Sections - Skills

Award Skills programmes are contained in the publication Programmes File, available from Award Scheme Limited This is an expensive item, and a distribution of one per Area / Company would be reasonable.

All programmes (updated) can be downloaded from the Award website

The following skills may be of particular interest to Army Cadets

Ceremonial Drill

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What is it?
The study and practice of drill, its use and history.
Safety Message
Cadets should only undertake practical drill sessions within their physical capabilities
Ideas/Aims
Cadets should select ideas from the list below according to their interest, and the length of the period of activity. During the course of the studies the cadet should be progressing in the Drill, Turnout and Military Knowledge syllabus of the APC (ACF). It is not acceptable for Ceremonial Drill to consist solely of practical sessions.

Make a study of services, such as the Armed Services, who require good drill to carry out their duties. Understand the significance of drill in training
Investigate the variations in drill between different services or Nationalities (e.g. naval piping aboard, national marching steps)
Investigate drill carried out in National Voluntary Youth Organisations, and note the variations
Recognise and name two military marches. Research composers, and dates.
Participate in Church Parades and other ceremonies such as Remembrance day, and research the history of the occasions and parading of flags and banners.
Study the history of uniforms, particularly ceremonial dress.
Study the history of the carrying and parading of Colours by the Army.
Study the bands and marching of non military organisations.
Research the format of, and if possible visit, a major event involving drill such as Trooping the Colour, the Edinburgh Tattoo etc.
Study the history of the Changing of the Guard, the Keys ceremony at the Tower of London or a similar event.
Be aware of the role of drill through history. If possible visit a site of historical interest i.e. Roman fort, Civil War Battlefield, First World War
battlefield and investigate the drill or battlefield tactics of the period.
Undertake an advanced drill practice such as Cane Drill, Sword Drill, Guard Mounting, Silent Drill.

Review/Assessment
Practical progress should be assessed by an Officer or AI approved by the County Training Officer to conduct testing. Studies and investigations may be assessed by a suitably experience person e.g. serving or retired Serviceman or woman, Military Historian, Military Museum curator, senior non commissioned ranks in other uniformed Voluntary Youth Organisations etc.

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Forces Insignia

more » What is it?
The Armed Forces have traditionally used badges to identify themselves, to record achievements and qualifications, and local connections. This is collectively known as Insignia, and includes cap badges, shoulder titles, flashes, regimental devices and qualification/skill badges.
Ideas/Aims
The Cadet should make a study of badges and other insignia, which should be built up over the period of involvement. As time permits other topics as below should be included.


Make a study of as many cap badges as practicable, with a sketch or photograph.
Know the official title, nickname if applicable, order of precedence and three major battle honours of the Regiments selected above.
Find out the date of the introduction of each badge, the Regimental devices, and where appropriate, the mottoes and names of the Regimental marches of the Regiments selected.
Visit a Military museum dedicated to at least one of the Regiments studied, and produce an account of the visit.
Develop a knowledge of the history of the headgear in one of Her Majesty's Forces from the beginning of the 19th century and produce either original
drawings or cut-outs of the headgear, showing how badges were worn.
Know the correct heraldic terms for the colours and metals used in the badges in the collection
Research the development of the uniform of one of Her Majesty's Forces to the present day
Study the history of a number of Regiments
Visit other Regimental or Military museums, and record details of the visit with sketches of some of the exhibits.

Review/Assessment
The assessor should make regular inspections of the collection and of notes kept of any other project undertaken. Assessment may be undertaken by any person with the necessary military background.

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Music - Bugles & Trumpets / Drummers / Pipers

more » What is it?
Learning how to play a musical instrument. The examples given are those likely to be followed by Cadets who are members of a Band or Corps of Drums.
Safety Message
Cadets should take care to read and follow any instructions on cleaning materials
Ideas/Aims
Cadets should select items from the list below appropriate to their ability and preference.

Bugles and Trumpets.

Have a high standard of turn out, and be able to keep the instrument clean
Be able to march well (not playing) carrying the bugle or trumpet in the right hand with the bell on front right hip, attention to be paid to swinging the left arm.
Be able to play the five notes of the bugle or trumpet.
Research the history and development of bugles and/or trumpets.
Be able to sound three single routine calls - e.g. 'Fall In', 'Cookhouse', 'Lights Out'.
Be able to play 'Last Post' and 'Reveille'.
Be able to take part in the bugle or trumpet marches
Carry out the bugle or trumpet drill movements as used in the Cadets unit.
Be able to sound 'Retreat', Tattoo 'First Post'
Be able to play as many as possible of the following calls: Orderly Sergeants, Double, General Salute, Dismiss, Fire Alarm, Warning for Parade (Half Hour Dress)
Continue to build up a repertoire of calls and tunes.

