THE MAGAZINE FOR INSTRUCTORS OF THE COMBINED CADET FORCE
CONNECTED SPRING 2018
COMBINEDCADETFORCE.ORG.UK
SAFETY FIRST
HOW FIRST AID TRAINING IS HELPING TO SAVE LIVES PAGE 6
AIMING HIGH
FORCES FOR GOOD
WHY SPENDING ON CADETS PAYS OFF
THE BENEFITS OF LEARNING TO SHOOT IN A SAFE ENVIRONMENT INSIDE: NEWS
RAF100 CELEBRATIONS COMMAND & LEADERSHIP TASKS EXPLORER ED STAFFORD AND MORE
CONTENTS
WELCOME
ISSUE #8: SPR ING 2018 For many, winter is a period of regeneration and reconstitution, but in the CCF the pace is unrelenting. Just as we’ve sorted out lessons learnt from our summer camps and put to bed our autumn activities, HQs and CFAVs spend the winter preparing for 2018 and beyond. Many of you will have attended brigade conferences, section conferences, single service courses, Regional Command CCF working groups, and a few will be brand new cadet officers, the first to hold the new Cadet Forces Commission. The CCF (RN) CFAVs and HQ staff use winter for in-house training and host conferences on safety, policy and training issues. I encourage all CFAVs to dust off your competencies and look to self-improvement through the extensive range of courses. As this issue is hitting your staff rooms and offices, I will be leaving the Royal Navy after 34 years of exciting service. In my final tour I’ve been responsible for all the Royal Navy and Royal Marines’ initial training, recruiting, and the cadets. One of my final cadet duties was to pass out of training, from Britannia Royal Naval College, 33 CFAVs. As they begin their own volunteer careers, I wish them, and all of you, the very best for 2018 and beyond. COMMODORE BOB FANCY Commander Core Naval Training and Recruitment
22
10
30
THIS ISSUE 06. FIRST AID How CCF schools are leading the way
ON THE COVER Cadet downtime on Willsworthy Range (Photographer: SSI Peter Russell)
10. RN BASIC ADULT TRAINING COURSE Behind the scenes at the Britannia Royal Naval College
14. RAF100 How you can join in the celebrations around the UK
16. RIFLE SHOOTING How the sport of competition shooting benefits cadets
18. CADET RESEARCH What have we learned so far from the joint MOD/University of Northampton project?
EVERY ISSUE 04. NEWS Flying scholarships, Three Peaks fundraisers and drill competition winners
20. TRI SERVICE Science in Action camp
22. COMMAND & LEADERSHIP Three challenges to try
24. HOW TO… Access the DLE and Defence Connect
26. NOTICEBOARD New MERCURY radios and better facilities at NCTC Frimley
30. FINAL BELL Adventurer Ed Stafford on what he learned from his CCF days
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: 02074268372 Fax: 02074268378 Website: www.combinedcadetforce.org.uk Email: marketing@combinedcadetforce.org.uk Twitter: @CCFCadets Connected magazine is designed and edited by James Pembroke Media Editor: Sarah Campbell Head of design: Simon Goddard Senior project manager: Elizabeth Hufton 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 Media nor 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
Esmée Webley, 2017 winner of the RAFA scholarship
SCHOLARSHIP
Search for 100th Flying Scholar
The triumphant King’s School cadets
SUCCESS
PEAK PERFORMANCE CHESTER SCHOOL CHALLENGE RAISES £1,200 FOR THE ROYAL BRITISH LEGION
T
he King’s School Chester CCF tackled the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge in September in aid of The Royal British Legion. Thirteen cadets took on the 24-mile route that includes a 5,200ft ascent over the peaks of Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough in the Yorkshire Dales National Park. The cadets faced wet weather conditions for the majority of the challenge, but that didn’t dampen their
spirits. Taking in the beautiful scenery including the iconic Ribblehead Viaduct, railways and waterfalls, the cadets completed the challenge in under their 12-hour goal. They were triumphant to fi nd they’d broken through their fundraising target of £1,200, receiving the news on the fi nal push to reach the last summit. SSI Tony Brown said: “The cadets are really proud to have contributed towards the work of this worthy charity.”
CADETS AT BATTLE OF BRITAIN SERVICE
Cadets at the high altar in Westminster Abbey
TEN RAF CADETS from King Edward VI Grammar School CCF, Louth, joined a Battle of Britain service in Westminster Abbey, marking 77 years since the campaign. The service was attended by four Battle of Britain pilots, The Prince of Wales, the Prime Minister and the Chief of the Air Staff.
4 CONNECTED SPRING 2018
CONTINGENTS WITH RAF sections have until 31 January 2018 to enter cadets into the RAF Association’s Flying Scholarships Programme. So far, 99 air cadets have benefited from the programme, with the 100th to be among the 2018 finalists. The best of the applicants will be rewarded with a course of 35 hours of flight training in a light aircraft. Five runners-up will receive 12 hours of training each. Application forms can be downloaded from rafa.org.uk/flying-scholarships
AWA R D
Dedicated teacher honoured LIEUTENANT ANNE RYDER, a teacher and CCF officer at the Duke of York’s Royal Military School, near Dover, has been recognised for her excellent work, training cadets in the CCF and local community. She was honoured with Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant’s Award for Meritorious Service, presented to her by Kent’s Lord Lieutenant Viscount De L’Isle MBE at a recent ceremony in Tunbridge Wells.
GET IN TOUCH E: marketing@combinedcadetforce.org.uk @CCFcadets
CFAV TRAINING
Insight into the CCF Royal Navy Officer Initial Course Back to School, page 10
Dundee High School CCF drill team with the trophy
WINNERS
EASE-Y DRILL SUCCESS CCF TEAM WINS SCOTTISH PARADE-SQUARE TITLE
Principal Tim Croft and Lt Col Keith Spiers with cadets and the covenant
PLEDGING SUPPORT
SUTTON SCHOOL SIGNS COVENANT
S
utton Community Academy, which set up a CCF (Army) contingent in 2016, has signed the Armed Forces Covenant, pledging to support the wider Armed Forces community. Explaining why the school wanted to sign up, Principal Tim Croft said: “I am committed to supporting the continued growth of our CCF and any other associated opportunities that are linked to it.
“We recognise the importance of having committed adult volunteers and without them, we would not have a cadet force in the first place. This is a way of the school giving back this commitment to the Armed Forces for their support of the school during the last two years.” The Covenant was signed by Tim and Lt Col Keith Spiers from 7th Infantry Brigade during a public signing event at the school.
A TEAM FROM Dundee High School CCF won a national drill competition trophy last term at Glencorse Barracks, Penicuik. The team had been in training since April, every Friday after school, plus every evening at summer camp. They were declared the best on the parade square, beating teams from six ACF Battalions. “All their hard work and dedication has paid off,” said SSI Willie Nichol. “There was an extremely high level of drill on show from all teams, showing the quality the cadets have. “But our team excelled, with the inspecting officers commenting that it was a pleasure to watch and of the level you would expect top recruits coming out of Sandhurst to be at.” The competition was run by the Cadet Training Team and the trophy awarded in honour of Capt Walter Barrie who lost his life on active service in Afghanistan.
