Army Cadet Volunteer winter 2016/17

ARMY CADET VOLUNTEER G O I N G

Winter 2016/17

F U R T H E R

armycadets.com

NEW FACES

MEET THE MOVERS AND SHAKERS AT THE ACFA

TAKE THE LEAD

WISH LIST

10 new year’s resolutions CFAVs hope cadets make Page 26

DEVELOP YOUR LEADERSHIP SKILLS

EYES ON THE PRIZE How to nominate your cadets and fellow volunteers for awards

INSIDE: NEWS

ATTITUDE SURVEY RESULTS COMMAND TASKS PILOT DAY IN THE LIFE

ISSUE #6: WINTER 2016/17

W E LC O M E

We say the ACF is about the cadets, but it is equally about volunteers. Without our nearly 9,000 volunteers the ACF would not be able to deliver exciting cadet activities. So it is right that we continue to recognise the vital role volunteers play.

Last year, GOC Regional Command posed the question: how do we better nurture and grow our pool of talented CFAVs? We also asked you what drives you to volunteer and how we can make the role of the volunteer easier and more focused on working with cadets. We also asked you, and the cadets, what you thought about your ACF. You were not shy in letting us know what you felt and we are listening. It is good to see that so many volunteers still have a passion for the ACF, something that they pass on to our cadets.

As we start a new year, with the new challenges that come with it, I would like to thank you all for your hard work and dedication over the past year, and give you my best wishes for the year to come.

BRIGADIER MATTHEW LOWE MBE Deputy Commander Cadets, Regional Command

CONTENTS 20

16

14

EVERY ISSUE 04. THE BRIEFING Army Cadet news round-up

08. THE DRILL

I want to encourage and support others to do their best Amanda Roxborough, Taking the Lead p20

Ideas, advice and comment

26. NUMBER-OFF! 10 resolutions CFAVs wish cadets would keep

28. STEPPING UP Awards and promotions

30. ACF POLICY Update on ACF issues

32. IN THE FIELD Your photos from ACF events

34. DAY IN THE LIFE Airline captain Dean Johnson

THIS ISSUE 12. COMMAND TASKS Team-building tasks to try

14. NEW FACES New ACFA appointments

16. BADGE OF HONOUR How to put your cadets and volunteers forward for awards

20. TAKING THE LEAD Effective leadership skills for adult volunteers

22. UP AND AWAY Make the most of overseas training with good preparation

24. YOU TELL US Attitude survey results

ON THE COVER New Faces Taking the Lead Badge of Honour Cover image Middlesex and North West London ACF annual camp, Pembrokeshire

GO FURTHER

Look out for the ACF Leadership Code, published in January.

Read about leadership on page 20

Army Cadet Volunteer is produced by the ACF Marketing and Communications team, based at the Army Cadet Force Association: Holderness House, 51-61 Clifton Street, London EC2A 4DW Get in touch: Tel: 020 7426 8377 Fax: 020 7426 8378 Website: www.armycadets.com Email: marketing@armycadets.com Facebook: facebook.com/ Armycadetforce Twitter: @ArmyCadetsUK

This publication may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form whole or in part without prior written permission of the publishers. All contents and addresses correct at time of going to press. Every care has been taken in the preparation of this magazine, but neither James Pembroke Publishing or ACFA can be held responsible for the accuracy of the information herein, or any consequences arising from it. Views expressed by contributors might not reflect the views of the ACF or the Army.

Army Cadet Volunteer magazine is designed and edited by James Pembroke Publishing Editor: Carly Chynoweth Art editor: Simon Goddard Project manager: Esther Newman

ARMYCADETS.COM 3

THE BRIEFING ARMY CADET NEWS FROM AROUND THE UK

BELOW: From the top of Sugar Loaf in South Wales…

TOP RIGHT: … to an expedition in South Africa, the DofE flag has featured in photos around the globe BOTTOM RIGHT: CSM Emma Lee Wray (1st NI Battalion ACF) completing her DofE Gold Expedition in the Mourne mountains

DUKE OF EDINBURGH’S AWARD

ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

SYSTEMS

New radios for cadets and CFAVs

SEE MORE Flash

To see more photos of the royal visit and other anniversary celebrations, visit our Facebook page facebook.com/ Armycadetforce

The diamond anniversary of the DofE Award was celebrated throughout 2016

L

ast year was the 60th anniversary of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. In that time the Army Cadet Force, which has been involved with the award since its inception, has seen thousands of cadets and CFAVs achieve their Bronze, Silver and Gold DofE Awards.

To celebrate the diamond anniversary, each ACF county, battalion and sector was issued with a commemorative DofE flag

4 ACF WINTER 2016/17

and asked to include it in photos of their cadets and CFAVs taking part in DofE activities throughout 2016.

The flags appeared in hundreds of photos, from expeditions across the globe to volunteering in local communities, which were presented to the Duke of Edinburgh in a special commemorative book at the end of the year.

“We have demonstrated the wide range of things you can undertake through the

FROM SUMMER 2017 another way of ensuring that cadet activities are both safe and challenging will be introduced to the ACF when cadets and CFAVs receive a new military off-the-shelf radio system. This will replace the 70s vintage Clansman radios withdrawn from cadets in 2015. The new system will enable CFAVs to manage field exercises in which cadets are participating and, when necessary, respond to safety incidents.

Consisting of almost 2,500 modern belt-mounted short-range VHF radios, 420 medium-range VHF amplifiers and 150 long-range HF radios, cadets will soon be equipped to communicate with each other across the UK and the world.

While the new system cannot yet be named, we can reveal that the first radios will be issued in spring 2017, after which a rolling programme of deliveries and instructor training will continue until autumn 2017, when all counties will have access to the new system.

The system will enable CFAVs to manage field exercises

ACF which count towards your DofE and also how easy it is, with just a little extra effort, to gain an award,” said Lucy Welch, the ACFA’s DofE development manager.

Other celebrations included a royal visit from the Earl of Wessex to Downton detachment as part of the DofE diamond tour and a service of thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey for CFAVs who had been involved in promoting the DofE Award.

GET IN TOUCH E: marketing@armycadets.com facebook.com/Armycadetforce @ArmyCadetsUK cadetsarmy

THE BRIEFING

ACF AWARDS

The following have been recognised for their commitment and dedication to the ACF CADET FORCE MEDAL

AWARDS & RECOGNITION

ACF achievements Awards presented to adult volunteers for special achievements CFAVS FROM the ACF were among those who received awards at CVQO’s annual graduation ceremony, which recognises the achievements and qualifications gained in leadership and management by volunteers across the cadet forces.

Special awards for exceptional achievements were also presented to our volunteers at the prestigious event, held at RMA Sandhurst in October. These included SSI Julie Witney (Essex ACF) who won the CVQO Award for Most Outstanding City & Guilds Licentiateship Submission and SMI Andrew Muggeridge (Royal County of Berkshire ACF) who won the Institute of Leadership & Management and City & Guilds Most Outstanding Achiever Award.

The Lingfield Medal for Outstanding Contribution by a Vocational Qualification Officer was posthumously awarded to Major Linda Johnston (Cumbria ACF) to recognise her service and years of dedication to cadets.

There were more awards for adult volunteers and cadets at November’s ACFA Recognising Excellence Awards (sponsored by BAE Systems). The peer-nominated awards celebrated the most deserving CFAV and cadet across five categories: National Sports, First Aid, Piping & Drumming, Bands and Corps of Drums and the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.

Read more from the Bands and Corps of Drums winner, SMI Derek Eccles, in the awards feature on page 16

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CHARLETON LEAFE MACLOUGHLIN MATTHEWS THOMPSON D’ARCY GRANT JONES ROBBIE DAVIS DOOLER

RUSBRIDGER BUDRYK LEE

5TH CLASP RUSBRIDGER

FOR A FULL LIST OF AWARD WINNERS VISIT ARMYCADETS.COM/ACFAWARDS

B A C K I N T H E D AY : 1942 SUMMER CAMP IT’S 75 YEARS now since the word “Army” turned what was then simply the Cadet Force into today’s ACF. That same year, 1942, saw an estimated 100,000 cadets attend the ACF’s one-week summer camp with the knowledge that their country was at war, with attacks on the UK that year including the “Baedeker Blitz” in April.

Three-quarters of a century on and cadets are still just as keen on attending summer camp.

ARMYCADETS.COM 5

THE BRIEFING

Lieutenant Tony Feeney, left, receives his award from the Lord-Lieutenant of Cornwall

IN THE MEDIA

ACF luminaries making headlines the opening of their new and improved cadet centre, which they’ll share with local air cadets.

