Professional Documents
Culture Documents
TEAM BUILDING
Getting groups to
work together smoothly
and effectively
‘Employing’
your cadets
after summer training
Crisis
communications
When things go wrong
Changes at the regional
cadet instructor schools
What do they mean?
Opening notes ..............................................................................................................................4
You have spoken and we have heard. Cadence has a ‘new look’, and this issue
also marks a new stage in our renewed commitment to make the magazine
even more relevant.
By Col Robert Perron
Letters ............................................................................................................................................5
News and notes............................................................................................................................6
T he team-building theme of this issue leads nicely into the theme of our
next issue—the evolving concept of discipline within the Cadet Program.
If you, as a leader, are going to be successful in helping your cadets learn,
Capt Bedford believes that push-ups were never an
effective disciplinary tool and needed to be replaced.
He asks, what are the alternatives?
you have to create the circumstances that make it possible to learn. At
times, you may need to call upon some form of discipline to effectively Indeed, what are the alternatives as you steer your
manage your cadets and build a stronger corps/squadron team. cadets down that road towards self-discipline? How
has discipline evolved? Is discipline concerned with
The concept of discipline has evolved over the years. At one time, discipline preventing misconduct or with punishing it? How can
and punishment were viewed as synonymous. Today, they are viewed quite officers at local corps and squadrons apply positive
differently, and more often than not, discipline is associated with guidance, discipline when needed? Can leaders engage in specific
mentoring and instruction. behaviours to prevent discipline problems? Our Winter
issue attempts to answer some of these questions.
In a viewpoint article by Capt Steve Bedford in the Winter 2002 issue of
Cadence, Capt Bedford said, “We seldom train our cadet leaders how to use Our Spring 2005 issue will look at “transition”—how
their authority. We give them a job to maintain good order and discipline… to deal with it and how to help others deal with it for
but they come to the job site not knowing what’s in the toolbox.” He discussed the good of the Cadet Program.
the fact that push-ups—once a common form of discipline in the Cadet Program
—are viewed now as physically abusive and are thus, forbidden. In fact, Copy deadlines are Oct. 15 for the Winter issue,
the Cadet Harassment and Abuse Prevention program clearly outlines published in January, and Jan. 14, 2005, for the
the difference between discipline and abuse in its staff training session. Spring/Summer issue, published in April.
to work towards addressing your level tells of one corps’ experience in Distribution
Cadence is distributed by the Directorate
other suggestions. helping its cadet instructors to iden- Technical Information and Codification Services
tify different learning styles and (DTICS) Publications Depot to cadet corps and
Some of those suggestions depend on build some ‘tricks of the trade’—for squadrons, regional cadet support units and their
you for implementation. You asked sub-units, senior National Defence/CF officials
dealing with those styles—into their and selected members of the leagues.
for more tips and ideas that come lessons. Cadet corps and squadrons not receiving
from other corps/squadron officers. Cadence or wanting to update their distribution
Among the most popular articles Though the air cadet training article information should contact their Area Cadet
Officer/Cadet Adviser.
were those that dealt with the day-to- on employing cadets following sum-
day running of corps and squadrons. mer training and helping them decide Editorial staff
A perfect example was the article on on courses for next summer speaks Editor:
organizing your training office in our about air cadets, the tips and practices Marsha Scott
Winter 2003 issue. mentioned are equally applicable to Managing editor:
Capt Ian Lambert, cadet public affairs,
sea cadet and army cadet corps. chief reserves and cadets.
You need not be a great writer to
share your way of doing business As we strive to ensure that this pub- Translation:
Translation Bureau
with other corps/squadron officers. lication continues to evolve to meet Public Works and Government Services Canada
Send your ideas along in point form your needs, remember that Cadence Art direction:
if you must. will only be as good as your ‘own- ADM (PA) Directorate Marketing and
ership’ of it as your professional Creative Services CS03-0652
This brings us to this issue’s theme of development magazine. A-CR-007-000/JP-001
team building. Being involved with
the Cadet Program means that you Col Perron is the director cadets
I have just finished reading the of power or the potential for a pro- develop officer training programs,
Spring/Summer 2004 issue of Cadence motion—are the exception. I believe this mentoring strategies and so on—a
and I was struck by the tone of “Do sweeping generalization does a great ‘tool kit’ that will better position
you have the ‘right stuff’ to be a disservice to the hundreds of hard- them to become more effective COs.
commanding officer?” working COs across the Canadian The new officer training program
Cadet Movement. promises to meet this challenge.
