Familiarisation and assessment weekend

Cambridgeshire ACF places a lot of emphasis on training our adult instructors. The care and attention that goes into insuring we have the best people, with the best skills possible, starts with the Familiarisation and Assessment (FAM) weekend, a chance for us to meet and assess potential new Instructors and to introduce them to the duties and responsibilities of being a Cadet Force Adult Volunteer. Its also an opportunity to make new friends and have a lot of fun and laughter along the way.

On 23^rd-24^th February, 12 new adults attended our FAM weekend. The importance of assessing the new adults is made clear from the presence of the most senior staff, the Commandant, Deputy Commandant, Regimental Sergeant Major and County Training Officer. The course is run by SMI Phil Swadling, with assistance from 4 Coy CSM SMI Sarah McConnell, both highly experienced instructors. The new candidates come from a variety of backgrounds, with Army experience, cadet experience, and no military experience at all.

The candidates were given several different presentations about the organisation and structure of the Army Cadet Force, safety and safeguarding, and what would be expected of them. Each candidate was asked to give a short presentation themselves, on a subject of their choosing, in order to assess their communications skills and ability to plan and deliver a talk, skills vital to an instructor. They then took part in group discussions, assessing not only their communication skills, but also listening skills. This was followed by command tasks, which most of the candidates felt to be the most enjoyable part of the weekend. This involved the candidates selecting items randomly from a bag, and then constructing and performing a teamwork task based on what they had available. This was designed to assess their teamwork abilities, but also their aptitude for creation and inovation- important skills for helping to keep cadets busy and active.

Candidate Sam Winn said: ‘we have learned a lot about the core values of the Army Cadet Force, and also about what we will be learning later on. I have enjoyed most the teamworking tasks we have done together’. Sam was also very positive about the people he had met on the course. ‘Everyone has been lovely, so hospitable, I have been getting along with everyone, and having a good laugh aswell.’

SMI Swadling said: ‘Everyone made a really give a really good account of themselves and put a great effort in, with all the tasks they were set, and all thoroughly enjoyed it.’

Text and photos & video by SI Doug Stuart