Are RDF civilians?

[spudula]

Why can't I get the Killers song out of my head

"I got soul but I'm not a soldier"

Maybe this could be the new motto of the RDF!!!!

Nice one centurion, like it, like it!!!

[Liachta Cultaca]

Why can't I get the Killers song out of my head

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXkWW_q_OTM

"I got soul but I'm not a soldier"

Maybe this could be the new motto of the RDF!!!!

[irishrgr]

Full timers

We have a similar set up over here, Typically a company has the following:

Supply Sergeant
Admin NCO
Training NCO

At a battalion level there is usually

Admin officer (CPT/MAJ)
Ops Officer (CPT)
Logistics Officer (1LT/CPT/Warrant Officer)
Logistics NCO
Senior Supply Sergeant
Ops Sergeant Major
Senior Admin/Personnel NCO
Admin clerk x 2
Intel NCO
Commo NCO
Maintenance NCO
Mechanics x 2-4 (depending on type of unit)

It varies by type of unit and to a degree by funded positions. Interestingly all these positions are fulltime reservists who are on extended active duty. They must be a member of the unit they work in and drill/train/deploy with them. Some units have issues with full timers thinking they actually run the unit, but strong commanders can stop that. Some commanders are better than others at it. The company admin NCO will do that during the week, then at drill he becomes a platoon sergeant, so they wear two hats.

Sometimes I feel like we'd be better off with these being civilians and let the Soldiers do Army stuff, but that has it's own set of complications (ovetime, hours, etc).

As you move up to Brigade, etc the footprint gets bigger and there are a few more civilians to do admin work.

A

[DeV]

TA units have huge amounts of fulltime staff compared to RDF cadre.

Each infantry coy would have:
- 1 regular Sgt Instr
- 1 regular SNCO Instr
- PSAO Capt (admin offr)
- NRPS CQMS
- Civilian clerk
- Civilian fitter for vehicle maint

Each Inf Bn has:
- CO
- Training Major (either CO or Trg Major should be TA)
- Adjt
- QM
- Regt Admin Offr
- RSM
- regular Sigs Instr
- NRPS at bn level include armourers and clerks

NRPS is Non Regular Permanent Staff (full time soldiers, but not really operational, usually ex regular).

[Truck Driver]

PSAO is Permanent Staff Admin Officer.

Cheers

[Barry]

PSAO is Permanent Staff Admin Officer.

[Truck Driver]

Don't the TA have full time admin staff?

Essentially Cadre with a different title (either PSI or PSAO - think PSI is Permanent
Staff Instr, PSAO is ??? - help Rod and Serpent, he who knows...)

[Bam Bam]

Don't the TA have full time admin staff?

[DeV]

Some CSs have to bring their RDF work to work/home to do it as there isn't enough time in 2hrs per week - and that is for a fairly small unit.

[ARNGScout]

What does the NON APPLICABLE (CIVILIAN/FOREIGN FORCES) option mean?????

Would it refer to non-applicable foreign nationals (outside the EU?) or civilian employees of foreign military e.g British MOD workers?

[Viking]

Poor cadre had lead to people trying to work around them. They want to protect their "job" and so become protective of their position. However instead of being helpful they allow errors to accumulate,. A kind of give them enough ropr scinario. Eventually there is a cock up and the cadre in question blames the RDFer for working around him.

Kinda tough to crack really.

We see that all the time. Its a highly effective tactic.

[luchi]

I'm not saying its not essential, I'm just saying that a unit wouldn't grind to a halt without its cadre. "Other means" can be found.

And for some there lyeth the problem.

Poor cadre had lead to people trying to work around them. They want to protect their "job" and so become protective of their position. However instead of being helpful they allow errors to accumulate,. A kind of give them enough ropr scinario. Eventually there is a cock up and the cadre in question blames the RDFer for working around him.

Kinda tough to crack really.

[Bam Bam]

I'm not saying its not essential, I'm just saying that a unit wouldn't grind to a halt without its cadre. "Other means" can be found.

[luchi]

Replace 'civilians' with 'part-timers'

Isn't that one of the things RDFRA have been trying to do?

The cadre are only there to ensure that paperwork goes through and to pick up unit mail at BN HQ.

Also they occassionaly use the "contacts" they have made over their careers to allow easier access to equipment for instructional purposes.
.

And is this not a vital function to ensure the smooth running of a unit?

Problem is some don't do it, not efficiently anyway. The CS etc can only give a certain amount of time to the RDF. Without reliable connections when needed a unit would be disfunctional.

[Bam Bam]

The cadre are only there to ensure that paperwork goes through and to pick up unit mail at BN HQ.

Also they occassionaly use the "contacts" they have made over their careers to allow easier access to equipment for instructional purposes.

But the overall admin and authority in an RDF COY (for example) is the RDF unit commander and CS.