Let me first say that as the past CO of
614 (Forest City) Air Cadet Squadron Not by the mere fact of being born That being said, I do not believe that—
in London, Ont., I agree with the are all people imbued with the attrib- in addition to dealing with the count-
observations that author Maj Ann utes of the ideal leader and CO. Life less challenges associated with being a
Léveillé makes with respect to the experiences, military training/educa- CO of a cadet corps/squadron—insult
ideal attributes of a successful CO. tion, general personality characteris- needs to be added to injury by gross
tics and other factors all combine to characterizations.
I also support her checklist of ques- forge a person who is willing to
tions that a potential CO should ask assume the mantle of CO and suc- Capt Mike Anglin
prior to accepting the appointment. ceed in that capacity. Administration officer
What concerns me, however, is the Regional Cadet Instructor School (Central)
central thrust of her argument that For those who do not possess the Borden, Ont.
COs who do not become CO for the necessary skills when they join the
wrong reason—be it title, the illusion CIC, we have a responsibility to
With this letter, I hope to reach offi- He was also posted to CFB Comox on Europe—he interviewed Buddy Holly
cers and cadets across the country Vancouver Island with the Regional and Elvis Presley to name a few!
who knew Capt Robert Wilson, for- Gliding School to teach and co-ordi-
mer CO of 89 (Pacific) Air Cadet nate the ground school for many years. Friends, family and cadets he influ-
Squadron in Victoria, B.C. He passed enced through all those years of con-
away May 31, 2004, from injuries Capt Wilson’s last posting was with tinuous service will dearly miss Capt
sustained two weeks before when Regional Music School (Pacific) at Wilson.
hit by a car in a tragic accident in CFB Esquimalt, just outside Victoria,
co-ordinating musical tattoos and In his memory, a scholarship has
Victoria. He was 63. been set up through 89 Squadron.
travelling with and hosting other
Rob’s passion for flying and nurtur- cadet musical events throughout The ‘Captain Robert Wilson
ing ways with young people were British Columbia. Memorial Flying Scholarship’ will be
well known across Canada, as he awarded to the most deserving cadet
enthusiastically fulfilled leadership In his civilian life, he was an on-air on the squadron’s flying training pro-
roles with the CIC. personality for local radio and televi- gram to assist with the cadet’s future
sion stations in Victoria, and before aviation studies. The squadron also
He began as a civilian instructor, that, with stations in Barrie, Ont., dedicated its annual review on June
teaching ground school to air cadets and Red Deer, Alta. 13 to his remembrance.
at 89 Squadron for years before
enlisting as an officer and rising Some of ‘Rockin’ Rob’s’ fondest Capt Kim Hoath
through the ranks to training officer, memories were of his time in the late Administration officer
chief ground school instructor and 1950s in Germany where—on his 135 (Challenger) Air Cadet Squadron
then CO. own radio program with the CF in Vancouver
Cadence reserves the right to edit for length and clarity. Please restrict your letters to 250 words.
