Officers Admin, pay

Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation

Officers - Conditions of Service, Rates of Pay and Administrative Matters (1946 onwards)

Selection of Officers for Appointment to Permanent Commissions in the Royal Air Force

Examination of the applications for permanent commissions submitted under AMOs A188/44, as amended by A236/44, and A297/45, as amended, is now approaching completion, except those from ox-prisoners-of-war, and further selections will be promulgated shortly. Additional vacancies are, however, likely to become available in the near future. It has therefore been decided that officers who have not hitherto applied shall now be given the opportunity of doing so, and that officers (with the exception of ex-prisoners-of-war) who have already applied under the above-quoted Air Ministry Orders and who have not yet been informed of the result of their application shall be invited to re-apply, so that more up-to-date information about their careers and more recent assessments may be available for consideration by the selection board. Officers who were formerly prisoners-of-war and who have already applied should not submit applications under this order; their original applications are still being considered in the light of the reports on their service since their return to this country.
All officers, other than ex-prisoners-of-war, who have already applied for; permanent commissions but have not yet been informed of the result of their applications should, therefore, apply again forthwith, if they wish to be considered.
The selection of officers for appointment to extended service commissions will, however, continue to be made from the applications already received. Officers so selected. will remain in the field of selection for permanent commissions, provided that they submit fresh applications for permanent commissions as indicated in this order.
Provided that they are serving in the general duties, technical, equipment, accountant, medical, dental or chaplain branches, the undermentioned officers are eligible to apply:-
1. Officers who were serving on short service commissions on 1st September, 1945
2. Officers of the Reserve of Air Force Officers
3. Officers of the Auxiliary Air Force and its Reserve
4. Officers of the RAF Volunteer Reserve.
5. Ex-regular airmen granted emergency commissions in the Royal Air Force.
6. Officers holding extended service commissions.
7. Non-regular Army officers employed with the Royal Air Force under the terms of ACI 152/40
Officers of the administrative and special duties branch, the balloon branch and the RAF Regiment, other than those mentioned in para. 4, sub-para. (v), above, have not hitherto been eligible to apply for permanent commissions, but it is now desired to know how many officers of these branches would wish to be considered for permanent commissions if, at a later date, it is possible to include them in the field of selection. They may therefore submit applications as indicated in paras. 11 and 12 below. Officers in these branches who, at the commencement of the war, were serving on a "regular engagement" (as defined in AMO A384/43, as amended) may apply to have their names recorded for later consideration as explained above, or for permanent commissions in the equipment or accountant branches
Officers of the Dominions air forces may submit applications for permanent commissions under this order, but such applications must be forwarded through the respective Dominions forces overseas headquarters in London. Officers of the Royal Canadian Air Force who were formerly ineligible to apply, may now do so on the distinct understanding that there can be no question of the subsequent transfer to the Royal Canadian Air Force of any member of that force who is appointed to a Permanent commission in the Royal Air Force (The provisions of this order supersede those laid down in AMO A145/45 relating to applications for permanent commissions of officers of the Dominions air forces)
Normally, applicants for permanent commissions in the general duties branch must be under 30 years of age on lst January, 1946, and applicants for permanent commissions in other branches must be Uunder 35 on that date. Officers who are above these ages may apply but will be selected only if their qualifications are particularly outstanding.
The medical standard will be A1B for the general duties branch and A4B for all ground branches except the technical branch, pro-war standards for these categories being adopted. As regards the technical branch, the medical standard will normally be AIB; in exceptional cases, however, officers having a lower medical category but fit for service at home and overseas may be appointed.
9. The substantive ranks to which selected officers will be appointed are as follows: -

General duties branch

Pilot officer	Officers with less than six months' commissioned service.
Flying officer	Officers with over six months' but less than 3½ years' commissioned. service.
Flight lieutenant	Officers with more than 3½ years' commissioned service.
Squadron Leader	Officers who have reached the age of 27 and have attained the temporary or acting rank of wing commander or above.

Technical, equipment and accountant branches

Pilot officer Officers with less than six months' commissioned service.

Flying officer Officers with over six months' but less than 3½ years' commissioned. service.

Flight lieutenant Officers with more than 3½ years' commissioned service.

Squadron Leader Officers who have reached the age of 30 and have attained the temporary or acting rank of wing commander or above.

Medical and dental branches

Flying officer Officers with less than twelve months' full pay commissioned service as medical or dental officer

Flight lieutenant Officers with twelve months' or more full pay commissioned service as medical or dental officer.

A certain number of commissions will be granted in the rank of squadron leader for specially selected officers who have over ten years' commissioned service on the active list:. Any ante-date of seniority given to an officer on entry for having held an approved hospital appointment before entering the service will count towards the ten years, which period, in the case of the medical branch, may be reduced in certain instances by varying periods not exceeding two years in the case of officers holding special qualifications or having shown outstanding professional ability.

Chaplains branch
(To be announced later.)

In deciding the substantive rank to be granted under the foregoing tables, only the length of service as at 1st September, 1945 (as regards officers to be appointed in substantive ranks up to flight lieutenant), and temporary or acting rank held on or before 1st September, 1945, and age on that date (of officers to be appointed as substantive squadron leaders) will be taken into account.

The place to be taken in the substantive gradation list by officers selected for appointment will be determined later, and, in deciding this, all relevant considerations will be taken into account, e.g., disembodied service with the Auxiliary Air Force or the RAF Volunteer Reserve, war record, age and qualifications generally.
All applications, which are to be made on Form 2745, are to be forwarded to the Air Ministry (AR 7) through the normal channels, and must reach that branch not later than 30th April, 1946 (from home commands) and 31st May. 1946 (from overseas commands). Applicants are, however, strongly advised to submit their applications without delay; applications received in the Air Ministry after the closing dates mentioned above will not be considered. All applications will be acknowledged on receipt in the Air Ministry, Air officers commanding groups are to forward, on the last' day of each month, nominal rolls of all applicants to command headquarters and to the Air Ministry (D & P (B).
Forms 2740 (Personal Assessment) are not to be used henceforth in connection with applications for permanent commissions. A new confidential report form (Form 1369A) is being introduced and full instructions regarding its general use will be promulgated later. This new form is to be used in assessing applicants for permanent commissions, the number of this order being quoted in para. 4 of the form the instructions contained in the form must be carefully observed. When completed, the form is to be attached to the officer's application (Form 2745) and forwarded to the Air Ministry (AR 7). Where a reporting officer has insufficient knowledge of an applicant to make a reliable assessment, he should furnish a statement to that effect on the Form 2745, and forward the completed confidential report (Form 1369A) as soon as practicable, and in any event not later than three months' after the officer's arrival at the reporting officer's station. The work of the selection board will be greatly assisted if senior officers will express opinions which can be considered in association with the detailed assessment made elsewhere on the form, and they are therefore requested to make the fullest possible use of page 4 of the form.
An officer who applies under this order who has not heard whether he has been selected by the time he is due for and accepts release, will remain eligible for selection for a permanent commission just as if he was still serving. It is, of course, clearly desirable that repatriated prisoners-of-war should; in their own interests, serve for a reasonable period at an active unit subsequent to their return to this country, to enable reliable assessments to be made on them. An officer who wishes to exercise his right under the release regulations to remain in the service until the outcome of his application is known must apply to do so, the application form being clearly annotated "Applicant for permanent commission". COs are reminded that under the provisions of para. 159 of AP 3093, applications for permanent commissions must be recorded on Forms 373 or 1580.
Para. 1 of AMO 994/5 made it clear that the initial substantive rank granted to officers appointed to permanent commissions would be governed by the rank and service as at 1st September, 1945. Questions have, however, been raised as to the conditions that will apply to promotion in substantive rank after the grant of a permanent commission, e.g., as to whether an officer of the general duties branch granted a permanent commission as flying officer will be promoted to the substantive rank of flight lieutenant on completion of 3½ years' service. It is, therefore, necessary to make it clear that promotion in substantive rank of officers granted permanent commissions under this order and under AMO A188/44, as amended by A236/44, will be dependent on the conditions laid down for the post-war force, which have not yet been finally decided. it is, however, hoped that it will be possible to make an announcement as to this at a reasonably early date and, as stated in para. 7 of AMO A188/44, it is anticipated that there will be early chances of promotion for those qualified by their capabilities and experience.

Source - Air Ministry Weekly Order A2/46 dated 3 January 1946.

AMO A2/46 is amended as follows: -

Para. 13, line 6. Delete from" An officer " to end of sentence and substitute: -

"An officer who has applied for a permanent or extended service commission and whose application is still under consideration is to submit an application for postponement of release for a period of six, twelve or eighteen months if he wishes to remain in the service beyond his due date of release."

(AMO A2/46 amended)

Source - Air Ministry Weekly Order A369/46 dated 2 May 1946.

AMO A2/46 is further amended as follows: -

Para. 13, as amended by A.369/46. Delete this paragraph and substitute: -

"13. An officer who applies under this order who has not heard whether he has been selected, by the time he is due for and accepts release, will remain eligible for selection for a permanent commission just as if he were still serving. It is, of course, clearly desirable that repatriated prisoners-of-war should, in their own interests, serve for a reasonable period at an active unit subsequent to their return to this country, to enable reliable assessments to be made on them. An officer who has applied for a permanent or extended service commission and whose application is still under consideration is to submit an application for postponement of release for a period of six, twelve or eighteen months if he wishes to remain in the service beyond his due date of release. The application is to be clearly annotated 'Applicant for permanent commission'. COs are reminded that, under the provisions of para. 159 of AP 3093, applications for permanent commissions must be recorded on Forms 373 or 1580"

(AMO A2/46, as amended by A369/46, amended)

Source - Air Ministry Weekly Order A617/46 dated 18 July 1946.

Marine Craft Officers and Motor Boat Crews - Qualifying Service in RAF Marine Craft for Ministry of War Transport Certificates of Competency as 2nd Mate, let Mate and Master

Candidates for examination for certificates of competency as 2nd mate, 1st mate and master are required to produce evidence of qualifying sea service in accordance with the regulation issued by the Ministry of War Transport.
It has been decided to allow service in RAF marine craft by airmen of the trade of motor boat crew (group III) to count at half rate, up to a maximum of twelve months as qualifying sea service for certificates of competency as 2nd mate only. Service in RAF marine craft by marine craft officers (administrative and special duties branch (Marine craft)) will be allowed to count at half rate up to a maximum of twelve months, as qualifying sea service for certificates of competency as 2nd mate, 1st mate and master, provided that candidates for higher certificates, already holding certificates as 2nd mate or 1st mate, produce evidence showing that they have served in the Merchant Navy for at least six months in full charge of a watch at sea on a foreign-going vessel since taking their present certificates, i.e., 2nd or 1st mate.
In order that officers and airmen, when presenting themselves for examination for certificates of competency, may be in possession of proof of their service in RAF marine craft, a certificate of service will be issued on application. Applications are to be submitted in the form shown at Appendix A to this order.
Applications from serving officers and airmen are to be submitted by units direct in the case of-
1. officers - to the Under Secretary of State, Air Ministry (AR9), Kingsway, WC2.
2. airmen - to the Air Officer i/c Records (C1), Gloucester.
Officers and airmen already released or discharged are to apply to the Air Ministry (OMT3), Kingsway, London, WC2, for a form of application which, when completed is to be forwarded by the applicant direct to the address shown at para. 4, sub-para. (i) above for officers and para. 4, sub-para. (ii), above for airmen.
Officers who have served in the trade of motor boat crew prior to being commissioned should include details of such service in their application. Action will be taken by the Air Ministry to check the details of service in the ranks and one certificate, only will be issued covering all service, both commissioned and non-commissioned, in RAF marine craft.
RAF service to count. - All full-time employment on duties in connection with RAF marine craft will count. Short periods, non effective sick or on leave, etc., may be disregarded, but periods of temporary release from the service to civil employment must be deducted. Service will, for the purpose of the certificate referred to in para. 3 above, commence and terminate as follows: -
1. Officers - from the date of appointment to a commission in, or transfer to, the administrative and special duties branch (Marine craft) until the date of release, discharge to the reserve or transfer to another branch or to other duties.
2. Airmen - from the date of remustering to the trade of motor boat crew (group III) until the date of release, discharge to the reserve, discharge on appointment to a commission or on remustering to another trade.
The Ministry of War Transport are arranging for the issue of the necessary instructions to their principal officers, surveyors and superintendents. The certificate of service in the form given at Appendix B to this order and issued by the Air Ministry or the Air Officer i/c Records, as appropriate, will be accepted by them as evidence of service in RAF marine craft.
The contents of this order are to be brought to the notice of all concerned.

APPENDIX A

APPLICATION FOR CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE IN RAF MARINE CRAFT

(AMO A12/46.)

Particulars of applicant
1. Name in full (block letters).
2. Number.
3. Rank.
4. Unit, or
5. Address.
Particulars of service in RAF marine craft
1. (i). Airmen.-
  1. Date of remustering to the trade of motor boat crew.
  2. Date of release, discharge or remustering to another trade.
  3. Total period in the trade of motor boat crew. days,
  4. I qualified as 2nd class coxswain at on (date).
  5. I qualified as 1st class coxswain at on (date),
2. (ii) Officers. -
  1. Date of appointment to commission in, or transfer to, the administrative and special duties branch for marine craft duties.
  2. Date of release, discharge or transfer to another branch or other duties.
  3. Total period as a marine craft officer. days.
  (iii) Officers who served in the trade of motor boat crew before being commissioned should complete both (i) and (ii) above.) Total service in RAF marine craft ((1) (c) plus (ii) (c)) days.
I certify that, to the best of my knowledge, the particulars given above are correct and I request that a certificate of service in RAF marine craft may be issued to me.

..........................................................................................Signature of applicant
..........................................................................................Rank
..........................................................................................Date.
Forwarded
.........................................................................................Signature
.........................................................................................Rank
.........................................................................................Date
.........................................................................................Commanding.
Addressed to-

The Under Secretary of State,
Air Ministry (AR9),
Kingsway, WC2 (Officers only.)
or
The Air Officer i/c Records (C.1), Gloucester.
(Airmen only.)

APPENDIX B

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE IN RAF MARINE CRAFT

Name Rank Number

The above-named* officer/airman served in the Royal Air Force as motor boat crew and* marine craft officer between (date) and (date).
( days as an airman and days as an officer.)
2. The above-named qualified as -*
1. 2nd class coxswain on (date)
2. 1st class coxswain on (date)

Certificate issued by

.................................................Signature
................................................Date

AM or Record Office Stamp

* Delete as appropriate.

Source - Air Ministry Order A12/46 dated 3 January 1946.

Selection of Officers, formerly Regular Airmen, for Appointment to Extended Service Commissions in Branches Other than those in which they are now Serving

It has been decided that officers who were formerly regular airmen may in future be selected for appointment to extended service commissions in branches other than those in which they are now serving, subject to their being considered suitable for such appointment by the Permanent Commission Selection Board and to their being found medically fit according to the standards of the branches to which it is proposed to appoint them.
It must be clearly understood that acceptance of the extended service commissions offered, will involve transfer to the new branch in the appropriate substantive rank as determined by the rules laid down in AMO A775/45, at a date which will be decided later. No guarantee can be given that temporary rank held in the present branch will be retained after the transfer has been effected. The commissions will take effect from the date of transfer to the new branch.
Lists of' officers selected under the terms of this order will be published from time to time in Air Ministry Orders series N.
Officers who desire to accept the commissions offered will be medically examined and if found fit, should be requested to forward their acceptance in the following terms: -

"I accept the offer of an extended service commission under Scheme B in the ........................................branch of the Royal Air Force, subject to the general conditions laid down in AMO A775/45, except that the commission will take effect from the date of my transfer to the ......................branch and that on transfer to that branch I may be required to relinquish any temporary rank at present held and revert to the substantive rank and emoluments which will be granted under the rules laid down in AMO A775/45"

Source - Air Ministry Order A196/46 dated 7 March 1946.

Extended Service Commissions - Re-opening of Applications

The closing dates for applications for extended service commissions quoted in AMOs A775/45, as amended, and A1019/45 are cancelled. Applications may not be submitted until further notice and should be made on Form 2745 supported by Form 1369A.
As in the case of applications for permanent commissions made under AMOs A188/44 and A297/45, as amended, applications for permanent commissions made under AMO A2/46 will be regarded also as applications for extended service commissions, the officers selected therefor having, of course, the option of accepting or rejecting the offer of an extended service commission. Accordingly, only those officers who have not applied for permanent commissions under these orders or for extended service commissions under AMO A775/45, and now wish to be-considered for extended service commissions, need submit applications.

Source - Air Ministry Order A255/46 dated 28 March 1946.

AMO A255/46 is amended as follows: -

Add the following new para. 3:-

"3. An officer who applies under AMO A775/45, as amended, A1019/45 or this order, who has not heard whether or not he has been selected by the time he is due for and accepts release, will remain eligible for selection for an extended service commission just as if he were still serving. An officer who has applied for an extended service commission and whose application is still under consideration is to submit an application of postponement of release for a period of six, twelve or eighteen months if he wishes to remain in the service beyond his due date of release. The application is to be clearly annotated 'Applicant for extended service commission.' COs are reminded that under the provisions of para. 159 of AP 3093, applications for extended service commissions must be recorded on Forms 373 or 1580."

(AMO A-2551146 a.m€nded.)

Source - Air Ministry Order A596/46 dated 19 December 1946.

Decentralised Postings - Wing Commanders and Below

The system under which AOCs-in-C. and AOCs, RAF commands and AOCs RAF groups have power to post officers of the rank of wing commander and below, within their commands or groups has been under review. It has been decided that the main principles of the delegated posting authority laid down in Appendix II to AMO A419/43 will remain in force for the time being but, to ensure that officers are given well balanced careers, it will be necessary for the Air Ministry to exercise a greater measure of control over the postings of officers of the rank of wing commander and squadron leader in the general duties, technical (except airfield construction), administrative and special duties, equipment and accountant branches and in the RAF Regiment, than has been the case hitherto.
The method to be adopted in future for the selection and posting of officers of the rank of wing commander and squadron leader in these branches will, therefore, be as follows: -
1. Requests by commands for the posting of officers of such ranks will indicate the type of employment in which vacancies in establishments exist and the number of vacancies required to be filled, e.g., flying, air staff, org. staff, or "P " staff.
2. After posting to a command to fill any specified type of employment, officers of such ranks are not to be transferred to other appointments involving a change in the type of employment from that for which they were originally posted, without prior Air Ministry approval.
In order that Air Ministry postings records may be kept continuously up-to-date, commands are to ensure that posting notices rendered by home commands, and the weekly return of movements rendered by overseas commands are forwarded promptly to the Air Ministry.
The method of selection and posting of officers of the rank of flight lieutenant and below in the branches referred to in para 1, will remain as at present. The existing decentralised posting arrangements in respect of Dominion, Allied and Foreign officers, in the medical, dental and legal branches, mobilised meteorological officers and WAAF officers are not affected by the provisions of this order.
The posting arrangements in force for the release of wing commanders and squadron leaders in the branches concerned are not affected by this order.
The modified procedure will be brought into operation on 1st May 1946.

Source - Air Ministry Order A328/46 dated 17 April 1946.

Officers Granted Temporary Commissions while Serving on Regular Engagements - Retired Pay

Appendix D to AMO A384/43 sets out the original rates and conditions of retired pay for officers granted temporary commissions who, at the outbreak of war were servingon regular engagements as defined in para. 2, sub-para. (ii) of that order,
It has now been decided that the method of application to them of the concession announced in AMO A224/45 in regard to the counting of paid acting and temporary rank, shall be as described in Appendix D of AMO A384/43 as now amended by AMO A330/46.
It will be noted that the amendment also provides that officers of this class for retired pay but having less than fifteen years reckonable officer service shall qualify for "rank element" of retired pay at the rates and under the conditions laid down for officers who, on retirement, have fifteen or more years reckonable officer service.

Source - Air Ministry Order A329/46 dated 18 April 1946.

Commissioning of Airmen

AMO A384/43 (currently not available) is further amended as follows: -

APPENDIX D. Delete this Appendix and substitute the following new Appendix D: -

"APPENDIX D

RETIRED PAY

Officers commissioned while serving on regular RAF engagements and retired (otherwise than for a disability attributable to service) with not less than fifteen years' total service: -

An officer with less than fifteen years' reckonable officer service (as defined below) will be eligible for retired pay at the rate of £9 1s 0d. a year for each full year of reckonable officer service, plus a 'rank element' as provided in sub-para. (ii) (b) below.

An officer with fifteen or more years reckonable officer service will be eligible for retired pay at the rate of £135 15s 0d. a year, plus: -

£13 11s 6d a year for each full year of reckonable officer service in excess of fifteen; and

rank element assessed as below: -

Rank from which retired	After completing one year's service in the ranks			After completing each additional year's service			Maximum rank element
	£	s	d	£	s	d	£	s	d
Squadron leader	10	17	3	10	17	3	108	12	6
Wing commander	135	15	0	27	3	0	217	4	0
Group captain	262	9	0	45	5	0	352	19	0

The maximum annual rates of retired pay for the respective ranks shall be:

	£	s	d
Flight lieutenant and below	271	10	0
Squadron leader	407	5	0
Wing commander	543	0	0
Group captain	724	0	0

The retired pay of an officer retiring with less than one complete year's service in the rank from which he retires shall be assessed as though he had retired from the rank below.
Rank for the purposes of 'rank element' in sub-para. (ii) (b) above means substantive or war substantive rank. Any period of paid acting or temporary rank held since 3rd September 1939 may, however, on the substantive promotion of the officer to equivalent or lower rank reckon as service in such substantive rank towards retired pay. But an officer who retires voluntarily within one year of his promotion to a substantive rank will not be permitted to count previous service in paid acting or temporary rank as if given in such substantive rank. In the case of an officer who retires on retired pay assessed on his war substantive rank, service in the higher paid acting rank which qualified him for the grant of war substantive rank will reckon as service in the war substantive rank.

Where an officer has given service in the paid acting or temporary rank next above the substantive rank in which he earns rank element of retired pay (or in the case of an Officer whose substantive rank is below squadron leader, in the paid acting and temporary rank of squadron leader) he may be granted an addition to his retired pay at the rates and subject to the conditions set out below: -

Rank from which retired	Paid acting or temporary rank	Increment for each full year in the paid acting or temporary rank shown in column 2			Maximum addition
1	2	£	s	d	£	s	d
Flight lieutenant and ranks below	Squadron leader	10	17	3	108	12	6
Squadron leader	Wing commander	27	3	0	108	12	0
Wing commander	Group captain	45	5	0	135	15	0

In addition to 'rank element' granted under this provision the officer may qualify for the 'rank element' of his substantive rank up to the normal maximum, provided that no period shall count for 'rank element' in more than one rank. Where an additional 'rank element' is admissible under this paragraph the overriding maximum retired pay rate applicable shall be the normal maximum for the substantive rank increased to the following extent: -

Substantive rank Paid acting or
temporary rank Increase to normal maximum for each full year in paid acting or temporary rank

£ s d

Flight lieutenant and ranks below Squadron leader 13 11 6

Squadron leader Wing commander 33 18 9

Wing commander Group captain 60 6 8

The retired pay of an officer who has held war substantive rank may be assessed on the basis of his substantive rank with an addition under this paragraph (but ignoring his war substantive rank) if more favourable to him than an assessment under the rules relating to the reckoning of war substantive rank.

Officers commissioned while serving on regular RAF engagements and invalided for disabilities attributable to service in the present war: -
1. An officer invalided with less than fifteen years' reckonable officer service will be eligible for retired pay at the rate of £9 1s 0d a year for each complete year of service in commissioned rank or in the rank of warrant officer, and £4 l0s 6d a year for each complete year of service in lower ranks, together with a 'rank element' as provided in para. 1, sub-para. (ii) (b) above and a disability element at the rate applicable to permanent regular officers. The scale ranges from £30 for a disability assessed at 20 per cent to £150 for a disability assessed at 100 per cent.
2. An officer invalided with fifteen or more years' reckonable officer service will be eligible for retired pay on the scale laid down in para. 1 above, together with a disability element as laid down in sub-para. (i) above.
3. Special rules will apply when a disability is assessed at less than 20 per cent or when a disability originally assessed at not less than 20 per cen. is later assessed as less than 20 per cent.
General. - In the calculation of' 'reckonable officer service',service in commissioned rank or in the rank of warrant officer will count as 'full service' and service in lower ranks as half service. Thus, an officer retired with one year of service in commissioned rank, one year of service in the rank of warrant officer and fourteen years' service as an airman would have nine years' reckonable officer service."

(AMO A384/43, as amended by A547/43, A714/43, A881/48, A940/43, A62/44, A153/44, A379/44, A644/44, A469/45 and A558/45, amended.)

Source - Air Ministry Order A330/46 dated 18 April 1946.

Officers Granted Permanent Commissions from Warrant Rank - Retired Pay

The retired pay scale for officers granted permanent commissions from warrant rank, and the method of application to them of the concession announced in AMO A224/45 in regard to the counting of paid acting or temporary rank, have been under review.
With effect from 1st February, 1945, officers granted permanent commissions from warrant rank who were serving on the active list on 3rd September 1939, may have their retired pay assessed either: -
1. in accordance with the scales laid down in para. 3567A of KR & ACI; or
2. on the scale applicable to the temporary commissioned ex-regular airman set out in Appendix D to AMO A384/43, as amended by AMO A330/46; whichever is the more favourable.
Where it is to their advantage, the retired pay of those permanently commissioned warrant officers who have already retired (but not before 3rd September 1939), will re-assessed under para. 2, sub-para. (b) above, with effect from 1st February 1945
The conditions of retirement of officers granted permanent commissions from warrant rank who received retired pay under para. 2, sub-para. (b) above and the conditions of award and payment of retired pay will remain as laid down in KR & ACI.
Paid acting and temporary rank held after 2nd September 1939, by officers granted permanent commissions from warrant rank will count for the purpose of "rank element" of retired pay in the manner described in Appendix D to AMO A384/43, as amended by AMO A330/46. An officer who receives retired pay under para. 2 (a) above could not receive a rank addition since the scale laid down in para. 3567A of KR & ACI has no regard to rank.

Source - Air Ministry Order A331/46 dated 18 April 1946.

Entry to the RAF College, Cranwell October, 1946.

