AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE CADETS

Transcription

1 410SQNAAFC RI 35/08 REQUESTS FOR I FORMATIO 1. Throughout the year, and in particular in recent weeks, we have asked families to provide information critical to the operation of the Squadron, and indeed sometimes the welfare of cadets. Unfortunately sometimes this information is required at short notice, however wherever possible we provide a few weeks at least to respond. 2. The common thread we see is that there appears to be a lack of response in most instances by the time we require the information, and we would like to know why. To those who do return requested information on time, we thank you very much, however to those who don t, we would like to know why, and if we can change our methods of requesting information so we get a timely return. 3. For example, for over a month now we have been requesting families return information regarding medical conditions that any cadet has, with the request to provide feedback even if the cadet is perfectly healthy. To date, we are still waiting on some of these, despite the knowledge that this plays a key part in the response to any emergency a cadet may find themselves facing. 4. We have also had less than half of the families reply to our request for numbers for the Final Parade and Awards Ceremony. This is required for catering purposes. 5. We would like to know how we can help you to return the information required by the dates requested. If you have any comments, we would appreciate it. Perhaps not all families are receiving s (although all cadets do have addresses listed and almost all have next of kin addresses as well). Is it that people are not reading the s and RI s? Are cadets not passing on the relevant forms or requests for information that are handed out to them? Are we not reminding you enough? Are we not providing enough time to return information? If there is anything we can do to help you provide us the information we need, we will do our best to try. 6. Thankyou again to those who have provided information, even last minute phone calls to the Squadron is better than not telling us. Please, if you can help return the information by the requested date, it will only assist to make the cadet experience all the more beneficial for the cadets. REDUCTIO I RA K AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE CADETS P.O. Box 2242, Bendigo Mail Centre, BENDIGO VIC, 3554 Tel: (03) sqn@cadetnet.gov.au 7. Ordinarily a reduction in rank is not a good thing, however in this case the incumbent is more than pleased. 8. Congratulations (!!!) are given to PLTOFF (AAFC) Tompsett in his reduction in rank to FSGT (AAFC) WEF 01 Dec 08. The now FSGT (AAFC) Tompsett reluctantly, but

2 admirably, crossed over to the dark side when he accepted a promotion from SGT (AAFC) to PLTOFF (AAFC) approximately 6 years ago to ensure that 411 Squadron Swan Hill could continue to parade, as they did not have a Commanding Officer at the time. His heart has always been back as a SNCO, so we congratulate FSGT (AAFC) Tompsett on crossing back from the dark side to the light side. PROMOTIO COURSE POSITIO S 9. The following cadets have earned themselves a position on the promotion courses in January (or on the reserve waiting list), and should expect copies of Joining Instructions by the end of the week to be sent from HQ once confirmed (positions are in alphabetical order, not in order of preference) 10. JNCO Course: a. LCDT Guthrie, X b. LCDT Peters, J c. A/CCPL Wild, S d. LCDT Wilson, M 11. JNCO Reserves (attendance is NOT confirmed, but on waiting list): a. LCDT Forder, S b. LCDT Tremayne, C c. LCDT Wellington, Z 12. SNCO Course: a. CCPL Buffett, G b. CCPL Mitchell, C 13. SNCO Reserves (attendance not confirmed, but on waiting list): a. CCPL Quin, H 14. CUO Course: a. CSGT Ferrari, J (subject to university offering) b. CSGT Howard, T 15. A reminder: IF ANY CADET ABOVE WHO NEEDED A HAIRCUT LAST MONDAY NIGHT DOES NOT HAVE A HAIRCUT BY 08 DEC 08, WITHOUT A GOOD EXCUSE, YOU WILL OT BE ATTENDING PROMOTION COURSE. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED. 16. Congratulations to those selected, and wherever possible we will try to get the reserves onto courses as well, however please understand if it is not possible, as there are also many other Squadrons whose cadets are attending as well. For those reserve cadets who miss out, and for those others not listed, thank you for your nominations. Due to the caliber of cadets, in particular the JNCO courses, this year was the hardest year for some time to choose

