Can anyone explain to me what the ACO Central Training Team is?
In short: we work out of HQ Air Cadets and primarily deliver the Skill-at-Arms Instructor’s course (which allows people to teach weapons lessons and conduct WHTs) to staff from the ACO and Sea Cadet Corps. We also deliver an LSW Coaching course once a year and are beginning to roll out SA(M)07 courses to qualify staff as Exercise Conducting Officers.
Centralised training team created primarily to deliver the Skill at Arms Instructor (Cadet Forces) Qualification to ACO and SCC CFAVs. It along with the team at CTC Frimley Park are the only two teams approved by SASC for the role.
Central Training Team run shooting-related courses for staff, including the Skill At Arms Instructor (SAAI) qualification that allows staff to train cadets on the various weapons systems available to us (eg. L98A2 or L86A2).
Regional SATTs (Small Arms Training Teams) also run shooting-related courses, but not the SAAI course to my knowledge.
Just out of interest how does the SA(M)07 course relate to the North Region Fieldcraft Instructors course that has been running?
I gather that the North Region course is somewhat ‘home grown’ whereas the ‘M-qual’ is recognised by everybody?
[quote=“jacques” post=15124]Just out of interest how does the SA(M)07 course relate to the North Region Fieldcraft Instructors course that has been running?
I gather that the North Region course is somewhat ‘home grown’ whereas the ‘M-qual’ is recognised by everybody?[/quote]
The North Region course was mandated by Regional Commandant (North) and does’t confer any recognised military qualification, so it does’t allow for the conducting of exercises using ammunition or pyrotechnics.
The SA(M)07 course confers a qualification recognised by Pam 21-C that allows holders to act as ECO on battle exercises or lessons involving blank ammunition and pyro.
I don’t really know the content to the north region course, but I suspect that the two are very different – one being an instructional methods course and the other a Range Management course.
The CTT is a private club. They enjoy port tasting evenings and growing moustaches 
Well that goes without saying. Here’s the proof:
[attachment=142]Unknown.jpeg[/attachment]
Look at the ruddy cheeks - definite port tasters.
Who’s the geezer on the extreme right? His face is very familiar.
With a name like that you would have thought that they were the central training team for more than just weapons courses.
Should be “Central Weapons Training Team” or something similar.
Is beret wearing ally-ness a specific course they attended?
A pirate, a clown, a cad and a trickster!
Used to be one of my staff before I lost him to CTT
Must be a stiff breeze to rotate those berets so far round your heads…
Is it just me or does anyone else think that it is somewhat refreshing to see an element of our HQ officially (well at least sort of officially) answering questions, and taking the time to reply to comments?
Thanks, and I hope more of your colleagues do likewise.
It’s really good to see someone “official” on here, now let’s not scare them away
acoctt, can you give some feedback on the SAAI courses? I’m interested as I’m looking at attending an SAAI course later this year to ‘upgrade’ my WI© qualification.
Particularly I’m interested in what candidates are failing on, or bad habits they have which you are having to train out of them - mainly to check if I’ve picked any up over the years unwittingly. Any tips for pre-course preparation would also be well received (I’ve seen the leaflet & resources on your Sharepoint site, so I’m looking for practical tips beyond what’s in there really).
[quote=“acoctt” post=15125][quote=“jacques” post=15124]Just out of interest how does the SA(M)07 course relate to the North Region Fieldcraft Instructors course that has been running?
I gather that the North Region course is somewhat ‘home grown’ whereas the ‘M-qual’ is recognised by everybody?[/quote]
The North Region course was mandated by Regional Commandant (North) and does’t confer any recognised military qualification, so it does’t allow for the conducting of exercises using ammunition or pyrotechnics.
The SA(M)07 course confers a qualification recognised by Pam 21-C that allows holders to act as ECO on battle exercises or lessons involving blank ammunition and pyro.
I don’t really know the content to the north region course, but I suspect that the two are very different – one being an instructional methods course and the other a Range Management course.[/quote]
What are the requirements going to be to attend the SA(M)07 course, and how long is the course duration?
I won’t mention how scary they look and hope they don’t remember this post if I have the pleasure of meeting them (which I hope I do) then :unsure:
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Ex-infantry only, minimum 9yrs experience of running blank\pyro at unit level for trained soldiers. Must have held the substantive rank of Flight Sergeant or equivalent. Para training desirable but not essential.
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Be able to pass a Regiment Operational Fitness Assessment (ROFA) in 1hr 15mins.
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Must be able to drink copious quantities of port and wear headdress in accordance with ‘ally’ rules.
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Must have lopsided moustache and eyebrows that meet in the middle.
5 years. Requals take place every 3mths thereafter.
[quote=“redowling” post=15147]can you give some feedback on the SAAI courses? I’m interested as I’m looking at attending an SAAI course later this year to ‘upgrade’ my WI© qualification.
Any tips for pre-course preparation would also be well received (I’ve seen the leaflet & resources on your Sharepoint site, so I’m looking for practical tips beyond what’s in there really).[/quote]
i can offer some feedback having passed through the CTT’s instructino on the course.
i took mine in 2012 and was on one of the first courses, i understand the team has expanded dramatically since and there have been some changes to the format but i shall offer what i can.
pinching some feedback i offered closer to the time
pre-course prep would be to read the PAM, then read it again.
memories (verbatum is best) the characteristics of the weapon and be very aware of any text in red, understand where they fit in with lessons and the purpose of the message. it is an instant fail if any text in red is missed (as i found on one of my TPs)
the course is to teach how to eb a SAAi and not the weapon, so make sure you are familiar with it, dont go along thinking you’ll be taught or refreshed the weapon, or taught anything you dont already know.
the PAM is the bible and so nothing should be new.
as mentioned in my quote, i underestimated the “homework” between weekends and wished i cleared my evenings in that interim week. having two nights at Sqn i was due to instuct on and another evening commitment was less than ideal to allow me the time to prep for the second weekend.
oh and make sure you uniform is up to scratch. the CTT do not like Candidates looking scruffy, all about a professional appeareance and attitude.
as a WI i suspect most of the course will familiar but be aware it will still require work. the CTT are ruthless in their criteria and the PAM so go in with an open mind.