Entry to permanent commissions in the general duties branch of the Royal Air Force through the RAF College, Cranwell, will be resumed in October 1946.
Special arrangements have been made regarding the first entry and these are set out in a notice issued by the Civil Service Commissioners, a copy of which is given at Appendix A to this order.
Personnel already serving in the Royal Air Force on non-regular engagements who are within the prescribed age limits and have the required educational qualifications are eligible to apply in accordance with the directions given at Appendix A to this order. Applications are not to be forwarded to the Air Ministry but must be sent direct to the Civil Service Commissioners; applicants should, however, bring their candidature to the notice of their COs who are to forward to the Air Ministry (AR 1) a nominal roll of applicants serving under their commands as soon as applications have been submitted.
COs are to give facilities to the applicants to attend the tests and interviews, including, in the case of applicants serving overseas, transport at public expense to the United Kingdom where all the tests, etc., will take place. Commissioned personnel coming to the United Kingdom for this purpose are to be posted to Air Ministry Unit; non-commissioned personnel are to be posted to No 9 Personal Dispersal Centre. Such Personnel should report to those units on arrival in the United Kingdom. Applicants serving at units in the United Kingdom may be given the necessary travelling warrants upon production of the necessary documentary evidence for whatever journeys they may be required to undertake.
No exceptions will be made to the regulations for entry. It should be noted that all applications must be received by the Civil Service Commissioners not later than 31st May 1946.

APPENDIX A

ENTRY TO PERMANENT COMMISSIONS IN THE ROYAL AIR FORCE THROUGH THE RAF COLLEGE, CRANWELL

RULES FOR A SPECIAL COMPETITION TO BE HELD IN THE SUMMER OF 1946

The regulations for entry to Cadetships in the Royal Air Force and the for the reopening of the Royal Air Force College, Cranwell, are now under consideration. The earliest possible announcement will be made when the general methods and conditions for entry to and residence at the College which will obtain in the post-war years has been determined.
Meanwhile, it has been decided to reopen the entry to permanent commissions through the Royal Air Force College in October 1946, and the following arrangements have been made as an interim measure. The number of vacancies to be filled on this occasion is not likely to exceed sixty.
For the post-war entry there will be no written educational examination, candidates who fulfil the educational requirements of Rule 6 below, and who have attained the age of 17½ and are under 19 on the 1st July 1946, may apply to undergo selection tests which will be conducted jointly by the Civil Service Commissioners and the Royal Air Force; the half-year will be reckoned by calendar months. These tests will comprise two parts: -
1. Flying aptitude tests and medical examination occupying each candidate two to three days;
2. Selection tests lasting about three days at a Royal Air Force establishment followed by an interview in London by a joint Civil Service Commission and Royal Air Force Board.
Only those candidates who pass the medical examination and successfully complete flying aptitude tests referred to at (a) above will be eligible for the tests and interview described in (b).
The medical examination will be carried out by a Royal Air Force Medical Board. In order that prospective candidates may, if they choose, consult their own doctors as to the likelihood of passing the medical examination, the medical standards are quoted in full at Appendix 'A' (not included here). The decision of the Royal Air Force Medical Board will, however, be final.
Application for admission to the selection tests must be made upon a printed form of application which can be obtained from the Secretary, Civil Service Commission, 6 Burlington Gardens, London, W1. The form must be filled up in the candidate's own handwriting and returned to the Civil Service Commission as soon as possible but in any case not later than 31st May 1946. All candidates will be required to pay a fee of £2 on admission to the Tests referred to at para. 3 (a) above and candidates summoned to selection tests and interview will be required to pay a further fee of £3 before admission to the interview.
1. Except as provided below, every candidate must produce a School Certificate obtained by passing one of the following examinations: -
  The School Certificate Examination of the Oxford and Cambridge Schools Examination Board.
  The School Certificate Examination of the Oxford Delegacy for Local Examinations
  The School Certificate Examination of the Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate
  The School Certificate Examination of the University of Bristol.
  The School Certificate Examination of the University of Durham.
  The General School Examination of the University of London.
  The School Certificate Examination of the Northern Universities Joint Matriculation Board.
  The School Certificate Examination of the Central Welsh Board.
2. The Certificate must include a pass in Mathematics and credits in three subjects (of which Mathematics may be one).
3. In place of a School Certificate a candidate may produce evidence of having passed the Matriculation Examination of London University or any other examination which in the opinion of the Civil Service Commissioners is of equivalent or higher standard.
4. A candidate who has been prevented from obtaining the required certificate by circumstances outside his control may be accepted as eligible if he can produce a statement from a suitable educational authority (e.g., the Headmaster of his last school) that he has attained the standard of education laid down in the first sub-paragraph above, together with a statement vouched for by a reputable person of the circumstances prevented his obtaining his School Certificate.
5. A candidate educated in Scotland or Northern Ireland may, in place of a School Certificate, produce a certificate from the Scottish Education Department or the Ministry of Education for Northern Ireland showing that he has attained a standard equivalent to that laid down in the first paragraph of this Rule, and a candidate educated in the Dominions or elsewhere abroad must produce evidence satisfactory to the Civil Service Commissioners of having attained a suitable standard.
6. Each candidate must be prepared to forward his Birth Certificate and Certificate of educational qualification, on request, shortly after submitting his Application Form. Provisional applications from candidates who intend to sit at a School Certificate examination in Summer 1946, cannot be considered.
Candidates who are already serving with His Majesty's Forces are eligible to apply under these arrangements and should do so by the methods described above. Applications by these candidates must go direct to the Civil Service Commission and all communications regarding the selection tests will be dealt with by the Commissioners.
Candidates declared successful and found to be medically fit will begin their training in October 1946. On successful completion of the course, lasting approximately two and half years, they will be appointed to permanent commissions in the General Duties Branch.
No candidate will be admitted to the RAF College unless he is: -
1. A British subject.
2. Unmarried
No fees will be payable in respect of residence and training at the College.
In addition to normal flying training, cadets will receive educational and general service training as officers, so that on graduation they should have reached the standard of the second year's work for a University Pass Degree, and should be qualified as pilot and in navigation with an adequate understanding of the duties of the other categories of aircrew and of the functions of all classes of squadrons.

Source - Air Ministry Order A384/46 dated 2 May 1946.

Middle East Centre for Arab Studies

The Middle East Centre for Arab Studies has been established in Jerusalem to provide training for officers of the three services in the Arabic language, and to give then an adequate background of Arabic, Islamic and Middle Eastern history, as well as the problems confronting HM Government.
Six RAF officers not over thirty years of age, i.e., born. on or after 2nd August 1916, who hold permanent commissions will be selected to attend the next course, which is due to assemble, at the Centre in September 1946. The course is of twelve month's duration. They will subsequently be required for employment as assistant air attachés or as intelligence or air liaison officers, or in other appropriate RAF staff appointments in the Middle East, Cyrenaica, Iraq, Palestine, Persia, Sudan, or Turkey or elsewhere as may be necessary. (see amendment below)
Officers who wish to be considered for the course should submit an application in the form at the Appendix to this order. Applications, which should be despatched in time to arrive at the Air Ministry by the dates shown in para. 4 below, are to be forwarded to the Air Ministry (DP 5) through group headquarters in the case of officers serving at home and through command headquarters in the case of those serving overseas.
1. Applicants serving in RAF home commands, Western Europe and North America will appear before a RAF Selection Board in London. Applications must be received in the Air Ministry by 31st May 1946.
2. Applicants serving in overseas commands (other than Western Europe or North America) will appear before a RAF selection board in Cairo. Applications must be received in the Air Ministry by 15th June 1946. A duplicate of the application from these officers is to be forwarded to Headquarters, Royal Air Force, Mediterranean and Middle East.
3. Applicants will need to satisfy the selection boards (the dates of which will be announced later) at which the Director of the Middle East Centre will be in attendance, that they are genuinely interested in the Arab peoples, their language, history, culture and customs. (see amendment below)

APPENDIX

FORM OF APPLICATION FOR SELECTION FOR A COURSE AT THE MIDDLE EAST CENTRE FOR ARAB STUDIES (AMO A414/46).

Surname.....................................................................................

Other names..............................................................................

Personal number .........................................................................

Substantive, war substantive or temporary rank.................................

Branch of the Royal Air Force...........................................................

Present appointment ...................................................................

Date of birth.................................................Medical category......

Married or single........................................................................

Air force experience (in brief)............................................................

Details of education..........................................................................

Foreign languages conversant in, if any ...............................................

(Certificates of proficiency should be mentioned)

Particulars of any special qualifications for the study of Arabic....................................................................

.................................................................................................................................................................

Knowledge of the Middle East...................................................................................................................

.................................................................................................................................................................

Remarks of CO.........................................................................................................................................

Remarks of group or command headquarters.............................................................................................

.................................................................................................................................................................

Date.......................................

Source - Air Ministry Order A414/46 dated 16 May 1946.

AMO A414/46 is amended as follows

Para. 2, line 2. After "commissions" insert: -

"or who have been accepted for extended service commissions".

Para. 4,

Sub-para. (a), line 3. Delete "31st May" and substitute "31st July".
Sub-para. (b), line 3. Delete "15th June" and substitute "31st July".

(AMO A414/46 amended)

Source - Air Ministry Order A605/46 dated 11 July 1946

RAF Staff College and other Courses

The Air Council have had under consideration the position of officers of the Royal Air Force who, for any reason since the outbreak of war, have not attended a course either at the Royal Air Force Staff College or at one of the colleges of the other services, and who have now passed the upper age limit for admission to those courses, thereby having lost the opportunity of qualifying for the award of the appropriate symbol.
In order that the careers of these officers should not be prejudiced by their not being in possession of this symbol, the Council, having regard to the fact that many of them have had wide and valuable experience under war conditions, have decided to waive the provisions of para. 379 of KR & ACI in their case. They will thus be eligible for consideration for high command and staff appointments, notwithstanding the absence of the staff symbol, each case being decided on its merits.

Source - Air Ministry Order A448/46 dated 23 May 1946.

Air Force List - Method of Showing Officers Granted War Substantive Rank earned by Higher Paid Acting Rank

It was decided at the beginning of the emergency that the gradation list of the Air Force List should show officers in their substantive or temporary rank, whichever was the higher. Later, officers who, by virtue of holding two or more steps in acting rank, held war substantive rank higher than their substantive or temporary rank, were shown in the gradation list appropriate to their higher (i.e., war substantive) rank in accordance with AMO A116/41. This resulted in a presentation of their positions on the gradation list which did not conform to their true seniority.
It has now been decided that, with the exception of ranks to which time promotion is applicable, the gradation list of the Air Force List will again be compiled in order of seniority in substantive or temporary ranks (whichever is the higher) and to implement this decision it has been necessary to review the position of those officers who have gained their places in the gradation list in consequence of war substantive rank granted under the provisions of AMO A1024/44, as amended, para. 15, sub-para. (i) (b), i.e., by holding two or more steps in acting rank. In such cases it has been decided to adopt the following procedure: -
1. Officers granted war substantive, rank under the provisions of AMO A1024/44, as amended, para. 15, sub-para. (i) (b) with effect from a date prior to 1st November 1945: -
  1. The records of these officers will be examined by the Promotion Boards and in such cases as are deemed appropriate, temporary rank will be granted equivalent to the war substantive rank held, with the same seniority. The grant of such rank will be promulgated in the London Gazette in due course. These officers will then appear in the gradation list in order of temporary rank seniority, the war substantive rank and seniority being shown after their names.
  2. In cases where it may be decided not to grant temporary rank equivalent to the war substantive rank held, such officers will be shown in the gradation list in the appropriate temporary rank, the higher war substantive rank being shown after their names.
2. Officers granted war substantive rank under the provisions of AMO A1024/44, as amended, para. 15, sub-para. (i) (b), with effect from 1st November 1945, or subsequently. - In all such cases officers will be shown in the gradation list under the rank held by them immediately prior to the grant of war substantive rank, the latter rank and seniority being shown after their names.
The procedure referred to above will modify that laid clown in AMO A1024/44 as amended.

Source - Air Ministry Order A531/46 dated 20 June 1946.

AMO A531/46 is amended as follows: -

Para. 2, sub-paras. (a) (i) and (ii). Delete these sub-paragraphs and substitute

"(a) The records of those officers have been examined by the promotion boards and their positions in the gradation lists have been determined in relation to their contemporaries who were promoted in temporary rank, during the war, under the normal process of selection by promotion boards. Such officers will be listed in the gradation lists in order of their temporary rank seniority, the war substantive rank and seniority being shown after their names."

(AMO A531/46 amended.)

Source - Air Ministry Order A984/46 dated 28 November 1946.

No 1 Officers' School

No 1 Air Crew Officers' School is renamed No 1 Officers' School and will continue to function at RAF Station, Hereford, in No 22 Group, for a further limited period.
Object. -
1. It is the intention that every newly commissioned officer in the GD Branch serving at home or in BAFO shall attend a course of instruction in general service duties at this school within six months of appointment.
2. In addition, officers selected for employment as flying instructors who have not satisfactorily completed a course at No 1 Officers' School are required to attend before commencing their tour as flying instructors.
3. A separate course for University Air Squadron cadets, assembled periodically, under special Air Ministry arrangements, is also provided at No 1 Officers' School.
Allocation of vacancies. - Commands will be kept informed by the Air Ministry (DP 5), of the intake programme and thereafter they are to apply to the Air Ministry (DP5), for the number of places required on each intake. Precise allotments will then be made.
Joining instructions. -
1. Officers attending are to arrive at Hereford GWR station not later than 1700 hours on the day of assembly. They are conveyed to the camp by special 'buses. Any officer who, in exceptional circumstances, arrives after 1700 hours is to report to the Railway Transport Officer, Hereford, for instructions.
2. Officers are to take their baggage with them and are not in any circumstances to send luggage in advance.
3. All officers attending the school are to take with them the undermentioned items of kit
  
  Service dress, jacket and trousers.
  War service dress.
  Service dress cap.
  Field service cap.
  Anti-gas clothing and respirator.
  Steel helmet.
  PT kit, including bath trunks.
  
  They are advised to provide themselves with thick woollen socks. Denim overalls, boots, arms and reference books are provided on temporary loan at the school.
4. Officers attending the school are attached to No 1 Officers' School for the period of their training and the provisions of para. 25 of AMO A418/43 apply.
Award of distinguished pass. -
1. To further training in leadership and to provide a record of those who show special aptitude in general service duties while under training at the school, a distinguished pass will be awarded to those students who attain the requisite standard.
2. The distinguished pass will be awarded only in cases where students, by work throughout the course, prove that their potential ability as leaders warrants distinction. The subjects for which assessment will be made for this purpose are: -
  1. leadership;
  2. drill;
  3. ground defence training;
  4. law, organisation and administration.
3. The minimum, standard to be attained in order to merit the award of the distinguished pass is 90 per cent of the total marks allotted for leadership and 80 per cent for each of the remaining three subjects.
4. The award of a distinguished pass will be promulgated in Air Ministry Orders Section N, and is to be recorded on the Officer's form 373.
6. Promulgation of reultss -
1. Form 5050 is to be prepared in quadruplicate and disposed of as follows: -
  1. The original, completed in ink and signed as required, is to be retained at the School.
  2. First typewritten copy is to be forwarded to the Air Ministry (T Admin.).
  3. Second typewritten copy is to be forwarded, through the appropriate group headquarters, to the unit to which the officer proceeds on completion or cessation of training, for inclusion in Form 5000 (Transfer Envelopes).
  4. Third typewritten copy, attached to the relevant disposition return, is to be forwarded to the Air Ministry (CSB 3).
2. The Officer Commanding, No 1 Officers' School is, on conclusion of each course, to forward to the Air Ministry (P Admin.) a nominal roll of the officers to whom a distinguished pass has been awarded as provided in para. 5 above. Nil returns are required when applicable.
3. Each officer is to take with him to the course his Form 1788 (Details of Ground Defence Training) and the result obtained in ground defence training is to be recorded thereon. it is to be returned direct to the parent unit of the officer concerned.
(AMOs A572/44, A210/45 and A568/45 cancelled.)

Source - Air Ministry Order A572/46 dated 4 July 1946.

Commissioned ex-regular airmen - Eligibility for Gratuity or Retired Pay

(This order affects section 37 of AP 837)

From certain representations that have been made by officers who originally enlisted as airmen in the Royal Air Force before the war, it is apparent that some misunderstanding exists as to the definition of the term "regular airmen" in relation to eligibility for gratuity or retired pay under the conditions laid down in AMO A384/43, as amended.
In this respect the terms of that order are only applicable to those ex-regular airmen who originally enlisted on an initial engagement for a minimum period of six years' regular air force service and whose current engagement, at the outbreak of war, carried: -
1. a right to complete time for pension (i.e., after 24 years' service); or
2. a potential right to extend or prolong their service to twelve years or more and/or to re-engage for twelve years' service and so become eligible to complete time for pension as under (a) above.
Airmen who originally enlisted on an initial engagement for a period of less than six years had no potential right to pension and it follows that they have no entitlement to the alternative gratuity and retired pay terms laid down in AMO A384/43, as amended. Those terms were expressly designed for the ex-regular airmen defined in para. 2 above who, on commissioning, forfeited their potential pension rights as airmen.

Source - Air Ministry Order A599/46 dated 11 July 1946.

Promotion of Officers

(This order affects para 1055 of AP 837)

As stated in para. 2 of AMO A1024/44, all promotions in the Royal Air Force during the war, other than substantive promotions were to be of a temporary nature and subject to review at the end of the war in the light of the requirements of the post-war Air Force.

Although the time for such general review of ranks has not yet come, it is clear that the rapid rate of promotion to the rank of flying officer in all branches and to the rank of flight lieutenant in the General Duties branch, which was justified during the period of the emergency, cannot be continued indefinitely. For this reason, therefore, the emergency time promotion regulations set out in para. 7 of AMO A1024/44 amended, have been reviewed and it has now been decided, as already notified in Newpayform No 23, that the new periods of time promotion, which are an essential part the new pay code announced in Cmd. 6750, should be introduced as from the date which that code came into operation, viz, 1st July, 1946, subject to the proviso that officers appointed to a commission prior to 1st July, 1946, will, if his service is satisfactory be promoted to the rank of flying officer after six months' service as pilot officer a present, and to the reservations in para. 4 below. The new qualifying periods for time promotion, which will be liable to alteration at the discretion of the Air Council in the light of future requirements, are as set out in (a) to (d) below: -

General Duties Branch

After 1 year's satisfactory service as pilot officer	Flying officer
After 3½ years' total satisfactory commissioned service or on completion of 2½ years' satisfactory service in rank of flying officer, if later.	Flight lieutenant

(b) Technical branch

Entrants with university degree or comparable qualifications

After 6 months' satisfactory service as pilot officer	Flying officer
After 3½ years' total commissioned service or on completion of 3 years' satisfactory service in rank of flying officer, if later.	Flight lieutenant

Other entrants :-

After 1 year's satisfactory service as pilot officer

(Promotion beyond the rank of flying officer will continue, for the present, to be to temporary rank by selection.)

Flying officer

Equipment and Secretarial branches*

After 2 years' satisfactory service as pilot officer	Flying officer
After 6 years' total commissioned service or on completion of 4 years' satisfactory service in the rank of flying officer, if later,	Flight lieutenant

Administrative and4 Special Duties, Meteorological and Balloon branches and RAF Regiment

After 2 years' satisfactory service as pilot officer

(promotion beyond the rank of flying officer in these branches will continue, for the present, to be to temporary rank by selection.

Flying officer

*The Secretarial branch includes officers of the present Accountant branch

The rules for time promotion in respect of officers of the Medical, Dental, Legal and Chaplains branches and Directors of Music are still under consideration; for the time being, therefore, the existing promotion regulations will continue to apply.
The initial substantive ranks given to officers who have been, or may be granted permanent or extended service commissions under the conditions of AMOs A188/44, A775/45 and A2/46 will not be affected by these new regulations. Thus those with 6 months' commissioned service and 3½ years' commissioned service on 1st September 1945 are entitled, under those orders, to the substantive ranks of flying officer and flight lieutenant, respectively, and they will retain or be given these ranks on appointment to permanent or extended service commissions. Moreover, the transition, to the now promotion rules will he eased for officers appointed under the provisions of the above mentioned orders to permanent or extended service commissions in the substantive rank of flying officer in the Equipment and Secretarial branches. These officers will not be required to complete a total of 6 years' commissioned service in order to qualify for time promotion to the rank of flight lieutenant but will be allowed to qualify in stages.
1. Officers with 3 years' commissioned service on the 1st September, 1945 will be promoted to the rank of flight lieutenant after 4½ years' total commissioned service.
2. Officers with 2½ years' commissioned service on 1st September, 1945, will be promoted to the rank of flight lieutenant after 5 years' total commissioned service.
As from 1st July 1946, time promotion will be to substantive rank in the case of regular officers (i.e., those holding permanent, extended service or short service commissions) whilst those holding emergency commissions will continue to be granted war substantive rank. Officers holding war substantive rank or temporary rank on 30th June 1946, will retain such ranks, subject to existing regulations, until they are withdrawn as a general measure throughout the Service.
The place to be taken in the substantive gradation list of officers holding regular' commissions will (as stated in para. 10 of AMO A2/46) be determined later in the light of all relevant considerations.
War gratuity entitlement will be determined on the basis of the ranks which would have been attained by officers had the existing rules for time promotion continued in being until 15th August, 1946, when service in the forces will, in any case, cease to reckon as qualifying service for war gratuity.
Time promotion will continue to be made centrally by the Air Ministry and it must be emphasised that the introduction of the new rules makes it no less, but rather more, important that all COs and AOCs should observe the obligations imposed upon them in para. 21 of AMO A1024/44 to satisfy themselves in advance as to an officer's fitness for promotion on the due date. If an officer is medically unfit for the duties of his branch on the day his promotion becomes due, his promotion will be deferred until he has attained the requisite medical standard when the promotion will be made retrospectively for all purposes (including pay) to the due date.
The consequential amendments to AMO A1024/44, as amended, are contained in AMO A696/46
KR & ACI will be amended in due course.

Source - Air Ministry Order A695/46 dated 15 August 1946.

Title

Text

Source - Air Ministry Order A696/46 dated 15 August 1946.

Officers Appointed to Emergency Commissions from Normal Regular Engagements - Rank and Seniority, on Re-enlistment for Further Service as Airmen

AMO A482/45 indicated that officers granted emergency commissions who, immediately prior to being commissioned were serving on regular engagements (as defined in para. 2 of AMO A384/43, as amended) and who elected to re-enlist for further service as airmen, would be granted the rank and seniority which it was considered they would have attained had they served as airmen throughout the war.

It has now been decided that in recognition of the increased responsibilities which these personnel have been called upon to assume as the result of their commissioning and as an inducement to ex-regular, airmen holding emergency commissions but not selected for extended service or permanent commissions to volunteer for re-enlistment under AMOs A482/45, and A1156/45, as amended by A127/46, officer service shall, in these cases count for seniority purposes as follows :-

Each year as pilot officer, flying officer or flight lieutenant	As 1½ years' on-commissioned service
Each year as squadron leader	As 1¾ years' non-commissioned service,
Each year as wing commander	As 2 years' non-commissioned service

Fractions of a year will count proportionately, no distinction will be made between war substantive or temporary rank, but acting rank will not he taken into account for the purpose.

The rank and seniority of ex-officers already re-enlisted under the provisions AMO A482/45, and A1156/45, as amended by A127/46, will be reassessed in accordance with para. 2 above, and any consequential promotions will be authorised by the Air Officer i/c Records in due course.
The benefits of para. 2 above will not apply to ex-officers re-enlisted as airmen other than under the provisions of AMOs A482/45, and A1156/45, as amended hi A127/46.
The consequential amendments to AMO A482/45 are contained in AMO A698/46.

Source - Air Ministry Order A697/46 dated 15 August 1946.

Promotion of Officers

AMO A1024/44 (currently unavailable) is further amended as follows: -

Para. 2, line 6. After "promotions " insert: -

"(except as stated in para. 3, sub-para. (v) below) "

Para. 3.

Sub-para. (v), line 2. After "above" insert: -

"and, to officers holding permanent, extended service and short service commissions receiving time promotion".

Sub-para. (vi), line 1. After "officers " insert: -

"holding emergency commissions ".

Para.. 4, line 1 Delete "direct". After "to" insert: -

"substantive rank in the case of officers holding permanent, extended service and short service commissions. In the case of officers holding emergency commissions time promotion will be to".

Para. 5

Line 1 Delete "branch" and substitute: -

", equipment and secretarial** branches and in the technical branch for officers with a university degree or comparable qualifications".

Line 2 Delete ", as in peace time".

Add at end

" **The secretarial branch includes officers of the present accountant branch."

Para. 6

Line 1 Delete "technical, equipment, accountant".

Line 2 After "branches," insert: -

"in the technical branch in the case of officers not possessing a university degree or comparable qualifications".

Para. 7 Delete the first three lines and sub-paras. (i) to (xi), inclusive, and substitute: -

"7 Time promotion. - As from 1st July 1946, time promotion will be as set out in (i) to (xii) below (except that officers appointed to commissions before 1st July 1946, will, if their services are satisfactory, be promoted to the rank of flying officer after six months' service as pilot officer), the qualifying periods being liable to alteration at the discretion of the Air Council in the light of requirements. If an officer is medically unfit for the duties of his branch on the day his promotion becomes due, his promotion will be deferred until he has attained the requisite medical standard when the promotion will be made retrospectively for all purposes (including pay) to the due date: -

Secretarial branch**

After two years' satisfactory service as pilot officer - flying officer.
‡After six years' total satisfactory commissioned service or on completion of 4 years' satisfactory service in the rank of flying officer, if later - flight lieutenant.
Administrative and special duties branch

After two years' satisfactory service as pilot officer - flying officer.
Balloon branch

After two years' satisfactory service as pilot officer - flying officer.
Dental branch

On entry - flying officer.
After one year as flying officer - flight lieutenant.
*After ten years' commissioned service - squadron leader.
Equipment brand

After two years' satisfactory service as pilot officer - flying officer
After six years' total satisfactory commissioned service or completion of 4 years' satisfactory service in the rank of flying officer, if later - flight lieutenant.
General duties branch
1. Appointments in the rank of pilot officer: -
  After one year's satisfactory service as pilot officer - flying officer
  After 3½ years' total satisfactory commissioned service or completion of 2½ years' satisfactory service in the rank of flying, if later - flight lieutenant.
2. Appointments in the rank of flying officer
  After one year's satisfactory service - flight lieutenant.
Medical branch

On entry - flying officer.
After one year as flying officer - flight lieutenant.
*After ten years' commissioned service - squadron leader (unless promotion is accelerated in respect of exceptional scientific or professional ability).
Directors of music

On appointment - flying officer.
†After six years' commissioned service - flight lieutenant.

