Connected - Summer 2017

THE MAGAZINE FOR INSTRUCTORS OF THE COMBINED CADET FORCE

CONNECTED SUMMER 2017

COMBINEDCADETFORCE.ORG.UK

STRENGTH IN NUMBERS

KIT TO GO

THE BENEFITS OF WORKING TOGETHER

STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE TO PACKING YOUR VEST AND BERGEN PAGE 16

ACTION PLAN HOW ADVENTURE TRAINING CAN HELP BOOST SKILLS AND CONFIDENCE INSIDE: NEWS

MEMBER BENEFITS COMMAND & LEADERSHIP TASKS MEDAL WINNERS AND MORE

CONTENTS

WELCOME

I SS U E # 6 : S U M M E R 2017 Welcome to the summer edition of Connected, the contents of which provide ample evidence that the CCF movement is thriving. New contingents are rising to the challenge of delivering a first-rate cadet experience, and at the time of going to press the next tranche of CEP schools was about to be approved.

The 2017 CCF Headteachers’ Conference was held at RAF Cosford on 2 March with 180 delegates and 80 schools represented. The theme was building a successful contingent.

The audience were reminded of the importance of strong support from the school’s senior leadership team, the benefits to society of cadet service, and the importance of the school staff instructor. Professor Simon Denny briefed his very positive findings about improved school attendance and behaviour. For diaries, next year’s conference will be on 1 March 2018 at RAF Museum Cosford.

As this edition goes to press the Chief of Defence People has directed that the Cadet Forces Commission will be introduced on 1 October 2017. Once it is introduced, new CCF officers will be properly recognised through their commission as leaders in a world-class uniformed and military-themed youth movement. CCF officers with other commissions and appointments will be incorporated into the Cadet Force Commission at the same time.

BRIGADIER MATTHEW LOWE MBE Deputy Commander Cadets, Regional Command

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THIS ISSUE 06. BACK TO BASICS The benefits of the Army’s Basic course at Frimley

ON THE COVER

10. COLLABORATIVE WORKING Working better, together

CCF (RN) cadets on the Senior Leadership Course at HMS Raleigh

12. SPIRIT OF ADVENTURE

(Photographer: Peter Russell)

Vest and Bergen essentials

Adventure training for confidence and ability

16. UNIFORM: FIELD 18. MEMBER BENEFITS Do you know what you’re entitled to from the CCFA?

EVERY ISSUE 04. NEWS CCF photography, STEM in the field and Vera Lynn tribute

20. TRI SERVICE A look at the Army’s simulation technology

22. COMMAND & LEADERSHIP Three challenges to try

24. HOW TO… Create an account for Defence Gateway

26. NOTICEBOARD Manual update

30. FINAL BELL Dispelling myths among parents

Connected is produced by the Marketing and Communications team, based at the Combined Cadet Force Association, Holderness House, 51-61 Clifton Street, London EC2A 4DW Get in touch: Tel: 02074268377 Fax: 02074268378 Website: www.combinedcadetforce.org.uk Email: marketing@combinedcadetforce.org.uk Twitter: @CCFCadets Connected magazine is designed and edited by James Pembroke Publishing Editor: Sarah Campbell Head of design: Simon Goddard Senior project manager: Esther Newman 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 CCFA 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 CCFA or the Army.

COMBINEDCADETFORCE.ORG.UK 3

NEWS

CADET NEWS FROM AROUND THE UK

Colour Sgt Ewan Lees from Cadets from Ryde School provided a ceremonial guard The Dukeries Academy CCF

ACHIEVEMENT

Life Saving Medal for cadet

OVERSEAS

CANADA EXCHANGE 36 LUCKY CADETS HAVE BEEN CHOSEN FOR THIS YEAR’S CANADIAN EXCHANGE

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eventy-six CCF and ACF cadets formed up at Cwrt-y-Gollen Training Camp, the Headquarters of Gwent and Powys ACF, in April in the hope of being selected for the Canadian Exchange 2017.

The cadets took part in a range of challenging activities at adventure training facilities across the region, including swimming, hill walking, canoeing, trail mountain biking, horse riding, a fitness test, team building and a

“THE DECISION TO SELECT THE TOP 36 WAS TOUGH BUT WE’RE CONFIDENT WE HAVE THE BEST CADETS SELECTED FOR THE 2017 EXCHANGE”

4 CONNECTED SUMMER 2017

personal interview. Their performance in the activities was taken into account to choose the successful 36 candidates who will travel to Canada for six weeks in the summer.

Lt Col Jimmy Beggs, OC International Exchanges at Regional Command, said: “All the cadets participated to the best of their abilities. The decision to select the top 36 was tough but we’re confident we have the best cadets selected to take part in the 2017 exchange.” He congratulated all the participants for a spirited and enjoyable weekend.

The 36 successful competitors will take part in the Cadet Leadership and Challenge Course at Rocky Mountain, Alberta, or the Cadet Expedition Instructor Courses in Whitehorse, Yukon, and Argonaut, New Brunswick.

THE FAST reactions and brave actions of a CCF cadet saved a man’s life – and earned the cadet the Bronze Life Saving Medal of the Order of St John.

Colour Sgt Ewan Lees from The Dukeries Academy CCF, who was 15 at the time, was at home in Ollerton, Nottinghamshire, when the seriously injured victim of a drugs incident banged on his door asking for help.

The man had been attacked with a meat cleaver, almost severing one hand and causing deep wounds to his head and legs. Ewan used the first aid he had learnt as a cadet and stemmed the bleeding with his top, towels and a quilt, all while the attackers looked on.

The Life Saving Medal is a Sovereign’s Award approved by the MOD. Ewan has the authority to wear this medal on the right hand side while in military dress uniform, now and in any future military career.

To be awarded the Life Saving Medal the recipient must have put their own life in danger in ‘a conspicuous act of bravery’ while saving, or attempting to save, the life of someone else.

GET IN TOUCH E: marketing@combinedcadetforce.org.uk @CCFcadets

WORKING TOGETHER

“I would be very disappointed in my cadets if they displayed anything other than a spirit of cooperation” Wg Cdr Sarah Heintze, page 10

EVENT

TAKE TO THE AIR

One of the winners from the 2016 competition

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he best of the best of the CCF (RAF) will get the opportunity to fly in vintage aircraft at the Shuttleworth Collection as reward for winning the Air Squadron Trophy Competition fi nals at RAF Halton on 12-13 March.

Sixteen teams of 13 cadets each competed in six competitions: drill, command tasks, fitness, first aid, RAF knowledge and aircraft recognition. Wilson’s School from Wallington in Surrey claimed victory for the first time.

COMPETITION

Photo competition The winners will go on to a formal presentation parade at the Shuttleworth Collection museum in Bedfordshire in the summer, where cadets will also fly in aircraft owned and operated by members of the Royal Air Squadron. The winners of the Drill Competition, Maidstone Grammar School, will be invited to the National ACO Drill Competition to represent the CCF.

