We were told no SMS required, just in training programme. That’s for parade nights. Weekends could be different I guess.
@dazizian can you confirm either way?
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Always had to do this for the WFAO. To “prove” the cadets attended.
Given this is a policy issue, it’s probably better staffed through your Wg & Rgnl FTOs or, at the very least, in the RAFAC Military Skills Hub on Teams. Since the question has been asked, however, I’ll address it in the Hub on Teams. See you there 
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My Sqn uploads an event for basically all blue level activities on parade nights. I guess it makes the admin for attendance easier and all RAs/lesson materials are there too.
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That is actually not bad practice. But I have got on the wrong end of permanent staff auditing events for putting things on SMS
Event - staff meeting on Teams
Perm staff - writes to wing commander, event has failed audit, reason: no cadets listed
Me - it is a staff meeting on Teams
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Since the audit requirement is for x% of locally approved events, could that be avoided by not approving events which aren’t actually events? Or do they audit drafts too?
Not at all suggesting that it would be appropriate to do that to get around audit for actual cadet activities, but for purely internal things like that?
4 posts were split to a new topic: AT PTS
Please excuse my lack of knowledge. I was wondering how PTS Fieldcraft differs from the ACF fieldcraft syllabus? Isn’t cadet fieldcraft essentially written by and controlled by the cadet training team in Frimley? Shouldn’t it be one and the same?
The lessons are from the same PAM but taught in a slightly different order, so that the blue can be taught primarily in a classroom with minimal kit.
The ACF has now integrated it with their Star levels so that’s different again!
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Spot on. Our operating model is different and our syllabus more elective. The content is sensibly the same, but the delivery model cannot be.
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I wish we’d integrate a lot of stuff with our central classification system.
That way, as you develop your general skills to a certain standard and become more specialised / accomplished in others, you actually go from being second class to a genuine master cadet.
I think of it a bit like an RPG skill tree.
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There is work on this and a more integrated PTS. I don’t know much about it, however.
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The issue the ACf had with this model is you end up with bottle necks and systematic blockers as cadets can’t progress till they’ve ticked a box so it just hampers progression.
Master cadet classification is just a replacement for staff cadet part 1 which was just exams. It’s always been designed as a space filler (what do we do with these cadets) then anything about progression.
ACF master cadets go on a course effectively equivalent to ACLC so if you did want change that could be the route (keep 1st class, ldg & senior the same but have master cadet a selective course for those experienced in multiple areas but still have at least a year left on the clock.
That’s why I’d apply a skill tree model.
Effectively there would be multiple ways to reach the top.
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I am a big fan of the Army Cadet Syllabus - especially as there is more flexibility for how CCF Army Section Cadets complete a star level, vs their ACF counterparts. It is much more aligned with the time and resources we have available.
There are naturally some pinch points as previously mentioned, but as a Training Officer, I have no problems with getting my Cadets to the 3 Star level (above the 2 Star recommended level).
For context, each Star level has a set amount of ‘Core’ and ‘Optional’ modules. For CCF (A) Cadets, we typically have a reduced amount of core modules and more optional modules. Providing the Cadet has completed the previous star level for that module, they can continue it onwards, but equally, an optional module at 1 Star does not have to be continued at 2 Star… etc.
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We could reduce a lot of badges this way too.
Wrap lots of content into very well earned classification badges that are no longer just academics.
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At risk of thread drift…
It is very helpful to be able to look at any Army Cadet’s blanking plate and have a good idea at what level they’re training at, based on their Star level badge.
We do have less badges, as most subject specific badges start at the 2 Star level. We don’t have sports badges in the CCF, though the ACF do.
Additionally, our regulations are very loose when it comes to how many badges and where they go on the blanking plate.
Something I do find a bit annoying - I feel like the ACF/CCF(A) could learn something from us (for a change) in terms of badge placement
Not really. There are so many badges that it just makes no sense to stipulate where they go as many cadets won’t get certain badges. It just doesn’t matter though so not worth worrying about. The star level badge is always in the same place, and that’s what matters.
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