The New Intermediate Command Communications Module
(or old External Studies Writing Skills Course (ESWSC))
Command and Recruit Training Squadron's current recruit course. Image 1. WN-08-0037-15-tn.jpg.
By Mr Robin Stanford, *Education Officer
The External Studies Writing Skills Course (ESWSC) was designed to equip junior officers with the ‘staff’ skills necessary firstly as a senior FLTLT and more significantly, as a SQNLDR.
These ‘staff’ skills include the ability to rapidly, efficiently and effectively research, analyse, select, organise and communicate information, often of a technical nature, to enable safe and effective decisions to be determined by senior Service personnel and policy makers. As their decisions are often either far-ranging or hold a key significance, it is essential that the research and analysis on which they are based is robust and impartial.
The quality of the staff work executed by our officer corps directly impacts on the whole of the RNZAF. It is an area where we are particularly respected by our colleagues in our sister services. It has been the quality of that staff work and the officers producing it that has supported our growth and development and provided us with the exciting opportunities that lie ahead over the next ten years. However, as with everything else, this course does not exist in isolation. It is influenced by changes in society at large, our developing culture and values, and the career growth and aspirations of Service personnel. In response to the anticipated demands of the introduction into Service of cutting-edge technology over the next ten years, and in support of the RNZAF Strategic plan, the ESWSC has been examined to determine how it might better meet the needs of the individual, unit and Service at large; in other words can we eliminate waste and can we more effectively support course members in their career development and aspirations? This philosophy, encapsulated in the concept of ‘Building People…Enabling Capability’, is embraced across Command and Recruit Training Squadron and began with the revision of NCO Training, continued with the review of officer training and is reflected in current recruit training.
Command and Recruit Training Squadron's current recruit course. Image 2. WN-08-0037-16-tn.jpg.
Previously, the ESWSC was based very effectively on a developing scenario in which a junior officer may find him/herself embroiled. Such scenarios included the organisation and review of such things as air events (a balloon festival) or the review and selection of equipment (GPS). All scenarios demanded that course members should not only develop their research and analysis skills in a robust way, but also develop their command of the English language and ADFP 102 and its NZ Supplement.
However, in recognition of the extensive deployment and intensive employment of many junior officers and in conjunction with the sharpening of officer training, the ESWSC has been modified with the expectation that it will better meet the needs of the individual subject officer, the unit and the RNZAF at large. It will also sit more effectively within the new Officer Training continuum as one of the key Intermediate Command Modules, and consequently has been renamed as the Intermediate Command Communications Module (ICCM).
To this end, junior officers will no longer complete a ‘course’ but each applicant will commence and complete training at his/her own pace and time. Whilst a notional window of one year for completion of training from start to finish will be imposed, officers will be able to climb on board and disembark according to their own and the Service’s demands, although successful completion will remain a pre-requisite for promotion. Thus, deployments will no longer derail an officer’s opportunity to complete study nor force recourse.
Furthermore, instead of officers investing significant time and effort into a fictional scenario, they are required to select a project of interest to themselves, of benefit to their unit and of interest to the Service as a whole. These projects are required to be in support of the RNZAF Strategic Plan. The final assignment is a defence paper which, if of sufficient merit, will be forwarded to the RNZAF Innovation Scheme (RIS) Enabling Team, as indicated in AFO (T) T101-07. However, it should be noted that it is not a requirement of the RIS that submissions should be in the form of a defence paper. That scheme has its own very effective and user-friendly process to ensure that unnecessary barriers are not placed in the way of innovation. We are simply seeking to ensure that good ideas that are effectively researched as part of the ICCM do not fall on stony ground. Moreover, I foresee the potential for ICCM course members to submit their initial ideas through the RIS for evaluation at the very outset of their course as a vehicle for ensuring maximum fruitfulness although this is clearly not a requirement.
Consequently, Flight Commanders gain a much more significant hands-on role in supporting and developing their junior officers. This is partly in terms of access to training, partly in ensuring that topics are of a suitable calibre, and partly in terms of coaching and mentoring opportunities. Although the ICCM will continue to be a self-study, self-tutoring course, there are opportunities for Flight Commanders to invest in the training and development of their subordinates, and it is my role to actively support both the course members and the Flight Commanders. My goal is to support individual course members towards successful graduation.
In this way, officers, units, and the Service at large should benefit from the interest and passion of junior officers undertaking effective research in support of the growth and development of the RNZAF Strategic Plan. This in itself supports the Strategic Plan through elimination of waste and increased effectiveness. This new approach was piloted during 2007. Officers who graduated from that course are to be congratulated on the calibre and breadth of their work. They have set a good standard for those who follow in their footsteps. It is now time for others to Step Up.
* Mr Robin Stanford is a civilian education officer employed at Command and Recruit Training Squadron. He has extensive practical experience and academic qualifications in education and training including 13 years as an education officer in the RAF.