EXTRAORDINARY SERVICE
Flying the nest after 50 years SQN LDR TONY Sollars has retired after 50 years with the RAF section of the CCF. He began at Cranbrook School, Kent, in 1966 where he was the OC of the RAF section, before joining the Royal Grammar School,
High Wycombe, where he eventually ran the RAF section. He remained involved until he clocked up 50 years. One of his many highlights was the opportunity to fly in a range of aircraft including
a glider, helicopter and Hercules (those three in just one day). “I’m a Mountain Leader (ML), winter ML trained and a DofE Gold Assessor,” he said. “So expect to see me on the hills somewhere.”
Sqn Ldr Sollars receiving a previous longservice certificate from ACM Sir Michael Graydon
COMBINEDCADETFORCE.ORG.UK 5
6 CONNECTED SPRING 2018
FIRS T AID
FE ATURE
SKILLS FOR LIFE
Learning how to react in an emergency is a crucial part of the CCF syllabus and there is a variety of first aid courses on offer
I
n the unlikely event that you needed to convince someone of the value of the first aid training for CCF cadets, this example will probably do it. When Cdt Caine Wildman came home from school (RSA Academy) one day to find his father Craig collapsed on the sofa, he knew what to do. Realising his dad wasn’t breathing, Caine put him in the recovery position, called an ambulance and started CPR. Craig was taken to hospital and diagnosed with double pneumonia, which led him to have a full respiratory failure and cardiac arrest; but he survived. Caine’s first aid skills and calm actions had undoubtedly saved his dad’s life, the doctors said. He had done a CPR course with his CCF just two weeks earlier. In October 2017, Caine was awarded a British Citizen Youth Award in recognition of his actions.
First aid is an important part of the CCF syllabus, and every young person has the opportunity to become proficient at a basic level. For keen cadets, there are opportunities to become accredited to a high level through civilian qualifications that employers and higher education institutions will recognise (see box, overleaf, for an explanation of the courses available to CCF cadets). A popular introduction to the subject is the British Heart Foundation’s Heartstart, a two-hour course that teaches basic skills, such as how to help an unconscious or choking person and how to do CPR. Among the higher qualifications a cadet can do (although there are no real limits) is First Aid at Work (FAW), a three-day course. This is not in the syllabus although a contingent can deliver it if they can find the time. CCF (RN) cadets have the chance to do this at HMS Raleigh in Cornwall, where CPO Steve Legge runs a residential course.
COMBINEDCADETFORCE.ORG.UK 7
Cadets are taught how to help someone who is choking
Cadets practise their skills at national competitions too
“IF THEY CAN LEARN CPR AND HOW TO USE AN AED, I’M HAPPY. THAT’S WHERE THEY CAN MAKE THE MOST DIFFERENCE” CPO Steve Legge “The advantage of doing it here is that we can use the Navy’s first aid simulator,” says Steve. “It’s set up as two compartments of a warship: during the simulation the lights go out, there are a couple of bangs and a soundtrack and the cadets have to deal with a first aid situation. Of course, it’s all carefully risk assessed – we have to ensure the cadets aren’t claustrophobic, for example – but they all love it.” Simulations aside, the course covers how to deal with various injuries and illnesses, as any FAW course would do. “We go to town on CPR,” Steve says. “There’s also a lot of work on automated external defibrillators (AEDs). My view is with all first aid courses, if they can learn CPR inside out and how to use an AED, I’m happy. That’s where they can make the difference.” Most cadet first aid courses aren’t as elaborate as the FAW one run at HMS Raleigh, but cadets get just as much out of them. Wg Cdr Steve Molloy, the RAF Air Cadet First Aid Officer at HQ RAF
8 CONNECTED SPRING 2018
Cadets, delights in the confidence that first aid training brings out in young people. “In my experience, they do better in pressured scenarios than adults,” he says. “If you teach them a sequence of events to deal with a situation, they will do it with confidence. Adults tend to be more nervous, wondering if they will get into trouble for taking action.” WORK IN PROGRESS As with all aspects of cadet training, first aid is constantly evolving. Steve Molloy is currently working on the issue of defibrillators to ATC wings and to CCF (RAF) contingents, although he does point out that a lot of schools will have these anyway. This will mean that, with the correct training, cadets could take the defibrillators to events and be on hand in case of emergency. And it’s not just the training for cadets that’s important. For CCF (Army) adult volunteers, Cdt Caine Wildman
FIRST AID COURSES EXPLAINED HEARTSTART (British Heart Foundation) 2 hours: how to recognise a heart attack and a cardiac arrest, help an unconscious person, perform CPR, help someone choking and respond to serious bleeding. YOUTH FIRST AID (St John Ambulance) 12 hours: conditions including seizures, spinal injury, choking, electric shock and heat exhaustion. ACTIVITY FIRST AID (Qualifications and Credit Framework) 2 days: how to deal with conditions specific to leisure and sporting activities and the outdoors, such as temperature extremes, fainting, bites and stings, sprains and strains. FIRST AID AT WORK (Qualifications and Credit Framework) 3 days: comprehensive course, designed to meet the standards required to help comply with Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations.
FIRS T AID
AWARD WINNERS SSI Mark Goatcher, City of London Academy Islington (Honorable Artillery Company) CCF
Workplace Hero Award – St John Ambulance Everyday Heroes Awards 2017 “I’ve been delivering first aid courses with the CCF for the past three years. A student came to tell me that a kid was on the ground. Another cadet had put him in the recovery position – he was unresponsive and not breathing. I told someone to call an ambulance and started CPR. It took about seven minutes for the response guys to get there. Eight weeks later, I met him in the principal’s office. He’s had a pacemaker fitted, extensive surgery and made a complete recovery.”
Lucton School cadets learning CPR
Simulation training can help to boost confidence
Learning how to deal with a real-life emergency
for example, work is ongoing to make nationally regulated qualifications such as FAW and Emergency First Aid at Work even more accessible through the introduction of these at Army Cadet Force county levels. “Everything that’s open to the ACF is also open to the CCF (Army),” says Melanie Prangnell, First Aid Development Manager at the Army Cadet Force Association. “We also run a teachers’ course where we give them a basic teaching qualification – we usually get SSIs on that. And if they want to do anything over and above what’s in the cadet syllabus, they can just come to me.”
FIND OUT MORE For more on first aid training, contact CPO Steve Legge (RN) at navycadetsccfailondonnw@royalnavymail.mod.uk, Wg Cdr Steve Molloy at firstaid@ aircadets.org or Melanie Prangnell at melanie.prangnell@armycadets.com
Maj Craig Derrigan, Contingent Commander, Lucton School CCF
Organisation of the Year Award for First Aid Excellence – St John Ambulance Everyday Heroes Awards 2017 “All the school’s first aid training is done by the CCF. Nearly 100 per cent of the staff here have got an Activity First Aid qualification. The cadets take part in lots of first aid competitions and first aid training has given them a lot of confidence. A student put his hand through a window recently and he only had to look behind him to find someone with first aid training to help him.”
