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

[Sparkplugs]

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.

Hehehehe, I've been making notes all night.  I'm more worried that every 12 year old in the gym will be taller than me!  ;D  It should go fine, I'm sure, just pre-"speech" jitters.

 

[Sparkplugs]

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

What, none of the old, "So one day I was doing an A+B on the PRI-SAR and this MOCC van comes rolling out to tell me we needed a PRI and a CON 10 before it could launch..."?

Hahaha, I don't think I could even do it.  There are so many acronyms I still don't know, it boggles my mind!

If I can explain it to my grandma, I can explain it to some cadets who actually have an interest in aircraft!  =D

 

[medaid]

Just make sure that you don't tell and of the CDTS anything that is CLASS, and that everything you say is within the DAOD,QR&O, CATO guidelines. Tell them that the CCM is a worthy cause and that one day they too should visit their own CFRC/D ASAP so that they can become OMMD of the CF. ;D

Understand that phrases such as STFU, SU, WTF, WTFF, and other such language is contra to CHAP. Make sure that you represent yourself well so that your CoC would not come down with a SF over what you've said.

Remember, IAWSWOP.

 

[Sparkplugs]

Just make sure that you don't tell and of the CDTS anything that is CLASS, and that everything you say is within the DAOD,QR&O, CATO guidelines. Tell them that the CCM is a worthy cause and that one day they too should visit their own CFRC/D ASAP so that they can become OMMD of the CF. ;D

Understand that phrases such as STFU, SU, WTF, WTFF, and other such language is contra to CHAP. Make sure that you represent yourself well so that your CoC would not come down with a SF over what you've said.

Remember, IAWSWOP.

*snort*  I'm sure that would go over really well!  ;D  I'll stick to fixing Hercs, hahahaha.

 

[medaid]

;D

 

[catalyst]

Good luck!

First hand accounts of working in the CF are always awesome for the cadets as (at least in my neck fo the woods, far from a CFB) we don't get much of that out here.

The more pictures (within the guidelines, of course) the better - not all cadets are/can sit through auditory presnetations, some like pictures so they can visualize what youre saying.

Thanks for helping out the CCO

 

[rwgill]

Sparkplugs,

Try to get a souvenir from Trenton or the AirForce to give to the Sqn.  If you can wing it, an autographed poster from the SkyHawks, a replica Sqn banner, that sort of thing.  It could be placed in a place of honour at the Sqn (trophy case) to remember your visit. 

 

[Blackadder1916]

Sparkplugs,  there have been many good suggestions on what you should (and should not) include in your presentation.  However, as it seems that you are putting much serious thought into this, you should be recognized for the professional image that you (hopefully) will leave these cadets.  If the CO of the cadet squadron is on the ball, she should send a letter in appreciation to your current CO.  As a gentle reminder, you should have the proper military mailing address and name of your CO ready to give to the cadet CO.  You do not have to ask that a letter be sent, you just remark that "if you're planning on sending a letter of appreciation to my commanding officer, here's his name and address".  Even this early in your career, 'attaboys' can make a difference.

 

[Sparkplugs]

Sparkplugs,  there have been many good suggestions on what you should (and should not) include in your presentation.  However, as it seems that you are putting much serious thought into this, you should be recognized for the professional image that you (hopefully) will leave these cadets.  If the CO of the cadet squadron is on the ball, she should send a letter in appreciation to your current CO.  As a gentle reminder, you should have the proper military mailing address and name of your CO ready to give to the cadet CO.  You do not have to ask that a letter be sent, you just remark that "if you're planning on sending a letter of appreciation to my commanding officer, here's his name and address".  Even this early in your career, 'attaboys' can make a difference.

Oooh, I forgot all about that.  Thank you, I will mention it.  I'm a good friend of the CO, so I can't see it being an issue to bring up, I'm sure she'd be more than happy.  We're both pretty excited for the presentation/speech/Q&A, and so are the cadets. 

Thank you!

 

[Sparkplugs]

Sparkplugs,

Try to get a souvenir from Trenton or the AirForce to give to the Sqn.  If you can wing it, an autographed poster from the SkyHawks, a replica Sqn banner, that sort of thing.  It could be placed in a place of honour at the Sqn (trophy case) to remember your visit. 

That's a good plan too, I'll see about talking to the SCWO about that when I ask where I can get some stickers/wristbands etc.

Thank you!

 

[Sparkplugs]

Good luck!

First hand accounts of working in the CF are always awesome for the cadets as (at least in my neck fo the woods, far from a CFB) we don't get much of that out here.

The more pictures (within the guidelines, of course) the better - not all cadets are/can sit through auditory presnetations, some like pictures so they can visualize what youre saying.

