I would like to put my opinion in. My opinion of course and most of which has been mentioned in one form or another already on this thread.
Something that I really struggle to reconcile on the officer side is the downright rank inflation that seems to exist. I appreciate that there is a subtle difference between a midshipman and a 2Lt in the TA down to historic reasons and something to do with age. The difference is not important since equality exists between Sub Lt and Lt (Army). In the RNR we have made ourselves the same as the RN and it appears that completion of basic training results in promotion to Lt. Indeed I have seen officers coming through the system picking up a second ring after a couple of years, two weeks at Dartmouth, two weeks at sea and maybe a professional course and Bob’s your uncle and apparently competent. Compare this with the TA where operational billets are being filled out in Iraq and Afghan by subalterns. …and these subalterns are worthy of the job since they have a little more than the experience than is highlighted in the RNR training stated. Captain is a rank where they are promoted on merit, some even have a couple of op tours, not by passing through the sausage machine collecting badges.
So what is my point? Let’s bring everyone down a rank or two to really reflect the experience and level of military competence that we really have. I cannot help but compare the RN Commander and the RNR Commander. The former has about 20 years experience, rigorous training, an exacting selection procedure and maybe command of a frigate or destroyer. The latter, while undoubtedly keen may have knocked out 20 years training made up of 2 week training sessions and a number of weekends, while individually very intense, really do not compare with the full time counterpart. I cannot help but think that we are architects of our own downfall where we grossly over promote people and put them in positions where they struggle to even tread water, yet alone excel. Although I appreciate that there are examples that might contradict this.
There is little doubt that the RNR officer is keen, the evidence normally exists through the fact that they have a civvie job to hold down too. Now I would expect a high flying officer in the RNR to have a high flying job in civvie street, higher management, maybe running their own successful business, managing large budgets and workforces. Now I appreciate that I may be stereotyping and there will be plenty of instances where I can be disproved, but IMHO I cannot help but think that the senior people in the RNR are often those that have not proved themselves outside, had they joined the RN full time they would be passed over but due to a confusion between time expended rather than quality, a large quota of people who can be promoted, the fact that people do not leave results in the 85 (not 40) commanders that exist within the RNR. To be fair if you have a high powered job outside then you probably have not got time to expend to the RNR anyway. I am yet to meet a RNR senior officer who I am truly impressed by who is realistically worth their rations (and a salary of £60,000 plus).
(……and while I am on my soap box why oh why oh why do people leave the RN passed over in their rank (and I include CPOs who never got their warrant) seem to appear in the RNR and get promoted? Surely if they were not good enough in the full time service then they surely cannot be good enough in the RNR? Or am I missing something?)
I just wonder if the new commodore might be reading this. I hope so. Here is my suggestion – let’s stop all the fluffing of egos through gross over promotion. Let’s be reasonable and cap it all at Lt Cdr level (and a lot less of those please) where we can properly contribute to the party.
Just off to put my flak jacket and helmet on…..