Individual CIC officers who need help email through the Canadian If you would like to know when each
in obtaining time-off from an employ- Forces Liaison Council website at issue of Cadence is posted online, sign-
er to undergo military training or need www.cflc.forces.gc.ca. up on our website www.cadets.ca,
assistance in the prevention and reso- under the Staff Resources and Tools
lution of conflicts that are the result of The Canadian Forces Liaison
section, to receive automatic notifica-
an employee being a reservist, may Council (CFLC) is a group of
tions by email.
take advantage of the Reservist Canadian business leaders who
Assistance Program offered through volunteer their time and effort to Simply enter your email in the box
the Canadian Forces Liaison Council. assist the Primary Reserve in sup- provided and click 'sign-up'. To stop
port of CF operations. They also receiving notifications, click the
Requests for support from CIC believe in the advantages employ- 'Remove my email' link.
officers will be dealt with on a case- ers can gain by recognizing the
by-case basis. CIC officers can valuable training that primary
phone 1-800-567-9908 or send an reservists undertake.
The pin—a silver bar with one For the first time, Queen’s Regulations
maple leaf—should be worn in and Orders for the Canadian Cadet
accordance with current elemental Organization are online. You can find
dress instructions. QR (Cadets) right above CATOs at
Cadets who are awarded the Cadet www.cadets.ca/support, under Orders
Certificate of Commendation—for Further details are available in an
and Regulations.
outstanding deeds in attempting to updated Cadet Administration
save the life or property of another and Training Order (CATO)
person—will now receive a new pin to 13-16, Annex C, available online
wear on their uniform, in addition to at www.cadets.ca/support.
a certificate.
The cadet enrolment form, CF statement related to using certain parent as an amendment to the
1158—Application for Membership, information, including photos, “to existing CF 1158.
has been modified to incorporate publicly recognize cadet accomplish-
a more detailed explanation related ments and achievements while in the Please ensure that you are using the
to the requirement for medical infor- Cadet Program and to promote the new form now. It can be obtained at
mation under part two of the enrol- Cadet Program.” www.cadets.ca, under the “Staff
ment form. Resources & Tools” section; through
For those cadets already enrolled your regional cadet support unit
Additionally, under part three, in the program, a separate form is website; or by contacting your
the parent declaration includes a to be completed by the cadet and cadet detachment.
It’s easy to organize a wide variety of river kayaking, rock climbing and self-awareness within the Army
low-cost adventure activities—even acrobatic trampoline—for the low Cadet program.”
without an adventure training centre, price of $8.99 per person.
For more on adventure training, turn
says Capt Guillaume Paré, com-
To make the activities even more to page 30.
manding officer (CO) of 2898 Army
Cadet Corps in Ste-Marie, Que. adventurous, Capt Paré structures
them as ‘commander’s challenges’.
Last year, he organized a bike trip This year, he challenged the cadets
from corps’ headquarters to a nearby to climb higher than him and in less
waterfall for lunch. “At first I didn’t time, do more somersaults on the
think we’d be able to make it, but trampoline and beat him in a kayaking
my cadets really surprised me and race.
we managed to cycle both ways—a
total of 85.8 km—in less than five The cadets received a gold certificate
hours,” he says. for meeting the challenge, a silver
certificate for completing more than
The best part was it was easy to half of the activities, and a bronze
organize, cost nothing and resulted certificate for simply trying.
in free publicity for the corps. One
officer drove in front of the group; “Capt Paré has made effective
another drove behind in a pick-up use of adventure activities to energize
truck to carry the bikes of cadets his corps and apply the star pro-
who dropped out. Cadets brought gram,” says Capt Denis Lefebvre, the
their own lunches. staff officer responsible for army
cadet training at directorate cadets.
This year, Capt Paré’s cadets took “Adventure training is intended to be Kayaking was just one low-cost adventure activity for cadets
part in an ‘unlimited sports plan’ at a the principal means of developing from 2898 Army Cadet Corps in Ste-Marie, Que.
resort that included introductions to leadership, team spirit, fitness and
CO of 327 Sea Cadet Corps UNI- was yelling for help. He wouldn’t
CORN in Barrington Passage, N.S. leave the boat because he couldn’t
swim.”
For doing the right thing, 2Lt Brannen
has received the Queen’s Medal of With a little help from others nearby
Bravery from Governor General —including several fishermen who
Adrienne Clarkson. The medal is also couldn’t swim—2Lt Brannen
awarded to those who selflessly risk was able to tether the boat, wrap a
their own lives to save the lives of rope around the fisherman on the
others. bow, get him off the boat and pull
him to safety.