After twelve years' commissioned service - squadron leader.
Meteorological branch

After two years' satisfactory service as pilot officer - flying officer
Technical branch
1. Entrants with university degree or comparable qualifications: -
  
  After six months' satisfactory service as pilot officer - flying officer.
  After 3½ years' total satisfactory commissioned service or on completion of three years' satisfactory service in the rank of flying officer, if later - flight lieutenant.
2. Other entrants After one year's satisfactory service as pilot officer - flying officer.
RAF Regiment

After two years' satisfactory service as pilot officer - flying officer."

Add, the following footnotes at end of para. 7
** "The secretarial branch includes officers of the present accountant branch.

‡Officers appointed, under the provisions of AMOs A188/44, A775/45 and A2/46 to permanent or extended service commissions in the substantive rank of flying officer in the equipment and secretarial branches will not be required to complete a total of six years' commissioned service in order to qualify for time promotion to the rank of flight lieutenant, but will qualify in stages as follows, viz: -

Officers with three years' commissioned service on 1.9.45 will be promoted to flight lieutenant after 4½ years' total satisfactory commissioned service.

Officers with 2½ years' commissioned service on 1.9.45 will be promoted to flight lieutenant after five years' total satisfactory commissioned service."

Para. 21, line 1 After "Time promotion to" insert "substantive and".

(AMO A1024/44, as amended by A587/45 and A1018/45, amended)

Source - Air Ministry Order A698/46 dated 15 August 1946.

Postponement of Release

Under the provisions of AMO A1100/45, as amended and incorporated in chapter V of AP 3093, personnel who do not wish to be released in their ordinary turn in class A may apply for postponement of release until the expiry of six, twelve or eighteen months from the date of commencement of releases in their release group. While it is not desired to increase the period of postponement for which an individual may apply at any one time, it has been decided that, for the present, personnel who have already postponed their release may, when nearing the end of the initial period of postponement, apply for further postponement of release for one of the periods specified above, notwithstanding that the total period may thereby exceed eighteen months.
Such postponements will be subject to service requirements, will be, governed by the conditions in chapter V of AP 3093 and, if approved, will take effect from the date of expiration of the initial period of postponements. Applications are to be on Form 2562, suitably amended by the addition of the word "further" before the period for which application is made, and will be forwarded in accordance with AP 3093 para. 152, sub-para. (ii),
Applications from officers will be accepted only on a limited, scale and will be restricted to the branches and sub-branches communicated from time to commands in Air Ministry letters (The current instructions are contained in the Ministry letter A778591/45/DDP4, dated 22nd July, 1946). Applications may be submitted exceptionally in other sub-branches where an officer is particularly well qualified to fill a specific post, i.e,, officers of other branches who possess the requisite qualifications may apply for further postponement for equipment and accountant dutes. It should, however, be understood that officers above the rank of flight lieutenant are unlikely to be accepted owing to the difficulty of absorbing them in their existing ranks.
Applications from airmen of all trades and from aircrew will be consider their merits.
All applications from officers for further postponement of release submitted under this order must be carefully considered at command headquarters, and applications forwarded to the Air Ministry must be accompanied by a comprehensive recommendation from the command headquarters concerned. Such recommendations, if not, sponsored by the AOC-in-C or the Air Officer i/c Administration, should be signed personally by the senior personnel staff officer.
Personnel serving on postponement of release in overseas commands who are desirous of applying for further postponement which will be served in the United Kingdom after the expiry of their overseas tour, are to submit applications through their oversea command headquarters prior to their posting to the home establishment. Such applications are to be forwarded, by the command concerned, to the Air Ministry or Air Officer i/c Records (A 2 section), Gloucester, as appropriate, by the fastest available means. Officers' applications must be accompanied by a comprehensive recommendation as required in para. 5 above.
Since all approved applications for postponement of release take effect from the date of commencement of releases in an individual's age and service group, the undermentioned categories of personnel who wish to apply to postpone, their release must submit applications for such a period as will enable them to render at least six months effective service after the termination of their existing, liability: -
1. Officers who have signed a pre-commissioning agreement to serve for a fixed period as a condition of being commissioned.
2. Officers who opt to be released under the provisions of AMO A482/45.
3. Regular airmen whose regular engagements' are due tar expire.
Personnel who apply for further postponement of release are advised to contact their employers vide para. 169 of AP 3093. Permanent civil servants should indicate this fact, when completing Form 2562, vide paras. 161 at 162 of AP 3039.
Chapter V of AP 3093 will, be amended in due course.

Source - Air Ministry Order A749/46 dated 29 August 1946.

Exit of Officers who were Recalled to the Active List from Release

Certain officers were permitted to return to the Royal Air Force for short periods of service after they had been released with their age and service groups and had completed release leave and overseas service leave granted under para. 285 (i) of AP 3093. These officers will soon have completed the further period of service and their final release will then become due. Release will be carried out in accordance with the terms of this order.
Before an officer becomes due for release, his unit will be notified by the Air Ministry (OAR). This notification will contain detailed instructions for the release of the officer and will be sent two months before he is due for release, if he is serving overseas, or one month before, if he is serving at home.
Officers being released under the terms of this order are not entitled to 56 days terminal leave under para. 285 (i) of AP 3093 nor to a free issue of civilian clothing under para. 323 of that publication. An officer will, however, be entitled to overseas service leave in respect of any period of service overseas for which no leave has been granted provided that he has completed at least six months' overseas service during his total war service.
All officers, whether serving at home or overseas, are to be medically examined and the result reported on RAF Form 2561. Fresh service and release books are not to be prepared and officers are not to be released through a personnel dispersal centre.
Officers serving at home are to be released by their units on the receipt of the Air Ministry instructions referred to in para. 2 above. Officers serving overseas are to returned to this country to arrive at least one week before they are due for release they are to be instructed to report to the Air Ministry (DP 2 (b)) on arrival. Their release is be effected by No 1 Personnel Holding Unit.

Source - Air Ministry Order A796/46 dated 3 September 1946.

Entry to the Navy, Army and RAF Cadet Colleges, 1947

It has been decided that future entries to the cadet colleges of the Royal Navy, the Army and the Royal Air Force shall be by a competitive examination which will be common to the three services. Candidates who qualify in, or are granted exemption from, the written examination, will then undergo selection tests held by the service which they wish to enter.
The, first common entrance examination will be held in December, 1946, and will be for: -
1. Naval Cadetships, Executive (Special Entry).
2. Naval Cadetships, Engineering (Special Entry).
3. Naval Cadetships, Supply and Secretariat (Special Entry).
4. Entry to the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst.
5. Entry to the RAF College, Cranwell.
Advance particulars of the regulations for this common entrance examination have been issued by the Civil Service Commissioners, and extracts from their notice are reproduced at the Appendix to this order.

The complete regulations concerning entry to Naval Cadetships (Special Entry) are issued by the Admiralty and can be obtained on application to the Secretary, Admiralty, London, SW1.

The complete regulations concerning admission to the Royal Military Academy are issued by the War Office and may be obtained on application to the Under-Secretary of State (AG 1 (Offrs E)), The War Office, Hobart House, Grosvenor Place, London, SW1.

The complete regulations concerning admission to the RAF College are issued by the Air Ministry and can be obtained on application to the Under-Secretary of State (AR 1), The Air Ministry, Kingsway, London, W.C.2.
Personnel, already serving in the Royal Air Force on non-regular engagements, who are within the prescribed age limits and possess the required educational qualifications will be eligible to apply and may, if they so desire, compete for cadetships in any of the services to whose entry the examination will be applicable.
It will be noted that the necessary application forms are not yet available and to avoid unnecessary correspondence, it is essential that no requests for these forms should be made at the present time. It has been agreed by the Civil Service Commissioners, however, that intending applicants in the service, who are serving overseas or in BAFO may, in view of possible postal delays, apply at once to the Secretary, Civil Service Commission, 6, Burlington Gardens, London, W1, quoting this order in their letter. They will be registered. as provisional applicants and a copy of the printed form will be despatched to them immediately these become available. Nominal rolls of such provisional applicants should be forwarded to the Air Ministry (AR 1) by signal, so as to arrive not later than 6th October, 1946.
It is expected that the printed forms of application will be ready for distribution during September. Thereafter, requests for these forms must be made direct to the Civil Service Commissioners, and not to the Air Ministry; applicants should bring their candidature to the notice of their COs, who will forward to the Air Ministry (AR 1) a nominal roll in triplicate of applicants serving under their command, as soon as the application forms have been submitted. The nominal rolls must be received in the Air Ministry not later than 6th October 1946.
COs are to give full facilities to the applicants to attend the tests and including, in the case of applicants serving overseas, transport to the United Kingdom at public expense, where all the tests, etc., will take place. Commissioned personnel coming to the United Kingdom for this purpose will be posted to the Air Ministry, Hallam Street, London, W1; non-commissioned personnel will be posted to No 1 Personal Despatch Centre, North Weald, Essex. Such personnel will report to units on arrival in the United Kingdom. Applicants serving in the United Kingdom will be given the necessary travelling warrants, for whatever journeys they may be required to undertake, on production of the necessary documentary evidence.
No exceptions will be made to the regulations for entry. It should be noted the all applications must be received by the Civil Service Commissioners before 10th October 1946.

APPENDIX

NAVY, ARMY AND AIR FORCE ENTRANCE EXAMINATION

1. The Civil Service Commissioners announce that competitive examinations will be held concurrently in December 1946 and thereafter every six months for
  1. Naval Cadetships, Executive (Special Entry).
  2. Naval Cadetships, Engineering (Special Entry).
  3. Naval Cadetships, Supply and Secretariat (Special Entry).
  4. Entry to the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, and
  5. Entry to the Royal Air Force College, Cranwell
2. It is possible that an additional competition for Naval Cadetships (Special Entry) and First Appointments in the Royal Marines, will be hold each year and a further announcement on this subject will be made as soon as practicable.
3. A conspectus of the Regulations for the competitions will be issued by the Civil Service Commissioners in due course and Application Forms will then be available. In the meantime the following advance information is given for the benefit of intending candidates.
4. A candidate who fulfils the necessary conditions set out below may compete for more than one of these appointments. He must express his order of preference when he sends in his Application Form.
The competitions will be in two parts (a) a written examination (from which, however, in the case of entry to the Royal Military Academy and the RAF College, suitably qualified candidates will be exempt; see 11 below), and (b) tests by Selection Boards of the "country house" types of personal qualities of candidates successful at the written examination or exempted from it. Candidates for the RAF College will also undergo flying aptitude tests. There will be a common written examination, but the tests of personal qualities will be conducted separately for each of the Services. Candidates for more than one Service will appear before each of the appropriate Selection Boards. The Civil Service Commissioners will be represented on these Boards, and the overall responsibility for the selection of candidates will rest with the Commissioners.
The competitions will be held half yearly, starting on the second Tuesday in December and the third Tuesday in June each year (but see also para. 1,sub-para. (ii) above). Applications must be received by the Commissioners not later than 10th October for the December examination and 17th April for the June examination.
No candidate may compete on more than two occasions.
Age limits. - Candidates competing for entry to the Royal Military Academy must, have attained the age of 17½ years and not have attained the age of 18½ on the 1st January following for the December examination and the 1st July following for the June examination. For candidates for entrance to the Royal Air Force College the corresponding age limits are, 17½ and 19. In each case the half year is reckoned by calendar months. Candidates competing in December 1946, for Naval Cadetships (Special Entry) must have attained the age of 17 and must not have attained the age of 18 on the 1st May 1947.
Status and Nationality. - Candidates must be unmarried. Questions of nationality and descent are dealt with by the Service Department concerned and not by the Civil Service Commissioners. (Note. - A candidate for the Royal Air Force College must be a British subject but a candidate who possesses foreign as well as British nationality, or a candidate either of whose parents is not (or was not at the time of his or her death) a British subject, may, in certain cases, be regarded as ineligible for entry). Intending candidates who feel in any doubt about their eligibility should write to the Service Department without delay, to prevent possible disappointment.
Medical Examination. - Candidates who qualify at the written examination or who are exempted will be required to undergo medical examination. These examinations are conducted by the Service Authorities, and questions on points of health should be addressed to the appropriate Service Department. (Details of the examination at candidates for admission to the Royal Air Force. College are as quoted at Appendix A to AMO A384/46.) The decision of the Service Medical Boards will be final. No candidate will be pronounced successful in the competitions who does not pass the appropriate medical examination.
Preliminary Educational Qualification. - Before admission to the written examination all candidates must produce a School Certificate obtained by passing one of the following examinations : -

The School Certificate Examination of the Oxford and Cambridge Schools Examination Board.
The School Certificate Examination of the Oxford Delegacy for Local Examinations.
The School Certificate Examination of the Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate.
The School Certificate Examination of the University of Bristol
The School Certificate Examination of the University of Durham.
The General School Examination of the University of London.
The School Certificate Examination of the Northern Universities Joint Matriculation Board.
The School Certificate Examination of the central Welsh Board.

Provided that in place of a School Certificate a candidate may produce evidence of having passed the Matriculation Examination of London University or any other examination which in the opinion of the Civil Service Commissioners is of equivalent or higher standard. Provided further that in exceptional circumstances a candidate educated in Scotland or Northern Ireland may, in place of a School Certificate, produce a certificate from the Scottish Education Department or the Ministry of Education for Northern Ireland showing that he has attained a standard equivalent to that of the School Certificate of the Oxford and Cambridge Schools' Examination Board, and that a candidate educated in the Dominions or elsewhere abroad must produce evidence satisfactory to the Civil Service Commissioners of having attained an equivalent standard. Provided further that in exceptional cases, where it has been proved to the satisfaction of the Civil Service Commissioners that a candidate has been prevented by unavoidable causes from obtaining a School Certificate or its equivalent, the Commissioners may, at their discretion, admit the candidate to examination, provided they are satisfied that his general education is up to the standard required to obtain such a certificate.
Places of Examination. - The written examination will be held London and in various provincial centres and, it is hoped, also in certain Schools. In will be arranged, if practicable, wherever the number of candidates justifies it. The Naval Selection Boards will he held at Gerrards Cross, Bucks, and the War Office Boards will be situated at Horsham, Sussex. The Royal Air Force Flying aptitude tests will be carried out at Bridgnorth and the Selection Board will be held at Gerrards Cross, Bucks.

Nature of the Written Examination. -

The scheme of examination and the maximum number of marks obtainable in each subject are as follows: -

Part I
(1) English	200
(2) General Paper	100
(3) Elementary Mathematics	100
(4) Elementary Physics	100
Part II
(5) Latin	200
(6) Greek	200
(7) French	200
(8) German	200
(9) History	200
(10) Geography	200
(11) Pure Mathematics	200
(12) Applied Mathematics	200
(13) Physics ..	200
(14) Chemistry	200
(15) Biology.	200

This scheme will apply also to First Appointments in the Royal Marines if it is decided that these competitions shall he hold concurrently with those for the other Cadetships.

The standard in Elementary Mathematics and Elementary Physics will approximate to School Certificate standard; the standard of the Part II subjects will be appropriate to candidates of average ability who have done one year's work in the VIth Form. The syllabus in each subject will be found in Appendix B. (see amendment below)
All candidates will take English, General Paper and Elementary Mathematics and any two subjects of their choice from the list in Part II.
A candidate for entry to the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, will be required to qualify in Elementary Mathematics but the marks obtained in this subject will not is included in his aggregate mark for the examination, the maximum for which will accordingly be 700. The qualifying standard required will be approximately School Certificate pass standard.
A candidate for a Naval Cadetship, a First Appointment in the Royal Marines or entry to the Royal Air Force College, Cranwell, will be required to qualify in Elementary Mathematics and the marks he obtains will be included in his aggregate for the examination. The qualifying standard in this case will be approximately School Certificate credit standard. The maximum aggregate for all such candidates will accordingly be 800.
A candidate for a Naval Cadetship (Executive), a Naval Cadetship (Engineering), a First Appointment in the Royal Marines, or entry to the Royal Air Force College, Cranwell, will also he required to offer Elementary Physics and to qualify in this subject, but the marks obtained will not be included in his aggregate mark for the examination. The qualifying standard required will be approximately School Certificate credit Standard.
A candidate for the Royal Military Academy should, in choosing his two optional subjects in Part II of the examination, relate his choice as far as possible to the needs of the Arm in which he hopes eventually to be commissioned. For instance, a candidate for the Royal Engineers is advised to include a mathematical subject.
A candidate who wishes to offer any of the subjects, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, in Part II of the examination, most produce evidence of having spent within three years of the first day of the examination at best 80 hours on laboratory work in the subject in a laboratory approved by the Civil Service Commissioners. The evidence should normally be a certificate to be printed with the form of application; it should be signed by a master or other responsible person at the establishment where the work was done. The Commissioners will accept work done in laboratories of schools represented at the Headmasters' Conference or in secondary schools inspected by a government department or by a university; work done in other laboratories may be submitted to the Commissioners for their consideration. The Commissioners have power to modify the requirement for a candidate educated in the Dominions or elsewhere overseas.
In addition to reaching the appropriate qualifying standard in Elementary Mathematics, Elementary Physics or both according to the appointments for which he is competing, the candidate will be required to reach a standard in the examination as a whole, satisfactory to the Civil Service Commissioners and the Service Department concerned, before being allowed to proceed to the tests of personal qualities.

Conditions under which candidates may be exempted from the written part of the Competitions: -
1. A certain number of vacancies at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, and at the Royal Air Force College, Cranwell, will be allotted to candidates who possess the educational qualifications set out below, are recommended by their Headmasters, and attain the necessary standard in the appropriate selection tests.
  
  Educational qualifications
  1. The Higher School Certificate awarded by any one of the eight examining bodies named in paragraph 8, provided that either the candidate has satisfied the examiners in Mathematics (and in the case of a candidate for the RAF College in Physics as well) as a Principal or Subsidiary subject, or the candidate has been awarded a credit in Mathematics (or in the case of a candidate for the RAF College in Physics as well) in one of the School Certificate examinations or recognised equivalent examinations as listed in paragraph 8, except that a candidate for the RAF College who satisfies one of the above provisos with regard to Mathematics will be permitted to take the question paper in Elementary Physics at the written examination and if he reaches the qualifying standard laid down in paragraph 10 will be accepted as a Higher School Certificate candidate.
  2. A candidate educated in Scotland or Northern Ireland, may, in place of a Higher School Certificate, produce a certificate from the Scottish Education Department, or the Ministry of Education for Northern Ireland showing that he has attained a standard equivalent to that of the Higher School Certificate Examination including the special qualifications in Mathematics or in Mathematics and Physics.
  3. Any other examination deemed by the Commissioners to be of equivalent or higher standard including the special qualifications in Mathematics or Mathematics and Physics.
2. Although fully qualified "Higher School Certificate" candidates will not be required to take the written part of the Entrance Examination their applications for admission to the examination must be made in the same manner and by the same date as other candidates.
3. "Higher School Certificate" candidates who are educationally qualified under this scheme for admission to the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, and the Royal Air Force College, Cranwell, without written examination may still apply to take the written examination as candidates for the other services; if successful they will be at liberty to choose one of those services in preference to the Army or Royal Air Force.
Tests of Personal qualities and Final Selection of Candidates.
1. Candidates who are successful at the written examination and "Higher School Certificate" candidates will undergo tests of character and personality which will be conducted jointly by the Civil Service Commissioners and the appropriate Service Department.
2. Candidates for Naval Cadetships will proceed to Framewood Manor, Gerrards Cross, for the tests in personal qualities, etc. They will attend for Medical Examination in London en route for Gerrards Cross.
3. Candidates for entry to the Royal Military Academy will be required to attend an Army Medical Board in London. Candidates who satisfy the Medical Board will travel direct from London to Horshm either the same day or on the following day where they will remain for three or four days for tests of character and personality,
4. The tests for candidates for entry to the Royal Air Force College will be in two parts: -
  1. Flying aptitude tests and medical examination occupying two to three days for each candidate.
  2. Selection tests lasting about three days at a Royal Air Force establishment.
  Only candidates who successfully pass the tests at (a) above will be eligible for tests at (b).
Fees. - All candidates (including "Higher School Certificate" candidates) will required to pay a fee of ten shillings. The fee is payable at the time of the written examination or in the case of "Higher School Certificate" candidates on admission to the tests of personal qualities. Instructions as to payments of fees will he sent individually to each candidate. Travelling expenses in excess of £1 (on the basis of 3rd class railway fares from the normal place of residence) incurred in connection with the examination will be refunded. Lodging and food will be provided free of charge to candidates attending before the Selection Boards.

Source - Air Ministry Order A792/46 dated 5 September 1946.

AMO A792/46 is amended as follows: -

Appendix. Para. 10, sub-para. (ii), line 4. Delete "The syllabus in each subject will be found in Appendix B."

(AMO A792/46 amended)

Source - Air Ministry Order A835/46 dated 19 September 1946.

AMO A792/46 is further amended as follows: -

Para 4. Add at end: -

"Personnel already serving in the Royal Air Force on regular engagements, except for aircraft apprentices still undergoing apprentice training, who are within the prescribed age limits and possess the required educational qualifications, may compete for cadetships at the RAF College."

(AMO A792/46, as amended by A835/46, amended)

Source - Air Ministry Order A899/46, dated 24 October 1946

AMO A802/46 is amended as follows -

Title. Delete "War".

Add the following new paragraph

"6. Officers who successfully complete a course will be awarded the symbol 'psa' ".

(AMO A802/46 amended)

Source - Air Ministry Order A982/46, dated 21 November 1946

RAF Staff College War Courses

The objects of the above-mentioned courses, which are of six months' duration are to assist officers to think clearly, to express themselves concisely and logically and to read wisely. The syllabus is designed to provide a sound basic knowledge of the organisation, and operations of the Royal Air Force and a background to the work of the other services which will enable officers to perform staff duties appropriate their rank.
Lectures are given and exercises are set on the treatment of files, including précis writing and the preparation of tabulated statements, graphs and appendices, on the taking of minutes and on the writing of letters, appreciations, memoranda, reports and messages.
Additional lectures are given on the organisation of the departments of the Air Ministry and the Ministry of Supply on the organisation and work of the various RAF commands and on matters of general service and national interest.
Officers of the rank of group captain and below of the general duties, technical, equipment, medical, accountant and administrative and special duties branches and of the RAF Regiment are eligible for those courses, provided they are holding permanent commissions.
Selections will normally be restricted to officers who are within the age range 28 to 35. In exceptional circumstances, however, recommendations in respect of officers of the rank of group captain who are above the age of 35 will be considered.

(AMO A212/45 cancelled)

Source - Air Ministry Order A802/46 dated 12 September 1946.

Temporary Recall of Personnel to Service from Release Leave

It may be necessary to recall personnel from release leave so that they may give evidence at courts martial or attend courts of enquiry and other service investigations. Provision for the recall of such personnel is made in AP 3093, chapter 6, section III.
Requests for the recall of officers, airmen and airwomen have been received by the Air Ministry and the Record Office, Gloucester direct from units without any indication having been given that the case has been considered by the appropriate commander. In future, therefore, the following procedure is to be adopted when the temporary recall of an individual from release leave is required.
The officer commanding the unit concerned is to submit each case to the appropriate group or command headquarters showing the reason why the temporary recall is considered necessary and giving the individual's full service particulars, together with the class of release, date proceeded to the dispersal centre, centre from which released and approximate period for which recall is desired if this is known or can be estimated.
The group commander is to review the case submitted, and after considering the implications of recall, e.g., possible loss of employment, interruption of training, re-issue of pay from service sources, and the possibility of claims for compensation, is to decide in the light of the period of unexpired release leave and the possibility of obtaining documentary evidence, whether or not to approve recall. If recall is not approved, the unit is to be informed, together with any alternative action to be taken. If recall is approved, the Air Ministry (DP 10 for officers, and M 13 for airmen and airwomen) will be asked to issue instructions for recall. Cases in which there is doubt as to whether or not it would be justifiable to recall officers, airmen or airwomen may be referred by group commanders to the Air Ministry (D of M (B)) for decision.
Every endeavour is to be made to ensure that the individual is not retained longer than is absolutely necessary. Upon the termination of the period of recall, individuals will be returned to release leave and action taken for amendment to the final date release and adjustment of pay and allowances.

Source - Air Ministry Order A803/46 dated 12 September 1946.

Wearing of Uniform by Officers no Longer on the Active List

Officers on the Retired and Reserve Lists, ex-officers and officers released from the service who have been permitted to retain their rank may wear the uniform of the rank granted: -
1. when attending : -
  1. investitures
  2. State ceremonies;
  3. parades in connection with the official celebration of the King's birthday;
  4. ceremonies in connection with Remembrance Day or Battle of Britain Day;
  5. war memorial services and parades connected therewith, by invitation;
  6. their own weddings;
2. when inspecting or visiting
  1. AAF, RAFVR, WAAF or ROC units in an official capacity
  2. ATC units on behalf of the Air Ministry;
3. when a public announcement to that effect is made by the Air Ministry.
For all other occasions, the permission of the Air Ministry must be obtained. The dress worn must, however, invariably be that appropriate to the occasion.
The occasions when uniform may be worn, as stated in para. 1, sub-paras. (a), (b) and (c) above, will not apply to officers of the rank of wing commander or above, who are permitted to wear uniform on ceremonial occasions at their discretion.
Para. 207, KR & ACI, will be amended accordingly.

Source - Air Ministry Order A806/46 dated 12 September 1946.

Overseas Drafting Policy for RAF Personnel

As from the date of this order, overseas drafting of RAF Personnel will be regulated in accordance with the terms of the following paragraphs.
Commencement and termination of tour. - A tour of duty abroad commencces with effect from the date of embarkation in the United Kingdom and terminates on the day of embarkation abroad for return to the United Kingdom. The periods at home referred to in para. 4 below will, however, commence on the day of disembarkation in the United Kingdom.

Maximum age limits. - The maximum age limits for posting overseas are as follows: -

	Corporals and below	Sergeants and above	Officers*
North-West Europe	48	50	50
Air Command, South-East Asia; India; B.C. Air Forces, Japan	42	50	50
Mediterranean and Middle .Eu3t	42	50	50
West Africa	42	50	50
Gibraltar	48	50	50
Southern Rhodesia, West Indies	48	50	50
Australia	42	50	50
Azores	48	50	50
* Applicable to non-regular officers only.

Nothing in this paragraph will, however, curtail the tour of duty overseas of personnel who attain the above ages during the tour.
For the purpose of this paragraph, personnel posted to the Orkneys, Shetland, Hebrides and the Western Islands of Scotland will be regarded as serving in the United Kingdom.