CADETS GET GLIMPSE OF SCIENCE IN ACTION Planning is well under way for this year’s Science in Action camp following the success of last year’s inaugural event (Connected, Connected, Spring Connected 2017). The five-day camp, on Salisbury Plain in October half-term, will show how the Army applies science, technology, engineering and maths in operational situations. Application forms and full details will be available on the CCF website and Defence Gateway.

Ready, aim, shoot!

CAMERAS AT THE READY: it’s time for the CCF’s annual photography competition. Last year’s competition was a great success, and we’re looking forward to even more entries this time.

All members of the CCF are eligible to enter and there will be one winner and two runners-up in two categories: cadet and adult.

The winners in each category will receive £300 of vouchers from Wilkinson Cameras with runner-up prizes of £100 in vouchers.

Rules for entry: One image per person. Email your image, plus the time and date it was taken and a short caption to marketing@ combinedcadetforce.org.uk using ‘Photo competition’ in the subject line. Closing date: 31 October 2017. Winners will be announced In the Spring 2018 issue of Connected.

Find full terms and conditions at: combined cadetforce.org.uk/news-media-centre

CONCERT

Celebrating Dame Vera Lynn Nine cadets from Ryde School provided a ceremonial guard of honour for Her Majesty the Queen at a Dame Vera Lynn tribute concert in March at the London Palladium.

Two of Dame Vera’s great-grandchildren attend the school and the CCF was invited, with headmaster Mark Waldron, to join them for the celebration of her 100th birthday.

All proceeds from the event have been donated to the Dame Vera Lynn Children’s Charity, which has been supporting children and families for more than 15 years.

Cadets from Ryde School provided a ceremonial guard

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6 CONNECTED SUMMER 2017

T R AININ G

FE ATURE

GOING BACK TO BASICS

The CCF Army Basic course at Frimley Park is an ideal foundation for instructors, equipping you with all the tools you need to train cadets

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he National Cadet Training Centre at Frimley Park is a hub of activity for the ACF and CCF, hosting training and development courses all year round.

The main building accommodates up to 40 students per course but, as was evident from the building works going on when Connected visited in February, it is being extended to host up to 60 students at a time.

Six times a year the centre hosts the CCF Basic course. New CCF officers from around the country come together for six days to share experiences and develop key skills they will need in the CCF. The first night focuses on getting to know each other and sorting out kit. Although students are given a kit list two months ahead of the course, inevitably someone will forget a rank slide, or as happened recently,

all their socks. The staff are good natured about helping fix these issues.

The course starts in the classroom. The students receive an introduction to the structure of the organisation and the role of a CCF officer. There are usually a few people with military backgrounds but the instructors give an insight into the Army’s regimental structure, to give volunteers a better understanding of the wider organisation.

MIX OF EXPERIENCES Maj Ade Clayton joined the team here as chief instructor less than a year ago. He says: “We know there will always be a real mix of experience, but we’re not trying to make anyone into a soldier. It’s aimed at enabling instructors with the subject knowledge to deliver training to cadets, and giving them the confidence to do so effectively.”

The regional Cadet Training Teams (CTTs) run pre-attendance courses to

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The Basic course at Frimley includes lessons taught by both CFAVs and Army instructors

give volunteers an insight into what to expect. Even so, the instructors know that volunteers turn up with very different ideas of what they’re getting themselves in to.

“There’s often a concern among the candidates that this is going to be a week of being yelled at and sent for long runs. In reality it’s nothing like that. We’ve done a lot of course development and really focus on helping volunteers pick up the basic knowledge they need to deliver an effective lesson to cadets,” says Ade. On the course in progress when Connected visited, half were teachers in subjects ranging from philosophy to PE. Ten more were working at their schools in a different capacity, for example in operations support or IT. And the rest were linked to the school in a different way, such as being the parent of a cadet or a former pupil.

Although some attendees have a military background or have been cadets themselves, for many it’s the first time that they’ve been in the field experiencing cadet training. On the second day of the course, the staff demonstrate various skills such as packing a Bergen, setting the sights of a rifle, cooking in the field, and basic fieldcraft skills such as judging distance, stealthy movement and constructing a basha.

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“IT’S A GREAT WAY TO FIND PEOPLE FROM OTHER SCHOOLS WHO MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN WORKING TOGETHER” Captain Sam Amos The lessons are delivered by full-time staff and assistant directing staff – usually CCF officers who have undertaken the course in the last few years and who have come back to support the training.

SKILL SETS “We have a real mix of instructors,” Ade says. “Some have a wealth of knowledge about military skills because they’ve spent 25 years in the Army. Others have a CCF background and understand what it’s like to come on a course that is so far removed from the life of a teacher. They temper each other brilliantly, because they understand the skills needed, but also have a realistic view of how lessons are delivered in a CCF setting. A great example of this is Sam [Captain Sam Amos], who is my expert in civvies,” says Ade. Sam has been an instructor at Frimley for a year. His involvement in the CCF

started five years ago at Thomas Deacon Academy, a CEP school with Army and RAF sections. Sam attended the course as a 2Lt and enjoyed it so much that he took up the invitation to come back as assistant directing staff. Then, a year ago, when a vacancy opened up on the training team, he joined full-time.

“The course gives you the confidence to teach cadets new skills,” says Sam. “It also means you can reassure them: they have no excuse not to get hands-on in patrolling or sleeping out under a basha because they know that you’ve been there and done it all.”

Although the teaching periods are long, the group has time to talk and relax in the mess at the end of the day. “It’s really sociable. The candidates come from all over but have a lot in common. It’s a great way to fi nd people from other schools who might be interested in working together on training and exercises,” says Sam.

Attendees develop firm bonds while on the course

The course includes classroom and practical elements

Practical elements are tailored to the attendees

Instructors are keen to share their experience

DID YOU

On the following day, the Of course, there are some KNOW? students spend time on the aspects of the course which Over 160 CCF shooting ranges. For many, can be a bit of a surprise.

CFAVs attended this is their first time firing.

“Most people who come the Basic course The instructors hope this on the course have been in 2016/17 will encourage some to go on camping, if only at a music to undertake an ancillary range festival. Not all of them have slept duties course, or qualify as a range out under a basha though. It can be a conducting officer. bit of a shock to the system.”

The physical nature of the training can be COURSE HIGHLIGHTS a concern for volunteers. But Ade is quick to When asked what the highlights of the reassure students that this isn’t boot camp. course are, a lot of the volunteers pick out “We know you’re not in the infantry,” he the shooting. But they also say the teamwork says. “We aren’t running you about all over and friendships contributed a huge amount to the place and it would be a real shame if their enjoyment. 2Lt Deb Bacon, from Burton people were put off by this idea.”

Co-operative Learning Trust, says: “There’s Sam agrees. “You end up walking a few a real sense of camaraderie which develops kilometres, and for some of it you’ll be very quickly.” This seems to be the case on carrying your Bergen and rifle. But students Thursday morning. Despite spending the can take things at a sensible pace,” he says.

night sleeping out under a basha, the group are laughing and joking. They’ve all come from different backgrounds and schools – but, just like the cadets they’re in charge of back home, they’ve bonded over sweets, nicknames and impromptu sing-a-longs.

