Leading Air Cadet Kathy Player reports on her recent attendance on the JNCO Course at RNZAF Base Ohakea:
This term I was selected to attend the Central Area Junior NCO (Non-Commissioned Officer) course at RNZAF Base Ohakea. The course was in the first week of the school holidays, from the 20th to the 27th of April, and was focused on training to be a Junior NCO.
Present were 30 cadets from all around the Central Area, split up into 3 syndicates of 10. In our syndicates, we were taught 3 important aspects of being a JNCO, and were assessed on each of them. Firstly, we learned and were assessed on the process of drill instruction. This was followed by learning the fundamental aspects of creating a presentation and presenting to an audience, with a particular focus on coping with nerves. Third and lastly, we were taught styles and types of leadership, and went through a series of leadership exercises by way of assessment. Also during the course we were given opportunities to take a flight and were assessed on our squad handling.
The course as a whole was filled with wonderful people, many of whom I am pleased to call my friends despite living in different parts of the country. My syndicate (Syndicate 1) worked really well together, and our teamwork was brilliant, leading us to complete all three tasks in very little time (although that may also have been influenced by us having only eight cadets at some points, due to one cadet breaking his arm and another getting sick). The other two syndicates were no slouches either, as the whole course finished the coursework with plenty of time to spare, leaving time to watch movies and generally be a bit silly at the end of the week.
Coming away from this Junior NCO Course, I feel my confidence has improved tenfold. I now better understand the principles of leadership, presentation, drill instruction and squad handling, and feel I have acquired a new set of skills pertaining to being a good JNCO. I look forward to applying my skills within the unit as best I can in future.
