Am a huge supporter of the new corps fieldcraft syllabus but it just seems a bit lacking in terms of development and leadership. My current wings old syllabus use to focused on cadets leading Exs as flight commanders and 2ics. The new corps level one even at gold doesn’t allow cadets to lead a section. What to me makes no sense as army cadets and marine cadets get too. (This might just be a me thing and a bit of a moan but I’ve just wondered if anyone feels the same)
Whilst the syllabus doesn’t state “cadet is to lead a section”, there is nothing to stop you using an experienced cadet from doing so as a role player. I think that is a sensible way to make good use of the cadet’s experience and enthusiasm to everyone’s benefit.
Ok maybe a misunderstanding on my part then my apologies.
What on earth are you apologising for?!
I don’t have it to hand, but I thought there was an explicit line that prohibited cadets as section ICs, unless they were QJL?
I’ve clearly misheard then actively moaned about it here
I don’t want to upset anyone.
What’s one of them?
Absolutely not. Indeed, one can have a cadet as an FTI teaching a group of cadets with another cadet as a section commander role player, with none of them having ever heard of JL.
SQEP CFAVs or QJLs are to act as Section
Commanders.
Multiple times in ACP 16 Vol 2.
But point taken. There’s no explicit prohibition.
I’ll need to take that up the chain, as the general belief through the team is that cadets aren’t permitted to be section commanders.
For assessments in various places, it does, indeed, state this. This is to ensure the person leading the cadets in assessment is competent. One might successfully argue a case for an alternative means of compliance in demonstrating competence. It’s also not a prohibition from the general use of any particular cadet as a section commander, provided the SST (particularly training progression) is adhered to.
So my wing doesn’t do gold like the wing fieldcraft officer just refuses to host it right. So we can’t get cadets as gold what sucks but my squadron NCO course use to consist of a fieldcraft element were a section would have a section IC (NCO Course Member) would lead a section on an Ex with blanks and rifles (They were previously trained before the course) the section IC would give a full brief with warning orders and all you would expect in a field briefing. My squadron is super interested in wanting to do it again but is unsure how we would be able so that it can fit in with the new sllybues.
Definitely an idea to pitch to your Wg FTO.
Ok thanks for help. Just for clarity though do you think anything about cadets giving briefs and making orders then leading a section is breaking the new policys and rules?
It really depends on the overall competence of those cadets; it’s not a blanket prohibition and, like all appointments and practices, is down to the judgements of those involved in the planning process, e.g. the SPO / RP. It’s better discussed with them / your Wg FTO, but there are definitely some examples where cadets could be used as you suggest.