So what advice would they give to potential candidates? “Have a sense of humour. And be open to new experiences,” says 2Lt James Barrett from Gad’s Hill School. The group murmurs in agreement at this. The week has seen a lot of firsts for many of them, but for the most part, they’ve been positive. “Oh and be prepared for the cold,” adds Deb.

FIND OUT MORE Visit www.combinedcadetforce.org.uk for more info. To register on the course, see www.ctcfrimleypark.com/events/ccf-basicqualifying-course-10/

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FE ATURE

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COLLABORATIVE WORKING Cadets and instructors from all backgrounds will reap the benefits of cooperating and working together

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hen young people from across the cadet world get together, the result is always greater than the sum of the parts. United by common values, cadets from diverse backgrounds bring different but complementary qualities to events.

That certainly is the experience – and expectation – of Wg Cdr Sarah Heintze, contingent commander of Edinburgh Academy CCF. “I would be very disappointed in my cadets if they displayed anything other than a spirit of cooperation,” she says.

“Everybody’s under the same umbrella.”

Her cadets had the opportunity to cooperate with Angus and Dundee

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Battalion ACF on a visit in 2015 to France to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Loos. The battalion’s commandant, Col Martin Passmore, was in charge of organising a trip for his cadets and, when Brigade suggested trying to find a CCF group to accompany them, he immediately thought of Edinburgh Academy. “I’d been their inspecting officer at one of their parades so I’d met Sarah and her team,” Martin recalls.

“So Brigade asked if she was willing and she said yes. What I didn’t know at the time was how experienced Sarah was in this sort of project, plus she’s a French speaker. That was a godsend.”

“We took a joint group of 20 cadets – eight of mine and 12 of Col Passmore’s,” says Sarah. “We have a pipe band and during our

parade at the Menin Gate one of my cadets played the Lament. Then the ACF brought their banner party, which isn’t a CCF thing, so the combined effect was very impressive.

They were all bringing slightly different things to these acts of remembrance. We were very pleased and proud.”

WORKING TOGETHER Martin agrees. “They quickly realised that although we were from the CCF and ACF, we were there to commemorate the loss of lives and the way we were doing that was exactly the same. They twig that sort of link very quickly,” he says.

It wasn’t just on the formal occasions that the group worked well together. On a social level, too, the cadets made friends despite

J O IN T E FF O R T

IN THE PHOTOS: 01 The entire combined CCF/ACF party of cadets and staff with the mayor of Auchy les Mines 02 Cadets from Edinburgh Academy CCF pipe band prepare to play 03 The group at Auchy les Mines

some initial reservations. Martin says: “My cadets were quite apprehensive on the journey to Edinburgh. Edinburgh Academy was a school they didn’t know, plus it’s an independent school and they all go to state schools.”

The cadets met for the first time on the coach to France. “But by the time we made our first loo trip they were beginning to interact,” Martin says. “I think my cadets realised the CCF cadets weren’t that different from them.

Equally, Sarah’s group were very interested to find out the backgrounds of some of my cadets who came from pretty demanding parts of Dundee. Certainly there was a lot of social exchange between the two sides.”

As Sarah puts it: “If you stick young people in a room together they’ll end up talking about incomprehensible music.”

NEXT STEPS The tour was such a success that Sarah and Martin are organising another this October to Arras and Passchendaele, this time with a completely new group of ten Edinburgh Academy cadets and 40 from Martin’s ACF. Sarah says: “Col Passmore and I are on the same page: we’re trying to deliver the same thing to young people with these commemorative trips. It’s about allowing them to learn the individual stories and gain even a tiny insight into how some of those young men fighting in World War I must have felt. The way they respond to the trips is very encouraging.”

Martin is a great supporter of cadets working together. “Yes, they have their individual identities as organisations, but there are certain things that we have in common, therefore why not work together?” he says. “The people who benefit from this approach are the cadets themselves.”

FIND OUT MORE For information on how to get in touch with your local community cadet forces look at the online unit location maps at: www.sea-cadets.org, www.armycadets. com and www.raf.mod.uk/aircadets

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“IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE WORK TOGETHER”

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contact acfascotland@

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COMBINEDCADETFORCE.ORG.UK 11

FE ATURE

SPIRIT OF ADVENTURE Adventure training increases confidence as well as ability, not just for cadets but also for adult volunteers

A DV E N T U RE T R AININ G

“IT BROUGHT MY OWN SKILLS FORWARD A LOT AND I FEEL THE CADETS GET A LOT MORE FROM ME AS AN INSTRUCTOR” Capt David Ridley

Cdt Cpl Mark Greer embarks on a tricky climb under the supervision of 2Lt Jonathan Shields

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aj Kevin Edwards sees absolutely no reason why CCF units would not go to the Army’s Cadet Centre for Adventurous Training (CCAT) for all their adventure training (AT) needs. “It delivers the AT experience with the attitudes and behaviours we want to promote in the cadet organisation,” he says.

Kevin is, to be fair, a little biased. He and his team in Capel Curig in North Wales run CCAT, the adventure training organisation with bases in Capel Curig and Halton in Lancashire. He runs a ‘mixed menu’ of activities, predominantly over the school holidays but with courses all year round, aimed at cadets and adult volunteers alike.

But it’s the opportunities for adults that we’re talking about here, and it is true that CCAT is uniquely tailored to the needs of CFAVs. “The people who come to us are volunteers. They have jobs, families and other commitments. So we offer a range of courses to become qualified AT instructors, generally over weekends and in school holidays,” Kevin says.

Kevin understands well the needs of CCF volunteers. His last job before being appointed to OC CCAT, was the Chief Instructor at the HQ Joint Service Mountain Training Centre (HQ JSMTC). Before CCAT existed, JSMTC was the only military avenue for CFAVs to gain leader and instructor qualifications.

“There they’d be on courses with regular and reserve forces personnel and some felt they were at a physical disadvantage,” Kevin says.

“At CCAT we can temper the physical nature of the activities. Of course we don’t

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A DV E N T U RE T R AININ G

compromise on the integrity of the courses: it’s physically demanding and there’s no getting away from it. But for instance, on the second week of our skiing activity in Bavaria there was a 64-year-old SSI alongside a 17-year-old senior cadet. They had to be up to the same standard but we are able to be a bit flexible in terms of the physical demands.”

INTENSE TRAINING Listen to someone who has taken instructor-level qualifications with CCAT describing their experience to get a sense of the challenges involved. Capt David Ridley, commander of the Army Section of Liverpool College CCF, took his Mountain Leader assessment in 2015. The five-day course included a three-day expedition, night navigation, emergency rope work and scrambling. “Along the route you’re constantly being asked questions: what flower is that, what bird is that?” David says.

“And you have to do a written part as well.”

Cadets waiting to undertake a 30-metre abseil at Arico Arriba, Tenerife

“YOU KNOW THAT OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES ARE TEACHING THEM INDEPENDENCE” Capt David Ridley He has high praise for the CCAT training.

