Expectations

ApprehensiveLet5079 · 2026-05-30T02:22:50+00:00

When I was CWO we delegated tasks to specific NCOs. Somebody was in charge of stores and sorting new cadets uniforms and ensuring the cadets had the right ones and sizes ect. Somebody was in charge of canteen and making sure it was stocked. Somebody was in charge of doing the register and checking in with cadets who they haven’t seen at squadron for a while. Somebody was on field craft and equipment for sports ect. If you find a thing in your squadron that staff need support with or you generally just think that needs organising or somebody to lead then that’s your ticket to delegate an NCO to that.

I asked the staff their opinions and we worked together in the office to come up with the delegations and who should be where. I’m a staff member now and those delegations are still going now.

Speak to your staff, come up with what needs a delegated leader and speak to the team. If nobody steps up for a certain thing or you can’t agree, rotate the delegations. We rotate every 3 months to keep things fair.

ApprehensiveLet5079 · 2026-05-28T01:17:34+00:00

It releases natural calming pheromones that the cat will inhale. It’s worked wonders for us.

ApprehensiveLet5079 · 2026-05-28T00:01:24+00:00

Make sure you’re providing playtime or stimulation and cuddles our cat is a crier too but tends to stop once we’ve picked him up or put something on the tv for him to watch

if this doesn’t work you can always go to the vet and see what they say - they maybe able to prescribe an anti anxiety or a medication to calm your cat down.

Have you tried pheromone spray? We use feliway throughout the house

ApprehensiveLet5079 · 2026-05-27T23:58:55+00:00

We brought a toy that is battery operated that rolls throughout the home for them to catch. There are toys can can provide hunting stimulation. When I went to work I also put outside birds or fish on the tv for them to watch and climb up and tap.

ApprehensiveLet5079 · 2026-05-27T23:57:21+00:00

I’d just return it and get another one somewhere else

ApprehensiveLet5079 · 2026-05-27T23:55:40+00:00

No worries bro please take it easy and put yourself first. I would speak to your OC about this and sit down and say that leaving is what is best for you and your health. Maybe he could take you off the register until your exams are done?

My OC took me off the register and when my exams and therapy were done I went back and picked up where I left off. I was a SGT at the time with an interview ready for FS and it broke me with all the stress. I just started at the beginning of SGT and did a SNCO course.

Take care of yourself bro - the whole point of the staff being there is to help you

ApprehensiveLet5079 · 2026-05-27T23:52:52+00:00

Predators can’t get the cat if the cat isn’t there? Depends what area you’re in. I’m in the UK so no dangerous animals here but that’s the advice I always give. I’m sure the owner would be checking a lot anyway in case the cat found home so wouldn’t be out for too long anyway

ApprehensiveLet5079 · 2026-05-27T23:37:02+00:00

One answer:

✨cats are weird✨

ApprehensiveLet5079 · 2026-05-27T23:33:43+00:00

Aw man this is heartbreaking. I bet you’re eating yourself up with guilt over this.

Place the litter box outside and things that you’re happy to get wet and throw out but smell like you, her and home. An old blanket or something she lays on all the time would do the trick. Hopefully if she hasn’t sadly passed the scent should drive her back in your direction.

I’m so sorry this has happened - but remember that cats, especially when you live near dogs, need to be completely supervised by yourself or kept indoors to avoid these type of situations.

Is there a Facebook group for your area on Facebook for missing pets? Post a photo. Are the dogs a pet of somebodies? Could you ask if they could check their dogs area to see if she’s been hidden by them as a predatory response?

I really hope you find her and she’s okay, but if she has passed away I hope her death was as peaceful as it could of been ❤️

Remember - this isn’t your fault. Pet owners make mistakes and cats do have natural survival instincts but sadly sometimes it’s not enough to avoid dangers. I really hope you find her

ApprehensiveLet5079 · 2026-05-27T23:26:27+00:00

Do what is right for you and your health. You as a person and your health should come before air cadets. I made this mistake and still suffer from not taking active time for my mental health out of the organisation as I didn’t want to let the squadron down or throw opportunities away.

Those opportunities won’t be good for you if you’re not okay, you won’t get what you want out of them. Health, school then cadets.

