Teamwork Using Initative Exercises?

Q: Leadership and Teamwork are best tested (IMHO) in the 'field', out and about, doing the job. The easiest way to do this I find is the 'Green Stuff'. A weekend exercise, section of 8 cadets, JNCO, 2 i.c. etc your mission is to "Gain information as to enemy disposition in order to etc etc etc". All good and fine. However we are the AIR Cadet Organisation. Apart from 'real' tasks, such as organising training, fund raising etc, what other 'Blue Stuff' can we do in order to test and provide further training for cadets and NCO's. Do we need to? Is it enough to provide training in leadership and teamwork using initative exercises? If we do that is it necessary for the team to complete the task? Are we just testing their ability to work together or their ability to cross shark infested custard with only two loo rolls and half a yard of para-cord? Any Ideas?

A: -The army cadets onced asked me 'why the hell do you do night ex's? You fly planes". I said we might get shot down, so we need to know what to do. So, that's what you say if they ever say anything. On regards to your actual question, I think that you are looking for the leadership in someone to do the teamwork together type stuff, and the initiative for the ideas. However, as you know, the NCO does not always have to have the best idea, he (or she!) could always ask others for a better idea. So, if you want NCOs with both Leadership and Inititive, then you want them to complete the init ex. - As long as it's possible, but then again having said that, just because someone don't complete a task, does not mean they are no good. -how about normal tasks that cadets do on the sqn? like allocate cadets in charge of cleaning or maintenance of something or a project. or teaching subjects such as drill. -do you think they did that on purpose?!

), but if they didnt work together, if leadership was non-existant, and if they didnt learn then the whole exercise was a failure (or was it? You showed that the subject does not have leadership ability or needs help!) Green stuff lends itself to leadership, and the cadets tend to enjoy it. Remember though, that is how the RAF help to show leadership ability, and many big companies use that sort of stuff for Team Building exercises. Also think about whether you could teach the theory of leadership - you learn it at ACTC. The only way to test it though is to give them a situation and stand back and watch how they handle it, debriefing at the end.