Periods at home between completed tours. -
1. The period spent at home between completed tours will normally be not less than eighteen months.
2. Where the exigencies of the service demand it, the above period may be reduced to one, of six months for personnel who have returned from the commands or areas mentioned in para. 3 above, except Air Command, South-East Asia; AHQ India,. BC Air Forces, Japan, Mediterranean and Middle East and West Africa. For personnel who have returned from Air Command, South-East Asia; India; BC Air Force, Japan; Mediterranean and Middle East or West Africa, the period may be reduced to of twelve months.
3. The provisions of this paragraph apply only to personnel who have completed half or more than half of a normal tour abroad.
Uncompleted tours. -
1. When personnel who have not completed a tour transferred from one overseas command to another, they will be regarded as having completed the same proportion of the full tour for the command to which they transferred as that completed towards the tour for the command from which they transferred. The provisions of this sub-paragraph do not apply to West Africa, when each month of service will count as two months towards the completion of a tour in the command to which personnel are transferred.
2. Personnel who are returned to the United Kingdom as surplus to requirements or on compassionate grounds, and who have completed less than half the overseas tour will be regarded as eligible for immediate re-posting overseas. If so re-posted, the service they have completed overseas will be counted towards their new tour, provided the time spent in the United Kingdom is less than six months. If the period spent in the United Kingdom is more than six months, they will be regarded as liable for a full tour.
3. Personnel who return to the United Kingdom as in sub-para. (b) above and who have completed more than half a tour will he regarded as having completed a full tour and treated in accordance with para. 4 above.
North-West Europe -
1. The provisions of paras. 4 and 5 above do not apply to personnel posted either to or from North-West Europe.
2. For personnel posted either to or from North-West Europe, the period spent at home on completion of a tour will normally be not less than six months. They will then be regarded as available for another full tour of duty either in North-West Europe or in an overseas command.
3. Personnel who, on completion of a full tour of duty in North-West Europe, are required for posting to an overseas command before the expiry of six months in the United Kingdom, are to be granted disembarkation and embarkation leave before such a posting is effected.
4. Personnel who, on completion of a full tour of duty in an overseas command, are then required for posting to North-West Europe without spending the usual interval on the home establishment between tours of duty overseas, will not be so posted until a total period of 42 days' leave (covering both embarkation and disembarkation leave) in the United Kingdom has been granted.
5. In exceptional cases, officers and airmen may be posted to an overseas command during their tour of duty in North-West Europe. In such cases, disembarkation leave will not be admissible but, whenever possible, a minimum of seven days' embarkation leave in the United Kingdom should be granted. If so re-posted, the service completed m North-West Europe will be counted towards the new tour, provided the intervening period spent in the United Kingdom is less than six months.
6. Personnel who are returned to the United Kingdom as surplus to requirements or on compassionate grounds and who have completed more than half their tour will be regarded as having completed a full tour and treated in accordance with sub-para. (6) above.
Voluntary extension of tour. - Personnel may volunteer to extend their tours for periods not exceeding one year at a time. Volunteers to remain abroad for a further period after their normal tour or extended tour has expired will be permitted to do so only after medical examination and assessment by the examining medical officer that -
1. they are fit, and
2. there is no indication at the time of the examination that their health and efficiency is likely to be impaired by the further period of service abroad.
Applications to extend tours in respect of officers will be subject to prior reference to the Air Ministry for approval.
Release considerations - Nothing in this order affects the right of personnel to release under the Government's plan of release or transfer from the forces unless they have volunteered to extend their service under AMO A1100/45 as amended. Personnel in early release groups will not normally be posted to a distant command. The release groups affected cannot be stated, as they are determined from time to time in the light of varying factors.

Source - Air Ministry Order A816/46 dated 19 September 1946.

Permanent Commissions - Gazettement of Officers Selected for Appointment

With reference to AMO A2/46, as amended, lists of officers selected for permenent commissions under that order are now being published and it has been decided that permanent commissions granted under that order shall be effective from 1st July 1946, except in the case of officers recalled after taking their release and of officers appointed to permanent commissions in branches other than those in which they are now or were previously, serving. The permanent commissions of officers recalled from release take effect from the date of rejoining for duty and those of officers appointed to branches other than those in which they are now, or were previously, serving from the date transfer to the new branch.
The substantive rank to be granted on appointment will be in, accordance with the scale laid down in para. 9 of AMO A2/46, as amended, and will be determined under the terms laid down in that paragraph, the qualifying date being 1st September 1945.
There are still some selections to be made in respect of applications submitted under AMOs A188/44 and A297/45, as amended, e.g., from ex-prisoners of war, and permanent commissions granted to these officers will be effective from 1st September 1945.
(a) Subject to the provisions of sub-paras. (b), (c) and (d) below, officers who are selected for permanent commissions will be examined by a medical board at the earliest possible date to determine their fitness for permanent commissions. Such medical boards may be convened only at No 1 Central Medical Board (for officers serving in the United Kingdom) and at the headquarters' medical board or the "standing board " recognised as its equivalent (for officers serving in a command abroad). The qualifying categories will be A1B, for the general duties branch and A4B for all ground branches except the technical branch, the pre-war standards for these categories being adopted. As regards the technical branch, the medical standard will normally be A1B; in exceptional cases, however, officers having a lower medical category but fit for service at home and overseas may be appointed.
(b) Under the arrangements recently set up and notified to principal medical officers, officers being boarded for assessment for fitness for an extended service commission are at the same time assessed for fitness for a permanent commission. An officer, boarded under these arrangements and found fit for a permanent commission, who is selected for a permanent commission within six months of the date of his medical hoard, will not be re-boarded, provided that his unit medical officer is satisfied that his condition remains unaltered. in such cases the unit medical officer will complete a certificate, as shown at the Appendices to this order, and forward it without delay to the commanding officer. In the case of an officer selected for a permanent commission within three months of the date of the medical board, the certificate will take the form shown at Appendix A to this order. Where the officer is selected for a permanent commission more than three months but less than six month's after the date of the medical board, the certificate will take the form shown at Appendix B to this order. COs will ensure that these certificates, are forwarded to the Air Ministry (AR 7) at the earliest possible date.
(c) Officers holding extended service commissions, who are selected for permanent commissions more than six months after the date of the medical board which assessed them as fit for an extended service commission, will be re-examined by a further board arranged as stated in sub-para. (a) above.
(d) An officer holding an extended service commission, who is selected for a permanent commission within six months of the date of the medical board which assessed him as fit for an extended service commission and who either (i) was not then assessed on his fitness for a permanent commission, or (ii) in the opinion of the unit medical officer has deteriorated in health since the date of his previous board, will be re-examined by a further board arranged as stated in sub-para. (a) above,
Officers selected for permanent commissions will be required to give formal notice of acceptance within one month of the date of the order in which their selections, are announced. If no communication is received within this period it will be assumed that the officer does not wish to accept the commission offered. It is essential, therefore, that the medical examination of selected officers be carried out with the minimum of delay, so that these directions may be observed by all concerned. Before notifying formal acceptance, officers should make themselves fully acquainted with the provisions of AMO A297/45, as amended. Formal acceptance should be in the following terms: [-

"I accept the offer of a permanent commission in the.................................... Branch subject to the conditions laid down in AMO A297/45, as amended, and A2/46, as amended, the provisions of which I have carefully studied and understand,"

Acceptances are to be forwarded to the Air Ministry (AR 7).
Officers who do not desire to accept the permanent commissions for which they have been selected should at once notify their COs and such notifications are to be forwarded without delay to the Air Ministry (AR 7).
On gazettement to permanent commissions, all officers must arrange for a certificate of birth to be forwarded to the Air Ministry (AR 7). In this connection attention is directed to para. 2338 of KR & ACI.
Before accepting a permanent commission it is, of course, essential that officers should free themselves from any financial or other liabilities which they may have in regard to resumption of appointments in civil employment.

Seniority, as between officers of the same substantive rank appointed to permanent commissions, will be determined later.

APPENDIX A

To be completed by the unit medical officer

Rank Name Number

......................................................... .......................................................................................................... .....................................................

Certified that: -

The above-named officer was medically boarded on ............................................................ (i.e. within the previous three months) and assessed as fit for an extended commission and also as fit, for a permanent commission, and
I am satisfied that his condition has not deteriorated since the date of the medical board.

(Signed)..............................................................................
Medical officer

(Rank).............................................................................

(Unit).............................................................................

Date..............................................................................

APPENDIX B

To be completed by the unit medical officer

Rank Name Number

Certified that: -

The above-named officer was medically boarded on ............................................................ (i.e. within the previous three months but less than six months previously) and assessed as fit for an extended commission and also as fit, for a permanent commission, and
I have medically examined the officer, recording the results on Forms 43 and 42 and I am satisfied that his condition has not deteriorated since the date of the medical board.

(Signed)..............................................................................
Medical officer

(Rank).............................................................................

(Unit).............................................................................

Date..............................................................................

Source - Air Ministry Order A848/46 dated 3 October 1946.

Officers granted Emergency Commissions who immediately prior to being Commissioned were Airmen Serving on Regular Engagements - Position in regard to Government's Plan for Release or Transfer from the Forces in the Interim Period after the Defeat of Germany and before the Defeat of Japan

A considerable number of officers granted emergency commissions who, immediately prior to being commissioned, were serving on regular engagements and who have completed more than fifteen years' total service have been released through a personnel dispersal centre under the normal release machinery instead of being retired as provided in para 8 of AMO A482/45, as amended by A698/46. Officers in this category who do not wish to stay on are not to be released through a dispersal centre but are to submit an application to retire, to the Air Ministry (AR 3) who will arrange for their retirement with the appropriate terminal benefits.
The consequential amendments to AMO A482/45 are contained in A850/46.

Source - Air Ministry Order A849/46 dated 3 October 1946.

Conditions Applicable to Army Officers when Serving in the Royal Air Force

Army Council instruction No 713 dated 20th July 1946, is reproduced below for the information of all concerned This Instruction supersedes Army Council Instruction No 579 of 1940, which was reproduced in AMO A570/40.

"713. Royal Air Force - Conditions Applicable to Army Officers when serving in the Royal Air Force.

Army officers serving with the RAF will be eligible for promotion to war substantive army rank under the same conditions as would apply if they were serving with the Army. Such promotions will, however, only become operative if they return to Army Service.
As certain war substantive ranks in the RAF are granted on a time basis, equivalent war substantive army ranks will be granted only when an officer has held higher paid RAF rank for such periods as are laid down in the Pay Warrant, 1940, Article 181 (as amended by Amendments (Nos. 21, 39, 85, 119 and 130) notified in Army Orders 168 of 1940, 74 of 1941, 3 of 1943, 161 of 1944 and 55 of 1945).
The grant of such army war substantive rank will be on probation for six months from the date of rejoining for military duty. Officers will be posted to army duty on the equivalent acting rank which will be confirmed at the end of this probationary period, if the officer's services in that rank are satisfactory.
ACI 579 of 1940 is hereby cancelled.

(AMO A570/40 cancelled)

Source - Air Ministry Order A892/46 dated 10 October 1946.

Commissioned Ex-Regular Airmen - Eligibility for Gratuity or Retired Pay

(This order affects section 37 of AP 837)

From certain representations that have been made by officers who were serving as airmen at the commencement of the war, it is apparent that some misunderstanding exists as to the definition of the term "regular airmen" in relation to eligibility for gratuity or retired pay under the conditions laid down in AMO A384/43.
In this respect, the terms of that order are only applicable to those ex airmen who, at the commencement of the wart were serving: -
1. on a re-engagement to complete 24 years' regular service or on any continuance thereof under KR & ACI paras. 612 and 613, respectively, or
2. as a re-enlisted airman other than a pensioner under the terms of AMO A260/35 (as amended by A123/37) and A478/38, or
3. on an initial engagement for a minimum period of six years' regular air forcer service or an extension or prolongation of such engagement which carried a potential right to extend or prolong their service to 12 years or more and/or to re-engage to 12 years service and so become eligible to complete time for pension as in sub-para. (a) above.
Airmen, not covered by para. 2, sub-paras. (a) and (b) above, who, at the commencement of the war, were serving on an initial engagement for a period of less then six years or on an extension thereof, had no expectation of pension and it follows that they have no entitlement to the alternative gratuity and retired pay terms laid down in AM A384/43, as amended. These terms were expressly designed for the ex-regular airmen defined in para. 2 above, who, on commissioning, forfeited their expectation of pension as airmen.

(AMO A599/46 cancelled)

Source - Air Ministry Order A904/46 dated 24 October 1946.

Air Force List - Method of Showing Officers Granted War Substantive Rank - earned by Higher Paid Acting Rank

1. In accordance with the terms of AMO A531/46, the review of Officers who hold their positions in the gradation lists of the Air Force Lists in consequence of war substantive ranks gained from higher acting ranks has now been completed. The officers concerned all gained war substantive seniority with effect from dates earlier than those on which they would otherwise have, been considered for promotion to the equivalent temporary rank and, by virtue of their war substantive rank, were not included in temporary promotion lists. The higher acting ranks from which these war substantive ranks resulted, inevitably involved some element of luck; and, in reshaping the post-war gradation list on a permanent basis, it would be inequitable that officers who were selected for temporary, promotion during the war - which was done on the same principles and with the same care as selection for substantive promotion in peace -should lose seniority in relation to other officers junior to them who had the good fortune to acquire a higher acting rank. The claims of each officer have, therefore, been carefully examined by a special Board and his position in the gradation list, will be adjusted in the Air Force List to conform with his contemporaries who were promoted in temporary rank, during the war under the normal process of selection by promotion boards. In certain cases this has involved adjustments which will be announced in the London Gazette dated 3rd December 1946, and in others, officers will be listed under the rank already held by them immediately prior to the grant of war substantive rank. Officers will appreciate that although they will be adjusted to contemporary positions in the temporary rank list, their war substantive ranks will continue to be held under present regulations and will govern their postings accordingly.
The consequential amendments to AMO A531/46 are contained in AMO A584/46.

Source - Air Ministry Order A983/46 dated 28 November 1946.

Probationary Service - Officers of the Royal Air Force, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve and Women's Auxiliary Air Force

It has been decided to abolish the procedure under, which most officers in the majority of RAF branches, and WAAF officers were appointed to commissions on probation, their appointments being subsequently confirmed in the London Gazette after a period of satisfactory service.
As from the date of this order, therefore, appointments to commissions will no longer be shown in the London Gazette as on probation and no further notices as regards confirmation will be included in the London Gazelle in respect of officers appointed to commissions on probation prior to that date.
Provision will be made in KR & ACI for the termination of the commissions of all officers unless during the first two years of their service their retention is shown to be in every respect desirable.
KR & ACI will be amended in due course.

(AMO A1301/43 cancelled)

Source - Air Ministry Order A1002/46 dated 5 December 1946.

AMO A1002/46 is amended as follows: -

Title, line 2.

Delete "and ".
After "Women's Auxiliary An Forte add "and Princess Mary's Royal Air Force Nursing Service".

Para, 1, line 2.

Delete "and"
After "WAAF officers" insert "and officers of Princess Mary's Royal Air Force Nursing Service."

(AMO A1002/46 amended)

Source - Air Ministry Order A97/47 dated 6 February 1947.

Exit of RAF and WAAF Officers who were Recalled to the Active List from Release Leave

Certain RAF and WAAF officers were permitted to return to the Royal Air Force for short periods of service after they had been released with their age and service groups and had completed release leave and overseas service leave granted under para. 285 (i) of AP 3093. These officers will soon have completed the further period of service and their final release will then become due. Release will be carried out in accordance with the terms of this order.
Before an RAF officer becomes due for release, his unit will he notified by the Air Ministry (OAR). This notification will contain detailed instructions for the release of the officer and will be sent two months before he is due for release, if he is serving overseas, or one month before, if he is serving at home. Similar notification instructions will be issued by the Air Ministry (8.11(c)) for WAAF officers.
Officers being released under the terms of this order are not entitled to 56 days terminal leave under para. 285 (i) of AP 3093 nor to a free issue of civilian clothing under para. 323 of that publication. An officer will, however, be entitled to overseas service leave in respect of any period of service overseas for which no leave has been granted provided that he/she has completed at least six months' overseas service during total war service.
All officers, whether serving at home or overseas, are to be medically examined and the result reported on RAF Form 2561. Fresh service and release books are not to prepared and officers are not to be released through a personnel dispersal centre.
Officers serving at home are to be released by their units on the receipt of the Ministry instructions referred to in para 2 above. Officers serving overseas are to be returned to this country to arrive at least one week before they are due for release. RAF officers up to and including the rank of wing commander are to be instructed to report on arrival to No 1 Personnel Holding Unit, Innsworth, Gloucester, which will be responsible for their release. Officers of the rank of group captain and above are to be instructed to report to the Air Ministry (DP II (b)). All WAAF officers should be instructed to report direct to No 9 (WAAF) Personnel Holding Unit, Uxbridge, which will effect their release.

(AMO A767/46 cancelled)

Source - Air Ministry Order A1013/46 dated 12 December 1946.

Form of Address for Officers of Air Rank

It is the practice in the other two Services to address officers of flag and general rank on informal, occasions as "admiral" and "general" rather than as "rear or vice
admiral" and "major or lieutenant general ", as the case may be.
In conformity with this practice and in the interests of brevity it has been decided that, except in official correspondence or on strictly formal occasions, the generic rank "air marshal" will be used in addressing or referring to officers of the ranks air vice marshal to air chief marshal, inclusive.

Source - Air Ministry Order A1019/46 dated 12 December 1946.

Selection of Officers for Appointment to Permanent or Extended Service Commissions in the Royal Air Force

There is reason to believe that some COs are not taking adequate measures to ensure that officers, serving under their command, whose selection for permanent or extended service commissions has been promulgated in postagrams, are informed of their selection.
In future, therefore, whenever an officer's selection for a permanent or extended service commission is promulgated in postagrams, his CO is to take steps to obtain from him in writing his, acceptance or refusal of the commission offered. The written acceptances and refusals are to be forwarded to the Air Ministry (AR 7) within the time limits prescribed when the selection is promulgated.
This procedure is to be brought into use forthwith and is to be applied to all selections announced from the date of this order,

Source - Air Ministry Order A1020/46 dated 12 December 1946.

The Armament Star (A*) Course

The Armament Star (A*) Course, which was discontinued at the outbreak of war, has been re-introduced to conform with peace-time requirements, and is held at the Empire Air Armament School, Manby.
This course replaces the Advanced Armament Course held during the war at Fort Halstead.
Aim of the Course - The aim of the A* Course is to prepare officers for armament appointments. mainly in the sphere of research and development, having regard to the fact that the complexity of modern armament equipment requires a high standard of technical ability on the part of personnel employed in its development, production and maintenance.
Graduates of the course will be expected to fill any armament post and in particular, they will be required to: -
1. direct research and development work in connection with air armament;
2. fill executive and supervisory technical posts in armament research and development organisations at headquarters and outstations, which may include work for the other Services, and at schools and service development units in appointments where their special qualifications will be of value to the Service:
3. represent the views of the Air Services in inter-service departments and in dealing with manufacturers and organisations concerned with research, development, and manufacture of air armament equipment.
Description of the Course - The course is of two years' duration and is divided into three phases as follows: -
1. Phase I, covering the first year of the course, provides refresher training on basic subjects, and further instruction in mathematics, physics, chemistry and engineering subjects;
2. Phase II, covering the first nine months oft the second year, provides instruction mainly of advanced theory and its applications to armament problems. Results of the most recent research and development techniques are included in this phase;
3. Phase III, covering the last three months of the course, affords opportunity for specialised study of one or more aspects of armament development. The aim of this phase is to enable students to apply knowledge gained, and to foster individual initiative and enterprise.
A "Bar Examination" will take place at the end of Phase I the successful passing of which will be an essential pre-requisite to entering Phase II.
Throughout the first two phases, students will receive a large number of lectures from serving officers and outside experts connected with research, development and industry. Visits will be paid to selected ordnance factories, research establishments and private firms, so that students may link up the theoretical instruction on the course with its practical application to armament problems.
Air experience will be given throughout the course, together with a limited amount of instruction in service armament equipment.
Qualiftcations. - To be eligible for selection for the course; candidates must hold one of the following qualifications: -
1. School Certificate, with credit in mathematics and science; or its equivalent, or,
2. Class "A" graduation standard from an aircraft apprentices' school.
Eligibility - Officers of the following categories may, apply: -
1. Officers of the Technical branch (Armament).
2. Officers of the General Duties branch who have previously qualified as specialist armament officers.
Selection is confined to officers who hold permanent commissions.
In addition to officers of the Royal Air Force, officers of the Royal Navy (Naval Aviation) and Dominion Air Forces are eligible for selection. Recommendations in respect of all these officers are reviewed on an equal footing, and final selection for the course depends upon the assessment of the selection board before which a pre-selected number of applicants is required to appear.
Applications and recommendations. - COs are, therefore, to take action as follows: -
1. Draw the attention of all officers concerned to this order;
2. Forward to the Air Ministry (DP 5) through group headquarters, particulars of officers of the categories mentioned in para. 10, sub-paras. (a) and (b) above, who possess the required qualifications and desire to be considered for entry to the course. The particulars must be Submitted in the form shown at the Appendix to this order (not included here),
Recommendations for No 8A* Course, which is due to commence about 31st May, 1947 are to be submitted to the Air Ministry as soon as possible. The closing date for applications for this course to reach the Air Ministry is 13th April 1947.

Source - Air Ministry Order A12/47 dated 9 January 1947.

AMO A12/47 is amended as follows: -

Para. 10 sub-para. (b). After " officers." add: -

"These officers will only be selected subject to their willingness to transfer to the Technical Branch."

(AMO A12/47 amended)

Source - Air Ministry Order A81/47 dated 30 January 1947.

Officers granted Permanent Commissions from Regular Engagements - Counting of Airman Service for Pay and Promotion

As indicated in Cmd. 6750, the officer requirements in the post-war Air Force will be met, to a far greater extent than before the war, from airmen commissioned from the ranks. It is the policy of the Air Council that airmen so commissioned shall be fully integrated into the branch to which they are appointed and, save as provided in the subsequent paragraphs of this order, their conditions, of service, including retired pay and eligibility for promotion, will be the same as for officers entered in the branches from other sources. Airmen will normally be selected for commissioned rank at a relatively early age when they have had the opportunity, by service in non-commissioned officer rank to demonstrate their suitability for such promotion. This will not, however, debar airmen from appointment to commissioned rank at a later stage in their career, e.g. from warrant rank, should they show themselves in every way suitable.
The special rules set out in this paragraph, and in paras. 3 and 4 below, will apply to airmen granted permanent commissions from regular engagements under the arrangements described in para. 1 above. (They will not apply to cadets commissioned after training at the RAF College and other officer training establishments.) They are designed to give, as necessary, due credit for service in the ranks and to ensure that airmen do not suffer financially by accepting a commission. The rules for the various branches are as follows: -
1. Aircrew commissioned in the General Duties branch. - Commissions will be granted in the rank of pilot officer. Promotion to the rank of flying officer will be after one year's satisfactory commissioned service and to the rank of flight lieutenant after 3½ years' total satisfactory commissioned service or on completion of 2½ years' satisfactory service in the rank of flying officer, if later.
2. Ground airmen commissioned in a ground branch: -
  1. Those holding the rank of warrant officer will he commissioned in the rank of flying officer. Those commissioned in the Technical branch will be promoted to the rank of flight lieutenant after 2½ years' satisfactory commissioned service and those commissioned in other ground branches will be promoted to the rank of flight lieutenant after 3½ years' satisfactory commissioned service.
  2. Those, holding rank below warrant officer will be commissioned in the rank of pilot officer and will be promoted to the rank of flying officer after one year's satisfactory commissioned service. Those commissioned in the Technical branch will be promoted to the rank of flight lieutenant after 3½ years' total satisfactory commissioned service or on completion of 2½ years' satisfactory service in the rank of flying officer, if later. Those commissioned in other ground branches will be promoted to the rank of flight lieutenant after 4½ years' total satisfactory commissioned service or on completion of 3½ years' satisfactory service in the rank of flying officer, if later.
3. Long service pilots and navigators commissioned for ground duties (e.g. as aircraft control officers). - Appointment to such commissions will be made at an average age of 34 (see AMO A1054/46), and commissions will be granted in the rank of flying officer with promotion to flight lieutenant after two years' satisfactory commissioned service.
Pay. - Officers commissioned from the ranks will receive the normal rates of pay of their rank and branch. Where it is to their advantage, however, aircrew commissioned in the General Duties branch, and airmen commissioned in ground branches, may he paid a rate of pay 1s 0d a day greater than the total pay (including good conduct pay and war excess) which they last received as airmen, and aircrew commissioned in ground branches may be paid a rate of pay equal to the total pay which they last received as airmen. Detailed regulations will be promulgated in due course as an amendment to AMO A514/46, as amended.
As indicated in para. 1 above, the normal conditions of retirement, retired pay etc, laid down in Cmd 6750 will apply to officers granted permanent commissions from the ranks. The grant of such commissions will, however, be subject to there being an expectation of the airmen being able to give a reasonable period of service in commissioned rank before retirement. For those airmen appointed to commissions at a later stage in their career, the compulsory retiring age will be ten years from the date of commissioning, where this is later than the normal retiring age for the branch and rank, subject to the power of the Air Council to retire an officer earlier, under the regulations applicable generally should circumstances make this necessary. The normal retiring ages for the various branches will be announced in Air Ministry orders at an early date.
Ex-regular airmen who have been, or may in the future be, appointed to permanent commissions or extended service commissions, having held emergency commissions, will be brought under the terms of this order where those are more favourable than they would be under existing rules; in no case, however, will any consequent higher rank be granted from a date earlier than the date of this order.

Source - Air Ministry Order A73/47 dated 30 January 1947.

AMO A73/47 is amended as follows: -

Para. 5. Add at end: -

"Note - The reference to extended service commissions in para. 5 above does not effect the conditions of retirement, retired pay, etc, applicable to such officers. As the first sentence of para. 4 above indicates, the terms of that paragraph are confined to officers holding permanent commissions."

(AMO A73/47 amended)

Source - Air Ministry Order A669/47 dated 21 August 1947.

AMO A73/47 is further amended as follows: -

Para. 2.

Sub para. (b) (i), line 1. After" the" insert "substantive or temporary".
Sub para. (b) (ii), line 1. After "holding" insert "the acting rank of warrant officer or"

Para. 5, line 4. After "rules" delete ";" and insert: -

"The terms of para. 2, sub para. (b) (i) above will, however, be limited to those ex-warrant officers who were commissioned initially in the rank of flying officer; ex-warrant officers who were commissioned initially in the rank of pilot officer will he eligible for the terms of para. 2, sub para. (b) (ii) above ;

(AMO A.73147, as amended by A.669147, amended.)

Selection for Permanent and Short Service Commissions in the Post-war Royal Air Force

(Excluding the Medical, Dental, Legal, Education and Chaplains Branches.)