Colonel David Kane presents a First Aid Commendation certificate to Cadet Lance Corporal Alex Todd

Cadets helped to deliver furniture to flood victims in Cumbria

CHARITY WORK

CADETS HELP FLOOD VICTIMS Cumbria Army Cadets give up school holiday to support their local community

A

rmy cadets from Penrith detachment gave up their October half-term holiday to help the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), a local charity, at Skirsgill Depot, which stores items donated to victims of the Cumbrian floods.

Cadet lance corporals Tegan McGuinness and Isaac Pitchford, along with Cadets Bailey Wilde and Alistair Cargill, decided to help the charity as part of the Cadet and the Community syllabus and to count towards the volunteering section of their Bronze DofE Award.

The cadets worked hard throughout the week, completing tasks such as writing use-by dates on food

6 ACF WINTER 2016/17

tins, helping to build furniture donated by local companies and even helping to deliver it to flood victims.

“It’s been tough to see people still unable to go home after the floods,” said Isaac.

“We saw the water marks in their houses nine feet up the walls.” Isaac was also keen to help as his father is a local fireman and was heavily involved in the flood efforts following storm Desmond.

Kerryanne Wilson, CEO of CERT, was thrilled that the cadets had given up their week to support the charity. “The cadets have worked very hard and have been a pleasure to have around,” she said. “People don’t realise that there’s still a lot going on after the floods.”

1st NI Battalion ACF: The Larne Times featured Cadet Lance Corporal Alex Todd, from Whitehead detachment, who was honoured with a First Aid Commendation for using the skills he’d learnt in the ACF to save his dad from choking.

Somerset ACF: Burnham-on-Sea and Highbridge detachment appeared on Burnham-OnSea.com as the recipients of £500 from Asda’s community token scheme.

The cadet detachment attracted the most green tokens from shoppers in the supermarket in Highbridge.

Derbyshire ACF: The Star featured Cadet RSM Laurence Pilkington, from Heanor detachment, for his achievement of overcoming a speech impediment and lack of confidence to become Master Cadet and be selected to represent his county in the 2016 Champion Cadet competition at Frimley CTC. Norfolk ACF: Cadets and CFAVs from Watton detachment appeared in the Eastern Daily Press as the Mayor of Watton unveiled

Gwent and Powys ACF: The Cambrian News reported on the success of Cadet Lance Corporal Rebecca Owen, who was crowned the best brass player for her performance during the ACF’s week-long national music concentration at Longmoor Camp.

Cadet Rebecca Owen (right) pictured with cadet Kloe Chaplin (left) wins top music award

Cornwall ACF: Lieutenant Tony Feeney, who commands the Peninsula band and bugles detachment, featured in The Cornish Guardian after receiving the Lord Lieutenant’s Certificate for Meritorious Service for his dedication to maintaining the strong musical tradition of Cornwall ACF.

Cadet Laurence Pilkington selected for Champion Cadet competition

THE BRIEFING

IN THE LE AD Understanding leadership structures in the ACF page 20

NATIONAL COMPETITION RESULTS

COMPETITION

Durham ACF wins prestigious award

Results for first aid and girls’ football N AT I O N A L F I R S T A I D C O M P E T I T I O N ACF Cadet Competition

National First Aid Competition 2016 From 24 – 25 September the annual National and Inter-Services First Aid Competitions took place at Strensall Camp in York.

Durham ACF successfully defended their title as national ACF champions and inter-services senior team champions.

National Girls’ Football The ACF National Girls’ Football Championships 2016 took place at the South Nottingham Academy, Radcliffe on Trent on Saturday 19th November, hosted by Nottingham ACF. Ten regional teams took part in both the senior and junior competitions, with the same two regions making it to the final in both competitions.

1st 2nd 3rd

Durham ACF 1st Battalion Northern Ireland ACF Dorset ACF

ACF Senior Teams Competition 1st 2nd 3rd

Durham ACF Derbyshire ACF Hereford and Worcester ACF

Inter-services Cadet Competition 1st 2nd 3rd

Dollar Academy CCF Northland Cadet Unit – St John Ambulance Royal School Armagh CCF

Inter-services Senior Team Competition 1st 2nd 3rd

Durham ACF Derbyshire ACF Dollar Academy CCF N AT I O N A L G I R L S ’ F O O T B A L L

SENIOR NATIONAL CHAMPIONS

LONDIST

JUNIOR NATIONAL CHAMPIONS

51 Inf Bde

SEMI FINALS – SENIORS

SEMI FINALS – JUNIORS

11 Sig Bde

0

51 Inf Bde

LONDIST

3

HQ South West 0

51 Inf Bde

4

42 Inf Bde

0

versus

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FINALS – SENIORS LONDIST versus

51 Inf Bde

DURHAM ACF’S CHALLENGING eight day adventurous training expedition, which included activities such as survival training, coasteering and mountain biking, has been named the best expedition for a cadet unit in the Ulysses Trust annual Prince of Wales Awards.

The county’s Exercise FISTRAL FOLLY in Cornwall, which was attended by more than 100 cadets, was chosen for how closely it met the objectives of the Ulysses Trust, which helped to fund the expedition. These include helping to develop the characteristics of leadership, teamwork, confidence and selfdiscipline of the young people taking part.

Captain Paul Elliot from B Company, representing Durham ACF, was recently presented with the award for the Best Cadet Expedition by Mrs Sue Winfield OBE, Vice-President North East RFCA and Lord Lieutenant of Tyne and Wear, at the North of England RFCA’s annual autumn meeting.

versus

LONDIST versus

4 Inf Bde

2

2 0

FINALS – JUNIORS

2 1

51 Inf Bde versus LONDIST

1 0

ARMYCADETS.COM 7

THE DRILL TIPS, ADVICE AND COMMENT

YOUR Flash STORIES

Write to us with your news and stories at editor@army cadets.com

Send in your misunderstood acronyms

JARGON BUSTERS

WORD SEARCH HELP US NAVIGATE THE CONFUSING WORLD OF ACRONYMS AND ACF SLANG

5

NEW CFAVS don’t arrive

MINUTE FOOT CARE

Taking good care of your boots and carrying an extra pair of socks could make all the difference on long marches, says podiatrist and AUO Clare Lomas of Northumbria ACF

automatically knowing the difference between a CA and a CAA, let alone how to distinguish between S3, SS3 and sS. And ask them about the DSIC, DJEP, HRG or JPA and expect a blank look.

Then just when they start to think they have got the hang of things, they’ll come across acronyms with multiple meanings, like BFA, or where using the words that an acronym

TA K E A C T I O N E A R LY

originally stood for is now technically incorrect, as in CVQO. Add local slang dropped in by ex-Forces CFAVs – “jack brew”

G

et the blister-prevention basics right and you may never limp through a march, but if you do find yourself in pain take action as early as possible to reduce the damage, says Clare Lomas, an adult under officer at Northumbria ACF and an NHS advanced podiatrist.

First, make sure your boots fit. Buy the best you can afford, and get new rather than second-hand, so they mould to your feet. Break them in by wearing them little and often, and polish them regularly to make them supple.

Next, get good walking socks in the right size. Always carry a spare pair so that, if your

8 ACF WINTER 2016/17

feet get wet, you don’t have to be in wet socks any longer than necessary.

And dry your boots, too. Finally, at the end of the day take the insoles out and let them dry.

If you have two pairs of boots – a luxury, but one that will make a real difference on camp – alternate them. Don’t sleep in your boots.

Take prompt action if you spot a blister forming. Cover it with a proper blister plaster or, if you don’t have one, a normal dressing.

Don’t use sticky plasters, and never use zinc oxide tape – I have seen people do that, and sometimes a good portion of their skin comes away when they take it off.

for the crime of making a cup of tea for oneself and not one’s colleagues – and it is easy to see how confusion could arise.

With your help, Army Cadet Volunteer will shed light into the darkest corners of ACF jargon.

Tell us what phrases tripped you up – or which expressions you’re still not sure about. Better yet, tell us what happened when you (or “a friend”, if you’re feeling shy) misunderstood what was meant. marketing@armycadets.com

THE DRILL

A LL A BROA D

How volunteers and cadets can make the most of overseas training page 22

HOW TO : GET A MINIBUS LICENCE

DO YOU MEASURE UP?

SLING RACES

T

he ACF needs hundreds more CFAVs to get their minibus licences to make sure that there are enough people to transport cadets safely. Luckily it’s not difficult, says Lt Col (Ret’d) Dave Croll, SO2 G4 in Cadets Branch.

Check your regular driving licence.

Most people just need a standard licence followed by 2.5 days of training.

Talk to your nominated training officer. This may be your CEO, but it varies from county to county. He or she will register your intent to take the licence and sign you up to the required courses.

