Page 28 - Cadet ReviewAutumn/Winter 2020

CEY Wing ATC
CHANGE OF COMMAND IN CHALLENGING TIMES
By Wing Commander Aaron Waters
On the 1st March 2020 command of the Wing passed from Wg Cdr Steve Wiggins, who had held the post for over 16 years, to myself. Understanding the challenges that I faced and the responsibilities the appointment brought, I looked forward to the future with my head full of plans and ideas. Little was I to know that 17 days later, the announcement would be made that meant everything would change with
a stop to all face to face activity due to COVID-19 and the country wide lockdown.
As I took post my main aim and priority in my first few months as OC Wing was to bring a different approach along with a change of culture to the Wing, (especially within the Senior leadership group and which better suited my leadership style), and providing a direction for the Wing whilst ensuring that Cadets were at the forefront of what the Organ- isation and Wing did. With the change of command, it was important to build a team that complemented me and that provided differing views to ensure that
I found the best way forward to benefit those at the heart of our organisation, the cadets.
However, as the realities of lockdown started to take effect, my plan and ideas had to quickly be put on hold whilst we all learnt and understood the new world, we found ourselves in. Embracing the new technology (at least to some of us!) that was rolled out by HQAC, the Wing looked to provide support and help as required to Squadrons as they arranged
The new technology also allowed me to interact and brief staff across the Wing
virtual parade nights and online meetings that quickly became the norm.
Once the initial shock wore off and the Wing settled into the new routine, it was important that I still brought my vision, plans and ideas to the Wing. Utilising the Virtual meeting capabilities allowed me to meet with my Senior Wing Staff on a more regular basis ensuring that I could keep them updated in
an ever changing situation. As things settled down,
I was able to start implementing the changes to the Wing that I was looking for to bring a change to the culture of the Wing and allow us to strengthen our approach to meet the challenges we face now and in the future. The new technology also allowed me to interact and brief staff across the Wing ensuring that I got my message across to a greater audience than otherwise would be usually possible. Over the last few months using our new found abilities, we have managed to implement a slow but significant change in the culture of the Wing, one that will strengthen the Wing to meet the challenges we face now and in the future.
Leading in an organisation that relies on face to face events to one that can only meet on line has proven to be a challenge, one I believe that as always as an organisation we have faced and will become stronger because of. I would like to thank all the Adult Staff across the Wing for the ongoing support and enthusiasm in embracing new ways of providing opportunities for all our Cadets.
MY JOURNEY TO BECOME A COMMISSIONED OFFICER WITHIN THE RAF AIR CADETS
By Pilot Officer Helle McCollin
I became a Civilian Instructor within ATC at 1324 (Hawker Blackburn) Squadron in May 2014. Here I am 6 years later and I have achieved the rank of Acting Pilot Officer.
The commissioning process started with a paper exercise that I found a bit difficult to complete as it had been a very long time since I had to recall my school grades. I also realised that my leadership experience at a younger age was practically non-ex- istent. This created an element of doubt but I figured that my other life experiences outweighed my teenage years that I could barely remember.
Doubt can play a huge part in this process
but I decided that I would use this as a learning experience whether I achieved the promotion or not.
I attended an initial training course within the Wing to help identify the route into uniform I should take
Doubt can play a huge part in this process but I decided that I would use this as a learning experience
28 CADET REVIEW AUTUMN/WINTER 2020