“The input from the instructors is brilliant, it’s really good coaching – they make it easy,” he says, then corrects himself. “Well, not easy, they’re very strict. But the support is brilliant.”

Now that David is a qualified Mountain Leader, his confidence in his abilities has increased. “It brought my own skills forward a lot and I feel the cadets get a lot more from me as an instructor,” he says.

And he thinks it allows him to give more as a teacher (he teaches history and is head of year 9). “You can’t prove a correlation with exam results but you know that outdoor activities are teaching them independence,” he says. “It’s teaching them skills that I don’t have the resources to input. I’ve seen cadets with little confidence emerge like different people because they’ve managed to navigate their way across the middle of nowhere.”

CCAT: THE FACTS More than 30 mixed activity courses available 5-10 courses running at any one time Opportunities to train in Norway, Spain, Germany, France and the US Team of 70 highly qualified freelance instructors Courses open to adult volunteers and cadets alike

Capt Ridley (left) and another candidate take a moment on Tryfan’s “Cannon” during their assessment

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Mountain expedition in the Glyders, North Wales

A DV E N T U RE T R AININ G

DID YOU KNOW?

GREAT BENEFITS 2Lt Jonathan Shields at Royal Belfast Academical Institute CCF has also seen huge benefits to his cadets from his CCAT training. Last June he gained his single-pitch award in climbing, allowing him to take his cadets away at the first sign of a sunny day. “I can take cadets away very easily because I’ve got my own insurance,” Jonathan says. “I can email them when there’s good weather and away we go. They are really enthusiastic.”

So enthusiastic, in fact, that one of his cadets is starting to compete in indoor climbing at a national level. “I’ve also done coaching training through CCAT so I’m able to support him at that level. Everyone in the unit has been touched with the AT brush,” he says.

Jonathan’s AT training has led to greater things. He’s recently been appointed talent development coach for Mountaineering Ireland. He even credits his AT with helping to improve retention in his contingent. With his qualification, he was able to organise a climbing trip to Tenerife which went down very well. “Normally we would have noticed a drop-off around fifth form, but now we can hold on to them and offer every other year a trip abroad,” he says. “And they love the competitive element. They challenge themselves and each other, but at the same time they’re coaching each other.”

The climbing isn’t the only qualification Jonathan has done through CCAT. Like David, he is also a Mountain Leader, a qualification that allows him to do outdoor activities with the cadets that don’t climb. Despite Jonathan’s school being only an hour’s drive away from the Tollymore National Outdoor Centre, this wasn’t an option for his training. “For us it was ferociously expensive,” he says. “CCAT was our only option, but a good one. We’ve been well supported through Brigade with travel and accommodation, and well looked after.

I suppose I’ve been quite a regular customer.”

CCAT awarded AT qualifications to 948 CFAVs and senior cadets in 2016-17

FIND OUT MORE Training on Upper Conwy River

For more information go to www.armycadetadventure.co.uk 01690 720156

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UNIFORM

FIELD UNIFORM

4. Place magazines in the ammunition pouch and secure

A properly packed and comfortable vest and Bergen are essential to a successful fieldcraft training event

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NOWING HOW to pack the cadet training vest and Bergen rucksack is a basic skill that can make life in the field easier for you and your cadets. They’ll have everything they need when they need it, and if their kit is properly adjusted, they’ll be able to carry it comfortably and safely.

Here we illustrate what needs to be packed in the complete equipment fieldcraft order (CEFO) – which requires the vest only – and the complete equipment marching order (CEMO) – a combination of CEFO and a Bergen. The type of training will dictate what is packed but here we’ve shown the basic requirement.

TRAINING VEST

Complete Equipment Fieldcraft Order

1. Rations from the 24-hour ration pack

1

2 2. Water bottle in water bottle carrier

16 CONNECTED SUMMER 2017

3. Gloves (if not worn)

3

BERGEN

Complete Equipment Marching Order Waterproofs

5. Rifle cleaning kit

Towel Sandbag for rubbish Socks and foot powder Spare shirt Ground sheet/poncho with tent pegs, hammer and bungees Sleeping mat (on top of rucksack and rolled) Sleeping bag Cover sleeping bag Fleece Two pairs of spare pants

6. 30 metres of dark coloured communication cord

Knife, fork, spoon and mess tin Remainder of rations Hexamine cooker Boot cleaning kit and spare laces Washing kit

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TOP TIPS FOR CADETS

1 4

5

Equipment must be comfortable. The straps on the vest and Bergen should be adjusted so the equipment is close to the body: too loose and it can cause friction burns; too tight and it can cause discomfort and injury.

2

Wrap communication cord, rations and gloves in something waterproof before packing to keep them dry and help prevent rattling.

3

Place a waterproof bag inside the Bergen as a liner for waterproof equipment.

4 5 6

Secure pouches so items don’t fall out.

Think ahead when packing pouches: what will you need access to?

Pack soft items against your back for comfort.

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FE ATURE

MEMBER BENEFITS Chances are you are a member of the CCFA (almost all contingents are) – but do you know what you could get out of your membership?

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he CCFA describes itself as a supporting organisation. “We’re here to support CCF contingents and their cadets,” says Richard Walton, Director of Finance, Operations & Training at the CCFA. “We’re a charitable company with a board of trustees made up predominantly of contingent commanders, so we understand the needs of CCFs.” The most high-profile events that the CCFA helps to organise are the CCF

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involvement at the national Fields of Remembrance and the Cenotaph. It also publishes the magazine that you’re reading now. But what else does it do? And how can you and your cadets benefit?

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24-HOUR LEGAL HELPLINE “This is for absolutely any cadet-related legal questions that any CCF volunteer has. It’s as simple as that,” says Richard.

The number is 0845 293 0695. In working hours, this will prompt a solicitor to call you. Out of working hours it goes through to a duty solicitor.

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INSURANCE Personal accident and contingent public liability insurance “About one third of contingents take this up,” Richard says. “Some schools may already have appropriate insurance, but this is specifically tailored to cadet events and it pays out no matter who is at fault.” It acts over and above MOD liability.

Travel insurance Again, this is tailored to cadet events, Richard says. You can find a list of activities that are covered by the standard insurance at www.combinedcadetforce.org. uk/about-the-ccf/governance/ccfainsurance, but Richard points out that if you’re planning an activity not included on this list, it’s worth talking to Lt Col Richard Quicke (details on the right), who arranges all CCF insurance. He may be able to put together a bespoke proposition for you.

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AD-HOC ADVICE “The representing trustees are really good points of contact if you’re struggling with a contingent issue or need to talk things through,” says Richard. Just email the CCFA’s Chief Executive, Col Murdo Urquhart, at CE@armycadets.com. “He’ll happily provide advice or refer it to me or the relevant trustee,” Richard says.

CCFA M E M B E RSHIP

LET THE BAND PLAY ON

Bursaries and grants can help contingents support their cadets

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FUNDING AND GRANTS Small grants “These grants support individual cadets to take part in an activity,” Richard says.