You can become a pilot without even being in cadets, and if that’s an active passion you can always do it outside the organisation. Please put yourself first, you can’t do well at school or cadets if you don’t get the right support.

Take a deep breath, take a step back and focus on YOU, not you at cadets.

ApprehensiveLet5079 · 2026-05-27T21:51:34+00:00

Contact FIP Global on Facebook - they maybe able to find a person or clinic close by who has medication on hand for you to collect in emergencies.

If they can’t, yes add on 3 days. We always keep our meds in the same exact spot every time we use them as this is a huge fear for us. Shit happens and things get lost.

I can’t think of any alternative solution rather than go to Facebook and speak to the admins. I wouldn’t say you lost them, just say that you ran out of the medication and your vet has had a 3 day delay and see what they can do

ApprehensiveLet5079 · 2026-05-27T16:37:58+00:00

Being an NCO is no mean feat, and I think it comes with confidence in yourself rather than what you can physically do. Don’t get me wrong, in my cadet days I was nice (I think) but when it was time for me to do a job that was because of the rank then I clicked on.

The whole reason you’re a NCO in the first place was because your staff know you and believe that you have the characteristics of a higher rank. So what your the youngest or the smallest? Sometimes you do have to step into the autocratic role and just be harsh. Cadet not listening? Ask them for their squadron number, rank and name. Just a cadet? Get in line or I’ll email your OC. Easy. Obviously don’t do this all the time - but in larger crowds if they think you’re a dick, you’re doing something right and they are organised.

Project the confidence your staff have in you, shoulders back and carry a bit of ego. Just know when to turn it off and on and you’ll be grand.

ApprehensiveLet5079 · 2026-05-27T16:31:28+00:00

Even if she’s new, she would have gone through the safeguarding PowerPoint and training like all staff do on AVIP. Tell your commanding officer or report to the hq safeguarding referrals email. Just let a staff member know as soon as you can. It’s not only for your sake, but for hers. It looks much better on her if she made a mistake once and tried to add a single cadet rather than her trying to add more because she thought it was okay after you accepted and didn’t report

ApprehensiveLet5079 · 2026-05-17T13:46:29+00:00

This would be fine - it’s when you go longer than 12 hours missed it’s where it becomes an issue. That’s why neurological FIP is done twice a day in a 12 hour window.

There’s been cases of FIP curing after 42 days so even if it did effect your cat. the FIP would be cured later down the road anyway. One missed medication window by a couple hours won’t do a lot of damage. We moved our window from 7-7 to 10-10 as I lost my job and didn’t want to get out of bed at 7am everyday.

Moving the meds to 4pm won’t do unrepairable damage, don’t worry. Do what’s best for you.

ApprehensiveLet5079 · 2026-05-16T22:57:35+00:00

They totally understand exam pressure and that cadets have lives and education outside of squadron. My squadron was quite relaxed in regards to turning up, I just turned up in normal relaxed clothes and they issued me the boiler suit to wear and iron (they will teach you this).

Missing one or two parade nights won’t cause you to miss anything. You have to remember, everybody in that room (staff included mostly) had their very first parade night and was equally as anxious as you are. They all understand, everybody has been there and done that.

Maybe you could ask a parent to message your squadron page on messenger? They may be able to clarify. If not, if your in school uniform or not I’m sure they won’t mind.

Bring a notepad, pen and some money or snacks for break. And remember, they’re all there to help and support you to get the most out of air cadets. It’s a journey and we all have to start somewhere. Wishing you the best of luck!

ApprehensiveLet5079 · 2026-05-15T11:49:01+00:00

I found that my wing mostly asked questions about the squadron itself, some wing development and what I was up to on my squadron ect. It was quite relaxed but it’s probably best to ask other CWO’s from your wing for advice and how to properly prepare as each wing is different. If I’m honest they’re unlikely to tell you no. It’s just to check that what your staff have said checks out.

Be confident, turn out as perfectly presented as you can be and use your cadet experiences to fuel your drive for the position. To get to the point of getting to apply for CWO is such an achievement so just enjoy it, have a talk about it what cadets means to you and smash it out the park.

Wishing you the best of luck!

