Going back to visit the old cadet unit as a Reg NCM, things to say?

[Sparkplugs]

Hey all...  I'm a Pte in the Reg force, working in Trenton as an AVN tech.  I'm going home on my LTA in a couple of weeks, and I mentioned to the CO of my old Sqn that I was coming for a visit, and she was pretty happy to have me come in and speak to the cadets.  I wasn't a cadet, but I volunteered with the Sqn for a few years, teaching some of the leadership and survival courses.

So, my question is this:  As a fairly new Pte, what kinds of things should I be talking about?  I know all the stuff I'm not allowed to talk about, OPSEC-related stuff etc...  I know they want to hear a little about what it's like to be a female working in a male-dominated trade, and how basic training was, etc.... (I guess the Sqn is mostly females, so they're curious about making it as a female in the CF)  I just want to have some stuff to tell them in case the Q & A session is met by stares of silence, hahaha!  I've been working on the Hercs for awhile, which might be interesting to an air cadet Sqn, so I'll use some of that.

Can I bring in pictures from work?  Nothing secret, of course, but random Herc stuff, the base, etc.  And who would I talk to about getting maybe some air force stickers, CF wristbands, etc?  I'd like to bring something to hand out, anyway, and I'll just go to the Canex and pick some up, but I know there are some promotional things, but I don't know who I'd talk to about them.  The PAFO maybe?

Anyway, I hope I've given enough info, thanks for any help you can give me.

Cheers!

(edited for spelling, grr)

 

[dangerboy]

Try talking to a recruiting centre they could probably give you the latest info about joining up, maybe some handouts that sort of stuff.

 

[aesop081]

As a fairly new Pte, what kinds of things should I be talking about? 

Just like any PAFO will tell you, stick to what you do, dont comment on what you dont know and dont discuss government policy.

Can I bring in pictures from work? 

Sure, but just as a warning, photography on base is prohibited without the express permission of the wing commander. Know what i mean ?

 

And who would I talk to about getting maybe some air force stickers, CF wristbands, etc? 

Your SCWO or CO's secretary will have all of that as part of the OP CONNECTION stuff.

 

[Sparkplugs]

Try talking to a recruiting centre they could probably give you the latest info about joining up, maybe some handouts that sort of stuff.

Oh my goodness, I'm not going to try and recruit the kids, hahaha, just an info session about what stuff they might be able to look at in the future, and how it's not all Full Metal Jacket, haha.

 

[BC Old Guy]

Most times the local CFRC/Det have promotional items they will share if you ask.  Try the Kingston Det, or if your hometown is close to another CFRC/Det, talk to them.  There was a  hiccup in getting new promo items this summer, but there may be something from previous campaigns (a lot of recruiters are packrats)

My experience is that the Cadets want to hear your story, in your words.  Talk about your training, what you found interesting, and what you found challenging.

Enjoy the opportunity.

 

[Sparkplugs]

Just like any PAFO will tell you, stick to what you do, dont comment on what you dont know and dont discuss government policy.

Sure, but just as a warning, photography on base is prohibited without the express permission of the wing commander. Know what i mean ?

 
Your SCWO or CO's secretary will have all of that as part of the OP CONNECTION stuff.

That's what I figured, as far as the OPSEC stuff.  I'm not in on a lot of stuff anyway, being still very new, but I can talk about the Herc a bit, and what being an AVN is all about.  And Maple Flag in Cold Lake, hahaha.

There are a ton of pictures from Trenton on the airforce.gc.ca website I was thinking of using, because the image techs get far better opportunities than I do for taking good pictures anyway, is there anyone I need to ask about those, or because they're public, am I okay to bring them in on a slideshow or something?

Thank you for the OP CONNECTION stuff, I'll be sure to look into it.

Thanks a bunch.  =)

 

[Sparkplugs]

Most times the local CFRC/Det have promotional items they will share if you ask.  Try the Kingston Det, or if your hometown is close to another CFRC/Det, talk to them.  There was a  hiccup in getting new promo items this summer, but there may be something from previous campaigns (a lot of recruiters are packrats)

My experience is that the Cadets want to hear your story, in your words.  Talk about your training, what you found interesting, and what you found challenging.