As indicated in Newpayform 47, the Permanent Commission Selection Board has now completed its task of examining the applications for permanent commissions made under AMOs A188/44 and A2/46, as amended. Apart from applications from officers of the RAF Regiment, for which branch selections will continue to be made, all candidates selected for permanent commissions under these orders will by 28th February have been informed of their selection. The remaining candidates may assume that they have not been selected for permanent commissions as a result of the applications they submitted under those orders, although they will remain eligible under the arrangements described in para. 2 below for selection for extended service commissions under the terms of AMO A775/45, as amended.
In future, selections for permanent commissions from officers who have held emergency commissions will, save in very exceptional circumstances, be restricted to those who have accepted extended service commissions or who accept short service commissions. The grant of further extended service commissions under the terms of AMO A775/45, as amended, will be limited to: -
1. officers who have already applied for permanent or extended service commissions but have not so far been selected;
2. officers still serving, who have not yet applied for extended service commissions but who do so by 31st March 1947;
3. released officers who applied for permanent or extended service eomrnuismns before their release or who may apply for extended service commissions by 31st March 1947.
No applications for extended service commissions dated later than 31st March 1947, may be submitted; instead, officers still serving who apply after that date will be considered for short service commissions with gratuity on passing to the reserve (i.e. if they, are not selected for permanent commissions) at the rate of £100 for each year of service on the short service commission. Full details of the short service schemes will be announced in separate orders at a later date.
After allowing for the permanent commissions which must be received for entrants under normal peace-time arrangements (eg, through the RAF College and other officer training and the universities), a substantial number of further vacancies for permanent commissions will be available during the next few years for award to officers holding extended service or short service commissions and to airmen serving on regular engagements. The field of selection for permanent and short service commissions will in future cover the normal post-war sources of recruitment including consideration of: -
1. For permanent commissions: -
  1. officers serving on extended service and short service commissions;
  2. airmen serving on regular engagements who are not below the ago of 25 (for the ground branches).
  (Note - In the Technical Branch, Group A tradesmen only will be eligible for consideration and the upper age limit will normally be thirty.)
2. For short service commissions: -
  1. emergency commissioned officers still serving who apply after 31st March 1947;
  2. released officers who apply after 31st March, 1947, and within six months of the date of their release;
  3. aircrew on regular engagements including extended service;
  4. non-regular airmen (for the ground branches).
(Note. - Short service commissions are not applicable to the Technical and Aircraft Control Branches.)
Those granted short service commissions under sub-para. (b) above will, of course, be eligible for consideration for permanent commissions during the active list period of their short service commissions.
The grant of substantive rank will be determined as follows: -
1. Officers appointed to permanent commissions from extended service commissions and short service commissions will retain the substantive rank held by them at the time of selection.
2. For airmen serving on regular engagements, the substantive rank on appointment to a permanent commission will be determined by the rules promulgated in AMO A73/47.
3. Emergency commissioned officers appointed to short service commissions will be granted substantive rank by reference to the new time promotion rules sot out in AMO A695/46 related to length of commissioned service (in the case of released officers up to the date of release). Thus, those commissioned in the General Duties Branch who have one year's commissioned service, will be given the substantive rank of flying officer, and those with 3½ years' total commissioned service will be given the substantive rank of flight lieutenant, while those commissioned in the Equipment and Secretarial Branches will be given these ranks if they have two years' and six years' commissioned service, respectively.
4. Aircrew on regular engagements including extended service will be granted short service commissions in the rank of pilot officer.
5. Non-regular airmen will be appointed to short service commissions in ground branches in the rank of pilot officer.

Procedure for the grant of commissions

Permanent commissions. - As from the date of this order, no further applications for permanent commissions will be permitted, but it will be the responsibility of COs and heads of staff branches at formations and at the Air Ministry to recommend such officers serving on extended service and short service commissions and airmen serving on regular engagements as they may consider suitable for permanent commissions. COs and heads of staff branches must realise the serious responsibility which rests upon them for ensuring that every potential candidate for a permanent commission is brought under review and that no individual who merits recommendation fails to be recommended merely because his claims were overlooked. More detailed instructions for the guidance of officers in making recommendations for permanent commissions will be issued in the near future.
Recommendations will be submitted on Form 1369A together with Form 2745. Until new forms are available for use in recommending regular airmen, Forms 1369A and 2745 should be suitably adapted.
Extended service commissions - Fresh applications (up to 31st March 1947, only) for extended service commissions will be required only from officers who have not already applied. Those should be submitted on Form 2745 supported by Form 1369A,
Short service commissions. - Applications for short service commissions made after 31st March 1947, are to be submitted on Form 2741 supported by Form 1389A.
Form 2743 should be amended, as appropriate, if it is concerned with an extended service or short service commission as distinct, from a permanent commission. Completed forms originating from stations and group headquarters, both at home and overseas, should be transmitted to the group commander. These originating at commands should transmitted to the AOA, SASO, or STSO, as appropriate. Those originating in the Air Ministry should be transmitted to the appropriate director. Recommendations which are supported by the Air Officer concerned should be forwarded to the Air Ministry (AR 7). In cases where the responsible Air Officer does not know sufficient about the candidate to say whether he recommends him or not, he must interview the candidate. If for any reason it is impracticable for the Air Officer to interview the candidate, or if after interview he is unable to reach a positive decision, the relative forms, including the remarks of the Air Officer concerned, should, nevertheless, be forwarded to the Air Ministry.
Where, in the case of recommendations for permanent commissions in those ground branches which call for special professional qualifications, the recommending officer of the responsible Air Officer is in doubt as to whether or not the candidate reaches the high educational and professional standards required, although possessing the necessary officer-like qualities, the recommendation should be forwarded to command headquarters for consideration by the appropriate senior "specialist" officer. The command should forward all such cases which they recommend, with the remarks of the senior "specialist" Officer, to the Air Ministry.

Submission of recommendations and applications

The date on which the first recommendations for permanent commissions under this order are to be forwarded will be notified later. In the meantime, applications may be submitted for extended service commissions (up to 31st March, 1947) and for short service commissions.

Professional branches

The decision notified in para. 2 above that no applications for extended service commissions dated later than 31st March, 1947, may be submitted applies to all branches including the Medical, Dental, Legal and Chaplains Branches, but special conditions which will otherwise apply to the introduction of permanent and short service commissions in these branches (except short service commissions in the Legal Branch) will be set out in separate orders to be issued in the near future. The Education Branch has already been fully dealt with in AMO A883/46.

Source - Air Ministry Order A127/47 dated 13 February 1947.

AMO A127/47 is amended as follows: -

Para. 5, line 12. Delete from "Recommendations" to end of sentence and substitute: -

"Recommendations are to be submitted on Form 1369A together with Form 2745 (and, in the case of airmen serving on regular engagements, certified copies of Form 121). In the case of recommendations of airmen serving on regular engagements. Forms 1369A and 2745 should he amended as indicated at the Appendix to this order. Completed forms originating from stations and group headquarters, both at home and overseas, should be transmitted to the group commander. Those originating at commands should be transmitted to the AOA, SASO or STSO, as appropriate. Those originating in the Air Ministry should be transmitted to the appropriate director. Recommendations which are supported by the air officer concerned should be forwarded to the Air Ministry (AR 7 in the case of officer candidates, and AR 1 in the case of regular airmen candidates). In cases where the responsible air officer does not know sufficient about the candidate to say whether or not he recommends him, he must interview the candidate. If, for any reason, it is impracticable for the air officer to interview the candidate, or if after interview he is unable to reach a positive decision, the relative forms, including the remarks of the air officer concerned, are to be forwarded to the Air Ministry. Where, in the case of ground branches which call for special professional qualifications, the recommending officer or the responsible air officer is in doubt as to whether or not the candidate reaches the educational and professional standards required, although possessing the necessary officer-like qualities, the recommendation should be referred to command headquarters for the opinion of the appropriate senior "specialist" officer. The "specialist" officer should, if he considers it necessary, interview the candidate. The opinion of the "specialist" officer will be taken into account by the responsible air officer in making his final decision whether or not to recommend the candidate and will be included in the candidate's documents. Recommendations not forwarded to the Air Ministry should be retained at the command or group headquarters, as appropriate."

Paras. 7 and 8. Delete these paragraphs and substitute:

Short service commissions.: -
1. Applications for short service commissions made after 31st March 1947, will be submitted on Form 2745 (amended to show that it is an application for a short service commission) supported by Form 1369A and, in the case of aircrew and non-regular airmen, by certified copies of Form 121. In the case of applications from aircrew and non-regular airmen, Forms 2745 and 1369A should be further amended as indicated at the Appendix to this order.
2. Where the application originates from group or command headquarters or in the Air Ministry, the completed Form 2745 and supporting document or documents, as indicated in sub-para. (a) above, will be transmitted to the appropriate air officer, as laid down in para. 5 above and for onward transmission of the recommended applications to the Air Ministry as laid down in sub-para. (c) (iv) below.
3. Where the application originates from a unit or formation below group headquarters level, Form 2745 and the supporting document or documents will be transmitted to group headquarters, where it will be dealt with as follows: -
  1. To assist group commanders in their assessment of the candidates, all candidates will be interviewed by a selection board at group headquarters before their applications are submitted to the group commander for his consideration.
  2. The constitution of the group selection board will normally be the SOA or SASO, as appropriate, as president, with a wing commander; general duties, and a specialist officer of the appropriate branch as members. When there is no specialist officer of the appropriate branch on the staff at group headquarters, an officer of this branch is to be provided by command headquarters.
  3. The report of the group selection board should be signed by the president and attached to the candidate's documents, and all applications, whether or not they are supported by the board, should be submitted to the group commander for his consideration. If the group commander has insufficient knowledge of the candidate, he must interview him before making his final recommendation.
  4. Forms 2745 and supporting documents in respect of all candidates recommended by the air officer concerned are to be forwarded to the Air Ministry (AR 7 in the case of officer candidates and AR 1 in the case of aircrew and non-regular airmen candidates) at the end of each month, together with nominal rolls in triplicate. The nominal rolls are to show number, rank, name, date and place of birth and home address in respect of each candidate.
  5. Documents in respect of candidates not recommended by the air officer concerned are not to be forwarded to the Air Ministry, but should be retained at the command or group headquarters, as appropriate.
4. Final selections from recommended candidates for short service commissions will be made by an Air Ministry selection board. Instructions as to the attendance of candidates at such a board will be notified to units by the Air Ministry, through the usual chaflnels.
Completion of Form 1369A and standards of assessment. The assessments on Form 1369A are to be made as a result of personal knowledge of the applicant supplemented, as necessary; by personal interview and it is stressed that great care must be taken when completing assessments. It is emphasised that any candidate considered to be "borderline" is to be recommended and his papers submitted to the next higher authority."

Pars. 9. Delete this paragraph.

Paras. 10 and 11. Re-number these paragraphs as paras. 9 and 10, respectively.

Add the following new Appendix (not included here)

Source - Air Ministry Order A468/47 dated 12 June 1947.

AMO A127/47 is amended as follows: -

Para. 3.
Sub-para (a) (ii) Delete this sub paragraph and substitute:-

"(ii) airmen serving on regular engagements who are not below the age of 25 (for the ground branches) and aircrew (pilots and navigators) on re-engaged service (for the General Duties branch)."

Sub-para. (b) (iii). Delete this sub-paragraph and substitute : -

"(iii) aircrew on short service engagements under para. 5 of AMO A492/46, and aircrew on extended service (for the General Duties branch); *"

Add the following footnote: -

"*At the present time there are no vacancies for short service commissions for navigators, signallers, engineers or gunners."

Para. 5, as amended by A488/47.
Lines 4 and 5. Delete these lines and substitute: -

"officers serving on extended service and short service commissions, airmen serving on regular engagements, and aircrew on re-engaged service as they may consider suitable for permanent commissions. COs"

Line 13. Delete this line and substitute: -

"(and, in the case of airmen serving on regular engagements and aircrew on re-engaged service, certified copies of Form 121)."

Line 14. After "engagements" insert "and aircrew on re-engaged service "

Line 15, After "order." insert "No candidate may be recommended more than once in any period of twelve months."

Line 21. After the word "candidates" delete bracket and insert: -

"and aircrew on re-engaged service) at the end of each month, together with nominal rolls in triplicate. The nominal rolls are to show number, rank, name, date and place of birth and home address in respect of each candidate. A copy of each nominal roll of recommended regular airman candidates and of aircrew on re-engaged service should be sent at the same time to the Air Officer i/c Records who will forward to the Air Ministry (AR 1) photostat copies of Form 543. A return should also be sent to the Air Ministry (P 7) at the end of each month showing, by branch in the case of officers and by trade in the case of regular airmen and aircrew on re-engaged service, the numbers of recommendations which are not supported by the air officer concerned. Documents in respect of candidates not recommended by the air officer concerned are not to be forwarded to the Air Ministry, but should be retained at the command or group headquarters, as appropriate, and held available to the Air Ministry if required at a later date. In all such cases, however, the candidates concerned are to be informed that the recommendations have not been forwarded to the Air Ministry".

Lines 35 and 36. Delete last sentence.

Para. 7, as amended by A488/47.

Sub-para. (a), line 6.' Add at end: -

"No candidate may apply or be recommended more than once in any period of six months."

Sub-para. (c) (iv), line 6. Add at end: -

"A copy of each nominal roll of aircrew and non-regular airmen candidates should be sent at the same time to the Air Officer i/c Records who will forward to the Air Ministry (AR 1) photostat copies of Form 543, A return should also be sent to the Air Ministry (P 7) at the end of each month showing, by branch in the case of officers and by trade in the case of aircrew and non-regular airmen, the numbers of recommendations which are not supported by the air officer concerned."

Sub-para. (c) (v), line 3. After "appropriate" insert: -

", and held available to the Air Ministry if required at a later date. In all such cases, however, the candidates concerned are to be informed that the recommendations have not been forwarded to the Air Ministry".

(AMO A127/47, as amended by A488/47, amended)

Source - Air Ministry Order A1013/47 dated 11 December 1947.

Postings of Officers of the Rank of Wing Commander

The system under which AOCs-in-C. and AOCs, RAF commands and certain AOCs, RAF groups, have power to post officers of the rank of wing commander and below, within their commands or groups, has been reviewed in the light of post-war conditions. It is no longer considered necessary for the same measure of delegated posting powers to commands and groups, which was put into force during the war, to be maintained in peace time and it has, therefore, been decided that complete control of the postings and attachments of officers of the rank of wing commander, together with the associated powers in relation to the retention or relinquishment of acting rank*, shall revert to the Air Ministry.
With effect, therefore, from 1st April 1947, the posting powers, hitherto held by commands in respect of officers of the rank of wing commander of all branches, will be recentralised in the Air Ministry (DGP 11). Posting procedure will be as for officer's of senior rank.
The postings of medical and dental officers will continue to be controlled by DGMS as at present.
AMO A419/43 will be amended in due course

*The power to grant the acting rank of wing commander was withdrawn from commands by AMO A555/45, as amended by A495/46.

Source - Air Ministry Order A130/47 dated 20 February 1947.

Substitution Officers' Scheme - Obsolescence

Because it is considered desirable in future to give regular officers greater administrative experience, it has been decided to bring to an end the scheme for employing civilian substitution officers in posts for RAF officers. The substitution officer class is therefore declared obsolescent.
The replacement of existing substitution officers by regular officers will be spread over a period. So far as can be foreseen there will be little or no replacement within the next two years but by the end of 1949 it is probable that all unestablished substitution officers will have been replaced. The object in making an announcement at this stage is to give unestablished substitution officers adequate advance notice that their employment will come to an end.
Established substitution officers will normally be employed until age sixty, subject to individual fitness and to the existence of suitable posts. It had been decided before the war to increase the established cadre to a total of 250 and, despite the changed conditions, this will still be done. Officers selected for establishment will be notified as soon as possible but because of certain complications, including the recent changes in the regulations dealing with the counting of civilian service for pension (which may affect, officers previously age-barred), the selections may take some considerable time.

Source - Air Ministry Order A132/47 dated 20 February 1947.

Award of Staff Symbols - Policy

With a view to simplification and standardisation, it has been decided to modify the existing regulations governing symbol awards to officers of the Royal Air Force attending courses, as students or directing staff, at the RAF Staff College and at the Army and Naval Staff Colleges. The new regulations will become effective forthwith and are as follows: -
1. The use of the symbols "ws" and "qs (w)" will be discontinued.
2. The symbol "psa" will be awarded to all graduates of future RAF staff courses.
3. The symbol "psa" will be awarded retrospectively to all holders of the symbol "ws"
4. The symbol "qs" will be awarded retrospectively to all holders of the symbol "qs (w)".
5. The award of the symbol "psa" cancels any prior award of the symbol "qs"
The necessary amendments will be made in due course to the entries in the Air Force List. Officers and others who may notice errors or emissions in the List are invited to communicate with the Air Ministry, addressing any such communications direct to The Under Secretary of State, Air Ministry (Air Force List), Room 404, Ronco House. Southampton Row, London, WC1.

Source - Air Ministry Order A138/47 dated 20 February 1947.

Seniority of Officers Appointed to Permanent or Extended Service Commissions under the Terms of AMO A188/44, A775/45 or A2/46 as amended

Consideration has been given to the manner in which seniority will be granted to officers who have been appointed to permanent or extended service commissions in branches other than the Medical, Dental, Education, Legal and Chaplains branches on, or since 1st September 1946, under the terms of the above-mentioned orders. All relevant factors have been taken into account to ensure not only that such officers shall be placed in substantive rank seniority order in proper relation to each other, but also that they may be integrated into a common seniority list according to branch and rank with officers who were appointed to permanent commissions under pre-war conditions.
It has been decided that the substantive rank seniority of the officers concerned will be determined broadly on the basis of seniority held in temporary rank, but with adjustments where appropriate, on account of ago. In the case of officers who had taken their release, prior to their appointments to permanent or extended service commissions, the period of time spent in civil life has been deducted from their original seniority.
As a result -
1. officers appointed to permanent or extended service commissions in the substantive rank of pilot officer have been given seniority from the date on which they were originally granted the rank of pilot officer;
2. officers appointed to permanent or extended service commissions in the substantive rank of flying officer have been given seniority from the date on which they completed the time qualification periods laid down in AMO A695/46, for promotion to the rank of flying officer;
3. officers appointed to permanent or extended service commissions in the substantive rank of flight lieutenant or squadron leader have been given seniority from 1st September 1945, except in cases where, because of higher temporary rank held and/or age, an earlier date of seniority has been deemed appropriate.
  Where a number of officers have a common seniority date, the relative order of precedence in the substantive gradation list has been decided after careful examination of the records of all the officers concerned.
The seniority and order of precedence in the substantive gradation list will be promulgated in the London Gazette dated 25th February 1947, in respect of officers whose appointments to permanent or extended service commissions have been announced in the London Gazette up to and including 11th February 1947. The announcements of appointments to permanent or extended service commissions in the London Gaze subsequent to 11th February 1947, will also give an officer's seniority.
The dates set out above would operate to the disadvantage of a small category of pre-war permanent officers unless some adjustment in their seniority were made. The officers in question are those who were promoted by selection to the substantive rank of squadron leader on 1st October 1946, and it has been decided that their seniority in this rank shall be adjusted to 1st June 1945. The substantive seniority of other pre-war officers will remain unaltered.
Seniority under the arrangements notified in this order will not affect entitlement to pay (see KR & ACI, para. 3434, clause 3) or other emoluments.
Substantive rank gradation lists will be incorporated in the Air Force List as early as practicable.

Source - Air Ministry Order A148/47 dated 25 February 1947.

RAF Medical and Dental Officers - Revised Conditions of Service

The following revised conditions of service for officers of the medical and dental branches will take effect from 1st July 1946, i.e. the date of introduction of the new pay code. The rates of pay introduced on that date are set out in Appendix I to AMO A514/46, as amended.
Rank on entry and promotion to flight lieutenant. - Subject to para. 7 below, officers appointed to commissions in the medical and dental branches will be granted the substantive rank of flying officer. They will he promoted to the substantive rank of flight lieutenant on completing twelve months' satisfactory service on full pay.
Promotion to squadron leader: -
1. Officers will be promoted to the substantive rank of squadron leader on completion of eight years' total service, provided they are considered fit in all respects to hold that rank (see paras. 5 and 6 below regarding the effect of ante-dates of seniority).
2. Officers who completed eight years' service on or before 1st July 1946, will be promoted to the substantive rank of squadron leader with effect from 1st July 1946, and will take precedence in the gradation list of the Air Force List in order of their length of service.
Promotion to wing commander and above. - Promotion to the rank of wing commander and above will be by selection to fill vacancies in the establishment.
Ante-date of seniority - civil hospital appointments. - If an officer (except an officer commissioned for emergency service) held an approved whole-time post graduate appointment in a recognised civil hospital prior to being appointed to a commission or if he was seconded to such an appointment after being appointed to a commission, his seniority as a flight lieutenant will be ante-dated for a period equal to the period of the hospital appointment or for a period of twelve months, whichever is the lesser. This ante-date of seniority will not affect the date of promotion to the rank of flight lieutenant under para 2 above, but it will count as equivalent to service in the rank for the purpose of increments of pay and for the purpose of time promotion to the rank of squadron leader.
Ante-date of seniority - specialists -
1. Seniority in the substantive rank of flight lieutenant or squadron loader of an officer who is recognised as a specialist, as defined below, will be ante-dated for a period of two years.
2. Medical officers of the substantive ranks of flight lieutenant and squadron leader who have been granted acceleration of less than two years under the provisions of KR & ACI para. 355, clause (2), and who are now recognised as specialists, as defined below, will be granted an ante-date of seniority amounting to the difference between two years and the period of acceleration previously granted.
3. The definition of a "specialist" in the medical branch will be
  
  "A specialist is a medical officer who, being not less than five years qualified in medicine, surgery and midwifery, has obtained one or more further qualifications (degrees or diplomas) denoting a sphere of specialisation, has had practical experience in the specialisation indicated and has shown sufficient ability in the subject, by satisfying the appropriate consultant(s) that he is an expert to whom cases suffering from conditions outside the confines of general practice can he sent for diagnosis and treatment, and to whom problems requiring special knowledge and technique can be referred.
  Where there are no higher degrees or diplomas peculiar to any sphere of specialisation, a medical officer possessing only his original qualification of five years standing may be considered a specialist in that subject if he has attended the prescribed courses and successfully passed the required examinations or tests set by his teachers and instructors, which qualify him as an expert."
4. The definition of a " specialist " in the dental branch will be
  
  "A specialist is a dental officer who being not less than five years qualified in dentistry has had practical experience in the specialisation indicated and has attended the prescribed courses and successfully passed the required examinations or tests set by his teachers and instructors and satisfied the consultant in dental surgery that he is an expert to whom cases suffering from conditions outside the confines of general dental practice can be sent for diagnosis and treatment and to whom problems requiring special knowledge and technique can be referred."
5. The case of each officer for recognition as a specialist will be considered by a committee consisting of the Director General of Medical Services and/or his deputy (and, in the case of a dental officer, the Director of Dental Services) and the consultant(s) in the relevant speciality.
6. The number of officers to be recognised as specialists will be limited not only by the high standard of qualification, experience and ability which will be required, but also by the requirements of the Service.
7. Ante-dates of seniority granted under this paragraph will count for, increments of pay in substantive rank and for time promotion. Thus a flight lieutenant of six or more years' total service (including any ante-date already granted under para 5 above) who is granted an ante-date under sub-para. (a) above will be promoted to the substantive rank of squadron leader forthwith, and will be granted seniority in that rank equivalent to the period by which his total service exceeds six years.
Specialists appointed to emergency commissions -
1. Officers appointed to emergency commissions, who are recognised as specialists in accordance with the definition in para. 6 above, will be granted the rank of squadron leader with an ante-date of seniority of two years which will count for increments of pay.
2. Officers appointed to emergency commissions as "graded specialists." (i.e officers who, although not fully qualified as specialists, are competent to be employed as such) will be granted the rank of flight lieutenant. If they are posted to fill specialist appointments they will be granted the acting rank of squadron leader but will not be granted an ante-date of seniority unless and until they are recognised as specialists in accordance with the definition in para. 6 sub-para. (c) above.
Retired pay and gratuities - The rates and conditions of award of service retired pay and gratuities promulgated in Appendix III of Command paper 6750 will apply to permanent officers of the RAF medical and dental branches. Periods spent in whole-time post-graduate appointments in recognised civil hospitals (see para. 5 above) will not be reckonable as service for retired pay or gratuity; the standard periods necessary to qualify for the full standard rate of retired pay have, however, been so fixed that officers entered at the normal age will be able to qualify for the full standard rate before they become due for compulsory retirement.
The consequential amendments to AMO A1024/44, as amended, are contained in AMO A172/47.
KR & ACI will be amended in due course.

Source - Air Ministry Order A171/47 dated 6 March 1947.

Officers Granted Temporary Commissions while serving on Regular Engagements

It has been decided to introduce, with effect from 19th December 1945, an improved scale of retired pay for those officers who were granted temporary commissions during the war, while serving as airmen on regular engagements and who have qualified for retired pay under the terms of AMO A384/43, as amended. The improved scale is shown at Appendix D to AMO A384/43, as amended. The "Pensions increase" provisions of Chapter XLV of KR & ACI will not-apply to retired pay assessed under these revised terms.
The retired pay of officers of this class who have been admitted to retired pay assessed under the old terms, will be re-assessed accordingly.
The consequential amendments to AMO A384/43, as amended are contained in AMO A174/47.

Source - Air Ministry Order A173/47 dated 6 March 1947.

Entry to the Cadet Colleges via the Common Entrance Examination - June, 1947

The next open entrance examination, conducted by the Civil Service Commissioners, for entry to cadetships in the Navy, Army and Royal Air Force, will be held in the summer of 1947. The written portion of the examination will commence on 10th June 1947.
In addition to RAF Cadetships, the entrance examination will cover: -
1. Naval Cadetships, Executive (Special Entry)
2. Naval Cadetships, Engineering (Special Entry)
3. Naval Cadetships, Supply and Secretariat (Special Entry)
4. First Appointments in the Royal Marines
5. Entry to the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst.
Serving airmen are not eligible to compete for RAF Cadetships via the open entrance examination; separate arrangements are being made for them to compete for such cadetships and these will be announced in a forthcoming Air Ministry order, Airmen, other than apprentices still under training, whether serving on regular engagements or called up under the National Service Acts, may, if they are eligible and so desire, compete via the common entrance examination for cadetships in the other services.
The conspectus of the regulations for the examination and the forms of application, may be obtained on request, preferably by post-card, to the Secretary, Civil Service Commission, 6, Burlington Gardens, London, W1. For the information of potential candidates, a summary of the conspectus is given at the Appendix to this order.
Intending applicants should bring their candidature to the notice of their COs, who will inform the Air Officer i/c Records accordingly, by signal. The Air Officer i/c Records will then take action to screen the candidate from posting until he has been brought forward to the examination. Warrants for any necessary travelling incurred in connection. with the examination will, on production of documentary evidence, be issued by units, as required.