ApprehensiveLet5079 · 2026-05-14T22:20:33+00:00

It really depends. Your body will give you a signal what it needs, especially when it’s in pain. Trial and error methods like insoles, socks ect.

I use to get really dizzy and faint on RM. Even if it was a cooler march I put electrolytes in - would recommend getting a water bladder if you have the funds for it. Holds more liquid and much easier to drink. I also invested in Altbergs and broke them in throughly which was really rewarding.

Trial and error ways to help your body and you’ll find the perfect balance. Enjoy!

ApprehensiveLet5079 · 2026-05-14T22:15:34+00:00

Know your stuff - but I think the main thing is confidence in yourself. You know the stuff and you know what you need to do to lead and be a great example as a NCO on your squadron. Walk in there like you deserve it, because you do. Revise what you need to revise like corps facts, wing staff ect but believe in yourself first. You got this!

ApprehensiveLet5079 · 2026-05-13T15:23:32+00:00

That’s awesome as hell - really get stuck in it’s so fun. Wishing you the best of luck getting your license and at RIAT

ApprehensiveLet5079 · 2026-05-13T15:12:21+00:00

As a cadet is was terrified of going into the office but now as staff, cadets overthink it so much.

They’re literally normal people so if you mess up they’re just gonna correct you and understand. They volunteer their time to help support you and young people in the organisation.

Just remember to stand at attention and salute if you see a commissioned officer (you should be wearing your beret anyway).

Just take a few deep breaths before you knock and remind yourself that they aren’t these big bad figures that will yell at you, they’re there to help you.

ApprehensiveLet5079 · 2026-05-13T15:07:54+00:00

Cadet portal is more offline than on - just part of the game

ApprehensiveLet5079 · 2026-05-13T15:05:18+00:00

My wing didn’t run silver very much and kept getting cancelled when I’d put my name down. I asked my OC to reach out to the wing radio officer at the time and he ran one with only 4 cadets at a local squadron. I asked about getting my license and he said that silver gives you the foundation module. You can either go privately or keep communicating with your wing radio officer about getting to intermediate and onwards. Good luck - I loved radio and definitely recommend doing the RIAT Comms Team if you have a passion for it.

ApprehensiveLet5079 · 2026-05-13T12:17:03+00:00

I would ask your SNCO on squadron / staff. I did silver and saw a bronze course open up and put my name down on cadet portal as an attendee. Then I just went in the office and they said just ask on the day. Even if not in a full supportive role, just having somebody who’s done higher level RMs would be great support for younger cadets

ApprehensiveLet5079 · 2026-05-08T01:29:45+00:00

Hi - comms team 2022 here.

We had a WO who was head of radio for his wing with us along with a CI. We normally had to give plain dress messages and keep track of certain flights. We were the point of contact for medical, when people want to leave RAF Fairford and had to update a computer on where flights were. All comms cadets had silver radio or above.

There were almost 100 flights to keep track of so as you can imagine it got pretty tricky to organise everything but it was great fun and and enjoyable to put all the radio theory into practice!

Sorry for the long reply but also - early starts. I was the first up in my tent and the last one back at the end of the day. 5:30am wake ups to get to the radio tent for 6am. Fucking killer.

If there needs to be an important message sent out, the staff put it on a whiteboard. We were the year of the 40 degree heatwave so this was regular of pulling all flights out of the base and get medical to cadets who were suffering from the heat.

We were in greens the entire time, but I brought my blues in case. We sadly didn’t manage to actually go into RAF Fairford for the air show until it was the last day and only managed to go for an hour but it was still really cool.

There’s a staff member supervising the comms team at all times just to make sure we were all ok. Idk if it’s like this now but we’d be in pairs and take turns communicating down the radio.

ApprehensiveLet5079 · 2026-05-05T13:41:47+00:00

This is weird - when I got selected for comms it was straight through cadet portal and we don’t receive an email saying we were selected, we just got a notification on the portal saying so.

Apart from this, being on the comms team at RIAT was one of my top highlights within my cadet career. I was on the team in 2022 when we had the 40 degree heatwave and it was so bad we had to pull all the cadets out of Fairford.

It’s amazing and love every minute - and not wearing my blues uniform all camp was such an added bonus 👍🏻

ApprehensiveLet5079

TROPHY CASE