Hi tonight is our annual inspection and can’t seem to shake the nerves as this is my first one in uniform any advice would be welcome thanks in advance.
Relax and follow the book. I can’t imagine that they’re out to try and catch you out. Assuming your a SGT (ATC), not cadet Sgt, then utilise your SNCOs to get the parade organised.
You could even get the SNCOs to run the parade, and you and the other staff stay to one side. After all, the inspecting officer should be there for the cadets, not the staff…
Believe it or not, this will probably be an easier night than normal for you!
Obviously each Wg does it differently, but ours started with a formal parade whereby CO is at the front, uniformed staff on parade in Flt Cdr/Supernumery positions, CIs looking neat and tidy down one side.
After this formal start, the Inpsecting WO stayed with the cadets to assess drill and uniform, the Inspecting Officers (Wg Cdr and Sector Cdr) retired to the office to be bribed with Caked and Coffee, er, I mean look at the admin…
Assuming you are not OiC Sqn, it’s just a case of floating around and ensuring that a ‘normal’ parade night is running smoothly for the Inpection Party to see. On the assumption that you are OiC Sqn, then by now your Admin should be upto scratch, however, as you said it’s your first one in uniform, the Inspection Party may very well use this as a learning opportunity to show you what administration etc needs to be in place on the unit.
Best of luck, but most of all, relax!
Thanks for the words of wisdom, I will try and relax and enjoy it.