Learning to Lead

The Wing Training Team delivered the first of this year’s cadet development courses during the weekend. The aim of the course is to provide cadets with the necessary information, instruction and training to enable them to become effective Junior Non-Commissioned Officers (JNCO).

The course covered aspects such as the role of the JNCO; discipline; drill; dress regulations; leadership; leadership styles; getting things done, and effective communication.  It was delivered with a range of lectures, leadership exercises and group discussions.

Cdt Wheeler was appointed the course leader on the first evening because he was the first to speak, which is not unusual for him. He performed very well during his tasks and used by the course commanders as an exemplar during the leadership exercises.

Part of his job was to ensure that the course arrived and kept to time, he found this easier during the lectures by was too frightened of WO Burbridge to glance at his watch whilst doing drill; however, he managed to keep the drill assessments to ten minute periods.

The course was full of excellent candidates all of whom performed very well over the weekend. The debate at the end of the activities to award the Roger Moss Sword produced a number of cadets who had accomplished a great deal.

Cdt Wheeler was delighted to be given the award for the most outstanding cadet, and enjoyed his ten minutes in the sun being instructed on sword drill with WO Burbridge.

We would like to thank the Wing Training Team for all their hard work and encouragement of cadets across South and West Yorkshire, everyone left feeling they had learnt something new which they would try when back on their squadrons.

On a cold and frosty morning

A busy first weekend of cadet life at Rotherham saw Cpl Belk attending the Activity First Aid course at our Wing Headquarters and a bunch of cadets running around Thornes Park in freezing conditions to compete for the cross country.

Third overall

Thanks to their excellent efforts we managed to gain third place in the overall completion, and also third for males; junior men and youths. All the young people who attended deserve our thanks for their contribution. Of particular note where Sgt Nortcliffe, our first past the line in junior men, Cdt Richardson who came a supersonic first overall in the youths section, Cdt Hepplestone our fastest in the junior boys, Cdt Weyman our only junior girl, who managed tenth overall, and Cdt Middleton who was our speediest senior girl. Of course there have to be both ends to the scale, and we do like to be first at a number of activities, so congratulations to Cpl Johnson for coming absolute last across all ranges with her breakneck lack of speed and plodding past the finish line just in time for next year’s event.

Thanks go to the all the staff for supporting the activity and the youth’s team who went up twice and stole the junior men’s thunder.

Youth gold and team bronze

Junior mens team bronze

If you would like to find out more about what we do, contact the squadron and come for a look around.