CCF: Learning to Lead

Two keen cadets, Joseph R and Dan A report: 

“Last weekend, a dozen members of the contingent, from both the Army and RAF sections, attended a Tactics Leadership Course at school and Malvern College.  

“The training on Saturday was focused on orders, particularly the distinct types of orders and how to prepare and deliver them. It was a very productive day, with a good deal of theory leant by us all. In the afternoon, we went off to the Sports Hall, where we were issued a full set of Formal Orders, with the list of contents easily recalled with the humorous mnemonic, “Platoon Sergeant May Eat Small Children.” Afterwards, we compiled our own orders from these to pass onto our subordinates. We did so, along with making models, and presented them to the rest of the cadets. 

“Sunday brought a completely different and some would say much more enjoyable approach to tactics. We travelled over to Malvern College for the day, and religiously practiced our Section Attacks and Quick Battle Orders in the mud, bogs, and rain, rehearsing and carrying out the orders issued the previous day, which involved assaulting and seizing two trenches and an impregnable fortress of four boxes placed a few metres from each other. After lunch, we practiced assaulting an enemy position from across a field during an Advance to Contact Patrol, which required excellent communication, effected partially by radio, and a lot of shouting. 

“Overall, it was an excellent weekend, and has proved very useful in developing our battle leadership skills and stress–testing them.”