Get the theory. You will need to meet the medical standards and pass the theory matrix test before the practical training.

Get the practice. The ACF will do its best to schedule the practical training for a time and place that fits in with your location, routine and other commitments. For instance, it might be delivered at annual camp, or near where you live. Your instructor could be a regular soldier, a reservist or a private contractor.

Keep calm. One of the biggest differences between driving a car and a minibus is the number of passengers. And, because some or all of them will be teenagers, they might

The ACF can help you to get a minibus licence

be loud or even misbehave while you’re driving. Learning how to manage this while not being distracted from the road is key, but once you have the knack it will become second nature.

WHEN IT COMES to weapons handling, stripping and reassembling a rifle must always be done with great care and precision, and should never be rushed.

But when you’re teaching cadets about the L98A2, one way to add a fun extra challenge is to get them to see how quickly they can fit or remove the sling.

In slow time fitting one will take about a minute, but with practice cadets can do it much quicker – ten seconds is a great time to try to beat!

See how quickly your cadets can fit a sling

Stay fresh. If you take a break of a year or more from driving a minibus you should undertake a quick refresher course. This could be as simple as 30 minutes with an appropriate instructor – not necessarily a driving instructor – to re-familiarise yourself.

Find out more: download IAW policy leaflet 55, JSP 800, vol 5 from the Resource Centre on Defence Gateway

W H A T T O D O I F. . . …YOU NEED TO RAISE A CONCERN Most disagreements can be resolved simply but it is helpful to understand the ACF’s formal grievance procedure as well, says Richard Walton, Director of Finance, Operations and Training at the ACFA. TALK INFORMALLY to your detachment or area commander. This will resolve most problems.

SUBMIT A WRITTEN GRIEVANCE. Send it to the cadet commandant, unless

there is a good reason not to, such as them being the subject of the complaint.

In that case, send it to the deputy CE of your RFCA. ATTEND AN INTERVIEW. This will be with the person you wrote to, and will be recorded in writing. You can expect a decision within 10 working days.

APPEAL. If you are not satisfied with the decision, explain why by writing to the CE of the RFCA within five days. The CE will give a decision as soon as possible

after the appeal hearing.

This decision is binding.

The full grievance procedure is included in the ACF Regulations, part 2.3.12. As a member of the ACFA you can ask for advice on the process to ensure it is being followed correctly.

Please contact DFOT@army cadets.com

THE DRILL

IN CR EDIT Nominating cadets and volunteers for an award page 16

Cadets at the first ever national Science in Action Camp

PROFILE

David Hull

STEM SKILLS

SCIENCE IN ACTION CAMP

C

adets from across the UK got the chance to get hands on with an Apache attack helicopter, try out the world’s largest training simulator – the Combined Arms Tactical Trainer – and build model bridges and water filtration systems during the ACF’s first ever national Science in Action Camp.

The week-long camp in Wiltshire was delivered by technical experts from the Royal Artillery, REME, Royal Logistics Corps, Royal Engineers, Royal Signals and the Army Air Corps, as well as professionals and teachers from the fields of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM).

It was designed to give cadets studying STEM subjects at school the chance to see

first-hand how theory that is learnt in the classroom can be applied in exciting, real world examples.

Cadet LCpl Rebecca McConnachie, 1st Battalion the Highlanders ACF, was one of 78 cadets selected to attend the camp, which was held in October. “I really enjoyed how hands-on this course was,” she said. “As well as various lectures, we had the chance to get up close to important military equipment and get a more in-depth look into some of the more technical roles of the British Army.”

Cadet Wright, Humberside and South Yorkshire ACF, added: “It was a great week where we got an insight into the army as well as meeting loads of new friends from around the UK.”

WE HAD THE CHANCE TO GET UP CLOSE TO MILITARY EQUIPMENT AND GET A MORE IN-DEPTH LOOK INTO SOME OF THE MORE TECHNICAL ROLES OF THE BRITISH ARMY

10 ACF WINTER 2016/17

REVEREND DAVID HULL was 10 when he first realised he wanted to be a minister. After a year working in education he was ordained as a Methodist minister in 2004.

Today he is the chaplain of Kingswood School in Bath, but it was his first school position, at Shebbear College in Devon, that introduced him to the ACF. “I wanted to be part of the wider school community and I had loved cadets [he was in an Army CCF section and the Air Cadets as a teenager] so I asked the deputy commandant about becoming a generalist officer. He explained that, although it probably wasn’t a good idea to have a clergyman running around with guns, there was a vacancy for a padre in Devon.”

The biggest part of his role as the county’s padre – as a CF3 he is equivalent to a major – comes at annual camp. “Camps are busy and CFAVs have a lot to organise. As a padre my role is a pastoral one, so I have time to stop and listen to anyone who needs to talk, whether that is an adult or a cadet.

“As padres we are able to help people through sad situations, reassure them if they are worried and celebrate with them when they get happy news. We’re there for everyone, whatever their faith – or if they do not have a faith.

“So do get to know us and, if you or someone in your care needs support, remember that we are here to offer it.”

THE DRILL

GETCONNECTED

Add Army Cadets to your professional profile by following us on LinkedIn:

www.linkedin.com/company/army-cadets-force

SPEAK OUT YOUR LETTERS, EMAILS, TWEETS & POSTS

FRONTLINE ON FACEBOOK

REMEMBRANCE Detachments were out in force during the Remembrance period, with cadets and adult volunteers spotted fundraising at supermarkets, football matches and race courses; performing in concerts; laying wreaths at local war memorials; and marching through town centres in Remembrance Day parades.

We were inundated with messages of support on social media in response to your posts on the various ways you were commemorating Remembrance.

Members of Seaham detachment (Durham ACF) were congratulated for their hard work and tribute to the town’s fallen heroes after helping the Seaham Remember Them Fund to create a giant poppy made from pebbles to place at the feet of the town’s “Tommy” war memorial.

Cadets from 9 Platoon (Berkshire ACF) and Woodlands detachment (Kent ACF) were praised for their fantastic fundraising efforts, raising £6,900 and £1,300 respectively for the Royal British Legion.

They were among the many cadets who braved the November weather to sell poppies and fundraise for Forces charities, including RBL and Poppy Scotland.

Colin Glover, leader of Carlisle City Council, tweeted his appreciation to Carlisle detachment (Cumbria ACF): “Young people aren’t just our future, they are helping us now. Thanks to Army Cadets in Carlisle busy fundraising this Remembrance weekend”.

Congratulations and messages of thanks were also in order for Clwyd and Gwynedd Corps of Drums, which entertained crowds at a concert in Llandudno for Blind Veterans UK, and cadets from Northumbria ACF, who took part in the Royal Albert Hall’s Festival of

To mark Remembrance 2016 we asked you to use the hashtag #ACFRemembers and share your posts of cadets taking part in Remembrance activities West Lowland Battalion ACF Sergeant Shannon Carr-Roe accompanied Guy Clarke, Lord Lieutenant of Renfrewshire, at Erskine's Armistice Day Service as part of her duties as Lord Lieutenant's Cadet.

The giant poppy made by Seaham detachment at the town’s war memorial

Remembrance. One Facebook fan said of the Festival: “From RSM Kibble thank you all for all your hard work you make us veterans very proud.”

All cadets and CFAVs who took part in commemorating Remembrance did themselves and the ACF proud.

To see more images and more examples of the ACF taking part in Remembrance Day activities visit the ACF Facebook page and search “#ACFRemembers” on Facebook and Twitter.

Lauren Dunbevand ACF Marketing & Communications Officer

GET IN TOUCH Send your letters, comments and ideas for future conversation starters to marketing@armycadets.com

Dorset ACF Cadets from the Christchurch Detachment sold poppies, demonstrated their skills at foot drill and took part in the Push Up Challenge.

2nd Battalion The Highlanders ACF Well Done to Cdt Buchan who laid a wreath along with his great Grandad yesterday in Fraserburgh.

TOP TWEETS ACF in the Twittersphere @andymalarky 1st remembrance w/ @24PlQueensferry as Detachment Commander. #ACFRemembers @ArmyCadetsUK @10selacf @selacf representing @ArmyCadetsUK at #lordmayorsshow 2016 @10selacf @7selacf @9selacf

@wabbey The Duke of Edinburgh shares a laugh with cadets.

