In the months from September to October, a little more than 100 cadets took part in Thames Valley Wing Air Cadets’ fieldcraft courses. Also known as the ‘Tactical Leadership Courses’, they culminated in a blank firing exercise with cadets, a first for the Wing. Throughout, cadets were given progressive opportunities to learn and demonstrate skills from camouflage and concealment to section-level tactics with training ammunition, all whilst developing their communication, teamwork and leadership skills.
The courses took place at Abingdon Station and at Bramley Training Area, near Basingstoke, and were directed by a qualified and experienced staff team of more than 30-strong. Flt Lt Dan Azizian, the Wing’s Fieldcraft Training Officer, wants every cadet to experience what these courses have to offer.
“These cadets learn the important balance of independence, leadership and teamwork in a military setting, with those in the most advanced levels having the added challenge and privilege of operating with a weapon system and training ammunition. The many skills they learn are transferable to every day life and careers, whether in the military or not; these opportunities are rare to come by in life and all cadets should be seizing them whenever they can.”
The next set of Tactical Leadership Courses starts in March 2019; cadets can learn more from their Squadron staff or by visiting the Wing’s Fieldcraft Facebook page facebook.com/tvwfieldcraft
These exercises are strictly controlled and supervised by qualified and experienced staff members, as shown;