March / April 2004

SQUADRON GAINS 1^ST JUNIOR LEADER

By CWO Bobby Hastie

Leadership training in the ATC has, in the last five years taken a leap forward, with the introduction of the Junior Leaders course, which I was privileged to be on this year. Over the last eight months, as a course, we have spent nine weekends, and one eight-day graduation camp learning and practising leadership on an unprecedented scale. The course is only five years old, however, has grown rapidly into the pinnacle of leadership training in the British Cadet services. This is the story of my time in the course, and like others, has many stories not featured in this article. However, I can confidently say, with almost seven years of experience in the ATC, it has been the most enjoyable, demanding, and beneficial courses I have ever been part of.

Eight months ago, after applying for the course, I was asked to attend a selection weekend in Leek, a place that would become very familiar in the coming months. The selection comprised of an impressive variety of assessments and exercises; there were interviews, presentations, fitness tests, leadership exercises, assessed social events, and an inspection, to name just a few. Individuals attended this weekend from all around the country, which met the entrance requirement, e.g. over 17, a SNCO, a staff cadet, a proven leader, a "can do" attitude, physically fit. 76 people attended this weekend, there were 54 places up for grabs on the course, but only 48 were selected to join the course; I was one of them. For the next eight months we would learn all about leadership, and military doctrines, used as a tool to teach leadership.

The weekends took us al over the country. We visited numerous Army bases, including Leek (many times), Catterick, as well as RAF Stations, Cranwell, Cotttesmore and Honnington (at the Graduation camp). Travel was not always south. One of the weekends was held at our very own Garelochhead, which gave CWO Gregory and myself (the Scottish contingent of JL No. 5) a chance to have an easy trip up. During this period we were instructed, under expert supervision, all about life in the field, air power, battle group tactics, and leadership in various situations. As was said, the military element of the course proves to be an essential part of the course, as it is the environment in which we experience leadership on the course. This is also extremely beneficial for those on the course who have aspirations of joining HM Forces in the RAF Regiment, Army, Royal Marines, or Parachute Regiment. However, the course is not an Army infantry course, it just provides a demanding situation for assessment in leadership.

At the weekends we are continually assessed. This is done in fitness, presentations (there are two, one 5 min and one 20 min power point lecture to be given by each student) and air power and battle group tactics (a 2000 word essay is to be handed in by each student as part of the course). While this happens the JL's all bond as a team, we all get to know each other and begin to really work as a team. I can say from personal experience that many of the people on the course I met will remain my friends throughout my life. This training also allows us to experience what officer life is like in some respects. We are trained how to act and what it is like in the officer's mess in RAF stations.

The final part of the Junior Leaders course is the graduation camp, this year held at the Stanford Training area (STANTA). This was an intense 7 days, 6 nights, living in the field, as a flight of the RAF Regiment. At this we all got a chance to lead our sections on various patrols (8 people), and some of the best students were given command of the entire flight. There are some things I shouldn't say, so as not to ruin the fun for anyone thinking of taking the course, however, the final command was absolutely awesome in scale, organisation, and general outline. It was by far the most spectacular event I have ever witnessed as an air cadet, and as a person. After this, we were awarded with our DZ flashes for our greens uniform, and our maroon lanyard, this was accompanied by something that was just as important to all of the cadets on the course, a hand shake by the Directing Staff. These are now things that I treasure, as do all Qualified Junior Leaders.

The Directing Staff (DS) are comprised from all over then military. First of all we have the RAF VR(T) officers who started the course and those who have joined as part of permanent staff. There are also QJL's from the previous years course (only the top ten are asked back). But what makes the Junior Leaders course stand out in this respect is the fact that regular service personnel are also part of the DS. They range from the Army, RAF Regiment, Parachute Regiment, and the Royal marines. This does not include the numerous other units and groups who have taken the time to help out, or assist the course at all stages. So to say that we are getting expert tuition would be somewhat of an understatement.

The course does however have certain charges attached to it. No. 5 course had an entrance fee of one hundred and forty pounds. Messing bills at certain locations were also added upon this. Despite the fact that travel was covered by MoD rail warrants, the course also involved buying some greens equipment, and other such things, although not technically essential I can say that the little extras made life in the field so much easier. However, in saying all this, the course is most definitely worth the cost. The leadership and management training received is seconds to none, and this has given me both the ability and the confidence to use this in the rest of my ATC career and beyond.

The course is designed to develop leadership potential and prepare students to be leaders in life. It is demanding, but most definitely worthwhile, as the DZ flashes and lanyards really mean something to both students, and those who know of the Junior Leaders course. As is often said on the course, no one wears the lanyard who doesn't deserve it. It is untimely a pass / fail course, and those who do not make the grade, at any stage of the course, will not qualify, even if it means the last day. This may sound harsh to some, but everyone is given all the encouragement and support they need to make it through, but there is a standard to keep.

I would like to conclude by saying that I was happy, proud, and thrilled to be part of the Junior Leaders course.

INSTRUCTOR CADET TRAINING COURSE

By Sgt Kilmartin J

In March 2004, My-self and Flight Sergeant Little attended No2 ICTC Course for Glasgow and West of Scotland Wing (AKA the white tabs course). This course is designed to teach cadets coming up to the age of 18 or who have just turned 18 how to act more responsibly and also to teach them how to take on a bigger responsibility on the running of the squadron, for example, how to carry out a risk assessment, what to do in certain situations (e.g. a cadet complaining of bullying), how to organise events and outings for cadets, the forms that have to filled out for events and outings……basically we were taught some of the day to day tasks of the Squadron Officers and Staff Members. There were a few extra lessons thrown in that weren’t a necessary part of the course but will help out a lot in helping the cadets on the course become more mature and responsible.

