Method Of Instruction course

Method Of Instructions (MOI) course

What's is the method of instruction course?
MOI is a course created to train senior cadets who have completed the air cadet syllabus to be able to pass on what they have learnt while as a cadet back to the cadets at their squadron. And also to help relive pressure on staff with delivering the cadet training program.

What are the requirements?

• Must be at least 16 and a master cadet.

What does the MOI course consist of?
The MOI is made up 2 section, the first section is a day of training on how to plan a lesson, how to deliver a lesson and take in to consideration how people learn (so how to make lessons fun).

The second section is after the course, where have to go back to your unit and practice what you have learnt. Then when your ready and confident you will pass, get assessed by a wing staff officer or wing sector officer on your teaching skills. Once you pass that you will become a Instructor cadet and be given the yellow lanyard.

Top tip:

• Be aware that you are teaching a lesson not doing a presentation, while I done my course many others ended up delivering a presentation rather than a lesson, they didn't get good feedback afterwards.
• If your looking at doing the qualified aerospace instructors course (QIAC) doing this course before will give you a head start and lighten the pressure.

If you have any other questions please do ask.

polishes review

Over many years I have heard many different ways to polish your shoes and loads of technique's used. Now I am going to look at the different polishes and other similar products used to see what their effects on the shine of your shoes are!!!

Most if not all use black polish and apply in small circles. I have had family buy me different black polishes, I found the top quality polishes such as Kiwi black do a great job, whereas the cheap alternatives must have other chemicals that don't allow the polish to shine up and some times leave horrible marks on the shoe.

Black kiwi

Cheap brand

I've heard fellow cadets and service personnel use other products along side the normal black.

I've heard cadets use Blue or brown polish in the past. Mostly blue as it gives the shoe a deeper shine, probably give a hint of blue as well. I don't think its worth the hassle!!!

I have personally tried using a parade gloss on my shoes, there hasn't really been a noticeable difference in the shine, if not actually made a bit of a mess with it. But you may be able to get a better result than I did.

Regimental Gloss

I have used bees wax before on my boots, about 4 years ago. they are still shiny to this day. Again its use to add a deeper shine, your meant to do 2 layers black polish then 1 layer of bees wax. If you buy the bees wax that's in a block form you may need to melt it, the queens guards have a very good technique if you look on their site I believe it has the method written. Its probably worth buying the more fluid form that is more like polish. Again I don't think its worth the hassle but from my visits to London, the guards shoes are incredible.



Another wood polish which works the same as bees wax

I also see loads of those rubbish instant wax application bottles, they are good for your school/work shoes but as soon as the polish has dried I've noticed it goes dull.



Instant wax

If you want any advice on polishing shoes, or disagree with my advice on this subject please do comment as I would like to hear from you!

New Year

My first blog of the new year I thought I had better give some advice on what to achieve this year, mainly for cadets but the can be taken in to other aspects of life.

One of my commanding offices said to me the last time I saw him was to look for new challenge make sure you take your self out your comfort zone as it will be where you enjoy life the most. As cliche as it sounds, its very true! Since he said that I have been trying to over come my fears in life and try new challenges. I have always had problems with public speaking and tried to over come them by putting myself in front of groups of people. Now I am very confident and don't get nervous in front of people.

Try and set your self goals, aims or objectives. I have heard a few cadets want to get promoted, have that as their main goal this year, if this is you think about what you need to do to achieve this, whether it is to go on a JNCO course or SNCO course. Or even have a massive improvement on your uniform standards. what ever it, have those as your objective to help you achieve your aim of getting a promotion!

If you have anything you want to achieve in cadets but not sure what you have to do please, comment I will try to answer the best I can, and give you objectives.

I wish all my readers the best for this year and let me know if any of my advice helps. There's plenty more blogs that can help, so check them out as well.

Best wishes
Cadet Bloggs

Recognised Qualification's

As great as the Air Cadet Organisation (ACO) looks on your CV when applying for a job and even better when telling your interviewer all the incredible things you have achieved. On paper its harder for an employer to understand what you have done, but luckily the ACO working with CVQO and the Duke of Edinburgh award you can gain a few different qualifications open to cadets and even to staff.

I have been very fortunate, I have been able to achieve 8 civilian recognised qualifications, those being:

• BTEC in aviation studies
• BTEC in public services
• BTEC in music
• ILM in teamwork and leadership
• ILM in leadership and management
• Duke of Edinburgh awards bronze, silver and gold. <-The RAF love DofE 

Some of the courses have changed names since I did mine, but they have been great to add to the CV.

Before completing some of these qualifications I was in 2 minds, especially if the qualification wasn't completed within the time period you could face some charges (not sure if its the same now). But I am glad I did do them in the end, there wasn't a lot of work to do as much of the work had already been done, such as camps and NCO courses etc. 

All of the BTEC's and ILM's had work books (except the aviation studies as its apart of the cadet syllabus) these didn't take long to complete and are very straight forward. Could easily be done over one weekend!

I fully recommend to do as many as possible as it will help with any job you apply for, whether its civilian or in the military. It may even help you go through the promotion ladder faster.

RISE- ATC Values

This is one of my favorite things about the cadets, as an organisation we are here to develop young people, and imprint our values on all our members. These values I believe should not be just at the squadron they are life values that everyone needs to follow.

What are the ATC values?

