Attending the International Mountain Leader [IML] introduction week with Head Quarters Air Cadets [HQAC] this year was a great experience. We were in France for a total of six days situated in the beautiful Alpes Maritimes, Mercantour National Park. Each day was spent in the mountains, gaining knowledge of a variety of alpine environmental factors including interpretation of the weather, flora and fauna, group management and navigation.
Due to the local climate, each day required an early start as weather conditions were diverse in the challenges presented, offering clear sunshine and 30 deg. + temperatures in the morning to heavy rain/thunder in the afternoon toward the latter parts of the week.
The group progressed smoothly through each day, each participant enjoying the environment and the teaching and learning atmosphere of the course.
Having taken time to acclimatise consistently in the alpine environment, focus was very much on specific skill sets required in that environment. Days were spent looking at alpine navigation which was far different to our experience in the UK. Time spent appreciating the map was converted into assessing the terrain ahead and this led to more decisive leadership/route finding amongst the participants in the group. We also recapped safety techniques whilst looking at the full range of the IML syllabus. It was also clear that the flora and fauna knowledge forms a large part of the mountain experience and that leaders need to continue to develop their knowledge pool alongside their ability to lead and inspire.
The group were introduced each day to new challenges eg. using fixed equipment and the parallel challenges it presents to the leadership of groups. It demonstrated how different leadership approaches were necessary to mitigate the risks involved and how those being led need to be inspired to complete challenging tasks.
Each day was followed by reflective discussion allowing candidates to evaluate alternatives alongside their original plan. This provided a constructive environment for learning and ensuring that candidates took away knowledge and experience to empower their decisions in the future. Having challenged personal goals, inspiring leadership development and exposing future leaders to new environments and challenges certainly met the aims and objectives of the expedition. The candidates attending the course certainly committed to use this knowledge in the future to lead their cadets into new eye opening environments creating an inspiring programme for all members of the air cadet organisation.
Benefits of attendance:
2nd Lt Fairnington (93 DF & Matravers School CCF)
The course was excellent, I found it insightful, developmental and encouraging. Everything was geared toward challenging our leadership, from decision making, route planning and group management this course invited and encouraged you to think beyond that.
During the course we were challenged to make decisions constantly, myself and those on the course gradually adapted to the environmental variations from the UK. Through guidance of some very qualified and experienced tutors, we were introduced, challenged and guided through this process with our tutors being supportive and this allowed us to develop our own ideas and methods alongside introducing specific techniques. I can confidently say, this course has instilled in me the belief that running overseas expeditions for my cadets can be a reality.
The route planning aspect was great and something I felt was beneficial to all expeditions not just those overseas, we were required to make dynamic route choices whilst out walking. This developed our instincts and put into context how important our preferred leadership styles are to this environment,
I return from Exercise Mercantour 2016, feeling inspired to provide something unique to my cadets and develop my leadership skills further by undertaking the International Mountain Leader Award. Whilst I had been contemplating this and other ideas about developing my leadership ability prior to the course, I am now fully convinced that this award and delivering international expeditions are the best way forward.
Summary:
The week aimed to introduce, practice and promote the use of basic alpine expedition techniques to develop leadership, planning and judgement in staff and young people within the Air Cadet Organisation.
Our aims and objectives for this visit were met in full and in my case as the organiser far exceeded my expectations. Participants definitely stretched their personal comfort zones both physically and mentally.
Thanks once again to Ulysses Trust and to the RAF Charitable Trust for making this course possible.
SqnLdr Chris Conley RAFVR[T], Expedition leader