3 those who would attend, and who would miss out, and there was an enormous amount of discussion amongst the staff and senior cadets. Those who do miss out, please be advised there is likely to be JNCO and SNCO courses in the middle of 2009 which you may be offered a place on RECRUITI G 17. Please give some consideration to recruiting for the first intake in We will be holding a recruiting tent at Lake Weeroona on Australia Day in January, so would like cadet and staff support for this. 18. We also plan to visit schools and get articles in school newsletters and in the newspapers, however need your help in doing so. But remember, the BEST method of recruiting is by word of mouth. So talk to your friends, talk to your family, and see if we can get a big intake for the start of If you can think of any good recruiting suggestions, please submit your idea to your SECO who will pass up the chain. ARE YOU CO SIDERI G TERMI ATI G??? 20. For many years now we have noticed that at the end of each year, quite a few cadets consider terminating. 21. If you are considering terminating, what we ask of you is a few things: a. Consider the opportunities that you have had as a cadet in the AAFC, the activities you have been on, the friends you have made b. Consider the opportunities that other cadets have had, and the knowledge that you may indeed have those same opportunities presented to you one day in the AAFC c. Consider what you are learning, not just in the classroom, but also the practical things such as leadership, self reliance and initiative d. Consider some of the things you have accomplished and how it may have actually changed you as a person, for the better, such as a gain in confidence e. Consider how proud your parents/guardians are when they see you dressed up in your uniform and marching in public f. Consider the fact that although you may be teased by your friends for being in cadets, in reality they are actually JEALOUS or ENVIOUS of you in a lot of cases, but would dare not admit it to you or anyone g. Consider the sense of achievement when you have learnt a new skill, something which may in fact help you in your later life h. Consider the extra costs associated with doing our activities outside of the AAFC 22. If you have considered all those things, and spoken openly with the staff and your parents/guardians, and are still of the opinion that you wish to terminate, then that is fine, we are glad to have had you as a cadet and wish you well. But we do ask that you return your uniform as soon as possible, preferably on Monday 15 Dec 08.

4 23. If you have considered all those things and are happy to stay, we look forward to providing you many more opportunities in your AAFC career. COLOURED SHIRTS VISIBLE U DER EATH U IFORMS 24. For some weeks now it has been noticed that cadets are wearing t-shirts of various colours underneath their AFB or DPCU uniforms that can be seen above the top secured button. 25. This is to stop, unless the following is adhered to: 26. AFB Shirt 27. DPCU Shirt a. Cadets are welcome to wear a shirt or singlet of a light colour similar to their AFB uniform shirt (ie, white or light blue) underneath their AFB shirt, however the neck line MUST NOT BE SEEN above the top secured button, nor the sleeves poking out from under the sleeves of the AFB shirt. The shirt/singlet shall also not be of a bright colour which can be seen through the AFB shirt. Females should pay particular care to this and avoid bright, dark or multi coloured undergarments. a. Cadets are welcome to wear a shirt or singlet of a colour similar to their DPCU primary colours, including light brown, light green or DPCU camouflage (not any other type of camouflage). Should a shirt of any other colour be worn underneath, it is not to be seen, including black which has commonly been worn. b. The exception to this rule is on a bivouac during the colder months when permission may be sought to wear a shirt underneath where of course preference is given to OH&S requirements, however colours should still try to be as above. 28. Should a cadet be cold during a parade night, even in the warmer months, there is nothing stopping you from putting on your blue or green jumper depending on the uniform, which is why, unless it is exceptionally hot, we always recommend bringing your jumper. BREAK TAB s 29. For the remainder of the year, no tabs are allowed to be allocated to any Staff or Cadets. All Staff and Cadets are to have their tabs paid off by last parade night, Monday 08 Dec To ensure tabs are not abused, cadets will only be offered tabs for one week. The limit is $5 and must be paid the following week. If it is not paid, then cadets will be refused purchase of ANYTHING until they are paid. CCPL Chapman is tasked in ensuring this rule remains in force and is hereby authorised to politely refuse all cadets any more than $5 credit when the Squadron returns to parade in Staff are discouraged to request anymore than $5 credit.

