It all started on April the 11th 2015. We arrived at RNZAF base Ohakea before some of the cadets from the JNCO course from the previous week had left.
Most of the course staff seemed to think that it would take the students a while to break the ice and get to know each other, however most of the cadets on this Senior’s Course had also been on my Juniors, and those who weren’t had been on their Juniors Course with the others on this course, so most knew some friends right from the start of this course.
Unfortunately the weather in the middle of the week was pretty miserable but we weren’t bothered about that because one of the CPL’s from the Taupo unit had brought along a figure of Homer Simpson and we were all taking selfies with him for the selfie competition the course staff had setup on the Facebook page.
Towards the end of the week we had the Terminals (assessments). There were three of them in three days. It was nice to get them over and done with in just a few days rather than constantly having to do pre-tests to get the hang of what would be needed.
The highlight of the course for me was on the second to last day when we were paid a visit by Wing Commander Bruce Sinclair, the second highest ranking member of the Cadet Forces, just below the commandant. He came and talked to us about the new structure of the NZCF, but he also talked to us about how he sometimes has to discipline NZCF Officers. That really made me think of the responsibilities I will have to take on as a Senior NCO.
Overall I really enjoyed the course and I really hope I can get on an Under Officers course before I get too old.