The electrician was performing main-
tenance on a wharf on Cape Sable The fisherman who was blown
Island in August 2002 when an out of the boat lost a hand; both
explosion on a nearby fishing fishermen suffered from second-
2Lt Brannen receives the Queen’s Medal of Bravery from
vessel blew one man into the water and third-degree burns. Thanks
Governor General Adrienne Clarkson.
and left another clinging to the bow. to 2Lt Brannen and others on the
scene, however, both were safe
As the burning vessel began to drift onshore when the boat burned to
“You don’t know how you’re going out of the harbour, 2Lt Brannen the water line within 10 minutes
to react to an emergency situation reacted instantly. He dove into the of the explosion.
until you face one. You may panic, water and swam to the boat. “I knew
you may just stand there and look I had to be fast,” says 2Lt Brannen. 2Lt Brennan has been a CIC officer for
stupid, or you may do the right “The boat was a time bomb with all three years, starting with his corps four
thing,” says 2Lt Allan Brannen, that propane on the bow and the guy years ago as a volunteer.
Army cadets with five years of hon- Cadets with five years of honourable
ourable service with their corps may service will qualify. The award is
now apply for a new army cadet serv- issued on the authority of the local
ice medal. The medal was expected to sponsoring committee and on the
be available at cadet corps by Sept. 15. recommendation of the CO.
According to Army Cadet League The onus is on individual cadets to
national director Terence Whitty, the apply for the medal. An Army Cadet
medal will recognize all cadets who League procedure has been written
have served in their cadet corps for a to cover the application process.
long period of time and as a result,
Former cadets can apply to their
have contributed in a substantive
cadet corps if they satisfy the criteria,
way to the success of the corps in
but they will have to purchase the
their communities.
medal for approximately $10.
The National Cadet Council author-
According to Mr. Whitty, the long-
ized the League to establish the medal
service medal will serve as a “trial
last May.
project” for the other two leagues,
The administration of the medal will which may wish to establish similar
be handled completely by local corps. awards for their cadets at a later date.
Bruno St. Onge, a civilian instructor Biathlon Canada also named civilian
with Eastern Region, received an instructor Jean-Philippe Le Guellec
award in June for his significant con- as its ‘athlete of the year (male)’ for
tribution to biathlon in Canada. his outstanding performance during
World Cup competition. He became
Biathlon Canada presented the Canada’s first biathlon world cham-
award to St. Onge for his outstanding pion last January during the
work over the past year in stabilizing Junior/Youth World Championships
the biathlon organization in Quebec in Haute-Maurienne, France.
and for his achievements in the organ- (Cadence, Spring/Summer 2004)
ization of Biathlon Canada’s national
races. Another civilian instructor, Joanie
Haché, received the Myriam Bedard
St. Onge has been an integral part of Award for her extraordinary dedica-
the cadet biathlon program for 14 tion and commitment in the achieve-
years. He has been the ‘technical del- ment of excellence in the sport of
egate’—responsible for race quality biathlon.
assurance—at the national competi-
tion for years and in the past two Both Le Guellec and Haché became
years, he has helped Atlantic Region involved in biathlon as cadets.
develop its biathlon program. He has Currently on staff at Eastern Region’s
Bruno St. Onge, a civilian instructor with Eastern Region,
also been an instructor on numerous biathlon training centres, they have
has been recognized by Biathlon Canada for his significant
coaching and officials courses for revitalized biathlon with their world
contribution to biathlon in Canada.
CIC officers and civilian instructors. championship performances.
at www.MemoryProject.com, or by
email at staff@dominion.ca.
This resource is available free of
charge. The interaction between
cadets and veterans can be extreme-
ly rewarding as a citizenship activity.
