Firstly, today is significant as it is one year since myself and the Deputy Commandants were appointed to our roles as your Senior Leadership Team. I can’t thank Lt Col Sean Edwards and Lt Col Pete Mills, CTO, Maj Kristina Carrington, the OCs, the rest of the Senior Management Team and each and every one of you as adults enough for helping me to deliver on my Commandat’s Directive, which as you all know is focussed on Values and Standards. It is fantastic to see so many of you working together and collaborating and sharing best practice, in particular during this difficult period where all we have is a #VirtualACF world. I call upon each of you to reach out and support each other, be there for each other and to miss-quote JFK, “Ask not what Essex ACF can do for you, ask what can you do for your Essex ACF.”
ONE YEAR IN
Firstly, today is significant as it is one year since myself and the Deputy Commandants were appointed to our roles as your Senior Leadership Team. I can’t thank Lt Col Sean Edwards and Lt Col Pete Mills, CTO, Maj Kristina Carrington, the OCs, the rest of the Senior Management Team and each and every one of you as adults enough for helping me to deliver on my Commandat’s Directive, which as you all know is focussed on Values and Standards. It is fantastic to see so many of you working together and collaborating and sharing best practice, in particular during this difficult period where all we have is a #VirtualACF world. I call upon each of you to reach out and support each other, be there for each other and to miss-quote JFK, “Ask not what Essex ACF can do for you, ask what can you do for your Essex ACF.”
BALANCE
I continue to be so proud of each and every one of you and our senior cadets, you are balancing with working as NHS frontline staff, as carers and key workers, with business challenges and concern over being furloughed, with home schooling plus worries about your loved ones and for some the heart-breaking situation of losing loved ones and not always being able to pay your respects. My heart goes out to all of you finding the isolation difficult. In times like this your families and financial commitments will of course come first. We must keep the balance in order to #keeptheflamealive and yet please do not feel you are being asked to do more than you can. That is why over the last week we have been carrying out a 100% welfare check of everyone in our EssexACF Family. Pick up the phone and check in on your own team and call your ACF buddy. Keep talking to each other and we will get through this, you are all stronger than you know.
KEEP TALKING
It is great to see many of the Companies have Zoom calls and keeping in touch. You will know that County HQ has regular Zoom calls and updates and are keeping the planning work going as best we can. I was delighted to see so many of you join in on the #VirtualACF #MessDinner, some dressed up and others sent in old photos in Mess kit, black tie and posh frocks. Some had three course meals and others had take-away pizza. A great initiative from our PR team. I know some of you have arranged Virtual get togethers, all excellent ways for us adults to keep connected and check in with each other. Keep up the good work and stay connected.
ACFA Hardship Relief Fund
Our own national charity, the Army Cadet Force Association (ACFA), has launched a £60k grant programme to support you should you be in financial hardship as a result of COVID-19. To apply for a grant (normally of £200 - £500 but up to £2,250 depending on your circumstances) please fill in the form at www.armycadets.com/ACFAHardship or call 020 7426 8371. Grants will be awarded every two weeks over the next six weeks. So if you need help and support please apply and check out the deadlines so you don’t miss out.
TRAINING ACTIVITY
There is no change to the current embargo on all face-2-face Army Cadet activities are suspended until further notice. Outline planning is continuing from June to August, so that we are ready as and when the embargo is lifted. A new change is for all Overseas activity and CCAT courses, where the embargos are extended to 31 August 2020.
Keep up the amazing #VirtualACF work you are doing at Detachment and Company level – and take advantage of the Cadet Resource Centre online courses.
Commandant’s Challenge
The HQ Training and PR team are about to launch my Commandant’s Challenge, which will see a different weekly challenge for cadets with Detachments, Companies and County level winners with prizes for the County Challenge winners. This will include various skills such as basha building, turn out and bailey bridge building.
ANNUAL CAMP
I know that as we are now just 3 months away, your thoughts will turn to Annual Camp and you are aware that County and Company HQs have spent a lot of time and effort in looking at and preparing for all of our options during this difficult time of uncertainty. We of course have to abide by the Government guidance on COVID-19 and the current information from Regional Command is that no decision has or will be made on annual camps until the conditions are met; which are that the Government lifts restrictions and MoD give clear direction on timelines. 7 May 20 is a key date for the next Government review. I want us to be sure we are doing the right thing for us all and the health and safety of our cadets and for you as our adults is always my primary concern.
Stay Safe
Col Leona Barr-Jones
Comdt.
