1.0 Introduction

Once RAF officers have completed their Phase 1 initial military training at RAF College Cranwell and their Phase 2 specialist training courses they will move on to their next batch of training and education, which is termed command and staff training (CST).

Table 1 provides an outline of the CST for RAF Officers by rank: Table 1: RAF Officer Career Development Programmes

All residential Phase 3 generic PMD(A) courses for officers up to Squadron Leader rank are delivered by the RAF Division of JSCSC.

2.0 Junior Officer Development Programme

The Junior Officer Development Programme (JODP) is part of the Professional Military Development (Air) (PMD(A)) generic Phase 3 training for junior officers in the RAF, focusing on air power and leadership. It is a 6-year programme designed as a through-life educational process, comprising three courses of 30-40hrs interactive distance learning followed by a short residential period, attended at 2-yearly intervals. RAF officers commence the programme two years after completing initial officer training (IOT) at RAF College Cranwell. The JODP is described fully in AP7000: PMD Air, AP7000, Issue 1, v3.0 (RAF, 2012).

The three courses are designed to be completed in sequence with the necessary period of consolidation and application in between. All officers must complete the three courses (as described below) and completion of JODP is a prerequisite for promotion to substantive Squadron Leader rank. As there is online distance learning before each JOD module, it is recommended to allow 6 months between applying for and attending a residential course.

Taken as a whole, JODP delivers an in depth understanding of the utility of air power, together with the theoretical and practical aspects of leadership and management in the RAF. A good understanding of RAF culture and ethos will also be developed through completion of the programme.

2.1 Junior Officer Development One

The purpose of the Junior Officer Development One (JOD 1) module, launched late-2008, is to develop Officers who can explain the employment of air power, at the tactical level, within the wider political context; and deal with everyday leadership and management activities.

The JOD 1 module is 30-40hrs distance learning, with 1-week residential and is completed within 2-years of graduation from IOT. JOD 1 follows the key themes of Context, Air Power, and Command, Leadership and Management (CLM), focussing on preparing junior officers for operational deployment and working in the joint environment.

2.2 Junior Officer Development Two

The purpose of the Junior Officer Development Two (JOD 2) module, launched mid-2009, is to develop Officers who can analyse the employment of air power, at the tactical level, within the wider political context; and deal with everyday leadership and management activities.

The JOD 2 module is 30-40hrs distance learning, with 2-weeks residential and is completed within 4 years of graduation from IOT. JOD 2 follows the same key themes as JOD 1 but focuses on more in-depth analysis through study of leaders, air power case histories and syndicate room discussions.

2.3 Junior Officer Development Three

The purpose of the Junior Officer Development Three (JOD 3) module, launched late-2010, is to develop Officers who can prescribe the effective application of air power at the tactical level; analyse their role in the development of policy; and management processes and the team.

The JOD 3 module is 30-40hrs distance learning, with 1-week residential and is completed within 6-years of graduation from IOT. JOD 3 develops the same key themes further, focussing on enabling students to progress to the Flight Commander role. Students will also consider the development of subordinates and staff work and management processes, such as finance and risk.

The following: JOLP2 Record of Training will provide the reader with an idea of the work to be undertaken during the Junior OCD Programme.

2.4 Assessment

There are no formal assessments on the JODP, however, the essay completed at the end of the programme (following JOD 3) is marked by King’s College London, and the development report is for the student’s eyes only.

2.5 Accreditation

Successful completion of all three JODs attracts Chartered Management Institute accreditation at Level 6 on payment of the required fee.

3.0 Senior Officer Development Programme

The Senior Officer Development Programme (SODP) is composed of two elements:

The Intermediate Command and Staff Course (Air) and
The Senior Officer Study Programme.