Drummers

Have a high standard of turn out, and be able to keep the instrument clean
Be able to march well (not playing) with drum slung and stick in the right hand. Particular attention to be paid to swinging the right arm.
Be able to beat 2/4 and 6/8 time) And be able to play a good three pace roll. (Side & tenor drummers)
Show good stick drill when playing at the halt (Bass drummers)
Be able to play ?off? beats in 2/4, 6/8 and 3/4 time, be able to beat a good seven pace roll and take part in six different marches as solo side drummer. (Side & tenor drummers)
Be able to march over prescribed distance (50m minimum) beating prescribed paces to the minute and show good stick drill with two sticks on the march. (Bass drummers)
Be able to play a good five pace roll and fifteen pace roll (Side and tenor drums)
Be able to demonstrate 'the Flam', 'the Drag' and 'the Paradiddle'. (Side drummers only)
Be able to demonstrate good stick drill, maintaining a good rythmic beat in quick and slow time while introducing 'stick twirling'. (Bass and tenor drummers)

Pipers

Understand care and handling of practice chanter. Simple hygiene
Be able to play the scale
Know what grace notes are and demonstrate them
Be able to play simple grace-notes combinations or doubling
Be able to play Taorluaths, Leumluaths or Crips
Be able to play four tunes on the practice chanter.
Staff notation - be able to name and play notes and grace-notes and recognise doubling
Be able to play 12 tunes on the practice chanter
Be able to play 6 tunes on the pipes
Have a knowledge of note values and be able to explain the writing of doubling. Able to read music
Know the correct procedure for holding reeds and removing joints.
Have a knowledge of general care and maintenance of bagpipes
Have a knowledge of tuning pipes and making adjustments to reeds
Have a full knowledge of staff notation
Be able to play slow airs, marches, strathspeys and reels on the bagpipes

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Military & Brass Bands

more » Aims

Play various simple scales from memory
Play their own part of 4 marches or tunes
Sight read a simple melody
Play more difficult scales
Play their own part in a slow march, a quick march and a waltz.
Sight read more difficult melodies
Be efficient members of a marching or concert band
Have a good knowledge of the elements of music
Know all the major and minor scales
Be able to assist in instructing on their own instrument
Continue to build up a repertoire of marches and tunes.

Review/Assessment Progress should be continuously assessed by the Bandmaster or Instructor. Governing Body/Organisation The Royal Military School of Music, Knellar Hall. The ACFA Band Committee

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Signalling

more » What is it?
Good communications is essential to a modern army. Signalling training involves learning the basic techniques used, and researching the history of signalling. There are Signals Platoons in many ACF Counties.
Safety Message
The use of radios involves electricity. Participants should be aware of rules for safe handling of any electrical equipment used, and supervised where necessary.

Ideas/Aims

Undertake basic signals training prior to the Signal Classification Test.
Understand the role of communication in the Army
Know basic voice procedure including simple radios nets and elementary call signs
Have a knowledge of radio equipment
Understand the importance of effective communications
Undertake further training and qualify in the Signal Classification Test
Research the history of the Royal Corps of Signals and their role in today?s Army
Have a knowledge of line instruments and field testing
Gain competence in all communications procedures
Learn more advanced radio skills
Attend a CCF/ACF Cadets signals course.
Begin qualifying as a Cadet Assistant Instructor in signals
Demonstrate an ability of instruct cadets up to the standard of the Classification Test.

Review/Assessment
Assessment should be carried out by a NCO, WO or Officer from a Signals Unit, or a suitably qualified Adult.

Governing Body/Organisation
Royal Corps of Signals ACF Signals Officer

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Skill at Arms and Shooting, which is not available in the Programmes File.

more » What is it?
This involves learning the skills of maintaining and handling weapons safely and competently, and applying that skill to target shooting. The range of weapons will be those which are currently approved for use by the ACF.
Safety Message
Rules for safe handling of weapons and the conduct of ranges is contained in the current edition of Cadet Training Safety Precautions. In particular no Cadet may handle a weapon unless under the supervision of a competent Officer or AI.
Ideas/Aims
Cadets should undertake activities from the following list appropriate to their ability and stage reached in the APC, and the length of the period of the Service.

Undertake Skill at Arms Training at basic and 1 -star level both theoretical and practical
Pass the 1-star Skill at Arms Test
Know the rules for firing on miniature ranges and 25/30 metre ranges
Be a second class shot with the air rifle or No8 .22 rifle as laid down in the current APC (ACF) syllabus
Continue Skill at Arms training at 2 star level
Pass the 2-star Skill at Arms test
Know the rules for firing on all ranges
Pass the GP Rifle grouping test as laid down in the APC (ACF) syllabus
Be a first class shot with the air rifle or .22 rifle
Continue Skill at Arms training at 3-star level.
Pass the 3-star Skill at Arms test
Pass the GP Rifle Test or the LSW test as laid down in the APC (ACF) syllabus
Learn the use of the Target Rifle
Pass the Target Rifle Test
Enter the ACF Cadet Hundred small-bore competition and obtain an average score of 80 on four targets
Enter the Montgomery of Alamein or Earl Roberts competition for the GP Rifle
Enter the Commonwealth Target Rifle Match or fire in the ISCRM at Bisley.
Enter other competitions such as:
News of the World
Country Life

Review/Assessment
Skill at Arms and shooting training and assessment will be carried out in accordance with the APC syllabus. The record book should be signed by an Officer or Adult holding a Range Management Qualification, and in the case of competitions, by the County Shooting Officer.

Governing Body/Organisation
ACFA Shooting Committee c/o Duke of Yorks HQ
Turks Row, London.
Council for Cadet Rifle Shooting (CCRS)
Derby Lodge, Bisley.

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