. The Corps has been forced to find savings at 1st and 2nd line, and has had to make some really tough decisions on how best to use the remaining manpower. The words Medium Term Workstrands (MTWS) and the like are banded around the corridors with incredibly frequency.

As a die hard opponent of Rebalancing 1, I know that most in the Corps would find the prospect of further rebalancing a real zesty lemon to suck. However, given the pre-disposition of BG COs to use REME manpower in the HQ for every jiff job going, I know that those posts are best used at 2nd line, where at least they'll be targetted to where they are needed.

As for ISTs, they are still an integral component of how we deliver on ops, however, not aimed at "in mission" effect - that will still be the preserve of the fitter sections. Quite how you do that in Bell End province? Answers on a post card - not the fag packet our lords and master keep deploying the army on!