SO2 Cadet Activities HQ Support Command, Montgomery House Queen s Avenue Aldershot GU11 2JN

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1 SO2 Cadet Activities HQ Support Command, Montgomery House Queen s Avenue Aldershot GU11 2JN Bde Col Cadets Bde SO2 Cdts OCs CTTs ACF County Commandants CCF Contingent Commanders ACOS Civil Engagement ACOS Civil Engagement Telephone: Military Network: Facsimile: (role): Sp Comd HQ Sp Comd/Cdts/OpREFLECT 5 Jun 14 OP ORDER - CADET INVOLVEMENT IN OP REFLECT Reference: A. HQ Sp Comd OP REFLECT OPO 13/3 OP REFLECT dated 15 Jul 13. B. HQ Sp Comd OP REFLECT WNG O 002 dated 14 Oct 13. C. HQ Sp Comd/Cdts/OP REFLECT dated 6 Feb 14. Introduction 1. This brief has been developed to inform ACF County Commandants and CCF Contingent Commanders via Bde SO2 Cadets about the involvement of Cadets within the wider OP REFLECT. Aim 2. The aim of this Op Order is to detail the contribution of the CCF and ACF Cadets to OP REFLECT, the Army s approach to First World War Commemorations. Background 3. The mission of OP REFLECT is to mark the centenary of the First World War in an appropriate manner in order to commemorate the sacrifice of our forebears, learn enduring lessons and educate ourselves and others. 4. OP REFLECT will be structured along 4 mutually supporting Lines of Operation (LOO), underpinned by a comprehensive Army narrative: i. LOO1 Remembrance. Remembering the extraordinary sacrifice made by all participants of First World War. ii. LOO2 Learning Appropriate Lessons. Identifying and learning appropriate contemporary lessons while stimulating a wider debate on First World War and perspectives on it.

2 iii. iv. LOO3 Youth Activity. Using the centenary of First World War as an opportunity to engage with young people and focussing on Cadets and wider Youth. LOO4 Civil Engagement. Marking each anniversary in a dignified manner while cementing the Army s position in society and encouraging a wider debate on First World War and perspectives of it. 5. The contribution of the Army s cadets lies in LOO3 within Op REFLECT. Army Cadet Initiatives 6. Throughout the commemorative period ( ) cadet programmes are to include activity to improve understanding of First World War and its lessons. Within resource, the intent is to conduct appropriate battlefield tours to cap the wider effort to educate cadets. Wherever possible, lessons should be drawn from those elements of First World War with particular resonance for the relevant County, Contingent or region. 7. In response to this direction, HQ Sp Comd is developing the following activities to meet the requirement; a. Local Heroes (LH) Project. b. National Army Cadet Battlefield Studies (BS). c. Local War Memorial Adoption. d. Army Proficiency Certificate (APC) Syllabus development. Local Heroes Project 8. Cadets within Army Cadet Force (ACF) detachments and Combined Cadet Force (Army) (CCF(A)) sections will participate in an annual competitive project to research and present the stories of First World War heroes. Broad latitude will be given in selecting subjects to ensure a diverse blend is studied. The Task Sheet is at Annex A. 9. The competitions will take place at County and Regional Brigade level 1, with a media focus, highlighting not only the contribution of the heroes during the First World War but also showcasing cadets as strong youth role models. 10. Further information regarding competition format and proposed timings can be found at Annex A. National Army Cadet Battlefield Studies (BS) 11. Cadet BS are currently unfunded with approximately 40 tours undertaken annually, normally financed through personal subscriptions. Currently around 1200 Cadets are planned to take part in a BS this year, primarily focussed on the Western Front. In addition two National initiatives are being staffed but not yet confirmed. a. A national cadet battlefield study annually for 50 cadets (plus adult volunteers and SMEs) with selection being filtered at Bde level. Funding will be allocated to a group of Bdes (x5) one per year with which to deliver the BS. b. A Train the Trainer course to facilitate delivery of OP REFLECT focussed cadet BS. 1 For 2014 only, 2015 onwards it is anticipated to expand the Competition to National Level between winners of Bde Competitions.

3 Local War Memorial Adoption 12. Many cadet units assist community projects and it has been recommended that cadets engage with the local community to take responsibility of war memorial sites 2.Included in this are the graves of decorated First World War veterans who survived the War and thus their graves are not maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. 13. The ownership of many memorials is unrecorded and others are maintained by local authorities and other organisations. Work will be required by volunteering cadet units to establish ownership. 14. This initiative will provide; a. Focus for cadets within the community, b. Educational benefit where cadets research the background of the memorial, linking in with the LH initiative and APC Syllabus developments, c. A focus on each memorial that could raise concerns to owning authorities if major repair work is required. d. Reinvigorate the Nation s imagination through the commemorative period. 15. Whilst ACF detachments will be well placed to deliver this initiative, many schools have their own memorial, and CCFs could either focus on their own memorial, or 'adopt' a memorial in their neighbourhood. 16. Cadets are not expected to conduct maintenance work which is the responsibility of the owner of the memorial. APC Syllabus Development 17. Several of the above initiatives should enable Army cadets to gain accreditation towards the achievement of their learning objectives within the APC syllabus and wider youth qualifications. This will provide further incentive to cadets to volunteer for the activities. 18. For example, both the LH Project and Local War Memorial Adoption could qualify individuals within the Cadet and Community element of the APC syllabus and there is potential scope to adjust Military Knowledge subjects to incorporate an understanding of the First World War across all Cadet Qualifications. 19. There is also potential for accreditation within Duke of Edinburgh s Award Scheme Volunteering or Skills sections which is under investigation. Communication 20. Wider Briefing. HQ Sp Command is researching the potential to brief more widely, for example, at the Council of RFCAs and briefing to Commandant and Contingent Commander Conferences where they occur. 21. Points of Contact. SO2 Cadet Activities leads for Cadets Branch, focussing on Cadet Involvement within youth, cadet and civil engagement activities as part of OP REFLECT, 2 Specifically focussed on identifying repair and maintenance work in conjunction with the owners of the memorial (usually the Local Authority who are responsible for upkeep).