Applications are considered all year round, but the funding decisions are made in December, so ideally contingents should be planning a year ahead. In the past year, applications have ranged from wetsuits to battlefield tours. Trustees look favourably on applications that explain why the cadet in question is deserving of the grant.

Cadet Bursary Fund This is a restricted fund for newly formed contingents. Richard says: “It’s designed to help schools with the costs of releasing staff for training, and to help them to employ an SSI. The idea is to give additional funding while they work out how to balance future budgets.”

Sustainability funding This funding is to make sure contingents remain viable. “If contingents are struggling a bit, but have an idea to get themselves on a sustainable footing, they can come to us for funding,” Richard explains. “Particularly for state schools, it can help them to find ways to keep the contingent funded without putting too heavy a burden on the school’s finances.”

Future funding projects “Our funding schemes are continuously evolving,” says Richard. “We’re exploring the possibilities of crowdfunding, and we’d also like to develop a hardship fund for cadets who might struggle to buy the basics needed to take part in cadet activities.”

5

NETWORKING “Every region has its own forum of contingent commanders, which is usually led by our trustees,” says Richard. “Then there’s our national dinner every December.

These kinds of networks and events are practical, enjoyable, and make sure people don’t get isolated in their own contingents.”

The marching band of King Edward VI Grammar School CCF in Lincolnshire is the epitome of a Combined Cadet Force band. It has members from both the RAF and Army sections, and they come from several school years. Plus, it was the brainchild of a student, Cadet Flight Sergeant Joe Yull, who is also musical director of the group.

It took Joe about a year to get the band up and running. He says that the ‘kickstarter’ was £500 from the CCF’s small grants programme, which enabled him to buy a marching bass drum, three marching snare drums, a set of lyres and a few pieces of music.

“I felt we needed a CCF band to bring something extra to our events,” Joe adds. “Without the grant it would have taken a considerable amount of time to get everything together that we needed. Now the band is growing well, especially considering how much everyone has had to learn. I’m really proud of it.”

FIND OUT MORE For membership payments and insurance contact Lt Col Richard Quicke at insurance@armycadets.com and 01189 326729. For other queries email headoffice@combinedcadetforce.org.uk.

A grant enabled Joe’s marching band to get off the starting blocks

SPREA D THE WORD

Encourage parents and non-CCF staff to become CCFA Supporters with a regular donation. If their donation is more than £15 a year, they’ll also receive a subscription to Connected. They can sign up at www.combinedcadetforce.org.uk/CCFA

COMBINEDCADETFORCE.ORG.UK 19

TRI SERVICE

The cadets from Monmouth School CCF tried out the simulators

CYBER SCENARIOS

DID YOU KNOW?

CATT can link 140 simulators and up to 450 participants at a time

In the latest in our series on innovation in the armed forces, we look at the Army’s simulation technology – through the eyes of CCF cadets

W

hen it comes to technology in the field, the British Army is at the forefront of innovation. Nowhere is this more apparent than at the Army’s Combined Arms Tactical Trainer (CATT) at the Specialist Weapons School, Warminster. CATT is a hanger full

of the most advanced simulators on the planet – and 40 cadets from Monmouth School CCF got to have a go on them.

The contingent’s commander, Maj Ian Lawrence, set up the visit through a school contact. “The cadets are really into their gaming and I wanted to show them how a version of gaming can be used for competitive advantage,” Ian says.

“CADETS ARE USED TO GAMING AND VERY QUICKLY ADAPTED TO THE CONTROLS” Maj Ian Lawrence

20 CONNECTED SUMMER 2017

The cadets spent the morning at Warminster learning about the evolution of weaponry from the crossbow to modern guns, and in the afternoon were introduced to the revolutionary CATT. “The cadets were given a scenario and a mission to race to a grid location on a virtual map,” Ian says. They had several opportunities to try the same scenario – which was just as well, as the mission went badly wrong first time through. “People went off in different directions,” Ian says.

“There was a lack of communication so we didn’t even know someone had disappeared off on the wrong bearing. And because we hadn’t done regular radio checks and

T E CH N O LO GY

NEW COURSE

A TASTE OF TECH

The CyberFirst course will teach cadets about rapidly changing military technology

rendezvous, we managed to disperse and became less effective.”

The final mission was “substantially better”, Ian says. “I still died very early on, but the cadets got better. They have very agile minds.

They’re used to gaming and very quickly adapted to the controls.”

It was huge fun for the cadets, Ian says, but the most important lesson was the importance of this technology to a modern army. “They could see how we could do a mission rehearsal and make modifications to our plan until it’s as good as we can do. We could tweak our equipment and weaponry. It could inform tactics and even procurement.

It can be linked to other armies’ training facilities all over the world. They understood that CATT is now a key component in getting troops ready for deployment.”

At the same time, the experience showed them how vital the basic skills of teamwork and communication that they learn each week in CCF are. “Ultimately the whole plan would unravel if you haven’t got those things in place,” Ian says. “And there’s no substitute for practising on the ground either – as a past infantry officer myself, I know. CATT helps us get all the rudiments of command and control in place before we do live firing to make sure that we get maximum benefit out of it.”

FIND OUT MORE While there’s no official channel for CCFs to organise a trip to CATT, Ian is happy to talk it through and offer advice on setting it up. Email him at IJ.Lawrence@ monmouthschool.org

THE NEW MERCURY radio system is the result of almost two years of planning. It is an example of how the cadet forces are bringing the cadet experience in line with that of the regular forces. The old Clansman radios, which the Army stopped using in 2010, no longer reflected how the armed forces work in the field – but the new Mercury radios do, as does the cadet training that is now on offer in this area.

Lt Steve Fraser-Williams is on the cadet communications and information systems training team (formerly the signals training team) for the national training unit at Frimley Park, although he is based at Blandford Camp, the home of the Royal Signals.

“Historically, we taught cadets basic infantry radio, voice procedure and encrypting. But the modern-day Army is more about deploying with computers in backpacks, taking pictures and GPS-connected systems,” Steve says. “We felt we needed to give cadets a taste for that type of technology.”

So Steve and his team developed the Cadet Communicator course, incorporating learning about how the internet works, computer networking, voice over internet protocol, instant messaging, personal safety on the internet and even how cables work.

The course culminates in a field mission.

CyberFirst, a course that has been designed by the Government’s new National Cyber Security Centre. “We can tap into all their training material and tailor it to cadets,” Steve says.

“It’ll also allow us to scale up. At the moment we do only two Cadet Communicator courses a year, with about 20 cadets on each. We plan to roll CyberFirst out to Brigades, with a potential ten-fold increase in the number of courses.”

It’s a national imperative to deliver high-quality training in this area, Steve believes. “I work in cyber security and there aren’t enough people with the skills or interest or who even know this profession exists,” he says. “But it’s also important from a national security perspective to home-grow these skills.

Cyber threats are relatively new, so the armed forces are having to defend the country in a new way.”

FIND OUT MORE Do you have a background in IT, communications, networking or cyber security and would like to become a CyberFirst instructor?