APPENDIX

The written portion of the examination will commence on 10th June, 1947, in the centres detailed in the conspectus.
Completed application forms must be received by the Civil Service Commissioners, accompanied by the entrance fee of ten shillings, not later than 27th March, 1947.
Candidates must be in possession of a School Certificate or its recognised equivalent and be within the following age limits: -
1. For Naval Cadetships (Special Entry)
  
  17 to 18 years of age on 1st September 1947
2. For First Appointments in the Royal Marinas
  
  17½ to 18½ years of age on 1st July 1947
3. For Entry to the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst
  
  17½ to 18½ years of age on 1st July 1947
4. Candidates must be British subjects and unmarried.

(a) The subjects covered by the written examination, and the maximum marks obtainable in each subject, are as follows :-

PART I
(i) English	200
(ii) General paper	100
(iii) Elementary mathematics	100
(iv) Elementary physics	100

PART II
(v) Latin	200
(vi) Greek	200
(vii) French	200
(viii) German	200
(ix) History	200
(x) Geography	200
(xi) Pure mathematics	200
(xii) Applied mathematics	200
(xiii) Physics	200
(xiv) Chemistry	200
(xv Biology	200
	200

(b) The standard, in elementary mathematics and elementary physics will approximate to School Certificate credit standard; the standard of the part II subjects will be appropriate to candidates of average ability who have done one year's work in the sixth form.
(c) All candidates will be required to offer English, the general paper and elementary mathematics in part I and any two subjects of their own choice from these listed in part II.
(d) A candidate for entry to the Royal Military Academy will be required to reach a qualifying standard in elementary mathematics approximating to School Certificate Pass standard. The marks obtained will not be included in the candidate's aggregate marks for the examination.
(e) A candidate for a Naval Cadetship (Special Entry) or a First Appointment in the Royal Marines will be required to reach a qualifying standard in elementary mathematics approximating to School Certificate Credit standard, and the marks obtained will be included in the candidate's aggregate marks for the examination.
(f) A candidate for a Naval Cadetship (Executive), a Naval Cadetship (Engineering) or a First Appointment, in the Royal Marines will also be required to offer elementary physics and to reach a qualifying standard approximating to School Certificate Credit standard. The marks obtained will not be included in the candidate's aggregate marks for the examination.

A candidate offering either physics, chemistry or biology in part II must produce evidence of having spent, within the three years before the date of the examination at least eighty hours on laboratory work on the subject concerned.
A certain number of candidates for entry to the Royal Military Academy, who are in possession of a Higher School Certificate or the recognised equivalent, may be excused the written portion of the examination, provided that either
1. they, have satisfied the examiners in mathematics as a principal or subsidiary subject, or
2. they have been awarded a credit in mathematics in a School Certificate examination or its equivalent.
Candidates who qualify at the written examination, and "Higher School Certificate" candidates will undergo medical examination and special selection tests conducted jointly by the Civil Service Commissioners and the Service Department concerned.

Source - Air Ministry Order A177/47 dated 6 March 1947.

Duties of RAF Movements officers (Road and Rail)

(This order affects para. 1262 of AP 837)

Consequent upon the reduction in strength of RAF and Army Movements staffs at certain railway stations in the United Kingdom, it has now became necessary to modify the duties undertaken by such staffs.
Agreement has been reached with the War Office that RAF movements units (road and rail)/army RTOs will carry out their duties as set out hereunder: -
1. Time table inquiries - At railway stations where RAF movements officers (road and rail)/army RTOs are no longer on duty, all inquiries regarding times of trains routes, etc., will be made by the individual concerned to the railway staff,
2. Hours of duty at RAF movements units (road and rail)/army RTOs - At stations where it has been possible to retain RAF movements officers (road and rail)/army RTOs they will not be available outside working hours, which will normally consist of one shift daily. After working hours inquiries will be dealt with by the railway staff.
3. Organised moves. - For organised moves of twenty to fifty personnel, the parent unit will make its own arrangements for times and reservations direct with the railway company concerned (reservations will not be made for parties of less than twenty). For organised moves of over fifty personnel the RAF movements officer at the appropriate army command headquarters is to be notified as at present.
  Movement of personnel in the undermentioned categories, irrespective of numbers, will continue to be dealt with by the RAF movements officer at army command headquarters: -
  1. Movements to and from ports of embarkation
  2. Prisoners of war
  3. TB and other infectious cases
  4. Stretcher cases
  5. Prisoners under escort
  6. Parties, of over twenty, crossing London from one terminal station to another.
4. Interchangeability of RAF movements officers (road and rail)/army RTOs - RAF and army movements staffs will work on an inter-service basis, i.e, a station covered by an Army RTO only, will accept responsibility for both RAF and military matters, including the issue of railway warrants.

Source - Air Ministry Order A181/47 dated 6 March 1947.

The Supplementary Lists of Officers

The Supplementary Lists of Officers, one for men and one for women, are open to ex-officers of any branch who wish to maintain their connection with the Air Force and who are ready to volunteer now for service if they should be required in the event of a future emergency. Enrolment is open to any officer no longer actually serving who has held a war-time commission in the Royal Air Force or in any of its reserves or auxiliaries, or in the Women's Auxiliary Air Force, since 2nd September 1939. Retired regular officers and officers serving on the Reserve of Air Force Officers are not eligible for enrolment, nor are officers who have been appointed to the reconstituted RAF Volunteer Reserve or Auxiliary Air Force.
Officers on the Supplementary Lists will not be required to serve or undertake any training in peace time, but, by virtue of their enrolment, they undertake: -
1. to report, as ordered, for duty if called upon in an emergency;
2. to reaffirm in January of each year their continued availability arid good health;
3. to notify the Air Ministry at any time, should they consider that, by reason of illness or accident or any other cause, they are prevented from rendering service in an emergency;
4. to notify the Air Ministry of changes of permanent address.
Officers will be entered on the Supplementary Lists in alphabetical order and will not be eligible in peace time for promotion, payments in cash or provision in kind, and no indication can be given in advance as to the rank in which they would be appointed when called upon for duty in an emergency. They are eligible to apply at any time to join the fully constituted reserves or auxiliaries. On giving written notice, an officer will be permitted to withdraw from the Supplementary List, and the Air Ministry has the right to remove any officer from the List if he or she is no longer required.
Residence abroad will not debar officers from joining or remaining on the Supplementary Lists, provided that they do not become members of any other force.
Officers who are still serving with the Air Force and who wish to join the Supplementary Lists on release from service, should apply in writing to the Air Ministry on or shortly before the date of their release.
On enrolment on the Supplementary List, an officer will receive a memorandum of appointment.
All correspondence on this subject, including requests for application forms, should be addressed to the Under Secretary of State for Air, Air Ministry (AR 2), except in the case of WAAF officers who should communicate with the Air Ministry (S 11).
Off-prints of this order are being distributed and should be displayed on unit notice boards, in libraries and information rooms.

Source - Air Ministry Order A189/47 dated 13 March 1947.

Directors of Music

It has been decided that the following revised conditions of service of army quartermasters shall apply to directors of music in the Royal Air Force.
Time promotion - As from 1st July, 1946, the qualifying periods for time promotion will be as follows

To flight lieutenant after six years' satisfactory service.

To squadron leader after twelve years' satisfactory service.

The following service will be reckoned towards the qualifying periods for time promotion: -

All commissioned service on full pay as defined in Article 431 of Army Pay Warrant 1940, except that referred to in Article 431(m).

One-third of all airman service on regular engagement in excess of twelve years as described in Article 431(m) (i), (ii) and (iii) of Army Pay Warrant 1940 but excluding boy service. -

Pay - As from 1st July 1946, service as defined in para. 2, sub-paras. (a) and (b) above will reckon for increments of pay on the scale set out in table C of Appendix I to AMO A514/46, as amended.
Retired pay - Eligibility for, and calculation of, retired pay will be as laid down in para. 67 and Appendix III of Command Paper 6750, except as modified in sub-paras. (a) to (d) below: -
1. The full standard yearly rates of retired pay will be as follows: -
  
  Flight lieutenant £375
  
  Squadron leader £450
  
  Wing commander £500
2. Gratuities will not be payable to officers who retire with less than twenty years' service. Such officers will be allowed the pension for which they would have been eligible as airmen provided such service was sufficient to qualify them for a pension on this basis. For this purpose, commissioned service will earn rank element at the following special rates: -
  
  Flying officer 1s 9d a week
  
  Flight lieutenant 2s 3d a week
  
  Squadron leader 2s 9d a week
3. (i) An officer invalided with more than ten years' reckonable service will qualify for retired pay.
  (ii) An officer invalided with less than ten years' service reckoning towards retired pay but with twelve or more years' service in the ranks will remain eligible for an airman's invaliding pension, plus elements for service in commissioned rank.
4. Re-assessment in respect of war service will be allowed to officers who retired before 10th December 1945, as for other officers but on the basis of the scales laid down in sub-para. (a) above.
5. Additions for war ranks will be made on the same lines as for other officers but on the basis of the scales laid down in sub-para. (a) above.
Age of retirement. - The normal age of compulsory retirement will be 57.
KR & ACI will be amended in due course.
The consequential amendments to AMO A1024/44, as amended, are contained in AMO A240/47.

Source - Air Ministry Order A239/47 dated 27 March 1947.

Compulsory Retiring Ages

The new retired pay code announced in Cmd.. 6750 will necessitate the complete review of the regulations contained in chapter XLI of KR & ACI. In para. 16 of the command paper it was, however, intimated that "compulsory retiring ages, will, in general, be lower than before the war" and it is considered desirable to promulgate these at once, in advance of the general review.

As from 1st July 1947, the normal maximum ages for compulsory retirement will be as follows; the ages for branches not included in this table will be promulgated later: -

Rank	General Duties	RAF Regiment	Physical Fitness	Equipment Secretarial Catering Provost	Aircraft Control	Medical and Dental	Education
Flt Lt	41	43	48	49	50	53	53
Sqn Ldr	43	45	48	49	50	53	53
Wg Cdr	47	50	50	52	53	55	55
Gp Capt	50	55	-	55	-	57	57
A/Cdre	52	55	-	58	-	59	59
AVM	55	57	-	58	-	60	-
AM	57	-	-	-	-	60	-
ACM	58	-	-	-	-	-	-

For officers of the Legal branch, the compulsory retiring age will be sixty; for chaplains 55 and for directors of music, 57, in each case regardless of rank.
For officers appointed to permanent commissions from the ranks, the normal maximum age for compulsory retirement will be on completion of ten years' commissioned service where this is later than the age given in the table.
These ages of compulsory retirement will be liable to variation either upwards or downwards as the Air Council may from time to time determine.

It is the policy of the Air Council to adhere to the normal compulsory retiring ages wherever possible, but they must reserve the right to retire an officer prematurely at any time, should they consider this to be necessary; in general, however, such right would not be exercised, unless it was necessary for the efficiency of the Royal Air Force, before the officer had completed the service necessary to qualify for the standard retired pay of his rank. Similarly, where the Air Council consider that it is necessary in the interests of the Service, an officer may be retained beyond the normal age; in view of a number of uncertain factors in the transitional stage, this latter right may have to be exercised freely in the next few years, particularly in the case of officers holding high temporary rank. When an officer is retained compulsorily, such continued employment will be for a specific and firm period of time and will be treated as continuous employment on the active list and not as re-employment.
Except as provided in para. 5 below, the various special provisions of the existing regulations as regards departures from the normal ages of compulsory retirement are abolished.
KR & ACI, para. 3562, clause 3, provides that variations from the present compulsory retiring ages will not "be compulsorily applied to any officer so as to affect his retirement in the rank held by him at the date of the order announcing the change." Officers serving on permanent commissions in the Royal Air Force on 3rd September 1939, will accordingly be allowed, if they so desire, to elect to be dealt with as regards retirement in the substantive rank held at the date of this order under the regulations governing the age of compulsory retirement laid down in KR & ACI (1928) as amended to date*. The option to remain under the existing code as regards age of retirement will not, of course, affect the entitlement of such officers to the rates of retired pay under the new retired pay code set out in Cmd. 6750, nor will it preclude the exercise by the Air Council in individual cases of the discretionary power under para. 3 above. All such officers should notify the Under-Secretary of State, Air Ministry (AR 3), as soon as possible and in any case not later than 1st June 1947, in the following form: -

" †I elect
do not elect to be dealt with as regards retirement in my present substantive rank under the regulations as to retiring ages in KR & ACI (1928) as amended to date."
(† Delete whichever is inapplicable.)

* Where an officer opts for the age of compulsory retirement laid down in KR & ACI. (1928) as amended, and later receives substantive promotion with the result that his new retiring age is reduced below the existing age for his previous substantive rank, the compulsory retiring age will be deemed to be that applicable under the old regulations for the substantive rank held at the date of this order. The option will apply only for so long as the officer continues in the branch in which he is serving at the date of this order.

Source - Air Ministry Order A278/47 dated 24 April 1947.

Dress Distinctions of RAF Officer Cadets

It has now been decided that the undermentioned dress distinctions will be worn by officer cadets at the RAF College, Cranwell, and at officer cadet training units.
(a) Head-dress. - With the field service cap, a white band round the cap, with the cap badge superimposed thereon. With the beret, a white disc 2¼ inches in diameter, with the cap badge superimposed. With the service dress cap, a white band l½ inches wide round the cap, with the cap badge superimposed.
(b) Service dress - With service dress, cadets at the RAF College, Cranwell, will wear a white gorget patch on each lapel of the jacket. Other officer cadets will wear a white band (tape ¾ inch wide) on both shoulders of the jacket stitched to the shoulder ½ inch above the sleeve head seam.
(c) Greatcoat. - With the greatcoat, all cadets will wear a white band (tape ¾ inch wide on both shoulders of the greatcoat and stitched to the shoulder ½ inch above the sleeve head seam.
(d) War service dress - With war service dress, or in the case of RAF Regiment cadets, heavy duty dress, khaki, a white band (tape ¾ inch wide) will be worn on both shoulder straps of the blouse. In addition, coloured bands may be worn superimposed centrally on the white band at the discretion of an AOC.

Source - Air Ministry Order A375/47 dated 8 May 1947.

Short Service Commissions in the Medical and Dental Branches of the Royal Air Force

I SHORT SERVICE COMMISSIONS

As was announced in para. 11 of AMO A127/47, the closing date for applications for extended service commissions was 31st March, 1947. With effect from 1st April, 1947, short service commissions will be available in the medical and dental branches, and applications are invited from the following: -
1. Medical and dental officers serving on non-regular commissions.
2. Medical and dental officers who have been released, whether or not they have previously submitted applications to be considered for extended service or permanent commissions.
3. Civilian medical and dental practitioners.
Application forms which all candidates for short service commissions must complete, can be obtained from the Air Ministry (DGMS), Awdry House, Kingsway, London, WC2 or from command headquarters in the case of officers serving in overseas commands. On completion, the forms should be returned to the Air Ministry (DGMS).

II CONDITIONS OF APPOINTMENT TO SHORT SERVICE COMMISSIONS

Age limits: -
1. Medical officers. - The upper age limit for all candidates on first appointment will normally be thirty, but, for the next few years, candidates above that age will be eligible provided they have not attained the age of 32 on the date of appointment to a commission.
2. Dental officers. - Until further notice there will be no age limit for applicants for short service commissions in the dental branch.

Rank on entry, seniority and promotion. - Rank on entry, seniority and promotion to the substantive ranks of flight lieutenant and above will be governed by the rules laid down in AMO A171/47. For officers with previous service as medical or dental officers in the Royal Air Force, rank on appointment to short service commissions will be governed by the same rules as are laid down for officers appointed to extended service or permanent commissions as follow: -

Officers with less than twelve months' full pay commissioned service as medical or dental officers	Flying officer
Officers with twelve months' or more full pay commissioned service as medical or dental officers	Flight lieutenant

Rates of pay. - Rates of pay will be as set out in Appendix I to AMO A514/46, as amended.
Medical fitness. - If selected as suitable for appointment, the acceptance of a candidate will be subject to his being passed medically fit to the pre-war standard of A4B, i.e, fit for full ground duties at home and abroad and fit to fly as a passenger.
Period of short service. -
1. The period of a short service commission will be for four years on the active list from the date on which the short service commission is granted, followed by four years on the reserve.
2. In exceptional circumstances, an officer may be permitted to transfer to the reserve before completing the active list period of his engagement. The unexpended balance of the active list period will then be added to the reserve period (see also para. 8, sub-para (b) below).
Gratuity. -
1. A gratuity will be payable to an officer on transfer to the reserve on satisfactory completion of the full period of four years' service on the active list dating from appointment to a short service commission, Subject to the reservation in the note below, the rate of short service gratuity for four years' service will be -
  
  Medical branch £600
  
  Dental branch £500
  
  (Note. - Officers appointed to short service commissions in the medical and dental branches as a result of completed application forms received in the Air Ministry not later than 30th June, 1947, will be eligible for gratuities at the same rates as are payable on completion of four years' service on an extended service commission, as follows: -
  
  Medical branch £750
  
  Dental branch £625
  
  To qualify for this concession, an applicant must be available for appointment if required, at not more than thirty days' notice or by 30th June 1947, if later.)
2. Subject to the provisions of sub-paras. (e) to (f) below, any short service gratuity awarded for periods of broken service will be calculated on a proportionate basis, reckonable in years and days.
3. Except in invaliding cases, payment of gratuity will be subject to the completion of at least one year's service on the short service engagement. In invaliding cases not due to the officer's own fault, proportionate gratuity will be issued irrespective, of the period of service.
4. Short service gratuity will not be payable to the estate of an officer who dies or is killed while serving on the active list.
5. In the event of termination of active list service at the officer's own request, the amount of proportionate gratuity will be reduced by not less than 25 per cent; proportionate gratuity will be payable in full, however, if such termination is permitted within six months of completing the full period of service.
6. The gratuity of an officer who has been sentenced to forfeit seniority will normally be reduced by an amount proportionate to the seniority lost.
Status. - While serving on the active list, an officer holding a short service commission will be on exactly the same footing for purposes of rank and command as permanent medical and dental officers of the Royal Air Force.

III SELECTION FOR PERMANENT COMMISSIONS

Selection of officers for appointment to permanent commissions will be made only from those holding short service commissions save that those who have been offered and have accepted extended service commissions before 31st March 1947, will remain eligible for final consideration.
Selection for a permanent commission will normally not be made until after one year has been served on a short service commission. Unless definitely informed that he will not be granted a permanent commission an officer will remain eligible for selection throughout the tenure of his active list service as a short service officer. Applications for Permanent commissions will not be permitted.
The terms of this order do not apply to women medical and dental officers serving with the Royal Air Force in respect of whom further instructions will be issued in due course.

Source - Air Ministry Order A420/47 dated 22 May 1947.

Postings of Officers of the Rank of Squadron Leader

With reference to AMO A130/47 announcing that the complete control of the postings and attachments of officers of the rank of wing commander would revert to the Air Ministry on and from 1st April 1947, it has now be decided, for similar reasons that the posting powers, at present possessed by commands and groups in respect of officers of the rank of squadron leader of all branches, will revert to the Air Ministry (DGP II) with effect from 1st September 1947.
The authority to grant the acting rank of squadron leader, at present held by Air Command, Far East; Air Headquarters, India; and British Commonwealth Air Forces' Japan, under AMO A555/45, as amended by AMO A495/46, will, in consequence of the decision in para. 1 above, be withdrawn from these formations with effect from 1st September 1947. As from that date, the position with regard to acting ranks will be as follows: -
1. Grant of new acting rank will be made by the Air Ministry except in the cases of Air Command, Far East; Air Headquarters, India; and British Commonwealth Air Forces, Japan, who will retain, for the time being, the power to grant the acting rank of flight lieutenant for RAF officers and flight officer for WAAF officers.
2. Retention or relinquishment of acting rank may be authorised by commands other analogous formations in respect of officers of the rank of flight lieutenant and flight officer in the Royal Air Force and the Women's Auxiliary Air Force, respectively. The Air Ministry will authorise in cases of officers holding higher acting ranks.
In view of the existing arrangements whereby local establishments committees exercise jurisdiction over squadron leader establishments, it will be necessary, as in the case of wing commanders, for the Air Ministry (DGP II) to obtain confirmation from the command or other formation concerned, before posting Overseas an officer of the rank of squadron leader, that the posts to which they plan, or are requested, to appoint squadron leaders are properly established in squadron leader rank and will, as far as can be foreseen, continue to be so established over a period long enough to justify the posting; this period should, as a normal rule, be not less than six months. The Air Ministry (DGP II) should be informed immediately any officer of squadron leader rank becomes surplus to establishment, advance information of the probability of such a situation arising being given, where possible.
Posting procedure will be as for officers of the rank of wing commander and above, i.e, all postings and attachments of officers of the rank of squadron leader will be promuIgated, as from 1st September 1947, in posting notices issued by the Air Ministry, whose approval is to be obtained before an officer is transferred to another appointment within the command in which he is employed.
The postings of medical and dental officers will continue to be controlled by the Air Ministry (DGMS) as at present.
AMO A419/43 will be amended in due course.

Source - Air Ministry Order A503/47 dated 19 June 1947.

Transfer of General Duties Branch Officers to the Technical Branch and Re-absorption of ex-General Duties Officers now Serving in the Technical Branch into the General Duties Branch

Officers of the Technical branch comprise ex-General Duties branch officers who voluntarily transferred to the Technical branch after its formation in 1940, officers who were directly commissioned in the branch during the war, some of whom have been granted permanent commissions, and officers commissioned from the ranks. Certain general duties officers have specialised in some branch of the technical field but have not transferred to the Technical branch. AMO A1026/46 dealt with the position in the post-war air force of the new integrated Technical branch and AMO A 265/47 dealt with the introduction of the general duties weapons officer.
It was stated in para. 11 of AMO A265/47 that separate instructions would be issued about the action to be taken in regard to: -
1. existing general duties "A" officers who wish to be considered for: -
  1. re-classification as general duties weapons officers;
  2. retention in the General Duties branch for normal employment in a general duties "A" capacity, filling alternating weapons appointments until weapons officers become available;
  3. retention in the General Duties branch for normal employment not connected with the armament organisation;
  4. transfer to the new integrated Technical branch.
2. ex-general duties officers who have transferred to the Technical branch for armament duties, but who wish to be considered for re-absorption in the General Duties branch for alternating employment as weapons officers.
It will be noted, from AMO A265/47, that qualification as a weapons officer will not interfere with or interrupt a general duties officer's career, as did the pre-war technical specialisation, because all appointments for weapons officers are directly connected with flying or are within Air Staff.
Although there is no requirement comparable with weapons officers in the fields of engineering and signals, for a user element to be trained in the General. Duties branch, it will nevertheless be necessary to consider: -
1. whether or not certain general duties engineering and signals specialists could be more effectively employed in the new integrated Technical branch; and
2. whether or not certain ex-general duties officers, now serving on engineering and signals duties in the Technical branch, could be more suitably employed by re-absorption in the General Duties branch.
In considering applications for transfer or reclassification within the categories referred to in paras. 2 and 3 above, the guiding principle will be the requirements of the Service; due regard will, however, also be paid to the wishes of individual officers. All transfers or reclassifications will be on a voluntary basis and, while the seniority offered in the new branch must be accepted as a condition of transfer or reclassification, the officer concerned will be informed what his seniority in his new branch will be before he is required finally to agree to transfer or reclassification. Officers may, therefore, apply for transfer or reclassification in the first instance without prejudice, since no general undertaking about seniority can be given until it is known which officers wish to be considered for transfer or reclassification. Only those officers holding permanent commissions prior to 1st September 1945, and who are below the rank of temporary air commodore, are eligible to apply for transfer or reclassification. It must be understood that application does not carry the right to transfer or be reclassified and that the decision must rest with the Air Council, having regard to overall service requirements and establishments.
Applications by permanent officers in the categories referred to in paras. 2 and 3 above should be submitted, in the form shown at the Appendix to this order, within two months from the date of this order to the Mr Ministry (AR 4). Decisions once given will be final and further transfers between branches, under the terms of this order, will not normally be considered. Applications should be made through the usual channels (i.e. CO or group and command) Space is provided for remarks by air officers commanding groups and air offices commanding-in-chief (or departmental directors, as appropriate) on individual applications, if they so wish.

APPENDIX

No...................... Substantive .................................... Name ..............................................................................

rank (BLOCK CAPITALS)

]Date of birth .................................... Temporary, war substantive and/or acting........................................................

Present branch ......... . ....................... Specialist qualification....................................................................................

Present appointment .................................................................... Unit...............................................

Station...........................................
Group............................................
Command......................................
(or Directorate)

Transfer or reclassification for which application is made

.................................................................................................................................................................................
Remarks by Air Officer Commanding Group: -

Remarks by Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief: -
(or Director)

Source - Air Ministry Order A524/47 dated 26 June 1947.

Substitution Officers' Scheme - Establishment of Certain Substitution Officers now Unestablished

Para. 3 of AMO 132/47, announced the Department's intention of increasing to 250 the established cadre of substitution officers
The precise basis of selection for establihment is still under discussion with the appropriate staff association, and it is therefore not yet possible to make any firm announcement on this subject. It can, however, be said that seniority (by length of service) will be taken into account.
In the meantime, it has been decided to place on individual substitution officers, who wish to be considered for establishment, the onus of applying. Any unestablished substitution officer who wishes to be considered for establishment must therefore send in an application in the form given at the Appendix to this order. Applications must reach the Air Ministry (S 5(a)) not later than 15th September 1947.
Applications may be sent direct to the Air Ministry (S 5 (a)). Commands will be consulted later, as necessary, on the question of satisfactory service, etc.
This order is to be brought to the personal attention of all substitution officers: -

APPENDIX

SUBSTITUTION OFFICERS - APPLICATION FOR ESTABLISHMENT

Surname .....................................................................................................................................................
Christian names ..........................................................................................................................................
Date of birth................................................................................................................................................
Date of first appointment as substitution officer.............................................................................................
Present substitution officer posting
1. Unit ..................................................................................................................................................
2. Rank ................................................................................................................................................
Whether or not still serving in HM Forces.....................................................................................................

(if so please give approximate date of release....................................................................................)

