Weekly PMT – Professional Military Training – 26 March 2014
1st Year Class:
This week for PMT, the First year class went on another rucksack march around the peninsula. This rucksack march was the third so far for the First years. Participating in these marches provide the first years with the opportunity to practice the skills that will be required from them on BMOQ this summer and in some cases, further trade specific training. As the First years complete more rucksack marches in the future, they will increase in length and duration, allowing the first years to properly prepare for what they will have to complete this summer.
OCdt Kevin Snee
27074
9 Sqn
***
2nd Year Class:
The parade square was full on Wednesday morning for the 2nd year PMT as the 2nd year flights of each squadron practiced rifle drill. Although it was a cold morning, and the parade square was quite busy, that did not stop the cadets from reviewing their drill, which is necessary before the graduation parade in May. After getting rifles from the vault, the second years took turns acting as flight leader, calling drill in sequence in their section of the square. After going through as much as they thought was necessary, a new leader was chosen to call the drill. The session passed by quickly this way, as the drill was less repetitive. Calling drill is also a good review before summer course for cadets going away for training. When the review was complete, weapons were returned and the 2nd year class went off to prepare for their classes.
OCdt Alexander Gorman
26852
6 Sqn
***
3rd Year Class
The focus on this week’s Third year PMT was on officer and NCM relationships in all three elements. Since I am a Naval Cadet I was able to sit in on a lecture with PO Levesque and Lt(N) Medeiros, where the two told us of their personal experiences in the Navy. Among the numerous personal stories they told us, they made sure to emphasize the importance of professionalism on the part of officers, and the importance of how the decisions we make as commissioned members of the military have an effect on our subordinates, and the general environment where we are operating. They explained the differing perceptions that a NCM can have between an officer who is an RMCC graduate and a Direct Entry Officer, and how that can have an effect on officer-NCM relationships. Overall it was an insightful lesson which offered us the opportunity to hear experienced military members offer us their advice on how officers should conduct themselves professionally.
NCdt Jeffrey Vey
26343
9 Sqn
***
4th Year Class
When one find’s themselves seated in front of a panel full of CWOs and CPO1s, there may be cause for alarm. This week’s PMT session saw all 200+ 4th year cadets in this very situation – however it was arguably on much more agreeable terms. The CWOs address has become a much appreciated and (most would agree) useful PMT session. This address allows us, soon-to-be-minted junior officers, to pose questions to a panel of six Chief Warrant and Petty Officers; effectively tapping into a combined 150+ years of CAF experience, no questions were dismissed as the class of 2014 readily sank its teeth into knowledge that should prove very useful in the coming months and years. As the session came to a close, an audible sigh of disappointment could be heard escaping the mouths of my classmates – I believe that alone speaks for the appreciation we have for these decorated CAF mentors. A sincere thank you from us all!
OCdt Colin Strong
25982
7 Sqn