Several citizenship opportunities are
With Remembrance Day approach- subject in schools and by the public available this year and next as
ing, local corps and squadrons are perception of the country’s past as Canada commemorates the 60th
reminded to take advantage of The academic and boring. The purpose anniversary of its participation in
Memory Project, which offers cadets of The Memory Project is to broad- several Second World War mile-
the opportunity to meet military vet- en awareness of the richness and stones. The 60th anniversary events
erans from their local communities. complexity of Canadian history. began with the commemoration of
The Memory Project is an innova- Corps and squadrons are invited to D-Day this past June and will culmi-
tive program designed by the call The Memory Project at 1-866- nate in the celebration of the end of
Dominion Institute to bring veterans 701-1867 to arrange for a visit from a the Second World War next May.
and youth together in communities local Second World War, Korean Each is an opportunity to help our
across the country. The Dominion Conflict, or peacekeeping veteran, or cadets ‘remember’ this important
Institute was founded in 1997 by a from a currently serving CF member. part of Canada’s history.
group of young people concerned You may also make your request (See Viewpoint on page 33).
about the decline of history as a core through The Memory Project website
‘Travelling’ on the
strengths of one another
The Cadet Program is a collaboration, requiring the efforts adopting involvement as your leader-
of thousands working together to shape more than 55,000 ship philosophy—involving team
members naturally in the thinking
Canadian youths into good leaders and citizens. Teamwork
and decision-making processes—you
is fundamental to the program’s success. will come to recognize the gifts people
bring to the Cadet Program.
In the context of teamwork and collaboration, one issue
that is taking on greater importance, according to The Team Your leadership can help everyone on
Building Supersite—www.teambuildinginc.com—is keeping your team understand how they are
greater collectively than individually.
a team motivated.
Once they appreciate this, you will
have little need for team-building
A n article on this information-
packed site, “Team Motivation”
by site founder Peter Grazier, says “A
with youth” motivates them to con-
tinue serving. A majority said that the
work environment and co-worker
courses.
Through teamwork, you can also
team whose members are aligned in attitudes contribute to their positive reinforce team behaviours in your
purpose, feel a challenge in their task, intention to continue serving. And 70 cadets so they can move into the
have a strong sense of camaraderie, feel percent said they are motivated to world of work as adults with their
responsibility for the outcome and expe- continue by the training opportuni- team and collaborative skills—highly
rience growth as a team and in their ties available to them. valued in today’s workplace—already
personal lives will tend to sustain moti- in place. As cadets observe their
vation over the long haul.” Building your local Cadet Program corps/squadron leadership team col-
team, in particular, is a doorway to laborating closely to co-ordinate
CIC omnibus survey results (page personal growth. In team building, their learning experience, you’ll be
32) give a clear picture of some of the you are called upon to blend the tal- sending a powerful message. And like
motivational factors affecting local ents, skills and inherent creativity of you, they too will begin to experience
corps/squadron officers. A sense of diverse people. You are called upon personal growth through their col-
purpose, camaraderie and personal to leverage skills, time and resources laborative experience.
growth were among them. A full 94 for the benefit of not only your corps/
percent said “the opportunity to work squadron, but also for the program. Even geese benefit from collaborative
experience, and The Team Building
By empowering your team, Supersite suggests that we can learn
you can also help others several team-building lessons from
grow. By asking a team geese. One that can apply to the
member, “What would you team at your local corps or squadron
do?” instead of assuming follows:
that only you can provide
the perfect solution, you Fact: As each goose flaps its
may find “brilliantly simple” wings, it creates uplift for the bird
solutions from the most following. By flying in a ‘V’ for-
unlikely sources, says Mr. mation, the whole flock adds 71
Grazier. percent greater flying range than
if one bird flew alone.
By involving your officers,
civilian instructors, senior Lesson: People who share a com-
cadets and volunteers in mon direction and sense of com-
meaningful thought about munity can get where they are
how to improve things, you going quicker and easier because
For identical twins 2Lts Mike and Dan Leslie, instructors at Regional they are travelling on the strength
Gliding School (Pacific) in Comox, B.C., collaboration comes naturally. will begin to create a pow-
erful form of recognition— of one another.