Details of any government service as a civilian prior to first appointment as substitution officer ....................................................................................................................................................................

I wish to be considered for establishment under the terms of AMO A541/47. The details given above are correct.

(Signature) ............................................................
(Date) ...................................................................

Postal address if different from that given under 5 above..........................................................................................

Source - Air Ministry Order A541/47 dated 3 July 1947.

Short Service Commissions in the Post-War Royal Air Force

As indicated in AMO A127/47, as amended by A488/47, the extended service commission scheme will be terminated when decisions have been taken on applications made up to 31st March 1947 no applications for extended service commissions dated later than that date may be submitted. The normal post-war arrangements for entering officers on short service commissions will, therefore, now be introduced.
Eligibility. - The following are eligible to apply for short service commissions: -
1. officers serving on emergency commissions;
2. released officers who apply within six months of the date of their release;
3. aircrew (pilots and navigators) on short term regular engagements, including extended service (for the General Duties branch);*
4. serving airmen on non-regular engagements (for the ground branches). National Service entrants are not eligible to apply until they have completed their recruits' training;
5. for certain ground branches, as indicated below, civilian candidates with certain special qualifications. Depending on the precise arrangements made for national service, such candidates may already have done a period of national service in the ranks and will in any case be required to undergo OCTU training and any specialist training required in the ranks of the Royal Air Force before being granted short service commissions.
Note. - Airmen serving on regular engagements (other-than aircrew on regular engagements (see sub-para. (e) above) are eligible, if recommended, for permanent commissions (See AMO A127/47, as amended by A488/47.)
Branches in which short service officers will be employed - Short service officers will be employed in the General Duties, Equipment, and Secretarial branches, the RAF Regiment and the Catering, Physical Fitness and Provost branches. The functions of the newly created Secretarial, Catering, Physical Fitness and Provost branches have been described in AMOs A974/46 (as amended by A.3/47), A1055/46, A1056/46 and A17/47. Short service officers will also be employed in the Medical, Dental, Education and Chaplains branches but as special conditions apply in these branches, the short service schemes will be dealt with in separate Air Ministry orders; those for the Education branch and for the Medical and Dental branches have already been announced in AMOs. A883/46, as amended, and A420/47 respectively.
Duration of short service engagement. -
1. General Duties branch. - It is not intended to re-introduce the pre-war system of direct appointment to short service commissions in this branch. All short service officers in the normal post-war years will be selected from pilots and navigators who, between the ages of 17½ and 21, have enlisted for five years' regular service followed by four years in the Reserve under the conditions of Air Ministry Pamphlet 96. Selections will normally be made on completion of' general service and applied flying training, after not less than eighteen months' service from the date of enlistment as aircrew, after which commissions will be granted on satisfactory completion of OCTU training. The short service commission will be for such period as, together with the service already given in the ranks as aircrew (reckoned from the date of entry into aircrew training), will complete a total period of six years on the active list. This will be followed by four years in the Reserve of Air Force Officers with the possibility of further extension†
  For the time being, emergency commissioned and released officers who are not above the age of 26 and are qualified as pilot or navigator, will also be considered for short service commissions‡
2. Ground branches. - As in the ease of the Genera1 Duties branch, airmen, serving on non-regular engagements will be required, as a condition of candidature for short service commissions, to undertake a regular engagement for five years, but, in the event of non selection or failure or premature withdrawal from the course of training (which they will attend in the status of officer cadets), they will be discharged from the regular engagement subject to their completing any remaining liability or to their having fulfilled their liability under the National Service Acts.
  1. Equipment and Secretarial branches. Non-regular airmen candidates for short service commissions will be selected during their national service training and from among those serving as volunteers, e.g., those who have postponed their release, who are not over the age of 28. Officers serving on emergency commissions and released officers will be considered for short service commissions up to the age of 38. Non-regular airmen will be granted commissions after satisfactory completion of OCTU training and equipment or secretarial training (as the case may be), i.e, about a year from the date of selection. Officer candidates selected for short service commissions, who may require preliminary training to fit them for the work of the branch, will be given such training after appointment to a short service commission. The short service commission will be for five years on the active list and this will be followed by four years in the Reserve of Air Force Officers with the possibility of further extension. The period of five years will reckon from the date of entry into cadet training, in the case of non-regular airmen.
  2. RAF Regiment. - Non-regular airmen and officer candidates for short service commissions will be selected under similar arrangements and subject to the same upper age limits as for the Equipment and Secretarial branches. Non-regular airmen will be granted commissions after satisfactory completion of OCTU and RAF Regiment training. Officer candidates selected for short services commissions, who may require preliminary training to fit them for RAF Regiment duties, will be given such training after appointment to short service commissions. The short service commission will be for six years on the active list and this will be followed by four years in the Reserve of Air Force Officers with the possibility of further extension. The period of six years will reckon from the date of entry into cadet training, in the case of non-regular airmen.
  3. Catering branch. - Short service officers; will normally be recruited from civilian caterers between the ages of 22 and 25, who have completed their apprenticeship in the catering trade. Those selected will undergo OCTU training in the ranks, on successful completion of which they will be granted short service commissions for five years active list service, the five years reckoning from the date of entry to OCTU training. This will be followed by four years in the Reserve of Air Force Officers with the possibility of further extension. In the 'meantime, non-regular airmen not above the age of 28 who possess civil experience in catering for large numbers and/or have satisfactory service in the trade of cook, group B, and emergency commissioned and released officers not above the age of 36 who have served as catering officers, will be considered for short service commissions. Those selected from among non-regular airmen will be commissioned after successful completion of OCTU training.
  4. Physical Fitness branch. - It is hoped to make arrangements under which short service officers will normally be recruited from candidates possessing the Physical Education Diploma, a qualification which is generally obtained between the ages of 20-22. Under, the scheme contemplated, selection would take place when candidates are in the final term of training at one of the recognised civil physical training colleges. Those selected would, on entry to the Service, undergo OCTU training in the ranks, on successful completion of which they would be granted short service commissions for five years' active list service, the five years reckoning from the date of entry to OCTU training. This would be followed by four years in the Reserve of Air Force Officers with the possibility of further extension. A further announcement about this scheme will be made in due course. In the meantime, non-regular airmen, not above the age of 24, who are qualified physical training instructors, and emergency commissioned and released officers not above the age of 36 who have served as physical fitness officers, will be considered for short service commissions. T hose selected from among non-regular airmen will be commissioned after successful completion of OCTU training.
  5. Provost branch. - Discussions are taking place with the civil authorities on the question whether or not the requirements of short service officers in the Provost branch could be met by the secondment for four or five years' active list service with the Royal Air Force of young police officers with experience in the civil constabulary. If the scheme is found to be practicable, full particulars of it will be announced in due course. In the meantime, non-regular airmen not above the age of 28 and emergency commissioned and released officers not above the age of 36 who have completed successfully the RAF Police Course will be considered for short service commissions. The short service commission in their cases will be for five years' active list service followed by four years in the Reserve of Air Force Officers with the possibility of further extension. Those selected from among non-regular airmen will be commissioned after successful completion of OCTU training.

Rank on appointment and promotion. - On appointment to short service commissions, officers will be granted substantive rank as follows: -

Officers serving on emergency commissions and released officers - Substantive rank will be related to length of commissioned service (in the case of released officers up to the date of release) and determined on the following basis: -
GD branch

Officers with less than one year's commissioned service	Pilot officer
Officers with more than one year's but less than 3½ years commissioned service	Flying officer
Officers with 3½ years' or more commissioned service	Flight lieutenant

Other branches

Officers with less than two years' commissioned service	Pilot officer
Officers with more than two years' but less than six years' commissioned service	Flying officer
Officers with six years' or more commissioned service	Flight lieutenant

Aircrew (pilots and navigators) on short-term regular engagements, extended service, and non-regular airmen. - Aircrew in this category will be short service commissions in the General Duties branch and ground respectively in the rank of pilot officer.
Entrants from civil life. - Entrants from civil life to short service in the Catering branch will be commissioned in the rank of flying officer, and in Physical Fitness and Provost branches in the rank of pilot officer.

Time promotion will be granted as follows: -
1. General Duties branch
  From pilot officer to flying officer - After one year's satisfactory commissioned service.
  From flying officer to flight lieutenant - After 3½ years' total satisfactory commissioned service or on completion of 2½ years' satisfactory service as flying officer, if later.
2. Other branches
  From pilot officer to flying officer - After two years' satisfactory commissioned service.
  From flying officer to flight lieutenant - After six years' total satisfactory commissioned service or on completion of four years' satisfactory service as flying officer, if later.
Note . - Emergency commissioned and released officers appointed to short service commissions will be allowed to count their previous commissioned service towards the qualifying periods for promotion to flying officer and flight lieutenant respectively
Opportunity for permanent commissions. - Vacancies for permanent commissions will be reserved in each branch for officers holding short service commissions, who are recommended towards the end of the active list period of their short service commissions. Officers so selected will be eligible for the same career as other permanent officers. Those serving in ground branches would receive time promotion to the rank of flight lieutenant where not already achieved after six years' total satisfactory commissioned service (or on completion of four years' satisfactory service as flying officer, if later) and officers in all branches would be eligible for promotion above flight lieutenant rank by selection to fill vacancies in the establishment.
Gratuity. - Short service officers of all branches will, on transfer to the Reserve after completing the full period of service on the active list, be eligible in respect of such service for gratuity at the rate of £100 a year for service as an officer and at the rate of £40 a year for service as aircrew or as cadet under training for aircrew or for a commission in a ground branch.
Any gratuity awarded for periods of broken service will be calculated on a proportionate basis, reckonable in years and days, and will be subject to the following conditions: -
1. Except in invaliding cases, the payment of gratuity will be subject to the completion of at least one year's service on the short service engagement and to the proviso that no award will be made unless, in the case of officers of the General Duties branch and cadets under training for aircrew, the flying badge has been secured and, in the case of other officers and cadets under training for commissions in ground branches, the initial training course has been satisfactorily completed. In invaliding cases, not due to the officer's or airman's own fault, proportionate gratuity will be issued irrespective of the period of service.
2. No part of the gratuity will be payable to the estate of an officer or airman who dies or is killed while serving on the active list, but provision will be for awards to dependants of officers and airmen who die in consequence of wounds, injury or disease attributable to the conditions of service. The rates and conditions of issue, which will be those applicable to non-permanent officers and airmen of the post-war Air Force, will be announced later. Any awards in respect of such deaths occurring before that announcement is made will be at the rates admissible for members of the RAF Volunteer Reserve, etc., in respect of service during the war.
3. In the event of termination of active list service at the officer's or airman's own request, the award of proportionate gratuity will invariably be at the discretion of the Air Council and, where authorised, will be reduced by not less than 25 per cent. Proportionate gratuity will be payable in full, however, if such termination is permitted within six months of completing the full period of service.
4. Where termination is due to misconduct or inefficiency, there is no entitlement to gratuity and the question whether or not any award may be made, and, if so, of what amount, will be determined entirely at the discretion of the Air Council. The gratuity of an officer or airman who has been sentenced to forfeit seniority will, normally, be reduced by an amount proportionate to the seniority lost.
If, when an officer's period of service on the active list is due to expire, a state of national emergency exists, he may be retained on the active list. Gratuity will then become payable as on the date he would otherwise have transferred to the Reserve and his further service will not be reckonable towards short service gratuity.
Short service officers who are granted permanent commissions will count their actual service on their short service commissions towards retired pay or gratuity under the permanent officers' scales, but will not be eligible for gratuity under paras. 8 and 9 above.
Reserve liabilities. - A reserve officer is liable to be called up: -
1. in case of national emergency at home or overseas;
2. for such annual training as may be prescribed;
3. for medical examination;
4. in aid of the civil power;
5. in connection with courts martial, etc.
The training requirements will vary between branches. In general they will provide for a period of annual training of fifteen days with pay and, in addition, some non-continuous training in the evenings or at week-ends. The annual training of officers of the General: Duties branch will include at least twenty hours' flying during the fortnight's continuous training and twenty hours' during the remainder of the year. Officers of the pilot or navigator categories, who fulfil all the conditions of availability and training, will qualify for a retaining fee of £35 a year. Retaining fees are not paid to officers of the ground branches.
Officers of the Reserve are subject to the Air Force Act at all times.
An officer may not enter the service of a foreign power without the consent of the Air Council.
Where, in exceptional circumstances and at the discretion of the Air Council, an officer is permitted to transfer prematurely to the Reserve before completing his full period of service on the active list, he will be required to serve in the Reserve until the date on which his reserve service would normally have expired had he completed his term of service on the active list.
An officer who, at any time, is found to be medically unfit for the duties of the Royal Air Force or whose service is not in every respect satisfactory may be transferred to the Reserve or required to relinquish his commission.
More detailed information concerning the Reserve of Air Force Officers will be supplied to each officer when he is transferred to the Reserve. This information will cover conditions of service in the Reserve and the rules governing the payment and rates of emoluments to reserve officers.
Precedence. - Whilst on the active list, short service officers will, for the purposes of rank and command, be on exactly the same basis as permanent officers of the Royal Air Force. Officers of the Reserve of Air Force Officers, however, rank as junior to all officers of the same rank on the active list, taking precedence among themselves in the rank in which they enter the Reserve, according to their seniority in the last substantive rank held by them while serving in the regular Air Force.
Medical examination. - Candidates for short service commissions will be required to undergo medical examination before appointment. For the General Duties branch they must be fit for full flying duties and for the ground branches they must be fit for ground duties at home and abroad and for flying as non-combatant passengers, in all cases to the peace-time standards.
Uniform and outfit allowance. - In accordance with para. 185 of KR & ACI, officers on first appointment will be required to provide themselves with uniform and outfit to the scale at present in force and they will be eligible to receive an outfit allowance at the rate and under the conditions applicable to RAF officers. The current rate of allowance is £50 and the conditions of issue at present in force are laid down in AMO A338/39, as amended,
Terminal leave. - On return to civil life and transfer to the Reserve, short service officers will be granted 28 days' leave with full pay, the last day of which will normally coincide with the expiry of their active list service. If, however, any portion of the leave extends beyond that date it will not qualify for additional gratuity.
Resettlement. - It is recognised that officers returning to civil life on completion of a period of short service may need help in obtaining suitable employment. A very wide rage of civilian employment, which includes the Civil Service, Colonial Service and numerous industrial and commercial undertakings, is already being examined with this object in view. Liaison with other Departments and contact with a large number of firms is maintained to ensure that ex-RAF personnel will have the opportunity of being considered for suitable appointments. The Ministry of Civil Aviation and the three air transport corporations have also agreed that, in the field of flying appointments and ground posts requiring flying experience, under their jurisdiction, special regard will be had to the claims of ex-RAF personnel. The whole question of re-settlement of ex-regular, ex-short service and ex-extended service personnel has been remitted to an inter-departmental committee comprising representatives of the three service departments, the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Labour, whose terms of reference are

"To examine the problems arising on the resettlement in employment of officers and men coming out of the Forces and to make recommendations."
Method of application. - Candidates eligible to apply for short service commissions who are already serving with the Royal Air Force (i.e, those referred to in para. 2, sub-paras. (a), (c) and (d) of this order) should apply in the manner described in para. 7 of AMO A127/47, as amended by AMO A488/47, and, the procedure for dealing with and forwarding recommended applications should follow that described in that paragraph.

* At the present time, there are no vacancies for short service commissions for navigators.

† Extended service aircrew selected for commissions will be allowed the option of the terms announced in para. 15 of AMO A963/46, as amended. As they will already have qualified as aircrew before entering on their extended service engagements, they may recommended for commissions at any time.

‡ At the present time there are no vacancies for short service commissions for navigators

** Under the existing rules for the grant of short service commissions to ex-university short course cadets and certain other officers, ex-university, whose flying training was specially accelerated on the understanding that they would serve in the post-war Air Force, entitlement to gratuity or proportionate gratuity does not start until after 15th August 1946, i.e, the date on which service ceased to qualify for war gratuity. These officers will now be entitled to the benefit of gratuity under the terms of this order, subject, however, to their being free to elect, where this would be more favourable to them, to draw gratuity at the war gratuity rate in lieu of proportionate short service gratuity, notwithstanding the fact that for war gratuity proper the last day of gratuity earning service is 15th August 1946.

Source - Air Ministry Order A592/47 dated 17 July 1947.

AMO A592/47 is amended as follows: -

Pars. 2.
Sub-Para. (c). Delete this sub-paragraph and substitute: -

"(c) aircrew on short service engagements under para. 5 of AMO A492/46 and aircrew on extended service (for the General Duties branch) ;*"

Asterisk footnote at bottom of page. After "navigators" insert: -

"signallers engineers or gunners".

Para. 4.
Sub -para. (a).
Lines 1 and 11. Delete "air-crew training" and substitute: -

"the extended service or short service engagement".

Lines 14 and 15. Delete "are not above the age of 26" and substitute: -

"have not attained their 27th birthday ".

Line 16. After "commissions" insert: -

"for six years' active list service followed by four years in the Reserve of Air Force Officers ".

Sub-para. (b) (i).
Line 4. Delete "are not over the age of 28" and substitute: -

"have not attained their 29th birthday".

Line 5. Delete "up to the age of 36" and substitute: -

"provided they have not attained their 37th birthday".

Double dagger footnote at bottom of page. After "navigators" insert: -

"signallers, engineers or gunners ".

Sub-para. (b) (iii).
Line 8. Delete "not above the age of 26 " and substitute:

who have not attained their 27th birthday and"

Line 10. Delete "not above the age of 36" and substitute: -

"who have not attained their 37th birthday and".

Sub-para. (b) (iv).

Line 12. Delete "not above the age of 24" and substitute: -

"who have not attained their 25th birthday and".

Lines 13 and 14. Delete "not above the age of 33" and substitute: -

"who have not attained their 37th birthday and".

Sub-para. (b) (v).

Line 6. Delete not above the age of 28" and substitute: -

"who have not attained their 29th birthday".

Line 7. Delete "not above the age of 36" and substitute: -

who have not attained their 37th birthday and".

Para. 5, sub-para. (b).

Line 1. After "pilots" delete bracket.
Line 2. Delete ". - Aircrew in this category".

Para. 13, line 7. Delete this line and substitute: -

"qualify for a flying training bounty of £35 a year. Flying training bounties are not paid to officers of the".

Para. 24, line 4. After "AMO A488/47" insert "and A.1013/47".

(AMO A592/47 amended)

Source - Air Ministry Order A1015/47 dated 11 December 1947.

RAFVR (Training Branch) Officers - Pay and Promotion

With effect from 1st April 1947, officers of the Training branch of the RAF Volunteer Reserve, attending annual training or an authorised course of instruction lasting for three or more days, will receive the pay of their substantive rank or paid acting rank, up to and including the rank of squadron leader. They will also be provided with accommodation and rations in kind or, if these are not available, the appropriate daily cash allowances in lieu. Pay and/or allowances, or issues in kind, may not be issued for more than 28 days in any year of service, commencing from the date of appointment, unless expressly authorised by the AOC-in-C, Reserve Command. Pay will be at the rates indicated at Appendix I to AMO A514/46, as amended by A664/46, for officers of branches other than the General Duties branch.
An officer is entered in the substantive rank of pilot officer with seniority as from the date of recommendation by the AOC-in-C, Reserve Command. When he has completed a total of not less than three years' service as a commissioned officer of the Training branch of the RAF Volunteer Reserve, he may, if in all respects fit to hold the higher rank, be granted the substantive rank of flying officer. Subject to the provisions of para. 3 below, but otherwise irrespective of length of service, an officer filling a vacancy in the rank of flight lieutenant or above may be granted the paid acting rank appropriate to the post filled. The grant of paid acting rank will be subject to the officer's being recommended as suitable to hold the higher rank and, unless he has previously served as an officer of the Royal Air Force, Auxiliary Air Force, Reserve of Air For Officers or RAF Volunteer Reserve, to his having passed the ATC administrative course or such other course or courses of instruction as may be prescribed. The paid acting rank of flight lieutenant may be granted by reserve group commanders or the AOC, Royal Air Force, Northern Ireland, but higher paid acting rank will be granted by the AOC-in-C, Reserve Command. All such grants are to be notified in personnel occurrence reports.
When an ATC unit is formed, the CO will not be granted an acting rank higher than flight lieutenant, until he has rendered three months' service and the cadet strength of the unit can be accurately estimated. All other officers, including officers commanding subordinate flights, will have rank as pilot officer for a similar period (unless qualified by previous service for promotion to flying officer). After three months, committees administering local units and school authorities administering school units are to forward to AOCs, their recommendations for the grant of the appropriate paid acting rank to the commanding and other officers, stating at the same time the cadet strength of the unit.
An officer, borne supernumerary on transfer, will relinquish acting rank. On posting to fill an establishment vacancy, an officer may be given any higher rank appropriate to the post. When an officer holding higher rank than flight lieutenant is transferred, the question of his reversion to a lower rank consistent with his new appointment will be decided by the Air Ministry.
The above-mentioned arrangements supersede those provided for in paras. 54 to 56 of AP 1919 (ATC Rules and Regulations). All existing establishments in the individual rank of pilot officer and flying officer are cancelled and new posts, established for ." pilot officer or flying officer ", substituted. In consequence, officers will no longer be eligible to be granted the acting rank of flying officer, but officers already holding that rank may, subject to suitability, continue to hold the unpaid acting rank of flying officer until they become eligible for promotion to the substantive rank of flying officer.
AOCs are to submit to Reserve Command, monthly nominal rolls of officers qualified by time for promotion to the rank of flying officer; indicating whether or not they are recommended for promotion. The AOC-in-C will add his recommendation and forward the rolls to the Air Ministry (AR 6) for approval and publication in the London Gazette. Officers who had completed three or more years' satisfactory service in the Training branch of the RAF Volunteer Reserve on 1st April 1947, will be promoted with effect from that date; other officers will be promoted when they complete the requisite period of service. Conversion of existing unpaid acting ranks will take effect from 1st April 1947, or from the date of the grant of the unpaid acting rank, if later, and are to be notified in personnel occurrence reports.
AP 1919 will be amended in due course.

Source - Air Ministry Order A671/47 dated 21 August 1947.

AMO A671/47 is amended as follows: -

Insert the following new para. 2A.

"2A. The preceding paragraph relates to officers without previous service. In relation to officers who have previously held (or hold) commissioned rank, the following modifications apply: -

Ex-flying officers and flying officers (or above) - Ex-air force officers and officers holding commissions in the Reserve of Air Force Officers, the RAF Volunteer Reserve or the Auxiliary Air Force who have held (or hold) the rank of flying officer or above will, in future, be entered in the Training Branch in the substantive rank of flying officer. Officers of this category who are already serving in the Training Branch will be promoted to the rank of flying officer, if recommended, with effect from 1st April 1947, or from the date of entry, if later.
Ex-pilot officers and pilot officers - Ex-air force officers and officers holding commissions in the Reserve of Air Force Officers, the RAF Volunteer Reserve or the Auxiliary Air Force who have held (or hold) the rank of pilot officer only may
count that service as pilot officer towards promotion to the rank of flying officer in the Training Branch. Officers of this category who are already serving in the Training Branch will be promoted to the rank of flying officer, if recommended, with effect from 1st April 1947, if they have already attained three seniority years' as pilot officer on that date, or from the date of attaining three years' seniority as pilot officer, if later;
Naval and military officers. - Officers who have held (or hold) commissions in the naval or military forces will, if specially recommended, be considered for appointment as flying officer or for promotion to that rank on a similar basis."

Para. 6, line 5. After "Officers" insert "without previous service".

(AMO A.671147 amended.)

Source - Air Ministry Order A851/47 dated 30 October 1947.

Officers granted Emergency Commissions who Immediately Prior to being Commissioned were Airmen serving on Regular Engagements - Release or Retirement from the Royal Air Force

This order, which replaces AMO A482/45, as amended, relates to officers grant emergency commissions who, immediately prior to being commissioned were airmen serving on regular engagements. "Regular engagement" for this purpose is defined in Para 2 of AMO A384/43, as amended.
As has been explained in Demobforms Nos. 57 and 83, it is the Governments' intention that all personnel serving in the Forces on 31st December 1946 (except those serving under voluntary engagements for fixed periods), will be released before the end of 1948, although there will be no general demobilization, release being a continuing process. As all selections for permanent commissions and extended service commissions have been made and announced, ex-regular airmen, holding emergency commissions who have not been selected, will be treated as outlined in the following paragraphs.
It has been decided that the officers referred to above shall be given the following options: -
1. They may, notwithstanding that but for their discharge to take up a commission there would have been a subsisting liability to serve under their regular airman engagement, opt at any time to be released in class A under the release regulations (AP 3093) or, if they have served for fifteen years or more, they may opt to be placed on the retired list, in which case they will receive full class A benefits.
2. They may continue to serve as officers until 31st December 1947; thereafter they will be released or retired during the course of 1948 and all will be released before 31st December 1948. Each officer will be notified individually of the date when be will be released or retired and he will be given at least three months' notice of the date on which he will cease duty. The date of release in each case will be determined by service requirements; regard will be paid to the requirements of the branch in which the officer is serving. The officer will be given full class A benefits. This sub-paragraph in no way affects the option mentioned in sub-para. (a) above.
3. They may re-enlist in the ranks, to complete their original airman engagement under the terms of AMO A1156/45, as amended. Officers who, under the terms of AMO A384/43, as amended, are ineligible to revert to the ranks, having no unexpired service on their airman engagement, may, nevertheless apply under the general conditions laid down in AMO A1156/45, as amended, to revert for any of the periods at present open to airmen. In these cases, no guarantee can be given that applications for re-enlistment will be approved, but each case will be considered on its merits and, in the light of the position existing in the appropriate rank and trade.
4. They may apply for short service commissions under AMO A592/47. Any officer to whom this order applies may apply for a short service commission and will be informed of the result of his application before his release or retirement, under
  the arrangements outlined in sub-para. (b) above, becomes due or he may submit an application up to six months after the date of release.
Officers leaving the Service under para. 3, sub-paras. (a) and (b) above, who have less than fifteen years' total service, will he released in the ordinary way, their commission being relinquished at the end of the emergency. Officers who have fifteen
years' or more total service will be placed on the retired list and will not he released through a dispersal centre under the release regulations; they will not relinquish their commissions and will remain liable for recall to service with the regular air force up to the age of sixty years, in accordance with the provisions of para. 3542 of KR & ACI.
-
1. Officers with less than fifteen years' total service, electing to be released under pars. 3, sub-para. (a) above, are to notify their COs. Thereafter the following action will be taken: -
  1. Home units - COs of home units will inform the Air Ministry (DP l0) forwarding the officer's original application and sending copies to the relevant command and group. The Air Ministry will notify the unit of the date the officer is to be sent forward for release.
  2. Overseas units - COs of units overseas will inform command headquarters, who will, in turn, inform the Air Ministry by signal and forward the officer's original application to the Air Ministry (DP l0). Command headquarters, are to ensure that release documents are completed and that the officer is posted to the home establishment at the first opportunity after he has made application for release, and he should be instructed to report to the Air Ministry (DP 2(b)) immediately on arrival in the United Kingdom.
2. Officers with fifteen years' or more total service, electing to be retired under para 3, sub-para. (a) above, are to submit an application to retire under the provisions of this order, through the usual channels, to the Air Ministry (AR 3). Thereafter, the following action will be taken: -
  1. Home units. - The officer is to remain in his unit until instructions for his retirement are received from the Air Ministry; he is not to be posted to a dispersal centre for release.
  2. Overseas units. - Arrangements are to be made to post the officer to the hone establishment at the first opportunity and he should be instructed to report to the Air Ministry (DP 2(b) and AR 3) immediately on arrival in the United Kingdom
Whichever option an officer may decide to exercise, his entitlement to war gratuity will not be prejudiced.
The scale of gratuities or retired pay for which these officers are eligible is set out in AMO A384/43, as amended.
Pensioners. - Pensioners granted emergency commissions (including airmen who elected to be discharged to a pension on appointment to a commission) will not be subject to the provisions of this order, but will be covered by the normal release regulations and they should, therefore have been classified under AMO A1063/45, as amended, in the ordinary way. Those who have not been so classified are now to be classified; whereupon they will become eligible for immediate class A release, as their age and service groups will have been promulgated. When an officer in this category does not desire immediate release, he is to submit an application for postponement of release for a period reckoned from the date on which the age and service group into which he is classified was eligible for release. If the period exceeds eighteen months, additional postponement, reckoned in multiples of six mouths, may be allowed (see AMO A749/46). In no cases however, can approval be given to postponement which will extend service beyond 31st December 1948
Officers recalled from release or retirement. - The terms of this order do not apply to Officers who returned to duty after release or retirement for an initial period not exceeding eighteen months. Arrangements for their exit are laid down in AMO A1013/46.