5 FI AL PARADE RSVP s 31. For those families who have not returned their Final Parade and Awards Ceremony RSVP s, please ensure they are returned on Monday 08 Dec 08 so that final numbers can be catered for. FEE s 32. All Staff and Cadets are reminded to keep up to date with paying fees. Fees are $40 per term, or slightly cheaper if multiple terms are paid off in advance. Please ensure you have 2008 Fee s paid off by Monday 08 Dec 08. Invoices for Terms 3 and 4 will be issued shortly. 33. If there are any questions or if anyone has difficulty paying fees, please speak with FINO 410 Squadron, PLTOFF (AAFC) Kroiter. PARE T SUPPORT COMMITTEE MEETI G 34. Thankyou to the parents who attended the Parent Support Committee meeting on Monday 01 Dec A final Parent Support Committee meeting will occur on Monday 08 Dec 08, commencing 1830h, to confirm details for the BBQ to be provided on the Final Parade and Awards Ceremony. 36. Please come along to support the committee. DEFE CE FORCE CADET REVIEW 37. Approximately three months ago a committee was formed at a National Level to conduct a Review into the Australian Defence Force Cadets (Navy, Army and Air Force Cadets). 38. This review has now been completed, and is attached to this weeks RI s for information. 39. Thankyou to those cadets, staff and parents/guardians who provided input into the review. In most instances, the outcomes appear to be in favour of keeping the three cadet services progressing forward as they are, but with improvements in areas such as increased support for staff, more Defence Force involvement and additional funding for training and activity resources. FI AL PARADE A D AWARDS CEREMO Y CATERI G 40. To assist with catering on the day of the Final Parade and Awards Ceremony (Saturday 13 Dec 08) it is requested that all families whose cadets surname ends with the following letters bring either a salad or dessert as indicated to be served during lunch: a. Surnames A H Salad b. Surnames I Z Dessert

6 41. The Squadron will provide all meat, drinks, plates and eating utensils. Thankyou for your support. EXT PARADE A D U IFORM 42. The next Parade is on Monday 08 Dec 08 in Dress o. 4 DPCUs with Duty Cadet to be advised. 43. Senior Cadet Uniform is as above. 44. The order for seating in briefing from front to back for Mon 08 Dec 08: Delta, Alpha, Bravo and Charlie. 45. A reminder to all SECOs (or their representatives if they are on leave) that they are to be the last person to exit the depot from their section of an evening. They are to ensure their rooms are clean. You WILL be held responsible. UPCOMI G ACTIVITIES 2008 FI AL PARADE SATURDAY 13 DEC Squadron s Final Parade and Awards Ceremony for 2008 will be held at the Bendigo MUD on Saturday 13 Dec 08. Cadets will be required from 0800h-1400h and all Guests may arrive at 1000h. 47. Invitations to the event have been issued; please remind your parents that RSVP s are now due back by 08 Dec 08 to CUO Sait-Varker. 48. All cadets and staff are strongly urged to attend. Leave must be submitted if you are unable to attend. Remember, awards will be handed out; all cadets have an opportunity to receive an award and if you win one, you really need to be there to collect it. 49. The Reviewing Officer for the parade will be the Chief Of Staff, Australian Air Force Cadets, Wing Commander (AAFC) Ben Stewart. 50. The last Formal parade night for 2008 will be Monday 08 Dec 08. Promotion Preparation and Clean Up will be undertaken on Monday 15 Dec Please nominate on Hector ( AUSTRALIA DAY RECRUITI G 26 JA Squadron will again be participating in the Australia Day celebrations at Lake Weeroona by providing a recruiting stand to commence our 2009 recruit intake.

7 53. Any cadet and staff member available should consider attending so that we can encourage other likeminded teenagers to consider joining. A.MARR FLTLT (AAFC) CO J.A.SAIT-VARKER CUO CCDR Mob: Mob: Dec Dec 08