COMBINEDCADETFORCE.ORG.UK 9
CFAV T R AININ G
FE ATURE
BACK TO SCHOOL
On a mild October morning, Connected visited the historic Britannia Royal Naval College in Dartmouth to take a look at the initial training course for CFAVs
10 CONNECTED SPRING 2018
CFAV T R AININ G
T
he 33-strong intake, halfway through their course, march into position and line up for their third drill practice of the week. The backdrop is stunning: a vast parade square that overlooks the River Dart and the meeting place of a young Prince Philip of Greece and the then Princess Elizabeth. The group are part of the CCF Royal Navy Officer Initial Course, which takes place over six days (run twice a year during the spring and autumn half-terms) and aims to arm the CFAVs with practical tasks and knowledge to take back to their sections. The students are from state and independent schools, with teachers, school support staff and parents taking part, aged from 22 to 57 years. Regardless of their backgrounds, everyone has come together with the common aim of wanting to become better equipped to train their cadets. Maj Phil Green, who is based at the CCF (RN) Headquarters in Portsmouth, is the course officer. As a Royal Marine he’s military through and through, but ensures he has at least two CFAVs who’ve previously completed the course to help bring together the teaching and military worlds and deliver the best outcomes for the attendees. This week he’s assisted by Lt Elen Harris, a section commander at Sevenoaks School CCF in Kent who had been on last year’s intake, and Lt Cdr Ian Frayne, Contingent Commander at Wellington College CCF, who’s worked with Phil for a number of years refining the course. Elen admits it’s been a bit of a whirlwind, having only been in charge of her section
for a little over a year. She says: “It’s brilliant to be here on the course for the week as you get exposed to what other schools are doing. If you didn’t come on a course like this you might struggle.” On the first day, arriving at around 4pm on a Sunday, Phil introduces the students to the training team – three Chief Petty Officers (CPOs), who have each served for over 25 years – and briefs them on uniform and accommodation. He says: “My belief is that if we equip them with the right kit from the outset they start to feel more part of the family, a sense of belonging. We mentor them on their kit so they don’t turn up looking shabby.” He adds: “The accommodation might be their first shock, as we provide shared accommodation, very much like on board a ship.” The students want to experience what the cadets will do during camps and field days, so sleeping in a bunk is an important part of that. On the positive side, one or two remark that it’s better than camping.
LEARNING THE ROPES For some, this will be their first time at a military establishment and there are rules to play by at the College. For instance, there are standards of dress and no mobile phones are allowed in the corridors, but the CFAVs who help facilitate the course are on hand to get everyone settled in. Elen has no qualms in saying that she was petrified before coming to a working Royal Navy establishment, but the experience was brilliant and left her feeling fully prepared to command her section when back at school. On day two the course kicks off properly. It’s back to basics with an HR brief, learning
COMBINEDCADETFORCE.ORG.UK COMBINEDCADETFORCE.ORG.UK 11 7
CFAV T R AININ G
DID YOU KNOW?
The College cooks enough sausages each year to stretch 39 miles
Students practise organising practical leadership tasks
“IT IS AN EXHAUSTING WEEK, BUT REALLY EFFICIENT AND I KNOW I’LL GO BACK FEELING ENTHUSED”
Practising with the MTa kits
Louisa Burton, student about promotional prospects, remuneration, training, safety, careers and a bit about the bigger picture of the cadets and where they sit in the Royal Navy structure. Then it’s on to the first drill lesson of the week. The CPOs are experienced ceremonial drill instructors by trade, so those on the course learn from the best. Their stentorian roars echo around the parade ground. Phil says: “Have you ever tried to drill 33 people and talk or whisper your commands? It just doesn’t work. If they keep messing up, the drill instructors will – tongue-in-cheek – give them a talking to, but ultimately we do want them looking smart for their passing-out parade at the end of the week.” One of the instructors jokingly advises the students that marching in and out of the shower is best practice... George Thompson, a former pupil and cadet of Trinity School CCF in Croydon and now a CFAV, says: “You have to try not to take the instructors too seriously. I think they ease us into it quite well – they’re very gentle.”
12 CONNECTED SPRING 2018
One of the course instructors – CPO Si Cox
As the course progresses, the group is introduced to the CCF (RN) syllabus. The focus is on running things in a way that empowers the cadets. Phil says: “The CCF is all about leadership, so if we’re not teaching the cadets to run some of the training, and it’s just the adults running it – well, we’ve got something wrong.” Not every lesson on the syllabus is covered in the course but key elements are identified and every student goes home with a huge amount of information and resources. Georgina Shrubsole, from Tunbridge Wells Girls Grammar School CCF, got involved with her school because there was a lack of female instructors for her daughter’s Royal Navy section. She says: “I’m also the training officer for my school, so going through the syllabus, how to run
it and how to get the girls to develop their leadership skills is fantastic. I feel like a veil has been lifted and I’m loving it.” The students also get taken on a visit to HM Naval Base Devonport for time aboard HMS Bulwark to give them an insight into operational Naval life. It enables them to speak to their cadets about the Royal Navy’s warships and amphibious operations.
TIME TO GET PRACTICAL On day four the students get their hands on MTa kits and take a low ropes course outdoors to develop their skills in running practical leadership tasks (PLTs). They are taught how to plan, brief the team and manage the task to a successful conclusion. Louisa Burton, a teacher and CFAV from Portsmouth Grammar School CCF, says:
CFAV T R AININ G
CCF ROYAL NAVY OFFICER INITIAL COURSE Participants in the October 2017 training course in Dartmouth
Lt Elen Harris, CFAV
George Thompson, student
Students parading in front of the historic College building
Georgina Shrubsole, student
Lt Cdr Ian Frayne, CFAV Students spend time aboard HMS Bulwark
“The stuff we’ve done with the PLTs has helped to provide the structure – knowing how to start, carry out and execute the task and then debrief it – so I know everybody is getting something from it. Before, it had been a bit of a free-for-all.” She adds: “It is an exhausting week, but in terms of the amount of time they have to do everything with us, it’s really efficient and I know I’ll go back feeling enthused.” Day five is completely water-based and the students take part in activities on the River Dart. Half the day is concentrated on practical rules, regulations, navigation and knots, the other half is all hands on deck. Phil quips: “They are usually, excuse the pun, very buoyant following day five!” There is plenty of downtime during the week, including a chance to go ashore and
Louisa Burton, student
Maj Phil Green, course officer
The early part of the course is classroom-based
sample the local fish and chips, visit a town pub and pick up souvenirs in the College gift shop. Students are also invited into the Senior Rates Mess to get a taste of life in an operational training centre. Day six marks the end of the course. At 8am the students parade in front of the College Captain (on this course Commodore Bob Fancy oversaw the pass out) and are presented with their certificates. Lt Cdr Ian Frayne says: “On this course I’ve had one teacher comment to me that not only will they be able to take back the things they’ve picked up for being a CFAV, but they’ll be able to use some of it in the classroom too. I’ve never heard that before. It’s a spin-off I wouldn’t have expected.” While they might return home with a blister or two from their new drill shoes –
and on this course the students also had the experience of a 3am fire alarm – the overall feeling is of fun, positivity and a renewed energy that the CFAVs will take back to their Royal Navy sections. Elen says: “Just go and do it. Forget about the fear factor. You’ll meet so many people who are interested in the same thing. You’ll be going back to school thinking ‘I’ve learnt so much from the instructors, but I’ve learnt even more outside the course as well’.”