Enjoy the opportunity.

Thank you for the info, I'll be driving to Ottawa to catch my plane anyway, so I can always stop in Kingston on my way through, I'll have to call them up and see what they've got handy.  I know the cadets here over the summer loved the wristbands and stickers anyway.

Thank you, I'll keep all of this in mind.

 

[aesop081]

but I can talk about the Herc a bit, and what being an AVN is all about.  And Maple Flag in Cold Lake, hahaha.

Absolutely

is there anyone I need to ask about those, or because they're public, am I okay to bring them in on a slideshow or something?

You will be good with those for sure. I just wanted to warn you in case you were thinking of using your own. I have seen people post pictures of inside the RA and then get in shit because they broke the rules.

 

[Sparkplugs]

Absolutely

You will be good with those for sure. I just wanted to warn you in case you were thinking of using your own. I have seen people ppst pictures of inside the RA and then get in shit becaise they broke the rules.

I've seen a few people get in trouble for Facebook pictures of them at work, etc, so I'm careful about that stuff for sure.  I do have a few nice pictures of Hercs and Antonovs taking off that were taken well outside the fence though, so I might bring those in.

Thanks for all of your help. 

 

[gwp]

what kinds of things should I be talking about?

Keep it simple and talk about your own experiences.

I know they want to hear a little about what it's like to be a female working in a male-dominated trade, and how basic training was, etc.... (I guess the Sqn is mostly females, so they're curious about making it as a female in the CF)  I just want to have some stuff to tell them in case the Q & A session is met my stares of silence, hahaha!  I've been working on the Hercs for awhile, which might be interesting to an air cadet Sqn, so I'll use some of that

All good stuff

Can I bring in pictures from work?

Yes.  All the better if you are in them doing cool stuff. Unless there is a compelling reason otherwise.

who would I talk to about getting maybe some air force stickers, CF wristbands, etc?  

Your nearest PAO should have this type of stuff or the nearest CFRC.  The air force has some really cool model airplanes that snap together.  Other items are tattoos and the ever popular key chain carbiniers and of course dog tags - which may only be available with CF markings.  

Anyway, I hope I've given enough info, thanks for any help you can give me. Cheers

Be aware that the cadet program is not a recruiting device for the CF.  No need stirring up parents unnecessarily.  With out sounding pedantic the third aspect of the aim of the program is "stimulate the interest of youth in the sea, land, and air ACTIVITIES of the CF"  That does not necessarily mean enroll.  No matter what their chosen vocation is later in life they will be better prepared because of their cadet experience. Advising them to stay in school and get as much education as possible is a good thing.

As members of the cadet program they represent less than 3% of the teenaged population.  It isn't that their non-cadet friends couldn't do what they are doing ... what is important is that they are doing it and that makes them special amongst their peers.  To the new cadets who just enrolled.  Stick with the program it gets better the longer you are in ... but you know that.

Good Luck ... have fun

 

[aesop081]

gwp

Yes.  All the better if you are in them doing cool stuff.

See my comments above. She works inside the RA and photography there is prohibited unless she has express permission from the WCOMD. If she brings in pictures of her working, shes just incriminating herself.

 

[Sparkplugs]

All good stuff

Yes.  All the better if you are in them doing cool stuff.

Your nearest PAO should have this type of stuff or the nearest CFRC.  The air force has some really cook model airplanes that snap together.  Other items are tattoos and the ever popular key chain carbarniers and of course dog tags - which may only be available with CF markings. 

Anyway, I hope I've given enough info, thanks for any help you can give me. Cheers!

Be aware that the cadet program is not a recruiting device for the CF.  You don't want to stir up parents unnecessarily.  With out sounding pedantic the third aspect of the aim of the program is "stimulate the interest of youth in the sea, land, and air ACTIVITIES of the CF"  That does not necessarily mean enroll.  No matter what their chosen vocation is later in life they will be better prepared because of their cadet experience.  Advising them to stay in school and get as much education as possible is a good thing.