ARMYCADETS.COM 11

Equipment

Mine tape (start)

Boundaries

White tyre

Ammo

1

Cadets try to get from one side of the “crocodile-infested river� to the other

Mine tape (finish)

Cadets assess how they will retrieve the bucket without equipment touching the floor

DID YOU KNOW? 73% of CFAVs surveyed say they chose to join in order to help others 2

12 ACF WINTER 2016/17

TEAM BUILDING

1

Mad Dash (Splash)

2

Object Retrieval Race

COMMAND TASKS LT CALLUM FORSTER HELPED CADETS FROM CLEVELAND ACF TO TRAIN FOR 4 INFANTRY BRIGADE’S MILITARY SKILLS COMPETITION, THE BLACK RAT CHALLENGE, BY TEACHING THEM ABOUT COMMAND TASK METHODOLOGY, ORGANISATION, CONDUCT AND COMMON FEATURES

1

MAD DASH (SPLASH) Equipment: Two planks, two orange tyres, two white tyres, one bucket (ammo box), two 2m lengths of rope and mine tape.

Time: 20 minutes Where: Indoors or outdoors Aim: For cadets to get from one side of the crocodileinfested river to the other.

On the way they must pick up extra ammunition that has been dropped by the RAF on a small island.

Benefits: At first this task requires a lot of planning from the whole team, but once the task is underway it becomes a physical challenge. This task, aimed at junior cadets (1 star and below), promotes team work and team bonding, which is useful when preparing for competitions that are dependent on team work.

Instructions and results: Set out the area as shown in the diagram (top right, facing page), making sure that the first white tyre

can be reached from the mine tape (river bank). The distance between the first white tyre and the second white tyre should be greater than the length of both planks. The white tyres are small islands which can be used as aids, but must not move. The orange tyres are floating barrels which can be moved anywhere within the boundaries of the task.

Brief the cadets that they have just been ambushed by an enemy patrol and they must get over the crocodileinfested river and escape the rapidly-approaching enemy.

They must pick up the spare ammunition on the way, as they are down to 10 rounds each after a recent fire fight. Using the equipment, all team members must get across the river without touching the water. Not all of the equipment has to cross the river.

Make it harder: Remove one of the orange tyres

2 OBJECT RETRIEVAL RACE Equipment: Two tyres, a bucket, tape, a wooden pallet to signify an island and two lengths of rope per team.

Time: Five minutes Where: Indoors or outdoors Aim: To retrieve the bucket from inside the stacked tyres without any equipment touching the ground. The team which does this fastest wins.

Benefits: To develop communication, team-working and coordination skills in teams of any size.

Instructions: Mark out a large circle with the tape and stack the tyres on top of the pallet inside the circle. Place the bucket inside the tyres. No member of the team, nor any piece of equipment, can touch the ground inside the circle. The teams are allowed to use only the rope to extract the bucket. If any piece of equipment touches the ground, time penalties will be incurred by the team; if five minutes is allowed for the task, use 30-second time penalties. The winner is the fastest team .

NO TEAM MEMBERS, NOR EQUIPMENT, CAN TOUCH THE GROUND INSIDE THE CIRCLE

ARMYCADETS.COM 13

PEOPLE

NEW FACES

THE ACF HAS RECENTLY WELCOMED A WHOLE HOST OF PEOPLE INTO NEW ROLES, INCLUDING THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF THE ACFA AND CCFA AND THE NATIONAL NAVIGATION ADVISER. WE SPEAK TO BOTH OF THEM

T

he new year is bringing plenty of changes at the ACF and ACFA, with a number of people moving into new roles in areas from navigation to adventure training.

One of the most high-profile of those – and undoubtedly the most senior – is Col (Ret’d) Murdo Urquhart OBE, the new chief executive of the ACFA and CCFA. Murdo spent 37 years in the Army, including

WHENEVER I VISITED TRAINING I CAME AWAY UPLIFTED Col (Ret’d) Murdo Urquhart

14 ACF WINTER 2016/17

operational service in Northern Ireland, Sudan and Iraq. Both of his sons were in Wiltshire ACF. “My last post in the Army was at HQ, where I was the most senior serving regular officer totally focused on cadets,” says Murdo. “It was a role I sought out because whenever I visited cadets training I came away uplifted. What really impressed me was what the adult volunteers were doing to help young people, many from challenging backgrounds, to develop.”

The biggest challenge facing adult volunteers today is balancing the conflicting demands of their primary careers, their family commitments and their commitment to cadets, he says.

“These are three substantial sets of

responsibilities, not least because the 24-7 nature of work means that people are often answering emails well into the evening and at weekends, which puts extra pressure on domestic and volunteering commitments.

“There is nothing that the ACFA can do directly to ease this but what we can do, and strive to do, is represent the interests of adult volunteers.”

Murdo thinks of the cadet hierarchy as like a pyramid, but one that is balancing on its tip rather than on its base. “It is the job of the MOD, the government and the single services to support the adult volunteers above them rather than to push orders down to the bottom of the heap,” he explains.

APPOINTMENTS

DID YOU KNOW?

75% of CFAVs surveyed wanted to join the ACF to develop young people

Finding his way forward “I was a cadet, although not for very long,” says Surrey ACF’s Lt Kevin Limbert, the new national navigation adviser. “I was ill-disciplined and wouldn’t stop talking so I was chucked out after six months.”

Despite this unsuccessful early brush with the military, Kevin joined the Army after leaving school, spending nine years in the Royal Signals and another six in the Army Air Corps flying helicopters.

“During my last few years in the Army I helped out at Suffolk ACF, and when I left the Army in 2011 I became a CFAV,” he says.

Focusing on navigation came naturally.

“I led a lot of expeditions in the Army… and when you’re a helicopter pilot there’s always navigation involved. If you can do it at 60mph just above the treeline – or just below – you really get a taste for it.”

Kevin argues that navigation skills are the foundation for much of the rest of the ACF’s activities. “There’s no point doing fieldcraft and learning about patrol harbours if you can’t work out how to get there,” he says.

His goal is to publicise the requirements of the National Navigation Award Scheme (NNAS) awards so that more cadets and CFAVs understand what is involved. “We also need more navigation tutors. I want to improve the processes involved so that people have more autonomy, but within a firm framework so that we don’t end up with counties doing it all their own way.”

MORE NEW FACES LT COL CATH DAVIES, cadet force national adviser for adventurous training and other challenging pursuits. Cath has instructed on more than 40 global climbing and mountaineering expeditions. The psychotherapist and leadership consultant was the chairman of the Army Mountaineering Association for six years; she currently serves as its honorary vice president.

LT COL JOE SUMMERS, national CIS advisor.

For the past fi ve years Joe has been OC of the cadet signals training wing at Blandford Camp, and before that he was a company commander with Cornwall ACF. Joe is senior user on the project team working to procure a new radio system for the ACF. In this role he is looking forward to the roll out of the new radio in 2017 and the inclusion of CIS in the revised APC syllabus.

ABOVE: Adventure training and challenging pursuits are Lt Col Cath Davies’ areas of expertise LEFT: Lt Col Joe Summers is an expert in signalling

ARMYCADETS.COM 15

AWARDS

THERE ARE ALL SORTS OF FANTASTIC AWARDS THAT PEOPLE DON’T APPLY FOR Dr Richard Crawford

16 ACF WINTER 2016/17

AWARDS

DID YOU KNOW?

94% of CFAVs surveyed agreed that being in the ACF is a good challenge

AWARDS

BADGE OF HONOUR AIM HIGH AND BOOST THE MORALE OF YOUR WHOLE DETACHMENT BY NOMINATING YOUR CADETS AND FELLOW VOLUNTEERS FOR AN AWARD

T

here are dozens of award programmes open to cadets and CFAVs, with honours ranging from the ACFA President’s Award to an OBE or even a George Cross. Some of these recognise people who demonstrate bravery under pressure, while others are awarded for long-term commitment or making a real difference to young people’s lives – both characteristics on display in the ACF. Despite this, some counties have never nominated a cadet or CFAV for an award.

“There are all sorts of fantastic awards that people don’t apply for,” says Dr Richard Crawford, SO1 Cadets Policy and Plans. “Either they don’t know they exist, or they don’t know how to apply.”

This is something that the ACF and ACFA are trying to change. “We

encourage CFAVs who see outstanding achievements by their cadets or fellow volunteers to nominate them for one of these awards so that we can be sure that those achievements are recognised,” says Lt Col (Ret’d) Alan Sharkey, the ACFA’s newly-appointed honours and awards coordinator.

Correct process Generally speaking nominations need to come through commandants, so the first step for CFAVs is to write a suitable citation that the commandant can forward up the chain of command. “We have a page on Defence Gateway that has all the information you need to write a citation,” says Richard. “And there are lots of people who can help with it, too.

Your CEO will be able to direct you to someone, for instance.”

ARMYCADETS.COM 17

SMI DEREK ECCLES Derek Eccles (pictured, right) didn’t know he’d been nominated for an ACFA Recognising Excellence award so he was understandably surprised to learn that he had won the Bands and Corps of Drums category.