FIND OUT MORE Feeling enthused to become a CFAV or to sign up for your initial course? Speak to your Contingent Commander and sign up via Westminster. Full course details can also be obtained by contacting Major Phil Green at navytrgcore-ccfso2pers@mod.uk
COMBINEDCADETFORCE.ORG.UK 13
R A F 100
GE T INVOLVED
RAF100 TAKES OFF
Cadets at an RAF100 launch event
The RAF was formed on 1 April 1918 – a century on, major celebrations are under way to mark this milestone
T
he RAF100 commemorative campaign will mark 100 years of extraordinary achievement and sacrifice. It aims to celebrate the contribution that the RAF continues to make to UK Defence today, as a driving force behind leadingedge technology. It also intends to motivate the general public and inspire future generations to think about the part they could play in the next 100 years. Some preliminary activities have already taken place, but 2018 looks set to have a bumper calendar offering opportunities for CCF (RAF) contingents to get their cadets involved. Air Commodore Dawn McCafferty, Commandant Air Cadets, said: “I invite all volunteers and cadets to embrace the challenges and opportunities that arise from RAF100 and to put
14 CONNECTED SPRING 2018
your collective thinking hats on to consider how you might like to commemorate, celebrate or inspire those around you to mark the RAF’s historic milestone.” A whole host of national and local events will be taking place and Squadron Leader D-Reg Bhasin is taking the lead for CCF coordination. D-Reg served 17 years with the RAF and is now an airline pilot, but he was also a contingent commander with Bradford Grammar School CCF and a training officer at Eton College CCF. “If you want to participate, let me know,” he says. “I can match you to events based on date, location and availability. And if you’re already involved in an RAF100 event, I’d love to hear about it.”
FIND OUT MORE Take a look at the RAF100 dedicated website raf.mod.uk/ raf100 or email Sqd Ldr D-Reg Bhasin projects2.ccf@aircadets.org
Cadets at ATC Sunday during the 2016 event
KEY NATIONAL EVENTS THE MAIN EVENTS WILL TAKE PLACE DURING SPRING AND SUMMER. HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE: 11 February 2018 RAF100 parade in London on ATC Sunday, culminating in a reception at the Royal Courts of Justice. 14-17 March 2018 RAF100 will be at the Big Bang Science Fair, NEC Birmingham. Visitors are being promised to ‘expect some surprises’. Summer 2018 A National Aircraft Tour will visit six major UK locations, with the potential for tens of thousands of visitors to interact with the RAF. 10 July 2018 The RAF100 parade along the Mall, a mass fly-past and a consecration of a new Queen’s Colour for the RAF. 13 July 2018 Royal Review of Her Majesty’s Aircraft at the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT), Fairford. 3-25 August 2018 The RAF will take the lead at the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.
R A F 100
“We aim to inspire people across the UK. As members of our cadet forces, you can help by celebrating our first 100 years and looking on to our next.” Air Vice-Marshal Mike Wigston, Assistant Chief of the Air Staff and Lead for RAF100
Air Commodore Dawn McCafferty, centre, with Honorary Group Commandant the Duchess of Cambridge and Honorary Group Captain Carol Vorderman
“We hope to have cadets and volunteers involved in all major events, be that parades, concerts, sport events or community projects.” Air Commodore Dawn McCafferty
An RAF100 event at the Glasgow Science Centre
Expect spectacular fly-pasts during 2018
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY FOCUS
T
he RAF is looking to the next generation for innovative ideas to shape its second century.
RAF STEM Ambassadors –
The RAF100 Schools
reaching every corner of the
Project – a national project
United Kingdom.
that uses the story of the
Offering cadets and other
RAF to explore concepts in
youngsters a chance to
both history and physics,
attend one of three STEM
in partnership with the
engagement programme,
residential courses, taking up
Historical Association and
RAF Inspire, is expected to
to 100 students per course at
the Institute of Physics:
reach up to two million nine
RAF Wittering, RAF Cranwell
raf100schools.org.uk
to 15-year-olds across the
and RAF Cosford. Other
The 2017/18 Robotics
country through a range of
activities with a focus on
Challenge – a programme
activities including:
STEM that all contingents
that sees students (11-14)
can get involved with include:
working in teams to solve
Its expanded youth
The distribution of 1,000 STEM boxes to
The staRRship project
real-world engineering,
schools and free online
– a virtual mission to Mars
technology and computing
downloadable resources.
powered by Rolls Royce
challenges, run by Tomorrow’s
and inspired by the Royal Air
Engineers: robotics.
Force: www.starrship.space
tomorrowsengineers.org.uk
Hosting 100 school activity days – delivered by
Flying drones at the STEM and aerospace camp
STEM Camp at RAF Wittering
COMBINEDCADETFORCE.ORG.UK 15
FE ATURE
ON TARGET The CCF offers a safe environment for young people to take part in target rifle shooting, helping them to develop a sense of responsibility
“T
he cadet forces are the main pathway in the UK for young people to take part in target rifle shooting,” says Robert Bruce, the general secretary of the Council for Cadet Rifle Shooting (CCRS). “Shooting can be an expensive sport but in the cadet world everything is provided through the MOD’s sponsorship, you just have to show commitment and motivation. If you want to grow your shooting skills and progress to a level where you could represent your country, cadets is the place to strive for that.” The CCRS organises the sport of target rifle shooting across all four cadet forces and Robert believes it’s an important development tool. “We do it to help the cadet forces in their overall aim of developing our young people into responsible citizens, to develop character and social responsibility,” Robert says. “We
16 CONNECTED SPRING 2018
“WE USE THE SPORT TO DEVELOP THOSE SKILLS THAT HELP CADETS MOVE INTO ADULTHOOD” use the sport to develop those skills that help them move into adulthood: confidence, personal discipline, teamwork, valuing others – all those character skills.” Cadet syllabus shooting – and identifying potential among cadets – is completed by units. CCRS then organises national finals and meetings in various disciplines. “Competing in these finals is what every cadet should initially aim to achieve,” says Robert. The competition scene is quite a complex one; not all shooting is the same by any means, and there are contests for each type.
Here, Robert explains the main ones, from entry-level shooting to advanced.
CLAY TARGET SHOOTING AND SPORTING EXCELLENCE “Clay familiarisation courses are organised by units. CCRS then holds a national meeting annually. This was introduced in 2007 and is very popular with cadets – 32 teams took part in 2017.”
SMALL-BORE (.22) TARGET RIFLE SHOOTING “Throughout autumn and winter we run a number of postal competitions: that means a unit can shoot a competition in their own time and send the results to us. Typically you’re talking about firing on 30m ranges, so these competitions can be run indoors in winter. The culmination is in March or April, when we have a series of finals over a weekend here at Bisley.”
RIFL E SH O O TIN G
CADET INTER-SERVICE SKILL AT ARMS MEETING
Students learning to shoot at Sedbergh School
(5.56mm cadet-issue L98A2 GP rifle) “This is held just up the road from Bisley at Pirbright Ranges, a national competition that cadets qualify for through local brigade qualifying competitions. We get just under 300 cadets a year for that.”
CADET BISLEY
FULL-BORE (7.62MM) TARGET RIFLE SHOOTING ‘Cadet Bisley’ is a month of competitions held every July and broken down into:
1
Inter-Service Cadet Rifle Meeting (ISCRM) and CCF competition: “The ISCRM is for the community cadet forces and then there’s a separate CCF competition known as the Schools’ Meeting,” says Robert.
2
NRA Imperial: “The pinnacle of civilian target rifle shooting. It’s held by the National Rifle Association and attracts competitors from all over the world. The CCRS sponsors up to 30 cadets to compete alongside very accomplished shooters.”
3
Cadet Imperial: “This is run in parallel with NRA Imperial. The cadets shoot about 60% of what the NRA Imperial competitors shoot. The aim is to give promising cadets some experience. Ideally, they would do this and then we would sponsor them to do the NRA Imperial.”
