WHAT is the connection between the RAF and a dag?

No, it’s nothing to do with sheep – the RAF has just chosen this unfortunate acronym for its Deployable Administration Groups (DAG).

Having learnt some valuable lessons in the first Gulf War, and in several conflicts since, the RAF established teams that are capable of deploying to any exercise or operation to deliver a wide range of administrative services.

Each team comprises around a dozen uniformed members, who train and exercise their skills on a regular basis.
When not required, team members work as regular admin officers on the RAF’s main operating bases.

Underlying each team is doctrine and written procedures to ensure there is sufficient theory to put into practice.

The wartime/deployment role is the primary reason for keeping so many people in uniform; nevertheless, most of the time they are doing peacetime administration.

This delivers a core of administrative excellence in peace and war – at least that is the theory!

The current RAF admin exchange officer gave a presentation on the DAG concept to the recent RAAF admin conference.

He also highlighted some of the differences between the categories in the RAF and the RAAF.

In addition to personnel management, the main differences are that RAF admin officers are trained in finance, infrastructure, welfare counselling, administrative law and the UK equivalent of the DFDA. Which means they can cover the duties of legal officers, airfield engineers and psychs.

RAF admin officers have influence at high level, with open access to two-star rank.
DMA-AF will take forward some of the ideas raised and assess whether any are relevant to the RAAF.

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