“I joined the Corps of Drums as a 13-year-old in 1990 and have been with them ever since,” says Derek. “We represent the County of Lancashire at all manner of events and I am extremely proud of all the cadets and staff past and present who have helped us achieve such high standards.

“I see the award as recognition of all the hard work both the cadets and staff have put in throughout the years and feel honoured to have been nominated and able to receive the award on behalf of all of them.”

Alan is more than happy to help. “Email awards@armycadets.com and we will provide support in ensuring that the nomination is up to a sufficient standard [whether it is going through the military system or is for a non-military award]…and that it clearly describes the benefits of the achievements. We want to know what they have done, and the effect that they have had.”

New awards While there are a significant number of awards open to cadets and CFAVs, the ACFA has simplified things by

18 ACF WINTER 2016/17

Brigadier Matthew Lowe MBE (left), Deputy Commander Cadets, Regional Command, presents SMI Eccles with his award

consolidating a number of different awards into the ACFA President’s Award, which is designed to recognise cadets and CFAVs who have done something special in the service of the ACF. “With this year’s President’s Award we looked at nominations for the Recognising Excellence Awards, which only have one winner per category, to identify people who missed out but still deserved recognition,” he says. “Next year we hope to have even more.”

The ACFA President’s Award, which is for conspicuous acts or exceptional service by CFAVs and cadets, is not the only general award available to the ACF. The ACF Certificate of Good Service is a prestigious award that is endorsed by Commander Cadets and is awarded to cadets and CFAVs who have given either sustained exemplary service or a specific act of exemplary service in the ACF.

There are also more specific awards, for example in first aid, for which CFAVs and cadets can be nominated. At last year’s British Red Cross Humanitarian Awards, which recognise young first aid heroes, winners included two ACF cadets – Cadet Sergeant Major Jeremiah Emmanuel (Greater London South East ACF) who won the First Aid Award and Cadet Corporal Victoria Richbell-Davies (Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire ACF) who won the Judges’ Special Award (pictured on page 32).

CFAVs who are not sure which award to nominate someone for should “aim high”, says Richard. “It may get knocked back, but it will still be considered for other awards anyway.”

FIND OUT MORE

See the full list of Recognising Excellence Awards winners at www.armycadets.com/ baesystems

AWARDS

AWARDS

Who can apply and how NON-OPERATIONAL GALLANTRY AWARDS: GC, GM, QGM, QCB WHO CFAVS AND CADETS HOW RECOMMENDATIONS BY CADET COMMANDANTS, IN ACCORDANCE WITH JSP 761

COMMANDER’S COMMENDATION FOR BRAVE CONDUCT WHO CFAVS AND CADETS HOW RECOMMENDATIONS BY CADET COMMANDANTS, IN ACCORDANCE WITH JSP 761

NON-GALLANTRY AWARDS IN THE MILITARY DIVISION OF THE HALF YEAR LISTS – OBE, MBE WHO ACF OFFICERS HOW RECOMMENDATIONS BY CADET COMMANDANTS - JSP 761 AND HM LORD LIEUTENANT INSTRUCTIONS.

NON-GALLANTRY AWARDS IN THE CIVIL DIVISION OF THE HALF YEAR LISTS – BEM WHO CFAVS AND CADETS HOW RECOMMENDATIONS ON MOD FORM 408 THROUGH THE CHAIN OF COMMAND TO THE CIVILIAN HONOURS UNIT.

COMMANDER LAND FORCE’S COIN WHO ALL – INDIVIDUAL OR TEAM HOW PERSONAL AWARD WHICH CLF WILL MAKE SPONTANEOUSLY OR AT THE PRIOR REQUEST OF A COMMANDER DURING A VISIT TO A UNIT OR HQ, TO AN INDIVIDUAL OR TEAM.

ST JOHN AMBULANCE AWARDS WHO CFAVS AND CADETS HOW CADET COMMANDANTS TO ACFA

ST JOHN AMBULANCE YOUNG ACHIEVERS WHO CADETS HOW NOMINATED BY ACFA FOR PRAISEWORTHY FIRST AID OR COMPETITION SUCCESS

ORDER OF ST JOHN LIFESAVING AWARDS WHO CFAVS AND CADETS HOW CADET COMMANDANTS TO ACFA

ROYAL HUMANE SOCIETY WHO CFAVS AND CADETS HOW CADET COMMANDANTS TO ACFA

BRITISH RED CROSS HUMANITARIAN AWARDS WHO CFAVS AND CADETS HOW CADET COMMANDANTS TO ACFA

CADET FORCES MEDAL WHO CFAVS HOW AWARDED AFTER 12 YEARS’ SERVICE

HOW TO WRITE A NOMINATION • Use the third person – ie “the nominee has” • Give practical examples of the nominee’s achievements, and how they have benefited cadets, CFAVs and others • Where possible support your nomination with dates, numbers and other specific facts • Avoid adding in vague superlatives such as “an outstanding performance” • Pay attention to any questions or prompts on the nomination form • If needed, contact awards@armycadets.com for assistance • Find out more by going to the Personnel & Administration area in the ACF section of the Resource Centre on Westminster

SPLF FOR FIRST AID WHO CFAVS AND CADETS HOW CADET COMMANDANTS TO ACFA

LORD LIEUTENANT’S CERTIFICATE OF MERITORIOUS SERVICE WHO CFAVS HOW CADET COMMANDANTS TO THE LORD LIEUTENANT’S OFFICE

ACF CERTIFICATE OF GOOD SERVICE WHO AUO/LT/CAPTAIN 5 YRS + ADULT INSTRUCTOR 5 YRS + CADET 3 YRS + HOW CADET COMMANDANT TO RC HQ CADETS BRANCH

ACFA RECOGNISING EXCELLENCE AWARDS WHO CFAVS AND CADETS HOW RECOMMENDATION TO ACFA WHEN INVITED

ACFA PRESIDENT’S AWARD WHO CFAVS; CADETS AND OTHERS WHO HAVE SUPPORTED ACFA ACTIVITIES HOW RECOMMENDATION BY CADET COMMANDANT TO ACFA; SELECTED FROM THE RECOGNISING EXCELLENCE AWARD NOMINATIONS BY ACFA

VOTE ARMYCADETS.COM 19

LEADERSHIP

LEADERSHIP

TAKING THE LEAD ACF VOLUNTEERS HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DEVELOP AND HONE LEADERSHIP SKILLS THAT ARE USEFUL IN ALL ASPECTS OF THEIR LIVES

20 ACF WINTER 2016/17

M

ilitary leadership is structured around a clear hierarchy designed to make it clear who is in charge of any given situation. The ACF’s leadership structure mirrors that of the Army – naturally enough – but the fact its members are volunteers adds another layer of complexity. Then there’s the fact that leadership can come in many forms, not all of them directly connected to official status.

But what is clear is that leadership within the ACF is always underpinned by the ACF’s values and standards. “It is all about loyalty, honesty and professionalism,” says Lt Col Neil Atherton, the deputy commandant (non-military training) at Nottinghamshire ACF. “You can show leadership in any role,” adds colour sergeant Amanda Roxborough, the DofE PRO, 1st Battalion Northern Ireland. “It is about having influence, which requires you to demonstrate your respect for others, your integrity and your loyalty to your team.”

Her approach to leadership, both in the ACF and in her civilian career at Northern Ireland’s health board and education authority, has been shaped by her experience as a canoeing coach.

“I want to encourage and support others to do their best, rather than dictating to them,” says Amanda, who studied leadership as part of her business degree. “It is very much ‘come on, give this a try’.”

This approach empowers cadets and adult colleagues to reflect on what they are doing and develop their own solutions, which in turn builds confidence. It also helps motivate them to set targets once they have achieved their initial goals, whether that is in canoeing, the ACF or at work.

Neil, like Amanda, finds that the leadership skills he develops in the ACF complement and extend those he develops at work – and vice versa. One is around the ability to lead people who will, very often, know much more than you do about their specialist area, he says.

YOU CAN SHOW LEADERSHIP IN ANY ROLE Amanda Roxborough

“In my role as a I CANNOT DICTATE chartered surveyor, where TO THEM. I NEED TO I lead a team of 15, I am dealing with people LISTEN TO THEM who are experts in their Lt Col Neil Atherton field. It requires a degree of humility as a leader because I cannot dictate to them. I need to listen to them, understand their strengths and weaknesses, recognise the value that each brings, and trust them to get on with their work.”

