Medal for Strathmore girl

Feb 3 2010

CORPORAL Jillian Reid of 2519 (Strathmore) Squadron, Air Training Corp was presented with her leadership certificate by her commanding officer Flight Lieutenant Roy Kemp.

Jillian, along with another eight NCO cadets, recently attended an intermediate leadership training course run by staff from Dundee and Central Scotland Wing, Air Training Corp at the Sea Cadet Training Centre at Rosyth.

After meeting up with the rest of the cadets on the weekend course, a health and safety brief was given.

The cadets then gave a short presentation by themselves about themselves, their interests, knowledge of leadership, and their hopes for the future.

One of the aims was to be able to demonstrate an understanding of effective communication so that messages and briefs can be planned as concisely as possible.

The group were then split up into ‘syndicates’, each one being identified by a colour, either red or yellow.

To pass the course they also had to prove they could both build and maintain an effective team.

Each cadet was given the team leader's position in their syndicate during various exercises and as NCO in charge of a parade drill exercise.

While they were the leader they had to ensure that each team member was thoroughly briefed on the task, their views were heard, discussed, and once a plan was put into practice that all were involved and motivated.

During the course, lectures were given on the theory of leadership, teamwork, and SMEAC (situation, mission, execution, any questions, check understanding).

Situation is what has happened, what is going to happen and what is expected to go on.

Mission is what the group have to undertake. Execution is how you will go about the task. Any Questions is making sure that the brief has been fully understood and all members know what is expected of them.

Check Understanding is lastly to make sure all the syndicate understand the purpose of the exercise. 

They all watched a video in Lowe’s Gulley which concluded with each syndicate giving a presentation on it using the skills they had learnt over the course.

The responsibilities of a NCO Cadet were detailed along with the use of effective communications. These are skills they will continue to use and develop.

Jillian thoroughly enjoyed the course and is delighted with her certificate for passing the course, and her a photography element.

She hopes to use her new skills at her squadron.

Anyone between the ages of 13 and 16 years who would like to find out more about the ATC can go along to the Drill Hall, Union Street, Blairgowrie, any Wednesday evening between 7pm and 9pm and speak to the commanding officer.