FIND OUT MORE
Visit www.ccrs.org.uk/competitions to explore the world of shooting competitions or email Robert Bruce at GenSec@ccrs.org.uk
SEDBERGH SCHOOL
T
he CCF shooting team at Sedbergh School won its first major schools competition in 1914. “It’s been going ever since with a steady stream of people representing their country in competitions since 1962,” says Sam Sharma, its current shooting coach. Shooting at Sedbergh is offered through the CCF, which is voluntary from Year 10 upwards, with three sService sections. “We think shooting is a valuable part of the education we provide,” Sam says. “It’s a fantastic sport and very accessible. I like to think the lessons students learn on the shooting range complement what they learn in the classroom.” The senior shooting squad has between 15 and 20 members, with a novice core of about 25 younger cadets. “Many go on to represent UK teams,” Sam says. “We’ve got a lot of promising young people.” One of those is Cdt Sgt Will Ross, 17, captain of the Sedbergh senior shooting squad. “I first picked up a rifle in year 9,” Will says. “I didn’t exactly have a knack for it and when I started a lot of people were better than me. But I have quite a competitive nature, and I made quick progress. Winning a few things drove me too.”
Last year Will shot for the UK Cadet Rifle Team, the Under-17 Great Britain Team and the British Cadet Rifle Team, with whom he went to Canada for a month to compete. “In the first week I was in the top 30 in the cadet competition. Then I did better in the civilian competition – I was top cadet there. It was my first time going to that side of the world so it was a bit of a culture shock but it was great to meet different people and to shoot with different rules and in different conditions.” He expresses regret that he’s approaching the end of his cadet service but says he’s hoping to go to a university where he can continue to shoot. “It’s a great community and it attracts people with all different backgrounds. We’re quite quirky, a bit different – they’re a unique bunch, shooters.”
Senior shooting squad captain Will Ross
COMBINEDCADETFORCE.ORG.UK 17
FE ATURE
FORCES FOR GOOD The interim report from an MOD/University of Northampton four-year study on the social impact of the cadet forces includes surprising findings about CFAVs
A
s an adult volunteer, you’ll know in your heart that the CCF is a force for good in your school and wider society. But now there’s research that proves it. In October 2017, the Ministry of Defence announced the publication of a report into the social impact of the spending on cadets and the Cadet Expansion Programme (CEP), as well as the benefits of the qualifications provided by CVQO. This report presents the interim findings of a four-year project the MOD commissioned in July 2016. The research itself is being done by a team at the University of Northampton. The report’s executive summary states: “The financial value of every aspect of social impact delivered by the four MODsponsored cadet forces (Sea Cadet Corps, Combined Cadet Force, Army Cadet Force and Air Training Corps) is not possible to quantify exactly yet. Future reports will improve the reporting of financial benefit.” It continues: “However, the evidence gathered for the first interim report clearly demonstrates the value of the social impact that cadet forces deliver is vastly greater than their annual cost.”
18 CONNECTED SPRING 2018
“The report is a small summary of what we’ve done so far,” says Dr Meanu Bajwa-Patel. Meanu is one of the Northampton researchers working on the project and a former secondary school teacher who specialised in special educational needs (SEN). She and her colleagues have been collecting data from thousands of cadets and adult volunteers across the country in the form of interviews and surveys. “What’s already clear,” she adds, “is that the financial and cultural capital of the cadet forces is unquestionably adding to society.” MAKING A DIFFERENCE Clear benefits for students with SEN are emerging from the data. “For kids with conditions such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and dyslexia, cadets have a lot of impact. Although, we’re only just scratching the surface of this now, so we didn’t include it in the interim report. Meanu continues: “Through no fault of their own, teachers perhaps don’t have the time to give to those students that CFAVs do. Adult volunteers can give them support and a sense of wellbeing. For the cadets we spoke to who have those needs, the organisation, the feedback and the
RESEARCH SO FAR
136 1,648 280 interviews conducted
survey responses from cadets
serving soldiers have given their views
104 CFAVs took part in questionnaires
S O CIA L IM PAC T RE P O R T
Dr Meanu Bajwa-Patel
structure of the cadet forces – do this and you get your reward, misbehave and you lose your stripes – has a real impact.” A surprising finding from her work so far has been the impact of the cadet forces on CFAVs. “We hadn’t expected to look at the adults,” says Meanu. “It just came about as part of the interviews: the adults talked about cadets bringing meaning to their lives, reward, a sense of inclusion and social wellbeing.” The next focus for Meanu and her colleagues is building links with CEP schools. “We’re talking to lots of headteachers, getting them to do our survey and gathering their attendance and behaviour data,” she says. “We’re also going to try to develop a control group of children who are not cadets.” Meanu is also trying to broaden the impact of
the research itself, particularly within the education sector. “We’ll have to see what the data shows but we anticipate there being some strong findings about how CCFs in CEP schools help keep disillusioned children in school,” she says. One thing she does want to make clear is that CFAVs can rest assured that the time they put into cadet activities is having a ‘massive impact’. “I’ve taught for many years but I’ve never met as many confident, articulate kids as in this year of research,” she says.
“CADETS BRINGS MEANING TO CFAVs’ LIVES, A SENSE OF INCLUSION AND SOCIAL WELLBEING”
FIND OUT MORE Are you a CEP school and would you like to get involved in the next stage of Meanu’s research? Email her at meanu.bajwa-patel@ northampton.ac.uk. You can read the full interim report at bit.ly/2ASkdTv
KEY FINDINGS TO DATE Cadet forces help children who receive free school meals to achieve their potential. A study in Greater Manchester indicates that young people who have been excluded from school but join cadets are more likely to improve their attendance and behaviour.
GOOD VALUE SOCIAL IMPACT RESULTING FROM THE EXPENDITURE ON CADETS
Free school meals
Well-being
Disadvantage
Decreased antisocial behaviour
Career awareness
Military careers
Careers / Employability
Social Mobility
Retention
Civilian careers
KEY NEET
Commitment to schooling
Extra-curricular skills & experiences
Communication Confidence Leadership
SKILL BAME
Armed Forces awareness
Inclusive Community
SEND
CFAV
Sectarianism
Well-being
Training value
Increased earnings
The different areas of social impact that emerged from the primary data collection
The activities of cadet forces result in increased recognition and awareness of our armed forces and improved respect for veterans. There is a very strong belief that CVQO courses have great value for CFAVs. The training is particularly useful for CFAVs with few or no qualifications. The qualifications and awards are estimated as providing the current cohort of CFAVs with potential lifetime earnings increases of £15.58 million. Serving soldiers who were cadets have higher selfefficacy, are four times more likely to be an SNCO or officer than non-cadets, and serve at least six years longer as CFAVs than non-cadets on average.