As members of the cadet program they represent less than 3% of the teenaged population.  It isn't that their non-cadet friends couldn't do what they are doing ... what is important is that they are doing it and that makes them special amongst their peers.  To the new cadets who just enrolled.  Stick with the program it gets better the longer you are in ... but you know that.

Good Luck ... have fun

I know I'm not a recruiter, hence why I stated that in a previous reply to this topic.  I was asked to come and speak, I won't be bringing enrollment forms with me, that's not my job!  The souvenir thing is just because I know when I was young, (okay, even now) I loved getting pens and stickers and stuff. 

I've also already responded to the pictures thing.  I won't be using any that aren't publicly available online, or taken from "outside the fence."  There are rules and regs and common sense about the stuff I can and can't bring in, and I plan to follow those.  No need to be up on charge because I brought in stuff I wasn't supposed to, to a cadet unit.

 

[aesop081]

I've also already responded to the pictures thing. 

Sorry, that was directed a "gwp" not you.

 

[Sparkplugs]

Sorry, that was directed a "gwp" not you.

For sure, no worries.  I was responding to gwp as well, not you, hehe. 

Cheers.

 

[aesop081]

Your unit should have a stock of AF sticker roundelles, wrist bands, key chains, small snap-links, fact sheets on the Herc and other nicknacks. Most units were given this stuff to give out for occasions such as yours for OP CONNECTION.

At my Sqn, this stuff is held by the CO's secretary but i have seen SCWOs hold on to it. I have done several of the same type of thing you are doing. Its always a hit.

 

[Sparkplugs]

Your unit should have a stock of AF sticker roundelles, wrist bands, key chains, small snap-links, fact sheets on the Herc and other nicknacks. Most units were given this stuff to give out for occasions such as yours for OP CONNECTION.

At my Sqn, this stuff is held by the CO's secretary but i have seen SCWOs hold on to it. I have done several of the same type of thing you are doing. Its always a hit.

I do remember seeing the little postcard-sized fact sheets kicking around somewhere, so there must be some other stuff somewhere, I'll be poking around next shift, haha.  Besides, if I remember being a kid correctly, lots of times the free stuff was way cooler than the chick in camo who came to talk to us... At least it made an impact, haha. 

I'm a little shy to do this, being a new Pte, I still feel pretty unqualified to speak to cadets, but there are only myself and two others from my hometown who've been in the CF, at least since the last WW.  One of them is a RAdm, and he doesn't get into town often, haha, myself, and a brand-new SigOp.  I'm hoping the cadets will be happy enough with "tales from basic training" and Herc stories. 

 

[aesop081]

I still feel pretty unqualified to speak to cadets, 

Beleive me, you are plenty qualified to speak about what you do now in the CF and what you have done up to this point. If you stick to what YOU do, you cant go wrong. Its when you stray outside of that , that you get yourself in trouble.

You fix a big airplane, thats alot of cool in itself. You know about basic, you know what CFSATE was like and you now have a bit of an idea what operational life is.

You will do fine.

 

[Sparkplugs]

Beleive me, you are plenty qualified to speak about what you do now in the CF and what you have done up to this point. If you stick to what YOU do, you cant go wrong. Its when you stray outside of that , that you get yourself in trouble.

You fix a big airplane, thats alot of cool in itself. You know about basic, you know what CFSATE was like and you now have a bit of an idea what operational life is.

You will do fine.

Thanks for the props, that definitely helps.  The airplane IS pretty cool... I thought I was going to hate it, but I ended up loving the big ol' flying dump truck, so I'm sure i can talk their little ears off about that, haha.  And basic, yes, there were lots of fun times there, too. 

I've heard some pretty bad horror stories about people not staying in their own lane, so I'm definitely being careful about what's said.  That said, it shouldn't be too difficult, there's lots to talk about that isn't OPSEC'd away.

Cheers.

 

[aesop081]

If i makes you feel better, i rehearsed what i was going to say to an elementary school for over 2 days once..........and i've done this lots.

 

[gwp]

You will do fine.

And, the cadets will luv you.   Avoid milspeak .. keep it simple ... just like talking to grandma so she understands what you do.