4 enquiries should be fielded up the normal chain to him via Bde SO2 Cadets who are the lead for the Local Heroes Project at Bde level. Summary 22. Cadet initiatives are developing. It is planned to issue the following in order to support their delivery: a. A Guide to conducting Battlefield Studies overseas for Cadets. b. A Guide to the Battlefields of the Western Front. c. A PowerPoint presentation which suitable CFAVs 3 may use as a tool on which to set the scene about the First World War and the Army to their Cadets. d. Research Guide, including sources and academic conventions to be followed for the LH Research Packs. e. An Army First World War website resource through the Army in Education website. 23. Further FRAGOs will be issued as required if there are changes to this Op O. DJ Puckey Maj SO2 Cadet Activities Annex: A. Army Cadet Local Hero Project Further Detail. 3 CFAVs with an interest in History especially the First World War, some background reading and knowledge will be needed to deliver the presentation effectively. Basic notes not a script will be provided.

5 Annex A to HQ Sp Comd/Cdts/OpREFLECT Dated 5 Jun 14 Army Cadet Local Hero Project Further Detail Competition Format 1. Forming into teams at detachment/section level, cadets will research a First World War Local Hero 4. This will be supported by research resources provided by the National Army Museum (NAM), Regimental Museum network and other online resources. 2. Teams will then present their findings to an ACF County-level panel 5, comprising County Commandant, a representative Contingent Commander, School Head Teacher, RFCA county representative, local community leader, e.g. Lord Lieutenant and County Army Benevolent Fund (ABF) representative. This will deliberate upon further team progression to the regional (Brigade) level. 3. Brigade level competitions will comprise of County/Contingent teams located within Bde AORs, with panels comprising Bde Comd, Bde Col Cadets, RFCA CE, Curator Regimental Museum, local eminent historian, community leader, and regional ABF representative. Brigade SO2 Cadets will be the primary POC for competitions under the direction of the Bde Colonel Cadets. 4. To minimise administrative costs, from 2015 National level competitions will be held within national boundaries of England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. It is proposed that judging panels at this level be formed of a Senior Lord or politician in a devolved state, CE ABF (x4), CE CRFCA (x4), CE NAM (x4), CE ACFA/CCFA (x4), GOC Sp Cmd (x4). 5. A Draft Task Sheet is attached. Proposed Timings Ser Period Activity Remarks 1 Jun 14 Launch Through Cadet channels 2 Jun - Aug Initial cadet research This could be at Annual Camps Sep County competitions 4 Oct Brigade competitions 5 Late Nov National competitions Note: no national competition in Year Dec 18 LOO3 ends 4 The definition of Local Hero will be sufficiently loose in order that any individual in the commemorative period who inspires the cadet may be researched. 5 CCF Contingents participating will compete within the ACF County within which the school is located.

6 LOCAL HEROES TASK SHEET. Appendix A to Annex A to HQ Sp Comd/Cdts/Op REFLECT Dated 5 Jun 14 OVERVIEW. You are to select a local hero who served during the First World War and produce a historical Research File on him, and prepare and give a 15 minute presentation on his experiences. LOCAL HERO. The officer or soldier that you select should have some link to you, this may be: Local town or village. Local Regiment. Relative of one of your presentation team and served in any Army. An individual whom you are already interested in learning more about. A member of a Regiment that you are interested in. RESEARCH AND PRESENTATION STRANDS. Your written file and presentation should follow the following guidelines, these are not intended to be prescriptive and are given to help get you started. You may cover the whole war for the soldier and are not restricted to the centenary year, i.e. not just 1914 in Background to the soldier before joining the Army, i.e. where he was born, schooling, family, work etc. When and why did he join the Army? Experiences during the First World War. Where did he serve, what did he do that was inspirational and noteworthy? Effects of the War on him. Did he survive, what did he do afterwards? What were the effects on his family? Lessons to learn from the soldier s experiences. The debt owed by the nation to those who fought. The enduring nature of leadership, courage and sacrifice. The importance and role of technology on the battlefield. THE RESEARCH FILE Produce in an A4 file the findings of your research. Any supporting original documentation should be a scanned copy, not originals (i.e. letters home, diaries). Refer to quotes using a footnote stating the source. Include a bibliography of all sources used during your research. Produce an electronic copy of this file, include a video of your Presentation. The file should be offered to local schools and museums.

7 THE PRESENTATION. Give a 15 minute presentation with 5 minutes to answer questions. You should rehearse this with a live audience, i.e. Detachment or School. Round 1, present your findings at your County competition. Round 2, if selected from you County Competition present at a Regional Brigade Competition. Format. There is no prescribed format, you may use any techniques that you wish, PowerPoint, video, living history, story telling etc. The venues will all have PowerPoint compatible presentation facilities. In addition to presenting as part of the Local Heroes Competition you should be prepared to give your presentation to local schools, youth groups and veterans groups if requested. JUDGING. Your presentation will be judged by the Panel on the following criteria: Historical accuracy of your research. Presentation and content, method of delivery. Lessons learnt for today and the future.