I'm a bit confused by the whole probatiory bit, as some parts seem to say you have to do the 6 months as a PCI, before becoming an APO, whereas other places in the Pam, and in "Guidance For Advancement" say something about the 'new system' allowing TI's//CI's to become PPO's rather than PCI's for the initial 6 months prior to the AIC being completed, and then advance to an APO.
The changeover to the new system of adult induction is still clearing the decks in terms of references in MSSC publications, so for clarity:
Only Cadets rated Petty Officer Cadet (POC) may make the immediate transfer to PPO (Probationary Petty Officer) so they can continue in uniform, albeit they swap out the square rig for fore-and-aft. In some cases the Leading Cadets (LC) may be allowed to do so under certain circumstances.
For everyone else, regardless of whether they are ex-cadets or those walking in off the street, they will be required to do a minimum 6 month period as a Probationary Civilian Instructor (PCI) before they decide whether to transfer to uniform, where they become a APO (Acting Petty Officer), or to dispense with the "probationary" and become a full CI. For uniform staff they then have 2 years in which to achieve the 5 compulsory modules (or to get exemptions for qualifications already held) and will then be confirmed as full Petty Officers(SCC). For CIs, the requirement is only to take First Aid and Instructional Method (IM) within the following 12 months although exemptions are possible with current qualifications.
The only real difference for the Royal Marines Cadets are the ranks and a change in some of the compulsory modules, otherwise the route in is the same.
In any case, everyone is required to do an Adult Induction Course (AIC) within 6 months of joining as an adult instructor.
And of course all of the above is dependant on successfully passing a disclosure check.
And you thought the RN was acronym driven . . .