Thanks for helping out the CCO

Hey, I loved volunteering, so it should be just as much fun going back as a Reg member.  It is a Sqn far, far away from a base.  I think the closest would be Winnipeg, or Borden, and they're both around the 12-hour drive range.  I'll be bringing back a shoulder flash from the Sqn to put in the Air Force Museum here, the last time I was there i noticed my old Sqn was one of the only ones missing, so I thought I'd fix that up! 

The pictures might be an issue, they don't have a computer or a projector, so I might just bring some copies of the base newspaper/air force newspaper for later on.  I'll try and keep my talking to a minimum, but it shouldn't be too bad.

Thanks for the advice!

 

[rwgill]

The pictures might be an issue, they don't have a computer or a projector, so I might just bring some copies of the base newspaper/air force newspaper for later on.  I'll try and keep my talking to a minimum, but it shouldn't be too bad.

Most, if not all, cadet units have a TV and DVD player.  Many of the DVD players out there can read JPG format pictures.  Burn your photos onto CD and the DVD player may read them.  You may have a DVD player that can do it, many of the $40 players do it.  Just remember to name alphabetically in the order that you wish to view them.

 

[Burrows]

Funny,  gwp.  I thought one of the primary foci of the CCM was to foster an interest in the different elements of the CF.

 

[rwgill]

Funny,  gwp.  I thought one of the primary foci of the CCM was to foster an interest in the different elements of the CF.

CATO 11-03 will give you clarification

 

[The Bread Guy]

As a former Air Cadet myself, and at the risk of sounding like a crotchety old fart, I don't think there's anything wrong with telling the Cadets how some of the things you learned there helped you (and likely continue to help you) at this point in your career.

If you can, don't forget to remind them being able to follow orders, staying organized and being good, informed citizens are all good things to be even if they DON'T end up in the part- or full-time mlitary.

Sounds like you'll do a first rate job, considering how seriously you're taking it - please let us know how it goes.

 

[Sparkplugs]

As a former Air Cadet myself, and at the risk of sounding like a crotchety old fart, I don't think there's anything wrong with telling the Cadets how some of the things you learned there helped you (and likely continue to help you) at this point in your career.

If you can, don't forget to remind them being able to follow orders, staying organized and being good, informed citizens are all good things to be even if they DON'T end up in the part- or full-time mlitary.

Sounds like you'll do a first rate job, considering how seriously you're taking it - please let us know how it goes.

The only problem with that is that I wasn't an air cadet, I was a CI with the Sqn, hehe.  But I do know a few guys of rank way higher than mine, who were ex-cadets, and are doing very well for themselves, and I'll be sure to mention them as well.

I will be sure to let you know how it goes when I get back.  Thanks for all the advice, everyone, it's very much appreciated.

 

[Acer Syrup]

I wish there were more people interested in coming. Even if you just step inside the door, wave your hand and say Hi. There is some recent talk about NCM's being able to intergrate into the CCM easier. i.e. at CSTC and RCSU and maybe....... LHQ. But thats just me blabbering.

BZ

 

[Burrows]

Read the CATO - http://cadets.ca/_docs/cato-oaic/1103_b.pdf

Looks like exactly what is going on here.  Nobody is trying to press gang cadets, stimulating their interest is right up the alley of the CCM.  Personally,  I find activities to be the perfect word.

 

[daftandbarmy]

When I was a cadet (while the earth was cooling) we had an Airborne guy come in to tell us about his experiences. Instead of blabbing on about how exciting his life was (like I would have tried to do), he showed us.

He set up two sets of benches, as if they were the seats on two Hercs, side by side and left breaks in the benches for the 'trooping doors'. He then got two teams of cadets to sit on the benches. He then talked us through some very basic jump drills (JAB!) and timed each group on how long it took them to clear the 'aircraft'. The slowest team had to do pushups. We did it a couple of times. Everybody loved it.

You could try the same thing with Herc emergency drills or something. Candy for the winners, pushups for the losers, works wonders for increasing the fun!

 

 

[Sparkplugs]

When I was a cadet (while the earth was cooling) we had an Airborne guy come in to tell us about his experiences. Instead of blabbing on about how exciting his life was (like I would have tried to do), he showed us.

He set up two sets of benches, as if they were the seats on two Hercs, side by side and left breaks in the benches for the 'trooping doors'. He then got two teams of cadets to sit on the benches. He then talked us through some very basic jump drills (JAB!) and timed each group on how long it took them to clear the 'aircraft'. The slowest team had to do pushups. We did it a couple of times. Everybody loved it.

You could try the same thing with Herc emergency drills or something. Candy for the winners, pushups for the losers, works wonders for increasing the fun!

 

That would be cool, but you haven't been allowed to make cadet do pushups since way before my time at Sqn.  I'm hoping to be able to get some cool video stuff from an imagetech that's cleared for public viewing, we have some nice airshow footage, stuff like that.