We were taught some Basic First Aid, Were taken for a few leadership exercises and were also taught and shown how a parade should be organised and where every member of the parade should be and what their tasks are. The weekend was designed to help every cadet on the course become more of an Adult, and I think that it was a very interesting experience, although some of the classes did seem to drag on a bit and the heat in some of the classrooms would put you to sleep straight away I managed to keep myself awake and learn what I needed to learn to complete the Examination at the end of the Course.

The Parade at the end of the course was run completely by cadets, cadets had no rank at the weekend until the presentations which meant that it wasn’t by rank that cadets were elected to do certain tasks, it was purely by their own capabilities as a person, it was a totally different course from any other, and overall I enjoyed it as did FS Little, although he is not to happy about the fact that he has to wait a couple of months before he can wear his white tabs because he isn’t 18 yet.

FIELD CRAFT TRAINING AT GARELOCHHEAD

X-Ray Team Report By Cdt Callaghan

On Sunday 28^th March, a group of 12 cadets, including myself, went to Garelochead Army Training Camp to do field craft training. When we got there we were split into 2 teams, X-ray & Yankee. Each team was given a poncho & a ball of string and sent to build a basha, which is like a small shelter. Then we pulled them down because we weren’t going to use that area. Then my team X-ray had our first exercise, Navigation with Miss Hastie. This was just like a big game of hide & seek using equipment like radios, maps & compasses. Then we went into the woods, set a fire and began to cook on it. Afterwards we had our final exercise with Cadet Warrant Officer Hastie. We got to pretend to shoot targets with hockey sticks. Then, about 5 minutes before the end, the other team attacked us. That was my favourite part of the whole day! Then we got into the minibus and headed home. What a Great day!!!!

Yankee Team Report By Cdt Edward McLemon

On Sunday the 28th of March the squadron visited Garelochhead. We arrived all excited and were split into two teams, I was in Yankee team.

The first exercise out team had to do was "Banana, Banana" with CWO Hastie. We got ourselves cammed up and set off down the hill into a small bushy area. CWO Hastie set up a small shelter just in case it got wet. We started the exercises with a long but interesting briefing and then we put the battle plans into action using the CO as the enemy (not that we wanted to!). The team was split into Charlie Fire team and Delta Force. We were taught all the field commands and I'd say it was great fun. As we let the CO have a rest we used the hockey stick as our enemy instead! The Charlie team raced towards it and they all fell. It was hilarious! The CWO fell about laughing and so did everyone else.

After we had made ourselves hungry with all the running about we headed back to the minibus and collected our ration packs. We headed down to a small forested area and set up camp. We made a fire, but it kept going out so cooking took a long time! We had chops, sausages and chicken wing, plus our ration packs!

On our next exercise we worn bright yellow bibs and searched for the other team who had hidden themselves and were giving us directions to them over the radio. I must have had the worst luck as I found a bog which claimed my foot! I used the radio and said to CI Hastie "Mike 6 this is Mike 3, my foot is stuck in the ground again!" We all had a laugh.

At the end of the navigation exercise we decided to ambush X-ray team. We sneaked down and used CI Hastie as a trap but it didn't work. They went to the top of the hill and spotted us easily as we were lying in dead grass with the wrong colour of camouflage! They ambushed us and Cdt Kayani had the theme of Braveheart in him as he charged through us!

We then headed back to the van. On the way home we dropped into McDonalds and I wondered why the staff were looking at me strangely as they got my order. It wasn't until I got home that I discovered my face and ears still had a lot of cream on it. Over all it was a great day!

WING FOOTBALLERS WIN AGAIN

By FS Michael Little

Football is a big part of the air cadet sporting calendar and my opinion, the best. To be selected for the Wing team you must attend 3 trials in Adrossan. I was the sole representative of the squadron to be picked but Cadets Pettigrew and Macgregor gave it a good shot too. This was my fourth year in the Wing team.

We were picked up in the city centre at 9am, we were all up for it and morale was high, however, it was freezing when we arrived and we ran straight from the bus to the changing rooms! Not exactly the tough look we hoped to scare the opposition with! We also had new strips this year, apart from the lanky boys, nae luck!

We went outside for the warm up but I got rather distracted by the Northern Ireland Hockey girls and went over to have a chat! I knew one of the girls from the Douglas Bader Competition and introduced her to my team mates. I don't think the Northern Ireland boys were happy we stole their attention, but hey, that's life!

Anyway, the girls soon raised our morale once again which saw us win our first game against Edinburgh and then our second against Aberdeen. We drew with Northern Ireland before winning our final game against Dundee. We finished top of the league and Glasgow and West Scotland Wing were declared champions again!

After we celebrated we exchanged numbers with the Irish girls and went on the bus home, where we all fell asleep! So, well done to the boys, it was a laugh and I'll see you all next year!

ROLL OF HONOUR

Graduation - Officers Initial Course	Plt Off Suzanne Callan RAF VR(T)

Graduation - Junior Leaders	CWO Bobby Hastie

Graduation - Instructor Cadet Training Course	FS Michael Little
	Sgt Chris Kilmartin

Promotion to FS	FS Michael Little

Promotion to Sgt	Sgt Chris Kilmartin

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