Officer Commanding Junior Leaders Course Training Ground Headquarters Air Cadets Royal Air Force Cranwell Sleaford Lincolnshire NG34 8HB Email: oc.jl@aircadets.org www.raf.mod.uk/aircadets See Distribution 1 May 17 JUNIOR LEADERS COURSE 19 CALLING LETTER 1. Sqn Cdrs and CCF Contingents are invited to nominate suitable candidates for Junior Leaders (JL) Course No 19 which commences with a Selection Weekend from 8 to 10 Sep 17. 2. The Junior Leaders Course is aimed at senior cadets with a desire and ability to develop advanced leadership skills and challenge themselves personally. The Course requires candidates to learn new skills at an intensive pace and demonstrate their ability to be robust both physically and mentally in a challenging environment. 3. Candidates must meet the following criteria: a. Be aged 17 years or over on 8 Sep 2017, i.e. born on or before 8 Sep 2000 b. Hold the rank of Cadet Corporal or above. c. Hold the classification of Senior Cadet or above. d. Be competent in land navigation and map reading. e. Be physically fit and sufficiently robust to complete this demanding course. f. Have completed a basic syllabus of fieldcraft training. g. Have successfully completed a Wing NCO Course or equivalent training. h. Completed training and a Weapons Handling Test on the L98A2 Rifle. Applications will still be considered if a WHT has recently expired. 4. Preferable, but not essential criteria: a. Hold the rank of Cadet Sergeant or above. Those holding the rank of Cadet Corporal will need a strong endorsement accordingly from their Sqn Cdr. b. Attended an Air Cadet Leadership Course or comparable ACF course. c. Achieved St John Ambulance Youth First Aid Qualification or higher. 5. Selection. Selection will include the following elements after a period of introduction and briefings: a. Command Tasks. 1
b. Presentation Individual 5 mins, no visual aids. c. Interview. d. Planning Exercise. e. Competence Tests in Navigation and Fieldcraft. f. Fitness Assessment. g. Group Discussion. 6. Selection Command Tasks. For this phase of selection, the candidate will be placed into a group with up to ten other candidates. Candidates will complete one task as the leader and up to ten other exercises in either a key role or subordinate role. We are looking for evidence of the candidate s confidence and resilience, communication, influence, problem solving and teamwork. 7. Selection Presentation Phase. For this phase the candidate should prepare a five minute presentation without visual aids on a subject of their choice. We are looking for evidence of confidence, impact, relevant content and maturity. 8. Selection Interview Phase. For this phase the candidate will take part in an interview with one or two assessing officers. The interview will last up to ten minutes. We are looking at the candidate's manner, speech and power of expression, activities and interests, awareness, motivation and overall impact. 9. Selection Planning Exercise. For this phase, candidates will complete a table-top planning exercise with both individual and group elements. We are looking at the candidate s ability to make reasoned decisions using people, equipment and time effectively, as well as to communicate with and influence others. 10. Selection Competence Tests. For this phase the candidate will take part in some practical tests in land navigation and basic fieldcraft. These tests will be conducted in an outside environment. We are looking for a demonstration of your practical knowledge in both subjects. 11. Selection Fitness Phase. Physical Fitness is a key attribute for Junior Leaders and ensures that students are of a suitable fitness level to operate in the field environment. Students are required to complete a fitness test which is made up of three elements: a. 1.5 mile run will test aerobic endurance (Males - under 11 min 11 Sec, Females - under 13 min 30 Sec). b. Sit Ups will test core strength (Males - over 35 in 1 min, Females - over 32 in 1 min). c. Press Ups will test upper body strength and ability (Males - over 20 in 1 min, Females - over 10 in 1 min). We require a pass in all three elements in order to be offered a place on the Course. 12. Selection - Group Discussion Phase. For this phase, candidates must speak up for themselves and demonstrate listening and understanding skills over three or four subjects. The assessing officer will change the subject every few minutes. We are looking for confidence, oral communication and influence. 2