Here, the two instructors wax the underside of an L-19 towplane.
(Photo by WO Eileen Redding, RGS (Pacific) public affairs) important to team motiva- Many of the ideas above are adapted from
tion—within your team. By articles on The Team Building Supersite.
Team-building
activities
none of us is as smart as all of us
(Japanese proverb)
Be honest
Being honest presupposes that cadets in the group respect themselves and
each other. Instead of showing disappointment or aggressiveness, for
example, they should simply acknowledge their feelings in a particular
situation and say frankly and openly how they feel. In this type of
situation, everyone will then be able to work constructively. Being
honest means being responsible for their words and actions.
Be constructive
An FVC requires cadets to recognize that sometimes others may disagree
with them, that everyone has different opinions and ideas, and that they
When instructors and cadets respect each other, they are more should put aside these differences and work towards achieving goals.
likely to want to work together and support each other in the
learning process. Here, Lt(N) Dan Graham evaluates a leader- If you understand these prerequisites, you’re ready to begin
ship tasking at HMCS ONTARIO CSTC. (Photo by HMCS developing a full-value contract.
ONTARIO CSTC public affairs)
Respect
er
group’s goals. Each line leading h
An
t
• Organize a brainstorming session.
Ca
from the central hub to the
n-M
ng
Ask everyone what values or outside circle represents a
ia
arie
Ef
di
laud
qualities the group should follow
an
chosen value, in this case
fo
t
rs
to achieve its goals. Record these
rt
en Antoine C
Chan
effort, respect, under-
de
Un
values/qualities on a flip chart. To standing, communication,
Steph
sents the group as a
cadets to choose the values they whole and all members
W
e
ag
want their group to adopt to
ill
Enthusiasm
as being of the same
on
in
l
nie
ur
achieve its goals. It is possible for
gn
opinion. Group members
Co
P
Da
es
the group to keep all the
a
said that unless everyone
u
s
l
values/qualities that come out of
hie
accepted the values, the
C
p his
the brainstorming session. Ask one So tin
group could not be united, or e
or more people to present their Ma sep
h
move forward to achieve its goals. rylise Jo
results to the group. Then ask the Michel René
others to explain some of the val-
ues/qualities presented, to make
sure that everyone understands.
• Ask group members to create a Using the FVC
representation of their values/
The FVC is an especially good tool about the things in the FVC that they
qualities on a card or on the flip
for group feedback and cohesiveness. did and did not follow!
chart. Make sure they have pencils,
rulers, glue, scissors, magazines, You may refer to it after an activity, The FVC will have a positive effect
and so on. Their representation experience or situation, asking how on the discipline and behaviour of
could be in the form of a picture the group behaved or acted. Group your cadets. It won’t be long before
or a chart. The important thing is members will usually refer to the you discover that they are honouring
that all values/qualities are be repre- FVC before you do and should be the contract—feeling responsible for
sented and that the illustration able to identify what was done well their attitudes (towards themselves
representss or characterizess the and what was not done well. They and the group) and for the achieve-
group. should identify the areas they need to ment of goals.
• Ask the cadets to explain the repre- work on to honour their ‘contract’,
In other words, you’ll have a great
sentation to ensure that everyone without which group goals cannot
team!
has the same understanding of the be achieved.
values and their representation. For even better results, implement an
In one actual situation—after imple- FVC with your personnel before you
• When they are all satisfied with menting the FVC with a group of try it with cadets.
the results, ask the cadets to sign cadets and after an activity—the person
their names on the representa- in charge provided feedback on the Capt Lefebvre is the staff officer responsible
tion. This will highlight both their activity and asked the cadets to say for army cadet program development, as
sense of belonging to the group what they did and did not like about well as for marksmanship and biathlon
and their sense of responsibility the activity. Instead of discussing the program development, at directorate cadets
for themselves and for the group. activity itself, the cadets began to talk
How to ‘employ’
the cadet
Based on what they have learned
during the summer, some cadets will
want to focus on instructing.
