Page 15 - Demo

54Sir Jock Stirrup (98 Entry) led the Service through the complex times of the %u2018Peace Dividend%u2019, the Iraqi %u2018No Fly Zones%u2019, and the 2001 Afghanistan and 2003 Gulf Wars. Of the six RAF Chiefs of Defence Staff from 1956 to 2006 only two were former flight cadets, whilst three of the six Vice-Chiefs were. In 1963 Nos 83 and 84 Entries between them produced 70 pilots (against a requirement for 96) out of the 456 that the RAF required that year %u2013 16%u00b73% of the overall pilot output.15 Considering pilots only (this was Trenchard%u2019s intent, and only a couple of the General Duties Branch air commodores were navigators at that time) in July 1993: 22 out of 46 air commodores were former flight cadets (48%); 14 out of 25 were air vice-marshals (56%); 6 out of 9 were air marshals (67%); and 2 out of 6 were air chief marshals (33%); the only serving Marshal of the RAF was exnational service. Three years later former flight cadets comprised: 11 out of 21 air vice-marshals (53%), although now four were Graduate Entrants; 4 out of 5 air marshals (80%); and all four air chief marshals. Given that the flight cadet system never produced more than about 20% of the RAF%u2019s pilots, but did produce the vast majority of its General Duties Branch air officers, one has to conclude that it was successful in meeting Trenchard%u2019s vision of producing an identifiable professional elite, of pilots, to lead the Service. Trenchard%u2019s flight Civilian at College Guest Night %u2013 %u2018And what are you looking for?%u2019 Officer Host %u2013 %u2018We are looking for Air Marshals for 1993.%u2019 (RAF College Journal, Summer 1963 edition.)