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24th July 2005

Ready to Pass Out…?

After a week of sweat, blisters, boot polish and more sweat, Course 66 ACLC (Air Cadet Leadership Course) was indeed ready to ‘pass out’ and receive the coveted oval badge. The 42 cadets, drawn from all over the UK (as far apart as the Isle of White and Scotland) had started the week as strangers in flights of 10-11 Cadets. By the end strong bonds had been formed and as we had learned, it is only through teamwork that the individual can succeed.
The location of this ACLC was RAF Stafford; a similar course is run at Frimley Park. The aim of both is to develop the individual as a leader and team-member so they can return to their Squadrons/Contingents and pass on the skills and experiences gained. 

The application process started many months ago, involving a timed run and a self assessment of what the candidate would gain from the course, alongside a recommendation from their respective CO. 

Finally, after a fraught train journey with A LOT of kit I arrived at Stafford Station and got my first glimpse of my fellow cadets; during the week we all wore white ‘Officer Cadet’ tabs instead of our rank slides. After admin and food we got to introduce ourselves to our flights-A, B, C and D. After this was completed we were allowed into bed. Then, the surprise: reveille at 05.00! But, this is what we had signed up to do and I can safely say that the mile and a half run definitely woke me up, if nothing else. The rest of Sunday was spent with drill, a 20km navigational exercise- named after its creator Gp Capt. Singleton-and leadership theory.

On Monday it was another early start, with PT to wake us all up, followed by a hearty breakfast in the Junior Ranks Mess. Although there was still some admin details to sort out we quickly entered into the Phase One leadership exercises, all around 10minutes long and fairly simple to complete. After each ex we had an extensive debrief, trying to see where the previously learnt theory could be applied in a practical situation. That night we had our first room inspection and the Course Commander gave us his views on our cleaning efforts…..

We greeted Tuesday in the early hours of the morning with another session of PT; all the officers were there with us as usual. Today would be the start of our Phase Two exercises; these exercises are longer, harder and more complex. By now, we all had the SMEAC Briefing technique down pat so more emphasis was placed on developing leadership skills during the mission. My flights last task of the day involve putting up a 12”by 12” tent, we managed it in 11min 27seconds, the flight had really started to bond by this point and we got it packed away in under 8minutes. As we entered the car park to await the arrival of our transport to the barracks I made sure everyone knew we were coming, using my new ‘bypass the voice box’ shouting technique. In the evening we had another major hurdle to overcome- the mid course debrief. This gave our flight leaders a chance to talk to us and give us instructions on how to better our performance. This completed we had just enough time to pack our kit for Wednesday and then fall into bed for our last nights sleep.

Phase Three Exercises were situated on Swinerton Training Area and we planned to camp there for two nights. This final group of exercises were our last chance to lead the group and we were all raring to go but….there were 30odd two man tents to be erected, all in perfect parallel lines. Although stakes also had to serve as mallets this task was soon completed and we could set off. Phase 3 is the longest, most complex and has the most limitations placed on each 40minute exercise. A leader has to not only appreciate the situation but also the needs of team, task and individual. We also had a evening leadership exercise which involved reassembling a wheelbarrow and racing back to camp.

Thursday followed suit, only we now had to make our own bashas or bivis in which to spend the night. Our final exercise –Topdog-also awaited us. The first part was a timed navigational course and the second part the famed ‘log run’. The adrenalin rush from that was unbelievable. 
The next morning, as I lay in my sleeping bag and contemplated the world I tried to work out what was wrong, suddenly it hit me- first of all it was 06.00- a whole hours lie in! Secondly I could hear the rousing tones of the Gladiator soundtrack pounding through the air, a novel way of waking a group of grouchy teens up I have to admit. After our final ration pack meal cooked expertly over a hexistove we were ready to break camp and return to Stafford. ‘A’ Flights tent building skills came in useful again as we put down 3 tents in the time it took another flight to disassemble one! Now we had pushed through the hardest part of the course, we only had drill, a presentation, more drill and more drill to do! Our presentation was on ‘The importance of Leadership in the Air Cadet Organisation’ after our weeks course I felt fairly qualified to present that statement.

And then, all too soon Saturday had arrived. Our kit was packed, our goodbyes said and our shock over our reports lessened (we had received them in our final debrief on the Friday night). The ‘things’ we have learned, although this article may suggest otherwise cannot be written down or described, yes skills were learnt but some of the most profound learning was down underneath the surface, inside. When I arrived back at Bedford and had the chance to discuss this with a fellow cadet he agreed, two of the best words to describe this course are ‘wholesome’ and ‘fulfilling’. So now, after trials and tribulations we were indeed ready to ‘Pass Out’.

Sgt M Butler