DCI(RN) 168 Transfer of the RN Commando ... - Royal Marines

Not to be communicated toanyone outside HM Servicewithout authorityDel RN 163-1761997Defence Council InstructionsDCls are automaticallyMINISTRY OF DEFENCE7 November 1997cancelled after one year

168/97 Transfer of the RN Commando Aircrewman role to the Royal Marines(U)Introduction[D/NAVSECI7745/3/3/1: 27507VB)1. Following extensive study, it has been decided that the best way to maintainOperational Capability in the front line Naval Commando Squadrons (Cdo Sqns), isto establish a Royal Marines Aircrewman (RMAC) specialisation. The introductionof this specialisation will allow for the gradual transfer of responsibility from thepresent Naval Cdo Aircrewman (Acmn) sub-specialisation, which will bediscontinued when the transfer is complete.Aim2. This DCI will outline the entry and training requirements for the RMACSpecialisation, and the implementation plan including implications for the NavalCdo Acmn.Manning Requirement3. There is a requirement for 49 RMAC billets in FONA, and the Front and SecondLine Fleet Air Arm (FAA) units, including three billets in the Higher TrainingQuotient (HTQ).Future RM Commando StructureRM Aircrewman entry and selection requirements4. The entry requirements for RMAC are as follows:a. Marine 1st Class passed Junior Command Course at Grade B or above, orsubstantive Corporal status.b. Medical category Bl.c. Qualified educationally NAMET 3:3.d. Passed the RM Battle Swimming Test.e. Over the age of 19 and under the age of 28 on commencement of AircrewFlying Training (AFT).f. Successful completion of flying grading.RM aircrewman training5. On completion of Flying Grading, successful candidates will be called forward bythe RM drafting desk to commence Flying Training which will consist of:a. Basic Flying Training (BFT) - seven weeks at the Defence Helicopter FlyingSchool (DHFS), Shawbury, Shropshire.b. Advanced Flying Training (AFT) - four weeks at Culdrose.RESTRICTED 11

•RN 168 15 weeks at Yeovilton .. 'ng (OFf)-. nal Flying Tra llu .c operahO . II d and the results of validation w'l). h been tna e , "11 b I I. . g syllabUS as 5 ecial emphasIs WI e paced on th6. The RMAC ~~~t~ the course strUcture. P ebe incOrpora te [-core requ irem ents ° .a.b.NavigationFlight planning andc. Load lifting.Certificate of Competenced b On Job Training (OJT) with a Front Line Sqn. On7 Training will be consolidate BY k RMAC will be awarded a Certificate of. f the O]T Task 00, 'f' d d d hcompletion 0 'd d t be Cdo Acmn quah le , awar e t e adqualCompetence (CofC), conSl ere 0'CDOAIR', and promoted to Cpl.Training Failuresded from flying training will be referred to the Naval8 RM students who are suspen . .. d . B d (NAAB) Confirmation of a failure wIll result inAircrew A vlsory oar' . \. .. If fl' g training and reversion to source speCla IsatlOn.wlthdrawa rom ymReturn of Service9. RMAC will be required to give a minimum of three years return of service fromcompletion of OFf in accordance with BR 8748 Article 0219.l.e.Specialist Qualification One (SQl) awards10. The award of SQl is dependant upon passing the special qualifying course(equivalent to the current Petty Officer's Professional Qualifying Examination[PQE]), possession of the Cdo Acmn CofC, and flying standard assessment ofAverage or above.11. The future RMAC promotion structure, based upon current RM structures, is atthe ANNEX.Transition Arrangements12 RNCdoA '11 .engagement ~; ~'llc~ntlnue to se~ve until at least the completion of their currentthrough th~ s y. rl tie replaced, In normal course, by RMAC as the RMs growspecialisation t-fa:c~:~~~d o~r ~~~tine ~ansfer from the ASW to the Cdo subwillnormally be recruited. al ratings and, henceforth, only RM other ranksRN Commando AircrewmenPromotIOn/advancement1;. In future, RN Cdo and ASW Ac .P omOtion purposes and for selecf ~n Will be segregated for advancement and~eharated, there will be mOre Cp~on or 20E. Once the pure Cdo Acmn have beenrequired by the RN12 nsupportable 111 the long term. Therefore,c ernes of Complement; clearly t~sai~~ POs than are ~trictlyRESTRICTED

RESTRICTED RN 168ther' will be an initial rL'quirement to bring the Bearing into line with theRequirement by rat~ .. TIllIs: advancement and promo~i.on for RN Cdo Acmn in theearl\, years ot transItion Will be slower than before. Similarly, the opportunity for20E will be restricted to those r:1tlOgs who can genuinely be employed in the longterm.H. Promotion of Rand RM Acmn will be maintained on current Service rules andregulations. An independent selection boar~ convened by DGNM and consisting ofDJ t-.1RM,0 !\.AV and 11 third member trom either FONA, HQRM or C D willsit in the e\'ent that two candi~ates, one RM other rank, and one RN rating, ofsimilar merit are in competition tor a single promotion slot.Reversion to ASW15. In recognition of the fact that some ratings may see their aspirations forpn-.motion or 20E reduced there will be a limited period during which they canrequ st to transfer, permanently, back to the ASW specialisation. Any transfer willbe subject to the requirements of the Service and dependent upon theiremployability as an ASW Acmn in their current rate. For those ratings who apply,and are accepted, there will be no option to return to the Cdo sub-specialisation.10. Transfer requests may be forwarded up to 1 Jan 98 through normaladministrative charmels - thereafter there will be no further opportunity to transfer.Requests will only be granted if judged to be in the Service interest. Requests willremain extant until either the rating leaves the Service or he decides to withdraw thereque t. Ratings may withdraw the request at any time.TimescaIes17. The overall timescale for the transfer of re ponsibiJity for the provision of CdoAonn from RN to RM persormel is not expected to be fully complete until 2009.Shortfalls18. Further transfer of ASW AcnU1 to the RN Cdo Acrnn subspeciali ation afterbranch transfer has commenced is only likely in the event that the R11 are unable tomeet the manning requirement for RMAC.Implementation Working Group19. A Working Group has been formed under the chairmanship of 0 M(RM) tomonitor recruiting, training, promotion, and the maintenance of operationaleffectivene s, whilst the transfer of responsibility takes place. This group consists of(CHOTS addresses):o MRM (Chairman)o M AVFONA/ OCHC D/03AHQRM/COONM EClARelated Regulations20. A Cop\' of this OCI is to be retained \\'ithin the covers of BR 1283 (Rl)\,al . ~larint':'Instructions) and BR 1006 (Adv,mcement Regulations) until incorporated at the ne"tdmendments.RESTRICTED 13

ANNEXRMAC _ Branch and promotion structureI C mmando Aircrewman qualifiedCorpora (R~quirement - 24 Billets)Pass Senior Command CourseQualified RMAClSelection by Promotion BoardSergeant(Requirement - 17 Billets)Selection by Promotion BoardColour Sergeant(Requirement - Five Billets)Qualified Educationally for Warrant Officer (QEWO)Passed Advanced Command CourseSelection by Promotion BoardWarrant Officer 2nd Class(Requirement - Two Billets)Selection by Promotion BoardWarrant Officer 1st Class