Wing Commander.

Discussion in 'Off-Topic Discussion' started by Sheal, Aug 5, 2011.

  1. Sheal

    Sheal Total Gardener

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    A question please to all R.A.F. and flying members particularly. :)

    Is it possible for someone in the RAF to become a Wing Commander by the age of twenty nine. :scratch:
     
  2. ARMANDII

    ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

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    Hi Sheal, in the 60's to 80's Royal Air Force the answer is Yes, but I can't answer for today's Air Force. What brought this question about??:scratch::D
     
  3. gcc3663

    gcc3663 Knackered Grandad trying to keep up with a 4yr old

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    They'd need to be the driver of the successful Winter Olympic Bobsleigh team.
    Mind you, he'd need to shove the Sandhurst wannabe out of the seat first.
     
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    • Sheal

      Sheal Total Gardener

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      My son was dealing with a clients paperwork today and brought this into question. He doesn't think it's possible. This person is also female, not that - that makes any difference.....or does it?
       
    • ARMANDII

      ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

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      Well, that's not easy to answer, Sheal. The WRAF had different rules of promotion and I do know of instances where Degree's did hop people over the barriers in rank. In the non commissioned ranks you either waited for a recommendation for promotion, and had to wait for a vacancy, and had served the qualifying time and then maybe get the promotion, whereas us Techies sat an exam to get to the next tech rank, served the appropriate time and got promoted.

      But the commission ranks were a different proposition and a mixture of things would get you promoted, including the type of profession. I was posted to a organisation called Central Trials and Tactics Organisation and most of the Officers were, in truth, Scientists and the promotion rules seem to have gone out of the window there.

      If your son is worried sufficiently about the legitimacy of his client he might be able to think of an excuse to see her Discharge Papers which would show the rank in which she left the WRAF.
       
    • Sheal

      Sheal Total Gardener

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      Thanks Armandii,

      Unfortunately because of security I can't give you anymore information. I think my sons boss will be questioning this though.
       
    • ARMANDII

      ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

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      Yes, I've signed the form several times unfortunately. If the client is still in the WRAF there are channels which one can use to check the legitimacy of the client.
       
    • Fidgetsmum

      Fidgetsmum Total Gardener

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      I have no first-hand knowledge, but (this is relevant - so bear with me) .... my daughter's husband is a doctor who, during his training, thought about joining the RAF, so he spoke to someone who was already a Dr. in the RAF. Enquiries revealed he'd need to be qualified before he applied - that would have made him 23. The guy he spoke to was a Sqn Ldr and had been in the RAF for 12 years, thus making him about 35.

      Considering it would 'normally' take about 5 years to get from Flt.Lt to Sqn Ldr, it follows that it would probably take longer to get from Sqn Ldr to Wg Cdr - if you 'guesstimate' say 7 - 8 years for that next promotion, you've now got at least 12 - 13 years service. Of course, this doesn't take into account the time you'd be required to spend as a Plt Off and Fg Off, before becoming a Flt Lt then Sqn Ldr and finally Wg Cdr. Even for a graduate entrant (at what? 21?) with accelerated promotion via RAF Cranwell, it's one helluva promotion rate to make Wg Cdr by 29.

      As ARMANDII has said, '....a mixture of things [c]ould get you promoted, including the type of profession' - and, although I hesitate to say it, in this case, including who you're sleeping with?
       
    • ARMANDII

      ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

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      Good Lord, Fidgetsmum, we of the Royal Air Force, [salute when you say that], weren't like that.:heehee: Just because one Unit I was posted to had 8 WAAFs to one airman was totally irrelevant. Having said that I do remember ...................... errr, no, nuff said.

      Besides Officers weren't like that, I mean they were Officers and Gentlemen .....were'nt they????:scratch::D
       
    • Sheal

      Sheal Total Gardener

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      Thanks Armandii and Fidgetsmum. That was interesting to read and I've passed the info onto my son. :)
       
    • Jack McHammocklashing

      Jack McHammocklashing Sludgemariner

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      You can be a CIVVY VOLUNTEER Staff in the AIR CADETS adults over 21 are called officers, and are ranked on education thus two years with a UNI DEGREE and you would be a WING COMMANDER :-)

      It looks very impresive on your CV if the boss, has never served

      The real RAF no chance, as at present the position is so precious with the cuts that officers hanging on to pension rights it is a wait until present holder has left or died :-)

      Jack McHammocklashing RN VD and SCAR Admiral of the Fleet TYNE &WEAR Sea Cadets
       
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      • Fidgetsmum

        Fidgetsmum Total Gardener

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        I dunno if the RAF were Officers and Gentlemen. My family were all Naval personnel - some were Officers and ......................... some were not!!:WINK1:
         
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        • Sheal

          Sheal Total Gardener

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          Okay folks, we have a change of rank............this person is an Air Commander, not a Wing Commander, which I'm told is a higher rank. I suppose this makes it even more unlikely.
           
        • ARMANDII

          ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

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          Air Commander, Sheal????:scratch: There's no such rank in the Royal Air Force:mad:. The nearest sounding rank is Air Commodore, and you ain't going to reach that stratospheric level of rank by 29. The Air ranks were Air Commodore, Air Vice Marshall, Air Marshall and Marshall of the RAF. No "Air Commander" I know of, unless they're drastically changed the ranking system:scratch:

          Are we sure you've got the rank correct!!? Is this person really in the RAF? :scratch: :stirpot:
           
        • Sheal

          Sheal Total Gardener

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          Sorry Armandii, Air Commodore is the rank. This person is no longer in the Raf and working in an 'everyday' commercial office. At the age of 29, it makes me wonder how long ago this person left to work in civvy street, which again makes it even more unlikely. This person is still under discussion in my sons place of work.
           
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