COMBINEDCADETFORCE.ORG.UK 19
TRI SERVICE
SCIENCE IN ACTION
Cadets worked in groups based broadly on school years
In the latest in our series on innovation in the three services, we take a look at the Army’s Science in Action camp, which gives cadets hands-on experience with military experts
T
he UK is facing a skills shortage in areas relating to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Uptake of these subjects is particularly low among girls. The Ministry of Defence and the Department for Education are addressing this issue in the cadet forces. STEM activities on offer through the CCF syllabus and single services can inspire cadets and demonstrate that a career in STEM is an exciting and rewarding opportunity. A perfect example of this is the Army’s recent Science in Action camp, where cadets spent a whole week getting hands-on experience with Army experts. Connected was given an insight by one of the organisers,
20 CONNECTED SPRING 2018
Colonel (Reserves) Royal Signals, Anthony Lamb, who is also Eastbourne College CCF’s Contingent Commander. The camp took place during the October half-term. Thanks to the success of the first Science in Action camp in 2016, the number of places was doubled this year, but with over 300 CCF and ACF applications the competition for a spot was fierce. In total 45 female and 112 male cadets from around the UK attended. The camp involved activities and short lessons, showing how the Army uses an array of the latest technology. Tuition was provided by Army experts and CFAVs with STEM expertise, from both the CCF and ACF. HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE Lt Hannah Simmons, a science teacher
at Eastbourne College and an officer with the school’s CCF, helped to scrutinise the lesson plans to ensure that the structures, language and theory would be engaging and informative for the cadets’ sharp minds. She also helped to establish clear links with the national school science curricula. “All of the pupils I worked with during the course thoroughly enjoyed themselves. They were able to understand how the theories they studied in school were related to the real world by getting exciting hands-on experiences,” Hannah says. The cadets were divided into two groups during the week, to reflect the different age groups: Junior Company (up to school year 10) and Senior Company (for years 11-13). The cadets spent time with units specialising in different elements of STEM:
STEM CAMP
STEM challenge: Build a bridge Requirements of bridge: Must span a gap of 25cm Only use the materials provided Hold as much mass as possible Material required: Wood glue and about 100 lolly sticks per group (4-8 cadets). You can add in string and paper if needed.
The week was a brilliant chance to work with real-life experts
Time required: 1 hour (10 mins to plan, 40 mins to make, 10 mins to test) Testing: Place the bridge between two tables or chairs and add weights until the bridge collapses. STEM links: Engineering and design, forces, loads, weight and mass. Points can be given for best design, most mass supported and fewest items used to build.
Col Anthony Lamb organised the Science in Action camp
The Army Air Corps discussed rotary wing (helicopter) fl ight and gave cadets the opportunity to sit in a live cockpit and learn about different leading edge technology systems on board. The Royal Artillery discussed the use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) for battlefield surveillance and information gathering. The cadets also had the opportunity to take part in a session learning about the mechanics of drones before getting the chance to operate one. The Royal Engineers provided insights into how military engineering can keep an army mobile, including the use of bridging equipment. The Royal Signals demonstrated a range of state-of-the-art military communications equipment and told the cadets about the latest cybersecurity initiatives. The cadets were then tasked with building a Yagi Antenna used in point-to-point communication.
The camp involved plenty of practical activities for cadets
The Royal Logistics Corps showed cadets how the Army is sustained in the field, including munitions, fuels and explosives. The team detonated explosives in a real-time demonstration which was an exhilarating way for the cadets to learn the effects of density, pressure and containment on ammunition. The Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers showcased how modern equipment, including Apache attack helicopters, Challenger 2 tanks and Land Rover vehicles, are repaired. Cadets could also attend evening activities, such as a briefi ng on internet surveillance (understanding internet footprints and staying safe online), tech surveillance (bugging) counter measures, and cyber technology. A special femaleonly discussion was also hosted following the camp’s networking event on leadership. Col Anthony Lamb said: “Exercise Science in Action is all about bringing
The bridge must be made from lolly sticks and wood glue
young people together and showcasing some of the opportunities that exist in the Army today. We’ve been overwhelmed by the level of interest in this event.” He said he most admired the enthusiasm of the impressive young men and women who had given up their time to learn all about what the Army is doing within STEM. He also praised the enthusiasm of all of those who supported the initiative and hopes that the event will continue to grow.
STEM OPPORTUNITIES Look out for notices on Westminster and Bader. To find a contact in your area, speak to your regional training officers or cadet training teams. Turn to pages 14-15 to see what the RAF is doing to increase participation in STEM activities.
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
HURRICANE ASSIST
DRAINPIPE DRAMA
CROC-INFESTED RIVER
Equipment: Activity kit, such as MTa learning kit. Time: 25 minutes. Where: Small open space indoors or outdoors. Aim: To construct an item to assist with a hurricane relief effort scenario, in the allotted time. Benefits: Promotes teamwork, planning, cooperation and careful use of resources. Instructions: The cadets have arrived at a post-hurricane disaster zone. In groups, using the MTa kit, task them with constructing an item to assist with the relief effort, such as a helicopter, stretcher, life raft or communications mast. Each group’s team leader should present back to the other cadets at the end of the exercise. Score each team’s efforts and choose a winner.
Equipment: Pieces of drainpipe and marbles, or balls such as ping pong balls or golf balls. Time: 15 minutes. Where: A clear space indoors or outdoors. Aim: To get the balls from a start point to an end point as quickly as possible without dropping them. Benefits: Promotes teamwork and communication skills. Instructions: Whatever the size of your cadet teams, ensure each member has a section of drainpipe. Make it clear where the start and end points of the task are (use sports hall markings or cones, for example). Each team member must carry the balls at least once and if they are dropped the team must start again.
Equipment: Six wooden poles, ropes, a pulley system, helmets and a bucket of items (or a barrel/kit bags/ boots – any items readily available) to be transported across the river. Time: 30 minutes. Where: A grassy field outdoors. Aim: To get the full bucket of items and equipment safely across the river without dropping any. Benefits: Promotes practical teamwork, logic, planning and communication. Instructions: Split your cadets into two teams either side of the field. Give them the scenario that they must transport their bucket of materials, one item at a time, from one side of the croc-infested river to the other. They should build stations at either side and use ropes to create a system to pull the items across.
MAKE IT EASIER: Give cadets fewer balls to transport across the course.
MAKE IT EASIER: Select simpler items
MAKE IT HARDER: Separate the start
MAKE IT EASIER: Build stations in
or increase the time allowed.
and end points by obstacles to add an
advance or transport fewer items.
MAKE IT HARDER: Get the cadets to
extra challenge. You could also race the
MAKE IT HARDER: Appoint team leaders
come up with their own item to create.
teams against one another.
as the only ones who can speak.
Thanks to: Royal Navy Officer Initial Course leaders for Hurricane Assist and Croc-infested River; and Army Cadet Force colleagues from the Black Watch Battalion for Drainpipe Drama
22 CONNECTED SPRING 2018
DID YOU KNOW?
Our updated website includes a command task resource bank
1
2
GET IN TOUCH Have you got a great task you’d like to share with your CCF colleagues (and the chance to get your cadets pictured in print)? Contact marketing@combinedcadetforce.org.uk
3 COMBINEDCADETFORCE.ORG.UK 23
H OW T O
HOW TO
Craig Angus, SO2 ICT Training & Development Manager at Regional Command
ACCESS THE DLE AND DEFENCE CONNECT HQ Regional Command has created two online locations to help CFAVs with their Westminster training
T
he Defence Learning Environment (DLE) and Defence Connect have been created to help CFAVs with their Westminster training, to give them easy access to courses and materials to support their personal and professional development and to help answer questions about how they can make best use of ICT in the cadet forces.
The Defence Learning Environment (DLE) is an online training platform in the Defence Gateway. Cadets Branch has adapted certain areas to provide cadet force-specific training and give CFAVs the opportunity to gain further development and qualifications. The courses have recently been expanded to include Westminster user guides, mandatory tests for CFAVs and online learning packages.
A C C E S S I NG T H E D L E
1
Login to the Defence Gateway
24 CONNECTED SPRING 2018
2
Under Applications, search for DLE
3
Using the navigation side bar, click ‘Courses’. This will give you the option to search for a specific course.