TOP AND LEFT: Leadership isn’t just about telling people what to do; it’s a set of skills that empower your team to do the best they can

Flexibility and empathy He also needs to maintain a constant awareness of what each of them is doing and how it fits in to the bigger picture, he says.

“It is very similar in the ACF, because there I am reliant on other people, as well. I want their ideas and input… I don’t want to micromanage them. In my experience people work best when they understand the rules and the goals, but are then allowed to get along with things their way.”

A degree of flexibility with ACF colleagues is particularly important given that people are volunteers, he says.

“Leadership happens at different levels and takes different forms in different situations,” adds Amanda. “Sometimes it could be about empathy and offering support, at others it could be about showing humility. And obviously there is a time to acknowledge other people’s rank and place in the hierarchy – that is discipline.

“But every adult volunteer regardless of rank is a role model for cadets so should take the lead by showing integrity, courage and respect for others.”

FIND OUT MORE Learn more about the ACF Leadership Code: www.defencegateway.mod.uk/reference_ portal/cadets/personnel_and_admin/aclc.aspx

ACF VALUES Courage: Doing and saying the right thing at all times Discipline: Doing things properly and setting the right example Respect for others: Treat others as you expect to be treated Integrity: Being honest with yourself and with your teammates Loyalty: Support the ACF and your teammates Selfless commitment: The ACF is about teamwork

ABOVE: On overseas training programmes, cadets have the opportunity to experience everything from mountaineering to wilderness first aid, and will now be better prepared for those once-in-a-lifetime experiences than ever before

22 ACF WINTER 2016/17

OVERSEAS TRAINING

UP AND AWAY

OVERSEAS TRAINING IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR CADETS AND CFAVS ALIKE, BUT IT PAYS TO BE PREPARED

C

FAVs and cadets who sign up for overseas training programmes this year can expect to be better prepared – and more rigorously tested – than ever, says Lt Col Jimmy Beggs, the ACF’s new national adviser for international exchanges.

“Previously cadets who applied to go overseas just had to do a gym-based fitness test,” he says. “From now on, though, they will do tests and training that mirror what they will be doing on their visit to ensure cadets are better prepared.” For instance, organisers will make sure that cadets going to Canada, where horseriding is part of the programme, are comfortable around horses.

Jimmy, who has been involved with the ACF for 20 years, has also taken steps to make sure CFAVs, cadets and parents have a clearer understanding of what each trip involves. “I have designed a booklet,” he says.

“Parents can see at a glance what the trip is all about, including what kit children need.”

The booklet has been developed after conversations with cadets and CFAVs who

I THINK IT WAS THE BEST THING I’VE DONE IN THE ACF Lt Matthew Sanders

have attended previous overseas expeditions so that it incorporates lessons learnt, he adds.

Once-in-a-lifetime experience Lt Matthew Sanders, a former cadet who is now a CFAV with Devon ACF, is an overseas expedition alumnus. “As a cadet I went to Los Picos [in Spain], where we did mountaineering, a gold DofE expedition, and some really good adventure training.”

Last year he experienced an international trip from a CFAV perspective by escorting cadets on a six-week expedition to Canada.

“We joined Canadian cadets on their leadership and challenge course, which is like the Master Cadet course in the UK. It covered things like leadership assessment, mountain biking, trekking over glaciers, rock climbing and wilderness first aid.

“It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience – but if I get the opportunity I would love to do it again. I think it was the best thing I’ve done in the ACF. I encourage anyone who can commit the time to put their names forward.”

Jimmy agrees. “Cadets and CFAVs should give it a go. It’s a challenging programme that is fully funded by the MOD and offers many benefits. Everyone is welcome to get involved.”

FIND OUT MORE To download the booklet visit armycadets.com/canadayearbook

ARMYCADETS.COM 23

AT TITUDE SURVEY

FEEDBACK

YOU TELL US OUR RECENT ATTITUDE SURVEY HAS REVEALED WHERE WE ARE DOING WELL AND WHAT WE CAN IMPROVE

F

irst the good news: cadets and CFAVs alike have responded positively to our recent attitude survey. “People are very proud to be part of the ACF,” says Dr Richard Crawford, SO1 Cadets Policy and Plans. “We were confident that this was

PEOPLE ARE PROUD TO BE PART OF THE ACF. IT’S ALWAYS GOOD TO GET SUCH STRONG RESULTS Dr Richard Crawford

24 ACF WINTER 2016/17

the case but it’s always good to get such strong results.”

More than two thirds of cadets and nearly 80% of CFAVs are proud to be in the ACF, the results suggest. “Overall, CFAVs like being with other instructors and cadets, and say that they are learning valuable skills,” says Richard. “And a majority would recommend it to friends and family.”

Valuing CFAVs However, there are also areas for improvement.

“The results suggest that the ACF could do more to show CFAVs that we value them by recognising and rewarding their achievements, while some people said they thought we should do more to recruit new volunteers.

AT TITUDE SURVEY

FACING PAGE: Cadets love the cameraderie and challenge of the ACF LEFT: Cadet receiving a briefing before the Rifles National Cadet Competition 2016

YOUR VIEWS Feedback from cadets and CFAVs to our attitude survey at a glance

Top three activities cadets like most about being in the ACF:

1

DID YOU KNOW?

Annual camp

There are more results from the survey throughout the magazine

“This conforms with messages that we have been getting from meetings and other events. In fact, we’re already responding by streamlining the awards process and encouraging CFAVs to nominate their peers [see awards feature on page 16], and through our improved recruitment system, which has been designed to reduce the number of people who drop out during the process.

“And, of course, there is Project Libra, which is helping us identify better ways of doing things.”

Spread the word When it comes to cadets, “they are constantly telling their friends about the ACF”, with more than half of them joining up thanks to a friend or family connection. “They are attracted by friends and the opportunity to make new friends,” he says.

“And they are attracted by a lot of different activities, not just military aspects. Shooting and fieldcraft top the list, but adventurous training and first aid are also very highly ranked. Annual camps also score very highly.”

The main area for improvement, from a cadet

Shooting

3 perspective, is around information-sharing, he says. “They want to find out about national opportunities,” says Richard. “If cadets aren’t finding these things out it is probably because the adults aren’t finding out, so we are working on that.

The survey, which closed in November, was the first major poll of ACF opinion since 2009, says Richard. “Since then we’ve done smaller surveys looking at specific aspects of cadets but this data gives us deeper and broader information about what people do and don’t like about the ACF.” Richard is confident that the in-depth survey, which took about 20 minutes to complete online, gave the opinions of a representative sample across counties, ranks and gender. “Now that we have this data we can use it as a baseline in the future. That means, for instance, that we can test how well initiatives work by seeing whether and how people’s responses change.”

69% 68%

2

Fieldcraft of cadets are proud to be in the ACF

of cadets say that the ACF is a good challenge

67%

of cadets would recommend the ACF to their friends

65%

of cadets think that being in the ACF will help them get a job in the future

61%

of CFAVs joined the ACF because someone in their family or group of friends was already a member

79% 73%

of CFAVs are proud to be in the ACF

of CFAVs would recommend the ACF to their friends

FIND OUT MORE Navigate to the Personnel & Administration area in the ACF section of the Resource Centre on Westminster

ARMYCADETS.COM 25

CADET EXPERIENCE

NUMBER-OFF! CADETS COULD MAKE VOLUNTEERS’ LIVES MUCH EASIER IF THEY WERE WILLING TO STICK TO A FEW SIMPLE PROMISES

10 THINGS…

…CFAVS WISH CADETS HAD RESOLVED TO DO ON 1 JANUARY

M

ost new year resolutions are fairly predictable: exercise more, eat less, work out how to make Army Mail work on a mobile phone. But what, we wondered, are the resolutions CFAVs hope that cadets have made this year – and that they will stick to?

1

SCRUB UP WELL

Wash regularly, even on camp. Particularly on camp, in fact; the atmosphere in some accommodation blocks requires breathing equipment.

5

WAYS TO TO MAKE ROUTINE TRAINING FUN 26 ACF WINTER 2016/17

HELP CADETS ENJOY ROUTINE TRAINING WITH THESE TIPS FROM LT NICHOLA WATTS, THE SHOOTING OFFICER FOR WILTSHIRE ACF

1

2

BORROWED TIME

Return borrowed kit immediately after training weekends. No CFAV wants to play chase-the-bergen for weeks on end.

MAKE UP GAMES For instance, teach military facts with “quiz battleships”, where the person asking questions fills in a grid and answering teams have to call in a fire mission. If they get a hit, they get the question.

2

AVOID POWERPOINT Make lessons as interactive as you can; cadets will have had people talking at them all day at school, and they won’t want more of the same.