The Corps' values are:

Respect

Integrity

Service

Excellence

Or for short RISE, to help you remember. there is another value which is the nonofficial value called leadership. The Royal Air Force also follows these values, so if you are joining the RAF knowing them will help you on your selection process.

Whats does each value mean?

Respect- You need to show respect to others, the environment, property and most importantly your self! You know how you want to be treated, so use that as the standard in which you act.

Integrity- Integrity is about doing the right thing, whether that's sticking up for a friend or telling the truth about what happened in a situation. Don't be the one to stand back and watch then afterwards wish you had stepped in. Do the right thing!

Service- Service can be interpreted as helping others and the community. or representing your squadron, wing or the Corps.

Excellence- Is doing the best you can possibly do! You should give 100% in everything you do. Don't coarse your way through life, put as much as you possibly can.

I'm hoping this short blog may inspire you in life and to be a good person.

One of my squadron commanders once said to me, "you will enjoy life the most out side your comfort zone and looking for challenges that will do this!"

A last tip I use the values in situations especially at the squadron, for example if cadets are late or unprepared, I would say its a lack of respect and doesn't show they are trying their best. It works great psychologically.  

Boots

In this blog I'm going to cover, how to polish boots and give some advice on which boots to choose.

How to polish your boots.

Polishing boots is a lot easier than parade shoes, with boots you could polish them within 5 minutes prior to parading and they will look good.

My polishing kit

When I polish my boots I use an old cloth, dip it in the polish and cover the surface of the shoe and welts. Then I get my soft brush and take off the polish until its shiny and also use a tooth bush (not my one to clean my teeth and I suggest you don't use your own too) which is to brush the welts and anywhere that I missed with the larger brush.


Getting the right boots for you.

Getting the right boots with very little experience and knowledge is really hard. Especially with such a large range makes it even more difficult! Since joining cadets I have had 3 sets of boots and seen loads of different types of boots used by other cadets.

The first boot I bought were patrol boots, you can get 2 types of patrol boots mine are full leather and there's another which has some breathable sides. These boots are really light and are very cheap. Unfortunately they aren't very good at keeping out the water, especially the breathable sided one's, many friends have complained about them and some have even tried to water proof them.

I have used bees wax on these boots which has kept them shiny for the past 3 years!!!

After my patrol boots started to fall apart, although they have lasted a few years and still look shiny, I was given some combat boots. I really liked the look of the combat boots as they have military style about them, but the ones I got were cheap, so had a few faults. But I am still using them and for the price they are very durable. The sole on these are solid practically unlike the gortex versions which is very bendy.

Combat Boots

I was fortunate to also be issued some RAF combat boots which were similar to my own but had a Geltex outer sole which doesn't like hot weather and will deteriorate quickly. I wore mine on a trip, where the weather was of a tropical climate and very dry. They started to crumble during the drip but they are well designed for the British weather and keep out the water.

RAF issue combat boots

I have used these mainly for field craft so they have taken bit of a beating.

I have seen small amount of cadets use Magnums and Altbergs. These brands are very expensive, with prices well into 3 digits. On the other hand the quality is second to none, I wouldn't personally go for the magnums as they look more like a boot designed for the police force but I heard they can be easily taken off with many of their boots have a zip on the inside ankle and that they are extremely comfy. I really like the Altberg design, for me its the stereotype military boot, its a shame they are so expensive otherwise I would definitely like a pair. They look comfy and durable which is the qualities you want in a boot as well as being water proof.

Overall I would suggest the combat boot (geltex sole) if you got a tight budget or if you have a bit more you can spend go for the Altberg.

If you have any questions or want more advice please ask. Or if you would like to add any advice please do comment below on this blog thank you.

Remembrance Sunday (hints, tips and check list)

Hello all, this blog contains hints, tips and check list so your ready for Remembrance Sunday. And hopefully will get you through the parade with out fainting.

First here's a check list for items of uniform you will require on the day. Make sure you have put effort into your uniform as its probably the most important day of the year and you want to look smart in front of the public.

Items of uniform:

1. Beret
2. Wedge wood blue shirt
3. Black Tie
4. Jumper
5. Brassard
6. (For Boys) Trousers and black socks
7. (For Girls) Skirt and tights
8. Parade shoes
9. Geltex/crisp packet (if weather is looking a bit dodgy)
10. And most importantly a poppy

Hints and Tips for the parade.

Make sure you have had a decent breakfast and make sure you have dehydrated, this will give you the energy for the parade. I've had many cadets faint even on a normal parade night due to not having a meal for some time. A chocolate bar doesn't count as breakfast!!!

If you didn't know its a military offence if you do not eat and it affects your work. 

i.e. faint on parade.

Next tip make sure your early, so you can help other cadets and crack on with a buddy-buddy check so your all looking on point for the parade.

Some times during the parade you will be standing still for long periods of time. This can lead to you fainting due to the heart slowing down and not enough blood being pumped to the brain. Here's a few tips, make sure you don't stare into space, instead look around keep engaged with your surroundings and with the parade. Try to move or rock on your feet this will keep the heart pumping and the blood flowing. Remember keep the movement small so you look smart.

My warrant officer always told us to move with in our uniform, unfortunately for girls, the boys could move their legs with in their trousers to keep that blood flowing. Girls you will have to think of something else.

Thank you for reading my blog, enjoy the parade, let me know if these tips worked or didn't work. I am sure they will, as I have yet to faint. Touch wood I haven't just jinxed myself now!