Commentary First Group of Parts – Discipline Part 6 – Summary Hearing and Appeals and Review Section 135: Reduction in rank: limits on powers
286.This section deals with COs’ powers to disrate naval ratings and reduce army and RAF non-commissioned servicemen in rank. A CO requires extended powers to reduce in rank, save where he proposes to reduce a lance corporal or lance bombardier (who have no equivalent ranks in the Royal Navy or RAF and are lower than the first non-commissioned rank in those forces). A CO may remove the acting rank of a non-commissioned service person that holds such a rank or one substantive rank from any other non-commissioned serviceman. A CO has extended powers for these purposes where he has applied for them and had them granted by higher authority; COs of 2* rank or above have inherent higher authority.
287.The section makes particular provision in respect of airmen. The term “airman” covers four ranks: aircraftman, leading aircraftman, senior aircraftman and junior technician. Whilst these four ranks do form a hierarchy, for some branches of the RAF a junior technician might be the lowest trained rank for his specialisation. A CO is not able to reduce a person in rank within the category of airman, so, for example, a junior technician may not be reduced to a senior aircraftman. For an RAF corporal any reduction in rank would be to the next highest rank applicable to his trade, and for which he is qualified, but still within the “catch all” category of airman.
288.The Defence Council may make regulations restricting the power to reduce in rank or disrate certain persons whose branch or trade requires them to hold a minimum rank or rate.