GOOD ADVICE

GET IN TOUCH

3

@ArmyCadetsUK facebook.com/ Armycadetforce E: marketing@ armycadets.com

KEEP SMILING

Remember that it could always be worse. Soggy boots and damp trousers are no excuse for an unmotivated attitude.

4

7

BE AN EARLY BIRD

Arrive five minutes early for everything.

Even lights out.

PAPER TRAIL

Carry a notebook and pencil. Writing on the back of your hand only gets you so far.

5

8

BRUSH UP YOUR SKILLS

Build a lasting relationship between boots and polish.

It’s a love for the ages.

GIVING BACK

Stop nicking borrowing stuff from other detachments.

They need their kit too.

9

RECOVER YOUR FORM

Return consent forms on time. And, ideally, before they’ve been crumpled into a crumb-filled, Ribena-soaked wad in the bottom of a bag.

1 0 6

Always pack a sense of adventure. It’s the best way to take advantage of all the opportunities on offer.

BOTTOM OF THE BAG

Stop losing sleeping bag and bivvi bag covers. Eventually instructors will run out of ways to apologise to the QM.

3

USE YOUR IMAGINATION For instance, in a closequarters battle lane, tell cadets to “save Little Red Riding Hood from wolves without shooting her or her granny”. It really makes them communicate.

4

USE OTHER PEOPLE This could be outside experts, or even just your senior cadets, as they will remember what they liked – and didn’t like – about routine training.

GRAB YOUR CHANCES

5

EMPHASISE FRIENDSHIP Encourage all cadets to invite their mates along – the more, the merrier. But don’t forget to support the formation of new friendships as well.

ARMYCADETS.COM 27

OFFICERS

STEPPING UP RECENT PROMOTIONS AND AWARDS FOR OFFICERS, TRANSFERABLE SKILLS, AND GOING THE EXTRA MILE LEARNING THE ROPES

RSM RELATIONSHIPS

DID YOU KNOW? 96% of CFAVs surveyed believe that being in the ACF has developed their interpersonal skills

The relationship between officers and RSMs – or RSMIs – is an important one, says Frimley’s Jason Thomas

New officers can benefit hugely from their RSM’s experience, but it’s best to keep the relationship as professional as it would be in the regular army although a little more relaxed, as Frimley’s RSM Jason Thomas explains

I

n the regular Army it is both normal and correct for SNCOs with 20 or more years in the field to address young officers with less than 18 months’ service – 12 of those spent training – as sir or ma’am. That is how a military hierarchy works: a 2Lt fresh out of Sandhurst outranks a RSM regardless of the difference in their experience.

But woe betide any Army officer who fails to respect their RSM’s knowledge.

“You should never undermine your RSM, whether you like them or not,” says WO1 Jason Thomas, the RSM at Frimley Park. “Equally, don’t think that you’re their mate. Familiarity breeds contempt, so keep it professional.” He doesn’t use his senior officer’s first name, even when they’re dining together off

duty; it’s “sir” in uniform, and “boss” over dinner.

“It has to be a relationship of mutual respect. Young officers [should] understand that the RSM has been through pretty much all of the jobs that any other rank could have been through so they have a real depth of knowledge that officers should tap into.”

Tap into, but not be intimidated by or rely on too heavily, he adds; young officers need to learn how to do things themselves, including using their authority appropriately. “In the regular Army, you don’t use the RSM as the sole person to get advice from. You need to talk to your peer group and your senior officer cohort. The RSM is there as a backbone so, if all else fails, you go to them.”

THE RSM HAS BEEN THROUGH PRETTY MUCH ALL OF THE JOBS THAT ANY OTHER RANK COULD HAVE BEEN THROUGH SO THEY HAVE A REAL DEPTH OF KNOWLEDGE WO1 Jason Thomas

28 ACF WINTER 2016/17

Jason is also a firm believer in people making – then learning from – mistakes. “If they make a mistake I offer advice, but if I see them about to make a mistake, and it is not mission-critical or life-threatening or illegal, I will often let them make it then explain it afterwards.”

Of course, things in the ACF are somewhat different. It tends to be more relaxed with things like recognition of rank – although Jason expects strict adherence to protocol when at Frimley – while the very fact it is a volunteer organisation changes

the dynamic somewhat. “If you demand that people call each other sir it might stop being fun.

And it’s hard if there is someone who has seniority in ordinary life but is more junior in uniform.

“That said, the basic principles are the same, in that officers should respect the expertise of their RSMIs. It is more acceptable in the ACF for an inexperienced officer to lean on their RSMI, too, as there will be far fewer other commissioned officers around and your NCOs may be the only officers in your detachment you can lean on.”

STEPPING UP

ACF OFFICERS

GREG WAKELING: 29 Rank: 2nd Lieutenant Joined: 2013 County: Derbyshire Day job: insurance claims handler PRV RNK

OFFICER PROFILE

2LT GREG WAKELING reg Wakeling’s cadet journey began in the RAF section of his Nottingham school’s CCF contingent.

“My dream from the age of six was to be a pilot in the air force,” the 29-year-old says. “I pursued it through school, but then, at 5 foot 4 at university, I realised I wasn’t going to get any taller. The RAF said I was too short to fly and it all came crashing down.”

Greg left uni before finishing his degree – he’d enrolled in mechanical engineering with the air force in mind rather than for a love of the subject – and went to work at an insurance firm. He has now almost completed his qualifications as a chartered insurer while working full time handling claims for large businesses.

“I became an adult volunteer four years ago.

Part of it was the itch to get back into uniform, but I also wanted to give something back to the community.

“I chose the ACF rather than the ATC because I’d always been jealous of the stuff that army cadets got to do. They got more opportunity

G

The following have been selected for a commission by CFCB

to get out in the field. I also think that the ACF caters for a group of young people who have a lot to gain from it.”

Becoming an officer was at the back of his mind from the outset, but it was an idea that crystallised quickly as he realised that some of the things he wanted to achieve could only really be done from the officers’ mess. “I could see where I could put my skills to use fi xing problems if I was an officer, such as training and cutting out unnecessary bureaucracy.”

Becoming an officer was nerve-racking, he says. “There was a risk that in going from PI to AUO to 2Lt that I would be seen as someone who had not done their time… but most of that challenge was in my head.

I had great support from my colour sergeant and the SMI. “It is about defining the role of officer and NCO and understanding the different jobs. As an officer you don’t have to have all the green skills; it’s your job to support the people who have those skills and to make sure that the kids and the kit that they need are in the right place.”

SURNAME

INITIAL

COUNTY/BATTALION/SECTOR

SMI

HARRISON

ST

2ND NORTHERN IRELAND BN ACF

SMI

SANGSTER

RI

BLACK WATCH BN ACF

AUO

BALD

DJ

BUCKINGHAMSHIRE ACF

SI

MURAT

DB

CAMBRIDGESHIRE ACF

AUO

JONES

DL

CLWYD AND GWYNEDD ACF

AUO

WILKINSON

ID

CORNWALL ACF

SSI

FARRER

S

CUMBRIA ACF

AUO

GODWIN

SJ

DEVON ACF

AUO

TAYLOR

JM

DORSET ACF

AUO

MEASEY

M

DYFED AND GLAMORGAN ACF

AUO

SMITH

K

GWENT AND POWYS ACF

SI

LINTOTT

RJ

HAMPSHIRE AND IOW ACF

UO

MIDDLETON

XW

HEREFORD AND WORCESTER ACF

SI

PINCOMBE

ES

LEICESTER, NORTHANTS AND RUTLAND ACF

AUO

DAVIES

A

LINCOLNSHIRE ACF

AUO

SHAW

S

LINCOLNSHIRE ACF

AUO

WRIGHT

C

LINCOLNSHIRE ACF

SSI

DEIGHAN

RWI

LOTHIAN AND BORDERS BN ACF

SI

KONTOGIANNI

M

NOTTINGHAMSHIRE ACF

SSI

ALDEN

NS

SURREY ACF

SMI

CLARKE

MR

WARWICKSHIRE AND WEST MIDLAND (SOUTH SECTOR) ACF

AUO

COOK

PJ

WARWICKSHIRE AND WEST MIDLAND (SOUTH SECTOR) ACF

AUO

TAYLOR

GR

WARWICKSHIRE AND WEST MIDLAND (SOUTH SECTOR) ACF

ARMYCADETS.COM 29

The project has shown the way forward for ACF

POLICY

ACF UPDATE DR RICHARD CRAWFORD, SO1 CADETS POLICY AND PLANS AT REGIONAL COMMAND, GIVES AN UPDATE ON ISSUES AFFECTING YOU AND YOUR DETACHMENT

NEWS

To subscribe to our e-newsletter go to armycadets.com/ about-us/keep-intouch

30 ACF WINTER 2016/17

CHANGES TO ACF

Tipping the balance

A

t the start of a new year we all think about making changes. Some of you may have made new year’s resolutions, aiming to make small changes that ultimately lead to a bigger goal or achievement. 2017 is going to be the same for the ACF.

