From: Flt Lt Chris Butler (OC 46F)
UPCOMING DATES MAY TO UP TO END OF DECEMBER 2007
IT’S UP TO ALL OF US…. to work together to achieve our goals
A good team has a high success rate and more often than not achieves what it sets out to do.
A good team has clear and challenging objectives. These are objectives which everyone in the team contributes to, shares an understanding of and is committed to achieving.
Therefore I set out below our objectives so that everyone in our team is aware of them.
RECRUITS
The first step in our academic training is the First Class exam. This marks the difference between recruit and cadet and leads into the BTEC training at Leading Cadet and onwards
All recruits regardless of their date of entry will sit the First Class Exam on Mon 5 Nov 07. This will be followed by an Inspection & Drill Test on Fri 9 Nov. Results will be given out on Mon 12 Nov. You will either pass or fail on that day. If you pass you will be presented with your First Class badge on Fri 17 Nov.
We will not accept any more new recruits this year. We have a large number of new cadets and we need to consolidate our training. The next new intake will be Mon 14 Jan 08.
INNESS SWORD
This highly competitive event is being held over the weekend of Fri 28 - Sun 30 Sep 07. The events include: drill, command exercise, obstacle course, orienteering, first aid, speed march, observation test & shooting. We have trained quite extensively for this competition and aim to win it with ease. Well done to all the cadets and NCOs who have attended the training sessions over the summer and into September, let us keep up the pressure and see the training through to the end.
FIRST AID TRAINING DAY
The Sqn is conducting a first aid training day on Sat 15 Sep. This is an ‘Appointed Persons’ course valid for three years and recognized in the workplace. We have 14 places. The trainer, Jim Foster, has many years experience and has trained teams from the Sqn over a number of years.
WING DRILL COMPETITION
The London Wing Drill Competition is on Sun 23 Sep. We have a squad of 15 cadets who have been selected for this event. Good luck and start preparing your uniforms.
CADET EXAMS
Cadet exams are on Mon 5 Nov. There are three papers at Leading and two papers for each of the next two levels, Senior & Staff. All papers comprise of 25 multiple choice questions. Cadets may not sit all the papers for each level in one sitting. In this way cadets can spread the learning load over a period of time, rather than trying to cram study in order to pass. Cadets will gain from having more time to understand the subjects and gain valuable experience at each level of classification. Cadets should expect to have about 9 months between each classification in order to complete the 25 hours of project based work needed at each level.
ANY CADET WISHING TO TAKE AN EXAM THIS TIME ROUND IS TO REGISTER WITH MR THOMPSON.
All cadets taking the exams should have Air Cadet Publications (ACPs) to revise. These can be downloaded from the Air Cadet website: http://www.aircadets.org.uk/. Any copies held at the Sqn are for classroom work only and are not to be taken home.
SHOOTING
There are two types of shooting within the Air cadets. Primarily we fire the .22 No.8 rifle, single bolt action at 25 metres. At weekends we get the chance to fire the 5.56 L98 rifle which is magazine fed, over 100 m. We are firing L98 on Sun 14 Oct & Sun 4 Nov at Ash Ranges Hampshire.
FLYING
There will be a chance to go flying with No6 AEF at RAF Benson during the October half term on Thurs 25 Oct. This will be an opportunity for new cadets to experience flying RAF style and for older cadets to add to their log of flights.
ANNUAL PARADE
The Squadron hold it’s Annual Parade on Fri 26 Oct. This will consist of a parade for presentation of certificates, promotions & awards. There will also be a display of our activities and a buffet reception in the University Air Squadron Officers Mess. Invites will be sent out shortly.
I’M AN AIR CADET GET ME OUTTA ‘ERE! (Date TBA)
This camp is a test of your determination to succeed! It will consist of an endurance exercise over a weekend that will test your resolve, initiative and teamwork. It is for seasoned cadets only & is open to those who took part in last year’s event and want to improve their performance!
GLIDER FLYING
We a chance to fly with the Volunteer Glider Squadron on Sat 10 Nov. The gliders are launched into the air by a cable and this should be a memorable experience for the cadets selected. You must have flown with the AEF to be selected.
RECRUIT CAMP (Date TBA)
At the same weekend we will be running a recruit camp covering drill, obstacle course, leadership & teamwork skills, sports & fitness, night exercise. This is a MUST for all new cadets to earn their blue beret and for our junior cadets to brush up on their skills.
This competition is looking at being a battle between us and 241 Sqn. It will be a 3km run over a country park in Chingford, 241’s home ground. Our intention is to train towards and win this competition. We need to organise training sessions, get the right people into the running teams and attend the competition with full teams in each age group. Not too much to ask of
CHRISTMAS PARTY
This event is the will mark the end of a successful & busy year. It will be a ‘black tie’ formal event speeches. Three courses served to the NCOs and cdts by the staff, followed by a party in the main hall. Volunteers will be needed to run this event.
ATTENDANCE
A lot of time has gone into putting this programme together. It’s your Squadron, it’s up to you to make the best of the opportunities available and get on in your ‘Air Cadet Career’.
The Sqn requires and expects all cadets and NCOs to parade regularly. If we are to provide effective and sustained training you need to attend. The MINIMUM level of attendance is 6 parades per month for cadets and 7 parades for NCOs. One parade can be a weekend duty ie. flying, shooting etc. If your attendance falls below the minimum your Flight Commander will call you in for an interview. Subsequent non-attendance will result in OC’s interview and may lead to dismissal.
If for any reason you cannot attend you are to submit an Absence Advice Form (AAF) prior to taking time off.
I hope you are able to take part in as many of the activities as possible and play your part in the future successes of the Squadron.
C
FLT LT RAF VR(T)
Officer Commanding