3.1 Intermediate Command and Staff Course (Air)

The first element of the SODP is the 8-week Intermediate Command and Staff Course (Air) (ICSC(A)), launched on 28 October 2008, which is delivered by the RAF Division of the JSCSC and is designed for newly-promoted Squadron Leaders in the RAF. The aim of the course is to produce Officers who can evaluate and optimise the military and civilian contribution to the effective application of air power at the higher tactical level in the joint, combined and multi-agency environments. As such Officers will be able to:

Advocate the effective employment of air, space and cyber power in the Joint, Combined and multi-agency environments;
Appreciate contemporary doctrine and its application in Campaign planning and execution;
Appreciate command, leadership and management techniques relevant to Defence;
Engage effectively with academic debate, orally and in writing, at the postgraduate level; and
Advocate the importance of RAF history and ethos.

3.1.1 Assessment

There are four assessed elements of the course:

A Masters level essay (no prior degree is required);
A group presentation;
Individual presentations; and
Personal attributes.

All students on the course are expected to complete all assignments and will receive a course report.

3.1.2 Accreditation

Officers who complete the ICSC(A) are awarded credits by the Open University, King’s College London and the Chartered Management Institute. Successful completion of the whole course also attracts membership of the Chartered Management Institute on payment of the required fee.

3.1.3 Cost of Training

According to research endorsed by the Chartered Management Institute, if you were to pay for training to deliver equivalent employee development, relevant to the civilian workplace, it would cost you in the order of £11,125 (SaBRE, 2013).

3.2 Senior Officer Study Programme

The second element of the SODP is the Senior Officer Study Programme (SOSP) which will be primarily for those Wing Commanders and senior Squadron Leaders who have not been selected for Advanced Staff Training (e.g. the Advanced Command & Staff Course).

3.2.1 Accreditation

The continuum of generic PMD(A) will provide the opportunity for individuals to gain full, or partial awards in academic or vocational qualifications, especially when evidence of learning can be drawn from an e-portfolio.

3.3 Future Commanders Study Period

The Future Commanders Study Period (FCSP) is a four and a half day residential course conducted by the RAF Division of the JSCSC. The aim of the FCSP is to enhance the effectiveness in command of senior officers about to be posted to station or unit commander appointments.

As such, the FCSP is for newly appointed station and unit commanders of the rank of Squadron Leader and above, and the job specifications for these appointments should indicate that the FCSP is mandatory pre-employment training. The basic topics covered normally include:

Command, Leadership and Management;
Health and Safety and Environmental Protection;
Civilian Administration;
Role of the Senior Medical Officer and Station Chaplain;
Community Support;
RAF Infrastructure Organisation;
Security Issues;
Reserve Forces;
Media;
Commercial Issues;
RAF Legal Services;
Service Complaints Commissioner;
Defence Infrastructure Organisation (Service Families Accommodation);
Station Management Board;
Welfare Organisations;
Warrant Officers’ Perspective with CASWO; and
Station Commander Brief by current or recent Station Commander.

4.0 Executive Officer Development Programmes

4.1 Advanced Staff Training

Selection for Advanced Staff Training (AST) is coordinated by RAF Manning and is linked to entry into the Executive Stream (refer to AP 33392 Volume 1) for those officers whom are identified for their high potential to progress through the ranks, and who after successfully completing AST, are subsequently placed in the demanding and Joint appointments that are likely to prepare them most effectively for potential employment at the Strategic Level, where employment is less role-specific and more related to the competencies the officer has developed.

Officers in the Specialist Branches are not subject to Executive Stream selection and their attendance at AST is therefore based on the requirements of their respective branches. Successful completion of ICSC(A) is a pre-requisite for attendance on AST.

AST includes the Advanced Command and Staff Course and overseas staff college attendance. For information on the Advanced Command and Staff Course (ACSC) and the Advanced Command and Staff Course (Reserves) (ACSC(R)) please use the following link: British Army Officer Career Development Programmes.

4.2 Royal College of Defence Studies Course

For information on the Royal College of Defence Studies (RCDS) Course please use the following link: British Army Officer Career Development Programmes.

4.3 Applied Technology Course for Senior Officers

For information on the Applied Technology Course for Senior Officers (ATCSO) please use the following link: British Army Officer Career Development Programmes.