Contact Steve at steve@ fraserwilliams.uk

CYBERFIRST IN 2018 But Steve is now looking to move on from the Cadet Communicator course. From early next year, he is hoping to deliver

COMBINEDCADETFORCE.ORG.UK 21

T E A M B UIL D IN G

COMMAND AND LEADERSHIP THREE ABSORBING TASKS GUARANTEED TO BUILD INTEREST, ENTHUSIASM AND CONFIDENCE IN YOUR CADETS TASK 1

TASK 2

TASK 3

TOXIC WASTE

5-METRE FLAG CHALLENGE

NUCLEAR REACTOR

Equipment: Two to four long pieces of rope (depending on number of participants), small barrel, an opentopped box or bucket and cones or tape to mark off no-go area.

Time: 20 minutes.

Where: Indoors or outdoors.

Aim: To place the contaminated equipment in a safe container.

Benefits: Planning, communication, team-working and observation.

Instructions: A team of disposal experts are needed to remove an item of contaminated waste from a toxic, no-go area and place it in a safe container for disposal.

Cadets can not enter the no-go area or allow any body part to cross into it.

MAKE IT EASIER: Increase the time allowed to complete the task and delegate roles for participants.

MAKE IT HARDER: Make the task leaderless rather than appoint a leader.

Equipment: Three two-metre stakes, three two-metre poles, one pennant and assorted ropes.

Time: 10 minutes.

Where: Indoors or outdoors.

Aim: To construct a suitable ‘mast’ from the materials provided, at least five metres above ground level, and fly a pennant from the top.

Benefits: Promotes teamwork, planning, use of ropes and knots and logic.

Instructions: From the assorted materials supplied, cadets must work out how to create a self-supporting platform that will allow them to fly the pennant five metres above ground level. A knowledge of binding ropes and tying knots is required.

MAKE IT EASIER: Provide more rope and poles, reduce the height required or increase the time.

MAKE IT HARDER: Reduce the rope available, provide more but shorter poles, reduce the number of cadets and time.

Prohibit talking and run the task at night with a torch replacing the pennant.

Equipment: One long plank, one short plank, one ammunition tin, one short rope and one stake or small box (nuclear reactor).

Time: 10 minutes.

Where: Indoors or outdoors.

Aim: To retrieve the ’nuclear reactor’ from a ‘no-go’ area without any cadet touching the ground.

Benefits: Promotes teamwork, planning, communication skills, balance and logic.

Instructions: Cadets must work out how to safely retrieve the reactor by using a long plank laid on an ammunition tin, overlaid with a smaller plank at right angles, allowing up to four cadets to stand on it and support the weight of another who crawls out to retrieve the ‘nuclear reactor’ without touching the ground.

MAKE IT EASIER: Reduce the distance that the ’reactor’ is placed from the plank.

MAKE IT HARDER: Reduce the number of cadets, or make the reactor heavier.

Blindfold all the cadets acting as the counterweight and prohibit talking.

Thanks to Major Quentin, Contingent Commander at Bromsgrove School CCF, and his cadets for providing help with the Toxic Waste command task.

Thanks also to CCF (RN) cadets on the Senior Leadership Course at HMS Raleigh in April for assisting with the 5-Metre Flag and Nuclear Reactor tasks.

22 CONNECTED SUMMER 2017

DID YOU KNOW?

Our updated website includes a command task resource bank

1

2

GET IN TOUCH If you would like to be featured in the Command and Leadership section of the magazine contact marketing@ combinedcadetforce.org.uk

3 COMBINEDCADETFORCE.ORG.UK 23

HOW TO

HOW TO

CREATE AN ACCOUNT FOR DEFENCE GATEWAY Defence Gateway is a portal to many of the online applications we use. Here’s how to log on

T

he ACF, CCF, SCC and VCC all use the Defence Gateway as a secure way of accessing many applications, one of which is Westminster. It also acts as a portal into other useful applications, including: MODbox, a protected collaboration tool to share information Armymail, the system used for cadet business Sharepoint, a file storage and file sharing application Cadet Force Resources Centre, which contains

the latest pamphlets and training material Defence Learning Environment, which contains various e-learning packages such as the cadet ICT training package, the Red Book Test, remuneration training and elements of the Initial Officer Training package.

There are lots more to browse too but you might not have access to all of them, depending on your permission settings.

To learn more, register on the Defence Learning Environment and follow the quick guide to begin your ICT training course.

G E T T I NG S TA R T E D

1

Go to sts.defencegateway.mod.uk and click on ‘Create an Account’

Note: You can access Defence Gateway through Firefox version 3.6 or later, Google Chrome and Safari.

24 CONNECTED SUMMER 2017

2

You will be asked if you are currently serving MOD personnel or a CFAV with a valid staff number.

Click ‘Yes’.

Familiarise yourself with the system

HOW TO

3

Type in the required information.

4

Create a memorable password and insert a recovery email address – this is your own personal email account.

Select a security question from the dropdown list and enter the answer. Remember that your security answer is case-sensitive.

Click the link to SyOps and JSP740 and read those documents before clicking submit.

Once your account has been created you will have access to the Defence Gateway.

You should keep your password safe and not share it with anyone.

For security reasons, do not use the ‘save password’ options on your internet browser to remember your Defence Gateway password.

5

Once you have signed into Defence Gateway, scroll down to see all the portals.

Before you use the system, it’s a good idea to complete the ‘introduction to cadet ICT’ training.

To find this, go into the Defence Learning Environment, then click on: Army Cadet Forces School Westminster training Then select ‘Introduction to Cadet Force Information Communication Technology’ Top tips Choose a secure password for Defence Gateway.

Make sure it has a minimum of eight characters including: an upper-case and lower-case letter, numbers and symbols such as ? and !.

Feel free to play around within Westminster training and familiarise yourself with the system.

The Cadet Force Resource Centre contains all current training and policy material.

Ensure that all the data you enter into Westminster is accurate, complete and loaded promptly.

COMBINEDCADETFORCE.ORG.UK 25

NOTICEBOARD UPDATES FROM HQ REGIONAL COMMAND

M A N U A L U P D AT E

MAKING THE NEW REGULATIONS EASIER TO USE DR RICHARD CRAWFORD, SO1 CADETS POLICY AND PLANS AT REGIONAL COMMAND EXPLAINS HOW THE REVISIONS TO THE MANUAL WILL AID CFAVS

E

ach of us joined the cadet forces with our own reasons to do so; I know one of my reasons was to give the next generation the same opportunities in the cadets that I’d enjoyed. Some of us joined for the adventure, some because we have a love of sailing, fieldcraft or flying. What I am sure none of us joined up to do was to read complicated and confusing documents. However, that is what CFAVs in the CCF have to do, especially when trying to navigate around JSP 313 The Combined Cadet Force Manual.

The current manual contains rules for the whole of the CCF – these are not always rules that volunteers will use every day but the wider organisational issues such as who can join the organisation, how to qualify for promotion and so on. When the current manual was published in 2011, the CCF had not yet started down the path of change to where we are today – greater working together between the three single services, better kit and equipment as well as the expansion of the CCF into the state school sector.