This sounds straightforward enough,
but what if you—like Capt Sinkia-
Cox—had to plan for this current train-
ing year before your cadets went on
summer training? Capt Sinkia-Cox’s
planning budget was due in the spring
to her sponsoring committee, and
adult staff members were going on
summer training. Her solution was to
It’s often easy to get cadets—like these cadets on the range with Capt Ken Boyd at Albert Head CSTC in Victoria
assign officer instructors in the spring
—to talk about their summer training experience. (Photo by Capt Johane Andrews, Albert Head CSTC public affairs)
and assign cadet instructors in the fall.
Cadets from 151 (Chadburn) Air Cadet Squadron in Oshawa, Ont.—shown here on a field outing to the Ganaraska Forest Centre—are not required
to purchase special kit for field activities. Squadron leaders simply ask cadets to wear clothing that will keep them “warm and dry”.
Basic Basic
Military Junior Officer
Future Military BMOQ Supply Administration Training Commanding
Officer Qualification
training Occupational (CIC – Officer Officer Officer Officer
Qualification (JOQ)
program Qualification Sea/Land/Air) (Sup O) (Admin O) (Trg O) course
(BMOQ) (CIC –
(CIC – (COC)
(CIC – Common)
Common)
Common)
DP 2
Officers enter the second DP on pro-
motion to lieutenant (navy) or captain.
In this period, CIC officers are pre-
pared for employment in leadership
and staff roles at cadet corps/
squadrons, CSTCs and regional/
national headquarters. During DP 2,
CIC officers have the greatest range
of employment opportunities avail-
able to them and are ready for more
specialized employment. They are in a
position to broaden their occupational
expertise and further develop their
leadership and supervisory skills.
Junior officer training will be developed
to provide officers with the common set
of tasks, skills and knowledge required
for the increased responsibilities associ-
ated with the jobs found in DP 2.
At corps/squadrons, training officers
and commanding officers will require
this training as a prerequisite to their
job-based training.
Teaching
‘tricks of the trade’
to cadet instructors
“How do we keep everyone interested and learning at the same time?” This became the
primary question facing my frustrated corps training team when they realized that even
though they were teaching the same lesson to everyone, only some cadets were ‘getting it’.
tools to identify—at least on the surface • Vary the working group size
M uch useful information has been
written already on teaching
teens, as well as the diversity of
—learning styles, as well as some
‘tricks of the trade’ to integrate into
• Include as many sensory inputs
into the class as possible
learners and different learning styles. their lessons.
(Cadence, Summer 2003). However, Physical
During phase three and four instruc-
reaching all cadets—including those
tional techniques classes, we drilled participation
who have difficulty learning—is a little
the following basics into our cadet All cadets benefit from direct physical
more complex than just recognizing
instructors: participation in class. Participation
that they have different learning styles
and strengths. • Involve cadets physically in some can mean anything from holding a
parts of every class chart or teaching aid during instruc-
Our corps undertook a project to give tion to arranging items before class
• Build variety into each lesson to
our petty officer (PO) instructors the start-up or collecting them after.
increase attention
Above: During the annual inspection of 83 Sea Cadet Corps, Sid Woolfrey asked these cadets to pose in front of a display shelter to
make his point about engaging the five senses when teaching cadets to build a real outdoor shelter. Cadets can engage sight—to check
the shelter for holes and watch for boiling water; sound—to listen for fresh running water and the crackle of the fire catching; smell—to
detect whether the branches are spruce or fir; touch—to differentiate tree boughs, check if the boughs are attached firmly and find dry
wood; and taste—to enjoy water and the food they cook when the shelter is built.