H OW T O
4
Once your search results appear (in this example the search was ‘Westminster’), click on the link, and select ‘enrol me’. This will give you access to the current Cadet Forces courses and user guides.
FURTHER R E A D I NG Guides and courses are continually being created and adapted. For further information, contact Craig Angus, SO2 ICT Training & Development Manager at Regional Command, at craig.angus334@mod.gov.uk
DEFENCE CONNECT Defence Connect is a military application that is very similar to Facebook. It allows users to connect with others on a personal, project and group basis. Defence Connect has evolved over the past few years to allow users to access information and post statuses more efficiently, using either the desktop version or the ‘jive’ app on their phone or personal device. There are lots of groups CFAVs might want to connect with to access resources and find other individuals interested in the same topics. These include: AAIR, NCTC Frimley Park, Westminster Training and Resources, and the Regional Command CCF Group.
D I D Y O U K NO W ? Defence Connect gives you the opportunity to update your status, discuss an issue, share ideas or best practice from your section or contingent with other volunteers, upload a file to share, create a poll and much more.
A C C E S S I NG D E F E N C E C O N N E C T
1
Under applications within the Defence Gateway, look for the ‘Defence Connect’ application
2
Create a profile and explore the ‘Get started’ area from the navigation side bar
3
After you have created your profile, you can search for groups, for example the CCF group
This group will connect you with Regional Command, Cadets Branch. Users can access the latest CCF videos, Frimley Park course information and adverts, and find out about courses other CFAVs may be planning to undertake.
COMBINEDCADETFORCE.ORG.UK 25
NOTICEBOARD UPDATES FROM HQ REGIONAL COMMAND
TRAINING GOALS
LT COL AL LACKEY THE NEW COMMANDANT OF THE NATIONAL CADET TRAINING CENTRE ON HIS PLANS TO IMPROVE COURSE AVAILABILITY AND UPGRADE STUDENT ACCOMMODATION
L
t Col Al Lackey, the new Commandant of the National Cadet Training Centre (NCTC) at Frimley Park, hadn’t had much to do with the cadet forces before this role. His Army career started in the Reserves in 1981. He joined the regular forces – the Royal Artillery – in 1984 in 29 Commando Regiment, working his way up to RSM before being commissioned in 2004. Before joining NCTC, he was welfare officer at 19 Regiment Royal Artillery in Tidworth.
“EVIDENCE SUGGESTS THAT CFAVs REQUIRE MORE OPPORTUNITIES TO COMPLETE A COURSE”
26 CONNECTED SPRING 2018
“I’m really impressed with the commitment that adult volunteers make,” he says. “Hats off to them.” In acknowledgment of this commitment, one of Al’s priorities in his new job is to continue to make the training experience as memorable and accessible as possible. “I’m lucky to be taking over a well organised training centre. My predecessor Lt Col Gavin Jones has given me a great basis to work on,” he says. “My plan is to further develop it by making courses more readily available and to offer more start dates. We run one course per week at the moment – our plan for the next training year is two courses a week. Evidence suggests that adult volunteers require more opportunities to complete a course because they’re
Lt Col Al Lackey
fitting it in around work and family.” Al is also overseeing the overhaul, currently under way, of the student accommodation, including new bedrooms, armoury and a lecture theatre. “This is in line with the Cadet Expansion Programme: more adults are going to require training. The work will improve the site, students’ experience and allow us to take more people, doubling our training capacity from 40 to 80,” he says. Another of Al’s goals is to increase engagement with the local community, charities – and with the cadet forces as a whole, so you might well see him at your next summer camp. “We’re going to get out and about this summer,” he says. “We want to know what CFAVs really think of the NCTC.”
N O TI CE B OA RD
HOW TO
Access the DLE and Defence Connect page 24
IN BRIEF
AWA R D S
CELEBRATING MEDAL WINNERS RANK
INITIALS
SURNAME
SCHOOL
THE FOLLOWING OFFICERS HAVE BEEN AWARDED THE CADET FORCES MEDAL INITIALS RANK SURNAME SCHOOL LT SSI SSI CAPT MAJ LT LT CAPT SSI CAPT CAPT
HC C PJ SJ AE ME GD M SG SW ME
FANNERAN CAIRNS BURGE BINNIE HUDSON LAW LOCK SCHOFIELD DOMAILLE JAMES TAYLOR
Wrekin College CCF Dollar Academy CCF Writhlington School CCF Merchiston Castle School CCF Queen Mary’s Grammar School CCF Queen Mary’s Grammar School CCF Vyne School CCF Elizabeth College CCF Elizabeth College CCF Wellington School CCF Merchant Taylor’s School CCF
THE FOLLOWING OFFICERS HAVE BEEN AWARDED THE 1ST CLASP TO CADET FORCES MEDAL LT MAJ SSI LT CAPT SSI
AJ M R PD ID JRG
TREHARNE SCAIFE KING FARNWORTH McKIE DORNAN
Kimbolton School CCF Clifton College CCF Queen’s House CCF Calday Grange CCF Merchant Taylor’s School CCF Loretto School CCF
THE FOLLOWING OFFICERS HAVE BEEN AWARDED THE 2ND CLASP TO CADET FORCES MEDAL LT CDR LT MAJ LT COL
SAF GD DP AL
GLANVILLE LOCK ADCOCK BARBER
Christs Hospital CCF Vyne School CCF Calday Grange CCF Stonyhurst College CCF
THE FOLLOWING OFFICERS HAVE BEEN AWARDED THE 3RD CLASP TO CADET FORCES MEDAL LT COL MAJ
SJ AJ
LAW MAUND
Queen Mary’s Grammar School CCF King’s School Worcester CCF
HELP IMPROVE ADULT VOLUNTEER TRAINING Cadets Branch has commissioned a study of all CCF (Army) volunteer training and is seeking the views of contingent commanders and CFAVs with Army sections. To get involved, complete the relevant survey by Monday 22 January 2018. Contingent commanders with Army CFAVs can access their survey at surveymonkey.co.uk/r/ CCF_Trg_Survey_CC. Army CCF Officers or SNCOs can visit surveymonkey.co.uk/r/ CCF_Trg_Survey_CFAVs. ARMY COURSE VIDEO A video promoting the CCF Army basic course at Frimley Park to new CFAVs is now available. The short film offers an insight into a recent course and reassures new CCF (Army) instructors that they can expect a relaxed and friendly environment. Watch the video at combinedcadetforce.org.uk/ videos CEP UPDATE Thirty-one new school cadet units were approved in the spring 2017 round of the CEP, including the first in Wales. The announcement was made by the Defence Secretary and the Minister for State for Children and Families during a visit to Albion Academy CCF, Manchester, in October. CONFERENCE DATE The 2018 headteachers’ conference will take place on 1 March at RAF Cosford. See page 2 for more details.