One of the big changes is that CFAVs in CCFs now have access to a wide range of supporting MOD and single service documents not always referenced in the current manual, which are now the final authority for many of our cadet activities. The manual hasn’t kept up with change, and things get more complicated when trying to deal with the various letters, e-mails and notes that have amended the document

26 CONNECTED SUMMER 2017

over the past six years. This has meant that changes in MOD and single Service rules have superseded or amended large parts of the manual.

This means that CFAVs are not able to rely on the manual alone and have had to go through many different sources to ensure they have the most up to date information. Obviously letters, policy notes and other communications have been sent out from the various subject matter experts, but keeping track of this information has not always been straightforward.

The variation between the manual and the rules has even seen volunteers ending up doing things based on the manual, only to discover that the rules have changed and they didn’t know about it. The reverse is also true, and some volunteers have not offered activities to cadets that the latest rules meant that they could. This is even more complex in the CCF than in the community cadet forces, as volunteers also have to navigate the three single service supplements.

Last year, the Army Cadet Force completed Project LIBRA, a hard look at rules and processes at all levels of the organisation.

What we found was that while there were opportunities for us to slim down our national rules, there were a lot of additional rules and processes added further down the chain, all adding to extra work and confusion. This is something we can learn from in the CCF and ask ourselves if we really need a particular rule,

process or form – or sometimes three separate versions of these.

Over the next year, HQ Regional Command Cadets Branch will lead work on revising the current manual, working closely with our colleagues in the Royal Navy and RAF, as well as the end users in contingents and brigade HQs. This work will capture all the changes over the past six years, as well as formatting the new manual in a way that makes it simpler to use, and allows it to be easily updated with new information in the future. Work has already started on creating the new CCF Regulations, bringing together all the tri- and single-service policies, rules and procedures into one easy to navigate document. As you can imagine this is not an easy task, especially alongside other significant projects such as the Queen’s Cadet Forces Commission. After the summer break, we will be holding a series of workshops to bring together those who will use the new regulations at all levels, including those in contingents, with the aim of making this new document as easy to use as possible.

Like the current JSP 313, the new CCF Regulations will be published electronically on the Defence Gateway, via a dedicated page.

Once it is published, this page will also contain all future amendment notes, creating a one-stop shop, reducing the time burden on all those involved with delivering the CCF and making the new regulations easier to use.

N O TI CE B OA RD

FINAL BELL

Dispelling myths among parents page 30

AWA R D S

IN BRIEF

CCF AWARDS RANK

INITIALS

SURNAME

SCHOOL

THE FOLLOWING OFFICERS HAVE BEEN AWARDED THE CADET FORCES MEDAL LT MAJ LT WO2 WO2 CAPT MAJ CAPT MAJ WO2 2LT SSGT CAPT(CCF)

SL RW JR JA J-P CJ CR RS AJ DF YLP DM ND

CLARKE DAVIES DAVIS EAST FIDRMUC JONES McADAM McALINDEN NORRINGTON PASCAL POWELL WATKINS WHARTON

Welbeck DSFC St Dunstan’s College CCF Royal Russell School CCF St Dunstan’s College CCF Victoria College CCF, Jersey King Edwards School Bath CCF Dundee High School CCF The Leys School CCF Mill Hill School CCF Bancroft’s School CCF Stamford Endowed Schools CCF Bangor Grammar School CCF Giggleswick School

THE FOLLOWING OFFICERS HAVE BEEN AWARDED THE 1ST CLASP TO CADET FORCES MEDAL LT MAJ LT COL MAJ CAPT MAJ FLT LT LT COL

SL SM CR JF GD DM HP NJ

CLARKE FARLEY McADAM POOLEY SPAWFORTH TAYLOR TEBAY WOODALL

Welbeck DSFC Eton College CCF Dundee High School CCF Royal Hospital School CCF Reed’s School CCF Oakham School CCF Sevenoaks School CCF The Haberdashers’ Aske’s Boys’ School CCF

THE FOLLOWING OFFICERS HAVE BEEN AWARDED THE 2ND CLASP TO CADET FORCES MEDAL MAJ MAJ LT COL SSGT CAPT

SL SM CR TJ GD

CLARKE FARLEY McADAM SCOTT SPAWFORTH

Welbeck DSFC Eton College CCF Dundee High School CCF Dollar Academy Clackmannanshire Reed’s School CCF

IN FUTURE ISSUES WE WILL BE PUBLISHING DETAILS OF THESE AWARDS FROM THE PREVIOUS FEW MONTHS

The 2017 CCFA Annual Dinner takes place at the Grand Connaught Rooms

STEM CAREERS EVENT Are you or your cadets interested in a career in science, technology, engineering or maths? Day four of the Defence and Security Equipment International Conference (at ExCel London, 15 September) is ‘people and skills day’ and is open to students, graduates, apprentices, HR personnel and reservists. See www.dsei.co.uk (seminar programme) for details.

GRANTS FOR NEW SCHOOLS In January, the Cadet Bursary Fund Committee of CCFA awarded grants to 25 schools approved to open a cadet unit under the Cadet Expansion Programme.

This investment will help with their initial preparation and set up costs.

CCFA ANNUAL DINNER The 2017 CCFA Annual General Meeting and Dinner will take place on Monday 11 December, at the Grand Connaught Rooms, 6165 Great Queen Street, London WC2B 5DA. Further details to follow in the next issue.

COMBINEDCADETFORCE.ORG.UK 27

N O TI CE B OA RD

C E P U P D AT E

ROCKWOOD HEADS OUT FOR CAMP ROCKWOOD ACADEMY CCF IS ABOUT TO HEAD OFF ON ITS FIRST EVER ANNUAL CAMP. FOR A SCHOOL WHOSE STUDENTS RARELY LEAVE THE CITY, THIS IS A BIG TASK

O

RGANISING ANNUAL CAMP is a logistical challenge for any contingent. For RSMI Antony Chwalinski, SSI at Rockwood Academy CCF, the challenge – and the stakes – are particularly great this year. The week in July at Nescliffe Training Camp will be the contingent’s first camp experience.

“A lot of the young people have never done anything like this,” Antony says.

“They rarely leave Birmingham so just being in the country surrounded by livestock, they’re completely out of their comfort zone. We’re only taking Year 8s so they’re quite young. And we’re a 100% Muslim contingent so there are the cadets’ religious needs to take into account, for those that want to pray, for example.”

Antony has already organised several orientation trips to Nescliffe for the 22 cadets signed up for camp. Some of these have been overnight stays, in itself new for Rockwood students, whose regular school outings are day trips.

In addition, at the time of writing, Antony was organising a parents’

28 CONNECTED SUMMER 2017

evening with a member of the 11Sig Bde and West Midlands Cadet Training Team. “Educating the parents is key,” Antony says. “Traditionally, there’s a reluctance especially with the girls to let them go away unaccompanied by a family member. But if they know exactly what to expect and can ask questions, they can make an informed choice about whether their children go.”