13. Course Content. The Course is timetabled from Sep to Easter and comprises nine training weekends (from Friday evening to Sunday afternoon) and a Test Phase of ten days duration. Provisional course dates are at Annex A. The main course comprises the following modules: a. Phase 1 Training. This includes the necessary core skills required to be applied during later elements of the course. They include transactional and transformational leadership, public speaking and presentation skills, social skills, group dynamics and syndicate work, Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM) Level 3 project work, physical training and endurance, weapon training, advanced navigation and preparation and delivery of orders groups. b. Phase 2 Training. On successful completion of Phase 1 Training, Phase 2 Training works on application and practical training. This includes field leadership skills, section commander skills including planning, delivery and execution, practical leadership and management, mission command and physical endurance. c. Test Phase. On successful completion of Phase 1 and 2 Training, candidates will be invited to Test Phase which is designed to thoroughly test all aspects taught. 14. Key Considerations. In addition to the qualities already listed, the following 3 key considerations must be taken into consideration prior to applying: a. Commitment. Attendance at ALL phases of the course is compulsory without exception. Arrival for training weekends will be by 1800hrs on the Friday evening and Students must ensure that they will be available to travel and arrive by this time. Some work will be required to be completed in between training weekends. b. Financial. The candidate must able to fund a personal or Sqn/Wg-sponsored contribution of 175. Candidates will also be required to provide a returnable deposit of 75 for clothing and equipment. Those who successfully complete Selection and gain a place on the course will be required to bring this contribution to the first training weekend on 29 Sep 17. Course contributions are non-refundable should a student withdraw from the course or fail to meet the course standards. c. Self Discipline. Many elements of the course must be worked on away from the training weekend e.g. ILM project work, airpower, orders and physical fitness. The candidate must have the self-discipline to complete this work on his/her own. 15. Equipment. The Course provides all field equipment and other learning resources. The responsibility to return all equipment to the course is down to the cadet however Sqn Cdrs and Wings will be expected to aid the efficient and timely return of equipment from the cadet as and when required. If equipment is not returned, Cadets will be asked to repay the cost of equipment. 16. Travel. Travel to the Selection Weekend and subsequent training weekends will normally be by rail. Cadets are not permitted to drive to training weekends. Rail tickets are normally booked through Wing HQs. 17. ILM Qualification. Successful students will be awarded an ILM Level 3 Award in Leadership and Management providing the requisite course work has been completed and assessed to a satisfactory standard. Completion of the ILM workbook is mandatory for graduation from the course. 18. ILM Project. All students are required to organise an activity as an element of the ILM project. This activity will be a fundraising project organised in conjunction with the individual Student s Squadron. This project will need to be completed prior to the end of the course. 3
19. Application. There is no limit to the number of applications that can be submitted by any Squadron or Wing and each applicant will be considered on the strength of their own application. Initial applications are to be completed and submitted electronically using the following process: a. Application forms should be downloaded from BADER Sharepoint. Applicants should be given a copy of the pdf application form to complete electronically. b. The applicant should complete Sections 1-12 of the pdf form using the latest version of Abode Acrobat Reader. It should be saved and sent to their Squadron Commander in its original pdf format. c. Squadron Commanders should complete the recommendation in Section 11 using the latest version of Adobe Acrobat Reader and save the form. d. Squadron Commanders should email the form from their BADER email account directly to the Junior Leaders Course Adjutant at adjt.jl@aircadets.org. Completed forms must be received no later than 21 Jul 17. Confirmation of receipt will be provided. 20. Application Sift. An initial sift of applications will be conducted to ensure that the course prerequisites are met. Up to 100 applicants will be invited to selection based on the strength of applications and Squadron Commander s recommendations. 21. Joining Instructions. Joining Instructions for successful applicants will follow in mid-august. These will be sent directly to students using the email address provided and copied to the relevant Sqn Cdrs and WHQs. 22. Further Information. Sqn Cdrs should not hesitate to contact the JL Adjutant at adjt.jl@aircadets.org for advice about course content or the suitability of a potential candidate. J A ROBERTS Sqn Ldr RAFVR(T) OC JL Distribution: Action: All ATC Sqn Cdrs All CCF Sections Information: HQAC (for COS, SO1 Training, Wg Cdr CCF) All ACRHQs All Wg HQs Annexes: A. No 19 Junior Leaders Course - Provisional Programme. Enclosures: 1. JL19 Application Form and Personal Profile. 4
Annex A TO JL19 Calling Letter dated 1 May 17 JUNIOR LEADERS COURSE NO 19 PROVISIONAL PROGRAMME Dates Phase 8-10 Sep 17 Selection 29 Sep 1 Oct 17 20 22 Oct 17 17 19 Nov 17 Phase 1 Core Skills 8 10 Dec 17 12 14 Jan 18 2 4 Feb 18 Phase 2 Advanced Skills 23-25 Feb 18 9 11 Mar 18 28 Mar 6 Apr 18 Phase 3 Test Phase A-1