COMBINEDCADETFORCE.ORG.UK 27
N O TI CE B OA RD
The new handheld MERCURY VHF radios
C C F O F F I C E R S U P D AT E
THE NEW COMMISSION IS LAUNCHED
T E C H U P D AT E
NEW RADIO SYSTEM FOR CADETS MERCURY VHF SETS ARE BEING ROLLED OUT TO ALL CADET TRAINING TEAMS
M
ERCURY VHF SETS, which are handheld radios worn and operated on the body, are being distributed to cadet training teams (Army). They replace the nearly 40-year-old Clansman PRC 349 radios that were decommissioned in 2016. MERCURY facilitates communications during outdoor activities. In the event of an emergency, it enables users to communicate with a control base that has a landline telephone. “These new radios are a safe and reliable communications system,” says
28 CONNECTED SPRING 2018
Jason Kitching, SO1 Cadets Delivery. “The VHF base station has an effective operating radius of up to 25km.” The new radios were first rolled out in April 2017 to a small Army Cadet Force user group to test the initial operating capability. After some tweaks during the summer, modifications were completed and the radios were authorised for issue in November 2017. The introduction of MERCURY moves cadets away from pure signals and into the realm of Communications and Information Systems (CIS) and to reflect this, the cadet and CFAV syllabuses have been revamped. Guides and manuals can be found on The Resource Library on Defence Gateway or you can contact the Army Cadets National CIS Advisor for further information.
THE BEGINNING OF December heralded the introduction of the Cadet Forces Commission for CCF officers – from now on, all CFAVs being newly commissioned will be appointed to the new Commission. The Commission demonstrates very strong and enduring recognition by the MOD of the enormous value that cadet force officers bring to defence, and society more widely, in their unique roles as uniformed volunteer youth leaders. The Cadet Forces Commission brings with it policies, codes of conduct and regulations that are specifically designed for the volunteer youth circumstance of the cadet forces instead of being adapted from arrangements designed to meet the very different needs of the Armed Forces. The grant of a Cadet Forces Commission reinforces the existing code of conduct required of officers within the cadet forces and is underpinned by the longstanding links the Crown has with the Combined Cadet Force (Army, Navy and Royal Air Force), Sea Cadet Corps, Army Cadet Force and Air Training Corps. Although cadet force officers will no longer be members of the Armed Forces, they will continue to respect and reflect the ethos and traditions of the services. Regional Command’s Mike Wharmby said: “Whilst on cadet force duty, officers will be entitled to wear military uniform and rank appropriate to their role.” He added: “Cadet force officers will continue to be accorded, by members of the Armed Forces and others, the appropriate respect and privileges appertaining to that rank when undertaking training and volunteer-related activities.”
N O TI CE B OA RD
Maj Catherine Skinner
TRAINING
New CVQO cadet qualification NEW ROLE
CONTACT FOR NATIONAL ACTIVITIES MAJOR CATHERINE SKINNER HAS TAKEN UP POST AS SO2 CADET ACTIVITIES AT HQ REGIONAL COMMAND
M
aj Catherine Skinner is the new point of contact for all national level cadet activities. “The bulk of my time is taken up with authorising cadet overseas activities, such as adventure training, expeditions, military training and battlefield studies; running the annual camp plot; and arranging any international level exchanges, for example to Canada and the Baltic States,” she explains. “This is my first role with the cadets, although I was a member of a UOTC, I am a scout leader, and run a local community volunteer charity so I do have a background understanding of the youth and voluntary aspects of the cadets.”
With 16 years spent serving in the Royal Artillery, she also has a deep understanding of the Army and is looking forward to working with CCFs. “I see this as an exciting and challenging job to ensure we encourage our cadets to take advantage of the amazing opportunities available to them,” she says. Contingents should in the first instance approach their brigade staff when they are planning activities, where they can receive advice and guidance. Once a plan is in place the brigade will send it to Catherine for authority and further guidance as required. To contact Catherine email: rccdts-trg-activities-so2@mod.uk
A
S THE UNIVERSITY of Northampton study findings have found (see pages 18-19 for more on this), CVQO courses offer great value and opportunity for CFAVs and cadets. CVQO has recently launched a new qualification open to cadets aged 14 and above. The Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM) Level 2 Young Leaders Award aims to develop self-leadership and resilience, and leadership skills for young people. It is funded by the Chancellor using LIBOR money. The award will be completed in two units over two days and is delivered by CVQO instructors. It is assessed through a combination of practical activities (the details of which are provided by CVQO), peer and self assessment, and written tasks contained within a workbook. The award is free for CCF cadets. For more information fill in a short form on the CVQO website cvqo.org/what-we-do/contact-us or call CVQO on 01276 601701.
The new qualification aims to develop selfleadership and resilience
“IT’S A CHALLENGE TO ENSURE WE ENCOURAGE OUR CADETS TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE AMAZING OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE TO THEM”
COMBINEDCADETFORCE.ORG.UK 29
FINAL BELL
Adventure
“It’s good to introduce risk at a young age”
Ed is the first man known to have walked the length of the Amazon River
ABOUT ED
From cadet to Army officer to explorer to family man…
Explorer Ed Stafford on how the CCF shaped him
AGE: 41
E
d is an explorer, author, TV presenter and motivational speaker. He is also a former Army officer and CCF cadet. In 2010, he became the first man known to have walked the length of the Amazon river, from source to sea – which took him 860 days. He tells us why he’s a big supporter of the CCF and other youth organisations.
Ed has made a full-time career from his adventures
a broad spectrum of skills to live their lives with. It doesn’t mean they have to join the military or become explorers later in life, but the experience of
As a boy, I had a thing about trying to be the
being lost at night, for example, and finding your way
best. My school, Uppingham in Rutland, had two
to a checkpoint in the dark, can be really formative.
CCF sections: Army and Royal Marines. The RM had tougher physical tests to get in, so I went for that.
I think it’s important to give young people
These days I don’t feel the need to beat my chest
responsibilities. The CCF is great at that: to train
as much as I did then!
people to use a rifle, for example, teaches them responsibility. I think it’s important to introduce risk
I was in the cadets for two years, until I left
at a young age in a wholesome environment like
Uppingham with the rank of Sgt at the end
the CCF. It helps them to push themselves in
of my GCSE year, to go to a school that didn’t
different areas of their life.
have a CCF. After my A levels I went to Newcastle University to study geography, before entering
The CCF helps develop important qualities.
Sandhurst in September 1998.
Resilience is a big one: cadets learn to get through tough situations and out the other side. And
I learnt some of my most basic and useful skills
commitment: they have to turn up, look smart, be
in the CCF. You only learn to use a compass or to
positive, act as part of a team. Those qualities are
polish your boots once, and I learnt that in the CCF.
relevant across everything they’ll do in life.
HOME: Lives in Leicestershire with his wife, the adventurer Laura Bingham, and baby son, Ranulph. SERVICE BACKGROUND: Served for four years with the Devonshire and Dorset Regiment, including a tour of Northern Ireland in 2000. His final job in the Army was training recruits. He says: “I utterly loved that. It was my favourite job in the military: taking slightly lost, spotty boys who didn’t have much confidence and turning them into men who only 12 weeks later would be on the parade square gleaming with pride.” CURRENT WORK: When Connected spoke to Ed, he was “lucky to be on dad duty”. He started filming a new series for the Discovery channel in November.
Packing a rucksack, too – that’s still my job today. Mind you, sometimes I do still pack it and it looks like a banana. I’m a big supporter of all youth organisations that get young people outside and give them
30 CONNECTED SPRING 2018
FIND OUT MORE
Ed Stafford is an explorer, author, TV presenter and motivational speaker. For more information about Ed visit edstafford.org
THE MAGAZINE FOR INSTRUCTORS OF THE COMBINED CADET FORCE
CONNECTED N EX T ISSUE
NEXT ISSUE: HEADTEACHERS’ CONFERENCE 2018 PREPARING FOR ANNUAL CAMP INSIGHT INTO RAF OFFICER INITIAL COURSE AND MORE