CCF

Review CCF

CCF CHRONICLE REPORT 2020

As seen in our reflections section this year, CCF is still an integral and much valued part of the student experience at Giggleswick.

LEADERS is the acronym around which all cadet training pivots. Whether a Friday afternoon, overnight exercise, flying day or Easter adventure training, the experiences are designed to develop leadership by clear instruction and by physical experience.

Leading by example is easily recognised by any observer. To see

Cdt CSM Joe Ladds lead each Friday’s training parade leaves one in no doubt of the ability of the cadet movement to inspire leadership. But just being at the front, smart and confident with sash and cane, is only part of the story. Each Head of Section (RM-Cpl O Kelt and K Bagshaw, Army-Sgts Izzy West and Amy Chadwick, RAF-Sgt Sophie Campbell) not only helped lead the big picture, they also played an important role in managing their own team of seniors and offered support away from the eyes of staff as new cadets prepared for their first parade. Thinking is an important part of UK military training. Following orders is important, but the route to achieving the intended outcome gives plenty of scope for creativity. The RAF section said goodbye to UO Fran Simpson and the burden of planning and delivering a Friday afternoon programme fell to Cdt Sgt Sophie Campbell and Cdt Cpl Rosie Allenby. Both did a fantastic job of maintaining enthusiasm and adherence to the syllabus during a very challenging period. We look forward to welcoming three new members of staff to the RAF section in September 2020 and hopefully a return to flying. The application of reward and discipline is certainly written in the correct order. It is great to hear cadets heaping praise onto students in their

“It is also testament to the quality of the organisation that cadets confidently challenge their peers and friends when standards of dress, behaviour, preparation or demeanour fall below those expected.”

lessons and seeing the recipients growing in confidence at every word. It is also testament to the quality of the organisation that cadets confidently challenge their peers and friends when standards of dress, behaviour, preparation or demeanour fall below those expected. However, I do believe that both of these elements of leadership are well represented by the annual cadet dinner; a reward for the effort needed to make the Contingent work, but bound by a strict code of conduct. It was a pleasure to have Lt Col Dufton, Head of the Helicopter Flight School at RAF Shawbury, bring three other pilots and an aircraft to our annual inspection and dinner. In preparation for Pringle, there is no doubt of the demand for high performance. The ambition from cadets such as Cdt Sgt Hughie Vyse or the attention to detail from Cdt Cpl Cameron Ogilvie are infectious for the others who aspire to be on the team. It was unfortunate that we were unable to compete this year and with Covid-19 in 2020, it means that our team in 2021 will have no first-hand experience. The new team must ensure that it trains to the highest standards if we are to sustain our successes. We were delighted to receive support from Aiden West who, along with Cdt Sgt Izzy West and other experienced assistants, delivered a try dive experience in the school pool for 12 cadets, boosting the confidence of all involved. I welcome UO West to the team of CCF instructors in Sept 2020. Confidence in equipment and personnel is vital in this type of training, as it is with weapon handling, flying or adventure training. It was a pleasure to take part in the second CCF Scarrig and I was proud to be part of a team of 20, including Mr Baudouin (French Assistant) and UO Paul Ward (RM) who joined the Army section as an instructor in January. There is clear strength in the Contingent with powerful leadership seen from Cdt LCpl Ben Bastow, Cdt LCpl Isaac Larkin and Cdt LCpl Oscar Russell (to name but three) to support the determination of cadets such as Cpl Foely Smith or LCpl Lillaby Morse (to name but two) as the whole team finished the course together in a sprint finish which would have seen us complete the actual race well ahead of last place. In addition to developing leadership

skills, the cadet movement encourages the development of personal skills as it strives to achieve team goals. Our only overnight exercise of the year met some challenging conditions. Cdt Jason Yang will remember getting within 10m of the FATOF insurgents to collect intelligence that would inform the next phase. Cdts Ramsey Smith, Kian Schmidt and Oliver Newbury also braved the nettles, gorse and thistles to achieve the team’s goals. In a much abbreviated year of training, the CCF managed to deliver a highquality practical experience to all involved. I am delighted to be receiving so many new adult instructors to the team in September 2020 and I look forward to seeing the ambitions of new staff and cadets turn into a new training programme that embraces the Covid-induced 2019-20 lack of a summer camp, or Easter adventure training week, and continues to challenge our leaders of the future.

Lead By Example Encourage Thinking Apply Reward and Discipline Demand high performance Encourage Confidence Recognise Strengths and Weaknesses Strive for Team Goals

INSPECTION SUCCESS FOR CADETS This year our CCF cadets were visited by Lt Col Dufton, Head of the Helicopter Flight School at RAF Shrewsbury, for their annual inspection and dinner. He arrived in style by helicopter with three further pilots to inspect and support the CCF programme, and many of our junior school and RAF section enjoyed a personal tour of the aircraft. Following parade, each section split into their activities, with Lt Col Dufton working closely with the cadets to investigate why they decided to take part in CCF and hear their opinions on the programme at Giggleswick. He commented on how delighted he was to see so many cadets on parade, and to see such quality leadership and involvement from everyone in the contingent. He was so impressed, that he has invited Giggleswick to visit his flight school for an opportunity to explore more aircraft and simulators, and to learn more about the roles of helicopters in the armed services. The CCF dinner was held later that evening when cadets were able to chat with Lt Col Dufton over tea.