Last year, around 2,000 of you took part in Project Libra, a look at how the current processes and procedures impact on our roles as volunteers. A number of themes developed from this project around the aspects of administration, standardisation, Westminster, staffi ng and change management, as well as some unrealistic expectations on individuals at all levels of the organisation. The project report concluded with seven recommendations, some of which had already been identified by Cadets Branch as key changes to make life easier for our volunteers.

Implementing the recommendations of Project Libra will not happen overnight.

However, there are some “quick wins”, largely around delivering better training for cadets, that we aim to complete by the summer. We have already started work on the training application form by sharing good practice across the organisation, while other work

we aim to deliver by the summer includes better guidance for training on private land, the application for public military events clearances, and the role of training safety advisers. We know these are all areas that CFAVs regularly have issues with, either because they are not fully explained and understood, or because the processes seem to be too complicated or longwinded. The implementation of the Project Libra report will change all that.

Another key recommendation from Project Libra is changing the way we communicate throughout the organisation.

This year you will see some big changes, from reducing the number of emails sent to CFAVs to using new channels of communication such as social media. Since we started implementing Project Libra, the GOC is now on Twitter; you can follow him at @Comd_Cdts.

And we haven’t forgotten that communication goes both ways, so look out for more

UP DAT E

There will be better guidance for training on private land

There are new guidelines on training for cadets

opportunities to let us know what you think. The Cadet Attitude Survey will become an annual fi xture in the calendar and is a good way to tell us what you like (and don’t like) about being in the ACF.

Not quite all change One of the bigger changes will be the introduction of the Cadet Forces Commission, although it is not as big a change as you might think. In the past few years we have been working with colleagues in the RN and RAF cadet worlds to see how we can make things easier for all our volunteers. One of the most complex areas for volunteers in the ACF has been the commission, and the myriad of different rules, regulations and procedures that come with it. Last summer, HM the Queen approved in principle the

creation of a new Cadet Forces Commission, the first new commission created in a long time. Why is that important to our volunteers? It is important because the commission will recognise the contribution that our volunteers make as leaders in a national youth organisation.

For most of the ACF we will not notice the change when the new commission is introduced. Firstly, the Cadet Forces Commission is not a second-rate commission and a reduction in status – ACF officers will still be appointed by the Sovereign as they are now. The new commission will help to strengthen the links between the ACF and the Army’s regiments and corps as the Army will better understand the roles and responsibilities of ACF officers.

And yes, ACF officers will still

ONE OF THE BIGGER CHANGES WILL BE THE NEW CADET FORCES COMMISSION, THOUGH IT IS NOT AS BIG A CHANGE AS YOU MAY THINK

The Cadet Forces Commission will recognise the contribution volunteers make

be allowed in the Officers’ Mess on military bases!

The Cadet Forces Commission starts in April this year for all newly commissioned ACF officers and their counterparts across the other cadet forces.

Current ACF officers will be invited to transfer to the new commission in due course, and more information will be published closer to the date.

Cadets Branch are publishing a regular newsletter to keep all volunteers informed of how the Cadet Forces Commission is being introduced and what it

will mean to them.

Other changes that might not be as visible to CFAVs are in the way we carry out inspections and assurances of ACF counties.

This may not sound exciting, but it will significantly reduce the amount of time that PSS in the counties spend on inspections, helping them give more support to CFAVs delivering training. But a number of changes will require longer in developing, consulting and communicating before we can have them up and running.

FIND OUT MORE Log on to Defence Gateway

ARMYCADETS.COM 31

G A L L E RY

IN THE FIELD

KEEP IN TOUCH BY SENDING US YOUR PHOTOS FROM THE FIELD. WHETHER SELFIES OR ACTION SHOTS, DRILL OR FUNDRAISING, EMAIL THEM TO EDITOR@ARMYCADETS.COM

1

IN THE PHOTOS: 1: Cadet Sophie Feeney-Simpkins, C (Somme) Company, Dorset ACF, getting to grips with a new cadet helmet

2

2: Cadets from Elgin detachment (1 BN The Highlanders ACF) visit HM Coastguard Highland Search and Rescue Base, Inverness airport 3: Cadets from Lancashire ACF enjoy the views on their recent expedition to Bavaria 4: Cadets take time out from Longmoor Music Camp to perform at the final parade of the Master Cadet Course held at the Cadet Training Centre, Frimley Park 5: The High Sheriff of Northampton, Caroline Brocklehurst, assisting LNR ACF in a treeplanting ceremony to commemorate young people who lost their lives in WW1 6: Cullybackey Detachment, 1st (NI) Battalion, before commencing their march at Cullybackey Remembrance Parade 7&8: Cadet Sergeant Major Jeremiah Emmanuel (South East London ACF) won the First Aid Award and Corporal Victoria RichbellDavies (Beds and Herts ACF) won the Judges’ Special Award at the 12th annual British Red Cross Humanitarian Awards 3

32 ACF WINTER 2016/17

4

5

THE GALLERY

We want to see your pictures of ACF life.

Send pictures of your detachment’s activities to us by the end of February 2017

6

SHARE YOUR PHOTOS 7

8

Whether you’re at camp, doing command tasks, or any other fun or adventurous activity, send your images to editor@armycadet.com

ARMYCADETS.COM 33

D AY I N T H E L I F E

You can’t beat face to face leadership Airline captain Dean Johnson manages to juggle a demanding day job and a large family, as well as his Isle of Man detachment 04.30 When I’m on earlies I always set two alarms – I’ve been flying for 25 years and only overslept once, but once was enough. I wake up, wash, and leave the house in Manchester where I’m based when I’m working.

Dean Johnson and his flight crew: L-R Natalie Cross, Dean, first officer Amy Bannister and Elida Teoli-Eatough

08.45 Once we’ve landed, we complete all our safety checks and repeat the process we did in Manchester, although often with more time pressure as we need to be on our way back within 30 minutes.

05.45 I go through security and in to the crew room, ready to meet the crew. We have a briefing session to discuss fuel, weather, the arrival airfield and the alternatives in case we need to divert. The session also includes a revision of a specific safety scenario – for instance, we might talk through what action we would take if we had a rejected take-off.

11.30 Repeat.

06.20 Walk out to the aircraft, a 78-seat

over to the next crew before returning to the crew room to review the day.

Bombardier Dash 8 Q400. The first officer and I agree who is flying which sector – typically we’d do four in a day, such as two ManchesterAmsterdam return trips – and complete our pre-flight checks.

06.40 Start boarding passengers. I crosscheck fuel, that we have the right number of passengers and bags, and that the aircraft is balanced and can take off safely.

07.00 Take off. The best parts of flying are take-off and landing. The rest is more routine, although we’re trained to deal with any difficulties – like the time, at a different airline, when I had to deal with an engine failure.

08.00 Prepare to land in Amsterdam. We review charts, calculate when and at what rate we need to descend, and speak to passengers and air traffic control.

34 ACF WINTER 2016/17

12.00 Flybe provides our meals, and we eat during the flight when – if – it is safe to do so. One pilot eats while the other monitors the radio and so on. We never have the same meal to avoid the risk of contamination.

15.00 Finish my shift and hand my aircraft

15.15 At the end of my working week I fly home to the Isle of Man to see my wife and seven children, aged two months to 20.

18.45 I live two minutes from county HQ. As the commandant, most of my work is administration and strategy, which can be done remotely, but you can’t beat face to face leadership. Luckily I have good officers and good NCOs to pick up the slack while I am in Manchester, but I’m looking forward to my job being rebased in the Isle of Man soon.

21.00 Head home for ice cream and a couple of episodes of a sitcom before bed.

MEET DEAN Dean Johnson, 45 Rank: Major Joined: 2008 County: Isle of Man ACF Day job: Commercial airline captain with Flybe Why I joined the ACF: My son wanted to become a cadet. I went along to get his paperwork and was so impressed that I left with an application form for myself as well.

Share your story

Write and tell us how you manage a day job and volunteering for the cadets. Email editor@ armycadets.com Dean joined the ACF at the same time as his son

ARMY CADET VOLUNTEER

NEXT ISSUE COMING UP IN THE SUMMER ISSUE

Safeguarding Practical tips and advice on safeguarding policies and procedures Cadet CV An update on the development of the cadet CV as a useful tool for senior cadets Best Practice Project Looking at how the project is improving the adult recruitment process for applicants