The Air Corps organisation/management

[FiannaFail]

Amen Silver!
FiannaFail '>

[alpha foxtrot 07]

i think a fully seperate aer corps and naval service would benfit each service in ways that we can't even imagine. it would be perfect, whats even better is the corps could get rid of all the stupid rock ape crap that the techs and officers have to go through just to do there jobs. did you guys know that for a tech to sign off on an aircraft that he has to be a cpl which means he has to do the rock cpl course, what a waste of time and money, same for the pilots 7 months(9 for my class) in the curragh shotting sratw, mags and the like is a waste if time and money.
what do my fellow board members think.

[John K]

I've just said in another thread have the Air Corps got a mission statement? The RAFs mission statement is precise and it has got vision, the OLD British class system was very visible when I was in the Air Corps, but now the RAF interview and select the right people for the job regardless of their background, maybe that's the approach needed in Baldonnel!

[FiannaFail]

Silver,
I have  been giving your thread some thought over night as it is a very important policy issue.  Then I had a thought!  June 2004!!  Local and European elections!!!  This means that representatives of ALL political parties will be calling to all of our doors seeking votes. So instead of thanking them for the help they gave us in getting our great gandmothers medical card why dont we all raise the issue of the importance our Defence Forces and especially the Air Corps! Regardless of which party - Fianna Fail, Fine Gael, Labour, Sinn Fein, the Greens, independents of this and that etc if we don't raise the needs of the Air Corps who will?  No doubt some will raise the issue of our great history of neutrality and our answer should be - well if we are neutral what do we defend our neutrality with!! Do not let this opportunity slip my friends as many politicals will be calling to your door step in the coming months! Be heard and hopefully the IAC will go up the political agenda.
FiannaFail '>

[Lurk]

Good point YJ, of course the Air Corps needs to support the Armys needs. But it has to be asked what those needs are? While abroad, PDF will probably always use the air resources of a larger nation. At home, what are the needs? I beleive that the Air Corps can supply service to the Army in much the same way as "aid to civil power", ie, when requested and needed. Government will not give money for an air  resource, unless it gets value. Nowadays, its down to productivity, and value for money. Supporting the Army is not productive,hence, no funds.

[Guinness]

As I've mentioned before.
I have the idea that the military ( including the AC) is very low on the gouverments priority list.

This because Ireland is such a n important strategic rock on this planet that all the surrounding countries will defend it to the last man/ship or plane.

Why would a gouverment spend millions of euros on the "defence-force" as the country is defended by nations who's military budget can feed 10 African countries??

Guinness

[alpha foxtrot 07]

i am going to have to agree with the last post because when i went into the corps it was all about what gaa team you played for and so on. i know of at least 4 people who would have been great for the army who never got it and when i was there i had to deal with half wit gaa and soccer players. wheres the the selection process in that.
sorry about the rant but you guy who are/were there know what im talking about

[clan]

Could we invite the GOC to a mail in to answer questions, or even the Great Mr Smith himself? Live on the this site???


(Edited to remove questionable comments - Frank)

[sealion]

Tis true,When I applied for the Apprentices back in the 80s,my interview never got past whether I played Hurling or Football. My negative responses were met with sneers of derision from the panel.How this could affect my ability to repair a Marbore or Turmomeca is still beyond me.

[Guinness]

Well Clan,

the answer is given by the Irish Independent isn't it.

BTW HAPPY NEW-YEAR 2 U ALL !!!!!

[FiannaFail]

Another example of the "old boys club" I am afraid Sealion. For pilots it was traditionally based on which school/university you attended. Things have changed greatly since then I am glad to report! This wasn't an unusual in the country at the time!
FiannaFail '>

[clan]

opps what did I say that was questionable?

[alpha foxtrot 07]

FF
i left only a couple of years ago and the old boys club attitude as you put was still there in great force, from my experience there is still a long way to go.

[FiannaFail]

Don't know clan as it was gone before I read it!
FiannaFail '>

[Silver]

Thats a good idea clan - And I wouldn't restrict the choice to just (from) the RAF, any Irish member of any air force would bring a fresh perspective !

However, what chance of it ever happening ?
Given what has been posted here, the post of GOC (and other top brass posts) are a 'closed shop' - and I doubt if the current gov even thinks about the AC (except when it comes to their jets ) never mind trying to improve it  


I would also agree with FF - Unfortunately, until there is a proper DF strategy in place, there seems to be little chance of any major changes to the current AC organisation.


Would a fully independent Air Corps (and NS!), c/w it's own budget, be a way to instigate major reform ?
(I have heard this aspiration expressed by a former GOC).