Because it is a leap into the unknown for many of the cadets and their families, it’s so important to get this first camp right. “They’re going to do a lot of things that are not realistic for them to do outside the cadet force.

They come from a heavily deprived area, so other than family trips to see relatives, a lot of them don’t really have holidays where they get to do interesting activities,” he says.

In addition to the pure enjoyment, however, this camp will set the scene for the future. Antony says: “If the cadets come away from this year’s camp with a big grin on their faces, it’ll encourage others to take part in the future. A cadet is the best recruiter.”

In terms of the logistics, Antony has 17 years of ACF experience to fall back on.

“I’ve done virtually every role apart from company commander so it’s second nature to me. I just crack on,” he says.

He is therefore able to focus on liaising with parents and the Cadet Training Team to make the experience as good as possible for the cadets. “I’ll be excited to see the expressions on their faces when they complete a number of adventurous training activities such as mountainboarding,” he says. “It’s why I do the job.”

“IF THE CADETS COME AWAY FROM CAMP WITH A BIG GRIN ON THEIR FACES, IT’LL ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO TAKE PART IN THE FUTURE”

N O TI CE B OA RD

TRAINING

New commission EVENT

CONFERENCE SUCCESS HEADTEACHERS GATHERED TOGETHER FOR THE CCF CONFERENCE TO ENJOY A SERIES OF TOPICAL PRESENTATIONS FROM ALL THREE SERVICES

M

ore than 160 delegates from 80 schools gathered at the Royal Air Force Museum at Cosford for the annual CCF Headteachers’ Conference, organised by Headquarters Regional Command.

The General Officer Commanding Maj Gen Richard Stanford MBE welcomed the delegates. The first of the speakers was Paul Kett, Director General of Education Standards at the Department for Education.

He emphasised the importance of teachers and the CCF in helping to drive social mobility and develop well rounded and resilient students.

The event featured lively presentations from all three Services, as well as an interim report from Professor Simon Denny from the University of Northampton on the findings of the Cadet Social Impact Research Project. The interim findings show that CCFs deliver significant benefits for schools in improving attendance, behaviour

and outcomes but Prof Denny emphasised the need for more CEP schools to volunteer to take part in the research.

Other presenters included SSI Antony Chwalinski from Rockwood Academy, who spoke about the skills needed by SSIs, the challenges of the role, and how headteachers and SSIs can support each other (see the opposite page to find out how Antony is getting on organising his CCF’s first camp). Harry Rusby, a former cadet at Westcliffe High School for Boys, spoke passionately about how ‘The CCF was the making of me’.

One of the benefits of the day was the opportunity to network.

The conference room was full of experience which delegates were keen to share.

A summary of the presentations from the day and a video are on the CCF website. CEP schools wanting to take part in the University of Northampton study should contact simon.denny@northampton.ac.uk

T

HE MOD is putting the final touches to the Queen’s Cadet Forces’ Commission – to replace the current Reserve Commissions held by CCF Army and RAF officers and create a new commissioned status for CCF RN and RM officers. Introducing the new commission is complex and to ensure that the detailed preparations are completed properly, the Chief of Defence People has directed that the Queen’s Cadet Forces’ Commission will be introduced on 1 October 2017 for new and existing CCF officers.

When introduced, CCF officers will be recognised through their commission as national youth leaders who uphold the values, standards and strong links with the Armed Forces. The introduction of the QCFC is particularly significant for personnel volunteering with the CCF (RN) and CCF (RM) because up until now, their CFAV officers had been ‘appointed’ and not commissioned, unlike volunteers from the Army and the RAF. Major Phil Green, SO2 Personnel Officer for RN/RM HQ, said: “This is a really positive move. Being able to award the students with a commissioning scroll from the Queen following training will be meaningful and befitting for our volunteers.”

CCF officers will be recognised as national youth leaders

COMBINEDCADETFORCE.ORG.UK 29

FINAL BELL

MYTHBUSTER

Dealing with parental misconceptions Valerie McBurney, Head of Volunteer Recruitment and Communications at the CCFA, offers some advice on telling parents about the CCF

E

veryone has different ideas about the benefits of having a CCF unit in school. Parents and guardians, especially those with children who are new to the school, may have preconceptions that aren’t completely accurate. So here are a few common myths – and some suggested ways to address them:

1

Defence, and that the risks are kept as low as possible. Overall responsibility for managing risk lies with the headteacher.

4

“It’s expensive” Some items of uniform do need to be purchased privately by the

school or by cadets. In instances of hardship, CCF units can apply for a small grant to help individual cadets (find out more at www.

“Joining the CCF is the same

combinedcadetforce.org.uk/ccfa). When

as joining the military”

cadets attend field days or camps, there is a

Cadet units in schools are supported

small charge for certain activities and daily

financially by the Ministry of Defence, but

messing (meals). If cadets receive free school

are not part of the Armed Forces. The cadet

meals they do not need to pay for meals (CCF

forces follow some of the customs of their

instructors should flag this up in advance).

parent service, such as rank structure, but the organisations are separate.

2

5

“It will just teach them to follow orders blindly”

“Cadets are obliged to do time

Some activities such as drill involve

in the Armed Forces when

paying close attention to orders. But this is

they’re older”

because when cadets are in the field and

Not at all. The CCF is simply a voluntary

someone calls ‘stop’, they do so instantly.

youth organisation.

Many activities develop leadership skills.

3

Strong leaders are able to challenge accepted “It’s risky”

ways of doing things, come up with solutions,

Where safeguarding is concerned,

think creatively when things go wrong and

CCF adults have to pass a Disclosure

persuade others to follow their lead.

Many CCF activities develop strong leadership skills in cadets

RESOURCES

HELP TO CONVINCE PARENTS ABOUT THE CCF’S VALUE Point parents to: www. combinedcadetforce.org.uk/ get-involved/for-parents, where you’ll find some FAQs. Repurpose these mythbusters as FAQs in the CCF area of your school website or in CCF communications to parents.

Help parents to see how much cadets get out of the CCF by including a link to the CCF cadet video on your website: www. combinedcadetforce.org. uk/get-involved/become-acadet. If you prefer you can add the cadet video to your school website. (Contact marketing@ combinedcadetforce.org.uk.)

Think about approaching CCFA for small grants: www.combinedcadetforce. org.uk/ccfa

and Barring Service, Access Northern Ireland or Protecting Vulnerable Groups Scotland check before they start working with cadets.

In terms of the activities, some do have an element of risk, but contingent commanders must ensure that they take place within policy parameters set by the Ministry of

30 CONNECTED SUMMER 2017

A DDRESSING C O N C E R N S If you think parents might have concerns or questions about the CCF, try to tease these out during open evenings. If you need more advice on engaging with parents, contact marketing@combinedcadetforce.org.uk

THE MAGAZINE FOR INSTRUCTORS OF THE COMBINED CADET FORCE

CONNECTED

N EX T ISSUE NEXT ISSUE: CAMP HIGHLIGHTS THE CADET EXPERIENCE OF THE SANDHURST PASSING OUT PARADE COMMAND AND LEADERSHIP TASKS AND MORE