(AMOs A482/45, A689/46 and A850/46 cancelled)

Source - Air Ministry Order A685/47 dated 28 August 1947.

AMO A685/47 is amended as follows: -

Pam. 3. Delete this paragraph and substitute: -

"3. It has been decided that the officers referred to above shall be given the following Options: -

They may, notwithstanding that but for their discharge to take up a commission there would have been a subsisting liability to serve under their regular airman engagement, opt at any time to be released in class A under the release regulations (AP 3093) or, if they have served for fifteen years or more, they may opt to be placed on the retired list, in which case they will receive full class A benefits. Officers who have given an undertaking to serve for twelve months as a condition of being commissioned will not be released or retired before they have fulfilled this undertaking.
They may continue to serve as officers until 31st December 1947; thereafter they will be released or retired during the course of 1948 and all will be released before 31st December 1948. Each officer will be notified individually of the date when he will be released or retired and he will be given at least three months notice of the date on which he will cease duty. The date in each case will be determined by service requirements; regard will be paid to the requirements of the branch in which the officer is serving. The officer will be given full class A benefits. This sub-paragraph in no way affects the option mentioned in sub-para. (a) above.
If, but for their discharge to take up a commission, they would have been eligible to continue to serve with the Royal Air Force on their regular engagements, they will be given the option of re-enlisting and continuing to serve with the Royal Air Force until the date on which their regular service would have terminated had they not: been commissioned.
They may apply for short service commissions under AMO A592/47. Any officer to whom AMO A592/47 applies may apply for a short service commission and will be informed of the result of his application before his release or retirement,
under the arrangements outlined in sub-para. (b), above, becomes due or he may submit an application up to six months after the date of release."

(AMO A.685147 amended.)

Source - Air Ministry Order A875/47 dated 6 November 1947.

Temporary Commissions in the Education, Technical, Medical and Dental branches for National Service Entrants

Education and Technical branches

Arrangements have been made whereby, from time to time, a number of university graduates due to be called up for national service will be allocated to the Royal Air Force with a view to their employment in the Education and Technical branches. The graduates concerned will be interviewed by an Air Ministry Selection Board. Those found suitable for eventual appointment as officers will first be enlisted as airmen and immediately posted to undergo a course at an officer cadet training unit, on the satisfactory completion of which they will be granted temporary commissions in the Royal Air Force.
Initial rank on appointment to a temporary commission in the Education or Technical branch under this order will be pilot officer. Promotion to the rank of flying officer will be made on completion of twelve months' satisfactory service on full pay as a pilot officer.

Medical and Dental branches

The present arrangements, under which fully qualified doctors and dentists are allotted to the RAF Medical and Dental branches, for their period of national service, by the Central Medical War Committee and Ministry of Health, respectively, will continue except that, on appointment, they will be granted temporary commissions and not emergency commissions. Medical and dental officers will be posted for a course of general service training immediately upon taking up their appointments as officers.
Initial rank and promotion will be in accordance with the normal rules for medical and dental, officers, as laid down in AMO A171/47, which provides that, except in the case of qualified specialists, rank on appointment is flying officer and promotion to the rank of flight lieutenant is made on completion of twelve months' satisfactory service on full pay.

General

Outfit allowance - All officers appointed to temporary commissions under the provisions of this order will be required to provide themselves with uniform and outfit on the current scale and will be eligible to receive an outfit allowance at the rate, and under the conditions, applicable to RAF officers appointed to commissions on the active list
Pay and allowances. - The rates of pay and allowances will be in accordance with the scales laid down in AMO A514/46, as amended, for the branch to which an officer is appointed. In fixing the starting. rate of pay for an officer appointed to a temporary commission in the Education branch, credits and acceleration periods in respect of a degree, etc, counting for increments on the pay scale, will be allowed in accordance with para. 5 of AMO A883/46, as amended.

Opportunities for short service commissions

National service men holding temporary commissions in the Education, Medical and Dental branches may apply for short service commissions at any time after their appointment to the temporary commission. There is no short service scheme for officers in the Technical branch, but see para. 10 below, as regards permanent commissions.
Service on a temporary commission prior to appointment to a short service commission will not count towards completion of the period, of short-service nor will it count for the gratuity which is payable on completion of the full period of a short
service commission.
Particulars of the conditions of service for short service officers are given in AMO A883/46, as amended, for the Education branch and in AMO A420/47 for the Medical and Dental branches. A form of application for a short service commission, and further details, may be obtained by any officer who is interested, direct from the Air Ministry (AR 1), in the case of education officers, (MA 1), in the case of medical officers, or (MA 6) in the case of dental officers.

Appointments to permanent commissions

(a) Selections for appointment to permanent commissions in the Education, Medical and Dental branches will be made from officers holding short service commissions.
(b) Officers appointed to the Technical branch under the terms of this order may be recommended for permanent commissions at any time after first commissioning. Those selected, who are in possession of a first or second class honours degree, will be given the benefit of the special conditions applicable to university entrants to permanent commissions in the Technical branch.

Source - Air Ministry Order A746/47 dated 18 September 1947.

Recommendation of Officers and Airmen for Permanent Commissions in the Royal Air Force

The detailed instructions for the guidance of officers making recommendations for permanent commissions, referred to in para. 5 of AMO A127/47, have now been issued.
Accordingly, from the date of this order, recommendations are invited in respect of the undermentioned personnel, provided they are eligible in accordance with the detailed instructions referred to in para. 1 above
1. Officers serving on extended or short service commissions.
2. Airmen serving on regular engagements who are not below the age of 25.
It should be noted that, in the Technical branch, only group A tradesmen are normally eligible for consideration and that the upper age limit for these will normally be thirty.
The procedure for the completion and transmission of recommendations will be as laid down in para. 5 of AMO A127/47.
For the future, selections will be made by the RAF Selection Board (RAFSB) which replaces the Permanent Commissions Selection Board. The closing date for the receipt of recommendations by the Air Ministry (AR 7, in the case of officer candidates, and AR 1, in the case of airmen serving on regular engagements) for the first selection under the revised procedure will be 15th October 1947. Recommendations for officer and airman candidates, respectively, should be accompanied by nominal rolls in triplicate.
It is hoped to publish the first list of selected candidates in Air Ministry orders in January 1948. Thereafter, lists will be published half yearly in April and October. As far as is practicable the RAF Selection Board will complete its selection of candidates from those recommended in each half-yearly period in time for publication in the next list, but since there may be some overlap, particularly in the review of candidates recommended by overseas commands, no candidate should be recommended more than once in any year.
The attention of all concerned is drawn to the importance of complete and accurate compilation of all sections of Form 2745 and of station and other commanders to the necessity for the greatest possible care in the compilation of Form 1389A.

Source - Air Ministry Order A753/47 dated 18 September 1947.

AMO A753/47 is amended as follows: -

Para. 2, sub-para. (b). After "25" insert: -

"(for the ground branches) and aircrew (pilots and navigators) on re-engaged service (for the General Duties branch)".

Pars.. 3, line 2. Delete from "para. 5 " to end of sentence and substitute: -

"paras. 5 and 8 of AMO A127/47, as amended by A488/47 and A1013/47."

(A.M.O. A.753147 amended.)

Source - Air Ministry Order A1014/47 dated 11 December 1947.

Staff College Qualifying Examination

It has been decided to re-introduce the Staff College Qualifying Examination in September 1948. The selection of students for Staff College courses beginning after that date will be governed by this order.

Admission to the Staff College

Admission to the Staff College is by selection by the Air Ministry.
To become eligible for selection, an officer is required to pass the Staff 0]8 Qualifying Examination.
When selecting officers for admission to the Staff College, the Air Ministry will be influenced by: -
1. the order in which, they qualify at the examination;
2. the extent of their service experience; and
3. the recommendations made by their AOCs.

Qualification of candidates

An officer may sit for the Staff College Qualifying Examination provided that: -
- he holds a permanent commission in one of the undermentioned branches:-
  
  General Duties
  
  Secretarial
  Equipment
  
  Technical
  Medical
  
  RAF Regiment
  (At present, medical officers will not be required to take the examinations; they will be admitted to the Staff College by nomination);
- he has completed three years' service in the rank of flight lieutenant;
- he is recommended by his CO and AOC for staff employment; and
- he is approved by the Air Ministry.
On successfully passing a qualifying examination, an officer becomes eligible for selection for a Staff College course.
The Air Ministry reserves the right to fill up to six vacancies on each course with specially recommended officers whose admission to the Staff College, notwithstanding their, ineligibility under the terms of paras. 5 and 6 above, is considered to be in the best interests of the Service.

Examination syllabus

The syllabus, bibliography and question papers for the Staff College Qualifying Examination will be identical with those for promotion examination C. The two examinations will be held concurrently, in March and September of each year, and candidates for the Staff College Qualifying Examination will be required to take the question papers set for promotion examination C in their own branch (Details of promotion examination C are set out in AMO A830/47.)

Pass standard

Candidates are to obtain not less than sixty per cent of the marks allotted to each subject and an overall average of seventy per cent.
Candidates who fail to attain this standard, and who have not previously passed promotion examination C, will be credited with a pass in examination C provided they obtain not less than fifty per cent of the marks allotted to each subject and an overall average of sixty per cent.

Re-examination of unsuccessful candidates

Candidates who fail to attain the standard proscribed in para. 9 above will be required to take the whole qualifying examination again.
A candidate who fails three times, will not be permitted to sit again

Nominal roll of candidates

The names of the candidates who are authorised to sit for a qualifying exaIflination will be promulgated in Air Ministry orders.

Regulations for the Staff College Qualifying Examination.

The regulations for promotion examinations B and C (see AMO A830/47) are to apply to the Staff College Qualifying Examination.

Recommendation of candidates

AOCs-in-C are to forward recommendations, to reach Air Ministry (DST) by 1st January and 1st July of each year, in the form shown at the Appendix (not included here) to this order, in respect of: -
1. candidates wishing to take the Staff College Qualifying Examination and promotion examination C; and
2. candidates wishing to take the Staff College Qualifying Examination only.
AOCs-in-C are to forward, with the recommendations, a consolidated nominal roll, in which they are to indicate the order of priority in which they recommend their candidates for admission to the Staff College, assuming that all are equally successful in the qualifying examination.
Recommendations in respect of officers serving at the Air Ministry are to be submitted, by the same dates, to the Director of Command and Staff Training, by the directorates concerned.

(AMOs A174/38 and A357/38 cancelled)

Source - Air Ministry Order A831/47 dated 6 November 1947.

Returning of Salutes by Officers

It has been decided to revert to the regulation in force prior to August 1944, as regards the returning of salutes by officers.
From the date of this order, when two or more officers are together, the senior only will return the salute. Should the senior officer not observe the salute, it is the duty of the officer nearest the person paying the compliment to return the salute.
AP 818A, part I, Appendix I, will be amended accordingly.

Source - Air Ministry Order A876/47 dated 6 November 1947.

Relinquishment of Temporary and War Substantive Ranks - RAF Officers

As stated in para. 2 of AMO A1024/44, as amended by A693/46, all promotions of officers of the Royal Air Force during the war, other than substantive promotions, were to be of a temporary nature and subject to review at the end of the war in the light of the requirements of the post-war Air Force. This review has now taken place and, as announced in Air Ministry signal P4336, dated 5th July 1947, no further promotions to temporary and war substantive ranks will be made after 31st October 1947, and, subject to para. 2, sub-para. (c) below, temporary and war substantive rank held on that date will be relinquished with effect 1st November 1947. With effect 1st November 1947, all promotions will be to substantive rank and officers will receive the pay of their substantive rank except that, to the extent that establishment vacancies are not filled by officers of the appropriate substantive rank, paid acting rank will continue to be granted. Officers whose temporary or war substantive rank is converted to paid acting rank on 1st November 1947 (or on 1st January 1948, in the case of squadron leaders or below - see para. 2, sub-para. (e) below) will not, however, be subject to the rule in para. 12 of AMO A1024/44, whereby acting rank does not become paid acting rank until it has been held for a continuous period of 21 days.
The following exceptions will be made to the general rule contained in para. 1 above: -
1. if an officer who held temporary or war substantive rank on 31st October 1947, is on a course of instruction on 1st November 1947, he will be granted paid acting rank equivalent to the temporary or war substantive rank (whichever is higher) and will be allowed to retain it until the completion of the course.
2. If an officer who held temporary or war substantive rank on 31st October 1947 is absent from duty on account of sickness, or is on leave, temporary duty or between postings on 1st November 1947, he will be granted paid acting rank with effect 1st November, 1947, equivalent to the temporary or war substantive rank (whichever is higher), provided he satisfies the conditions of para. 32 of AMO 1024/44, as amended, under which acting rank in these circumstances may be retained. The periods during which acting rank may be retained under those rules will be reckoned from 1st November 1947. In order to qualify for acting rank with effect 1st November 1947, an officer must have held a post on an authorised establishment at least equivalent to his temporary or war substantive rank (as applicable) when he was posted non-effective sick, commenced leave or temporary duty or on being posted, in the case of an officer who is between postings.
3. Subject to sub-para. (e) below, an officer who ceases to hold a rank as high as the war substantive rank held on 31st October 1947, will continue to receive the pay and allowances appropriate to the war substantive rank (but without retaining the rank) for a period of 122 days from 1st November 1947, or from the date of relinquishment of the equivalent acting rank, whichever is later. The period during which the pay of the higher rank is retained will not reckon for the purpose of increments of pay in that rank.
4. if, during the 122 days' period referred to in sub-para. (c) above, an officer is re-employed in an appointment appropriate to the war substantive rank hold on 31st October 1947, or in a higher rank, he will be granted the paid acting rank of the appointment. On relinquishing the appointment he will be granted the pay and allowances appropriate to the war substantive rank held on 31st October 1947, for the balance of the 122 days granted under sub-para (c) above.
5. An officer who held the war substantive rank of squadron leader or below on 31st October 1947, unless his war substantive rank is converted to equivalent substantive rank under para. 4 below, will not relinquish his war substantive rank until 1st January 1948. From that date the rules in sub-paras. (a) to (d) above will apply.
Posting notices - Posting notices issued by an Air Ministry posting branch or by an authority holding the delegated powers will, in all cases, indicate any change in the officer's temporary, war substantive or acting rank. Detailed instructions have been issued in Air Ministry signals PP2571, 2572 and 2573 dated 7th October 1947, and PP4832, 4834 and 4835 dated 21st October 1947, indicating the action to be taken in the Air Ministry, commands and formations for the conversion of temporary and war substantive ranks to paid acting rank with effect 1st November 1947. Further signals will be issued as necessary in connection with the conversion of the war substantive rank of squadron leader and below to paid acting rank with effect 1st January 1948.
Officers holding emergency commissions -
1. An officer who, prior to 1st November 1947, has been granted time promotion to war substantive rank based on the qualifying periods laid down in AMO A695/46, will be granted equivalent substantive rank with appropriate seniority, except that the seniority of an officer who had more than 3½ years' commissioned service on 1st September 1945, will be determined on the principles laid clown in AMO A146/47 for officers appointed to permanent and extended service commissions.
2. An officer who, prior to 1st November 1947, has been granted time promotion to war substantive rank based on the qualifying periods in force prior to the issue of AMO A695/46, will be granted the appropriate substantive rank with effect
  1st November, 1947.
3. An officer who, after 31st October 1947, earns time promotion based on the qualifying periods laid down in AMO A695/46 will be granted substantive rank in lieu of war substantive rank.
Grant, retention and relinquishment of acting rank. -
1. The rules for the grant, retention and relinquishment of acting rank are subject to review, but, for the present, the rules laid down in AMO A1024/44, as amended, will continue to apply, subject to sub-para. (b) below.
2. With effect from the date of this order, but without prejudice to para. 2, sub-para. (a) above, acting rank will be relinquished when an officer is "posted" to a course of instruction, irrespective of the length of the course where an officer is "attached" to a course, the post at his parent unit remaining unfilled, he will, be will retain acting rank whilst on the course. Paras. 32 and 33 of AMO A1024/44, as amended, will be further amended accordingly.
Effect on non-effective benefits. -
1. Withdrawal of temporary rank. - An officer -
  (i) who has held temporary or paid acting rank at any time since 2nd September 1939, or
  (ii) who holds temporary or paid acting rank on 31st October 1947, and who continues, thereafter, to hold paid acting rank, or
  (iii) who is granted paid acting rank after 31st October 1947,
  will continue to count temporary or paid acting rank for steps in retired pay under AMO A224/45 as amended, the date referred to in para. 3, sub-para. (iv) of that order being five years after 31st October 1947.
2. Withdrawal of war substantive rank. - The withdrawal of war substantive rank will not affect an officer's entitlement to the retired pay of the war substantive rank, but any officer contemplating voluntary retirement on retired pay based on war substantive rank is advised to write, through the usual channels, to the Under-Secretary of State, Air Ministry (P 7), before submitting an application.
Air Force List, "London Gazette" promulgations and POR action - With the exception that acting ranks below air vice-marshal will not be shown, gradation lists, prepared in accordance with this order, will be included in the Air Force List as soon as possible. In the meantime, no further editions of the List will be published. As soon as practicable after the effective dates indicated in this order, promulgations will appear in the "London Gazette" in respect of: -
1. relinquishments of temporary and war substantive ranks; and
2. the grant of substantive ranks (and seniorities) to officers holding emergency commissions.
Upon receipt of notification of posting notices (see para. 3 above) units will immediately take the necessary POR action.
The attention of all officers is to be directed to the provisions of AMO A802/41 (reproduced at the Appendix to this order) regarding the recovery of over-issues due to belated promulgation of relinquishment of acting ranks, and they are to be informed that the provisions of that order are to be regarded as applicable to the recovery of over-issues due to belated promulgation, of relinquishment of temporary and war substantive ranks.
Separate orders will be issued in due course about the termination of the wartime promotion schemes for the Women's Auxiliary Air Force and for airmen.

APPENDIX

AMO A802/41 - OVER-ISSUES OF PAY ARISING FROM RELINQUISHMENT OF ACTING RANK

Instances are still arising where, by reason of a belated or incorrect promulgation of the relinquishment of an acting rank, substantial over-payments have been made. Attention is accordingly again drawn to the importance of prompt and accurate promulgation of entries in personnel occurrence reports or posting lists which affect emoluments.
As indicated in para. 12 of AMO A913/40, acting rank is held only for the period during which an officer performs the duties of the higher rank and normally ceases immediately an officer of the appropriate substantive or temporary rank becomes available in the command or group, by posting or otherwise, and also in the other circumstances laid down in the above-mentioned order. Acting rank is essentially temporary and liable to be withdrawn without prior notice at any time according to circumstances. Officers should appreciate this fact and understand that if, through administrative delays due to war conditions or other causes, promulgation of the relinquishment of acting rank is belated and therefore results in over-issues of pay, they have no entitlement thereto, and appeals against the subsequent recovery of the amount over-paid will be not entertained. Officers are advised that it is unwise to assume financial commitments based solely on the emoluments enjoyed while temporarily holding acting rank.
In order to obviate hardship through recoveries of pay in the circumstances referred to above, COs are to ensure that, whenever a posting or other circumstance involves the relinquishment, of an acting rank either by the officer posted or by some other officer, the officer concerned is notified, in writing, of the relinquishment of acting rank and the date thereof immediately intimation of the fact is received in the unit. It should be understood, however, that the absence of such notification by the CO will not invalidate the recovery of the over-issue. When a large over-issue of pay results through undue delay in promulgation of a relinquishment of acting rank it may be necessary to call for a report from the CO concerned, with whom rests the final responsibility for the administration of the unit.

Source - Air Ministry Order A897/47 dated 6 November 1947.

Officers serving on Emergency Commissions who were Formerly Regular Airmen - Conditions of Appointment to Short Service Commissions

Officers serving on emergency commissions (including those released officers who apply within six months of their release) who, at the time they were first commissioned, were serving on regular engagements as defined in AMO A904/46, are eligible to apply for short service commissions under the general conditions of AMO A592/47. Those who are selected will be appointed on the terms detailed below.
Subject to the provisions of para 3538 of KR & ACI and irrespective of the branch in which they are appointed, they will serve on the active list for seven years, reckoned from the date of appointment to the short service commissions, or for such longer period as will enable them to complete a total of fifteen years' combined officer and airman service reckoning for retirement on retired pay. They will then be eligible for retired pay assessed at the rates and under the conditions laid down in AMO A384/43, as amended.
Such officers will have no reserve liability, but will be liable to recall in time of emergency under the same conditions as other retired officers (see para. 3542 of KR & ACI).
In exceptional circumstances, an officer may be permitted to retire at his own request before completing his short service engagement. In such a case, the rate of retired pay payable will be that for which the officer has qualified by service and rank, reduced by ten per cent, except that such reduction shall not operate so as to bring entitlement below that for which he would have qualified at the date on which he would have relinquihed his temporary commission if he had not been appointed to a short service commission. If, however, it is to his advantage, he will be permitted to receive. retired pay equal to the pension for which he would have qualified if the whole of his officer service, including that rendered since the commencement of his short service engagement, had, been rendered in the rank of warrant officer.
If an officer's service is terminated for misconduct or inefficiency, he will cease to be entitled to retired pay, which may thereafter be granted, at the normal or at a reduced rate, only at the discretion of the Air Council.
An officer appointed under the provisions of this order, who has received a gratuity, other than a war gratuity, in respect of previous service, will be required to refund that gratuity as a condition of reckoning, for retired pay and for other benefits, the service in respect of which the gratuity was paid. Normally, immediate refund in full will be required, but, in very exceptional cases, special arrangements may be made for officers who are unable to refund the amount due from them in a lump sum. Officers will not be required to refund war gratuity as a condition of counting service for retired pay.
Substantive rank and seniority on appointment to short service commission, and time promotion, will be granted under the rules laid down in para. 5 of AMO A592/47, except that, where they are more favourable, officers will be brought under the rules of AMO A73/47, as amended.
Officers who are eligible and apply under this order should mark their applications accordingly.

Source - Air Ministry Order A899/47 dated 13 November 1947.

Position of Officers Appointed to Permanent Commissions at Ages Above the Normal in Relation to Qualification for Retired Pay

Since the new retiring ages for permanent officers were announced in AMO A278/47, as amended by A558/47, some officers, appointed to permanent commissions since the war at ages above the normal, have expressed concern about their ability to qualify for retired pay, under the new ages, which are generally lower than those previously in force. They fear they may be called upon to retire on reaching the normal compulsory retiring age of their rank prior to the completion of the minimum number of years' reckonable service.
The new code (para. 2 of Appendix III to Cmd. 6750) provides that, while the grant of retired. pay will normally be conditional upon completion of twenty years' reckonable service, retired pay may be granted on compulsory retirement after not less than fifteen years' reckonable service, in special cases where, in the interests of the Service, officers are entered at ages above those of the normal entrant; and it is intended that this provision shall be freely applied.
Where an officer, commissioned in the circumstances described, is unable to complete even fifteen years' service before reaching the age of compulsory retirement, he will be retained beyond the retiring age until he has completed at least that period, provided that his service is satisfactory.
The assessment of retired pay in respect of retirement in the normal course will remain subject to the provisions of para. 7 of Appendix III to Cmd. 6750.

Source - Air Ministry Order A928/47 dated 20 November 1947.

Appointment of Women to Short Service Commissions In the Medical ad Dental Branches

With reference to para. 12 of AMO A420/47, it has now been decided, subject to para. 2 below, to extend to qualified women the provisions of sections I and II of that order, by which applications were invited for short service commissions in the Medical and Dental branches of the Royal Air Force, under specified conditions.
Pending settlement of conditions of service in the post-war regular women's Force and constitution of that Force: -
1. women selected for service under this order will be appointed to commissions as women medical or dental officers employed with the Medical or Dental branches of the Royal Air Force, in accordance with the current designation; and
2. the question of including them in the field of selection for permanent commissions (section III of the above-mentioned order) will remain in abeyance.

Source - Air Ministry Order A987/47 dated 4 December 1947.

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Source - Air Ministry Order A987/47 dated 4 December 1947.

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Substantive rank	Paid acting or temporary rank	Increase to normal maximum for each full year in paid acting or temporary rank
		£	s	d
Flight lieutenant and ranks below	Squadron leader	13	11	6
Squadron leader	Wing commander	33	18	9
Wing commander	Group captain	60	6	8

To flight lieutenant	after six years' satisfactory service.
To squadron leader	after twelve years' satisfactory service.

Flight lieutenant	£375
Squadron leader	£450
Wing commander	£500

Flying officer	1s 9d a week
Flight lieutenant	2s 3d a week
Squadron leader	2s 9d a week