Most of us know that we all learn • Cadets who have challenges with
and express ourselves differently. You can often spot learning difficulties learning related to perception
Lately, the buzz words “multiple by observing a cadet’s behaviour. decode language at a slower pace.
intelligences” and “diverse learners” Cadets may become introverted, or Give them more time to complete
have come into the realm of education ‘act out’ in their frustration over their tasks.
and learning. inability to learn as quickly as other • Focus attention and clarify the
cadets. Confirming the problem may meaning of written text with pic-
Whatever terminology we use, it’s be as simple as talking to the cadet pri- tures.
important to understand that if we vately, or talking to the cadet’s parents.
pay attention to these learning styles, • Often, cadets can learn from each
we can strengthen a cadet’s ability to With the permission of the cadet or other. However, under-performing
learn; if we ignore them, we can parents, be sure to pass on what you cadets may feel embarrassed
weaken a cadet’s ability to learn. know to the cadet’s other instructors. about their challenges. Make sure
they work with someone they feel
Learning disabilities are life long and A few years ago, a colleague comfortable with.
range in severity. Lesser disabilities approached me while I was serving
as an assistant flight commander at a • Try to use both audio and visual
can be difficult to identify, but may be teaching aids so cadets can use the
severe enough to hamper a cadet’s cadet summer training centre. He
told me that a cadet from his one that works for them.
progress in the Cadet Program.
squadron would be in my flight for • Repeat key words and phrases.
As leaders we should try to identify two weeks and that the cadet had • Add gestures, facial expressions and
these problems as early as we can. difficulty reading. vocal intonation during class. They
help focus a student’s attention.
• Ensure classroom participation,
and ask more open-ended questions
because it encourages students to
respond when there is more than
one right answer. Wait a while after
asking a question to give students
with a learning difficulty time to
process what is being asked and
prepare a response.
Capt Patterson is the training officer at
617 (Dambusters) Air Cadet Squadron
in Lewisporte, Newfoundland and
Labrador. He also teaches core French
to Grades 4 to 9 students.
It is useful to use both audio and visual teaching. Here, air cadets from 617 Air
Cadet Squadron teach local sea cadets the parts of a glider by making paper gliders
and having a best flight contest.
Are you aware of the clothing the CIC officers are entitled to? (Yes). 70%
Eternal vigilance
A responsibility—to ourselves and our cadets—to remember
appear jagged to the human eye in ficult to capture quick action with an
the publication. average digital camera due to delays. Before you bombard a local
Vince Federoff works in the photogra-
By understanding your camera’s newspaper with photographs,
‘refresh’ rate—the time from when find out minimum file sizes
phy department for the Whitehorse Star
you press the button to when the
newspaper in the Yukon. He suggests
camera actually captures the image— and what staff look for in
“the more megapixels, the better”
you can often anticipate the action a photo and captions.
when sending anything to a local
and take the shot before it occurs.
newspaper. If you remember 300 dpi
Your camera may also have something editors will take care of any small
as a general rule for publications, you
called burst, continuous or sequential adjustments, since every time you
can’t go wrong.
mode that will allow you to take
re-save a jpeg, it will compress.
White balance more than one shot at a time.
Before you touch your camera settings,
White balance provides control over think about the obvious. “A clear,
Exposure
the way a camera perceives white. concise, well-framed photo helps,”
Some types of light such as fluorescent If it is too bright or if you are shooting
says Federof. “Make sure it is tight
lighting throw the white balance off a snow scene, digital cameras may
with no extra stuff, and concentrate
and alter other colours in the image. overexpose the shot. In this case, on what is going on in the photo.”
If you find your photos have an many cameras allow you to adjust
unusual tint in a certain light source, the exposure manually. The digital camera is a wonderful
try adjusting the white balance instead way to get your photos into print
of leaving the camera on its auto set- Find out what your quickly and easily. By taking the
ting. A variety of software programs newspaper wants time to understand how your cam-
will also allow you to correct the era works and the photos it takes,
Before you bombard a local newspaper you will be on your way to getting
white balance of photos.
with photos, find out minimum file the publicity you want for your
Shooting modes sizes and what staff look for in a cadet unit.
photograph and captions. Also, it is
Media normally prefer to receive best to send the original file and not Lt Mills is the public affairs officer,
action shots; however, it is often dif- a modified file. Normally, the photo Regional Cadet Support Unit (Northern).