Practicing command tasks?

Anyone got any ideas how you can practice command tasks? It seems out of everything at the RCB,OASC and AIB this is the hardest to prepare for.

Reply 1

GritChimpMk1

Its not really that hard.

These step's should help.

1. Listen to the brief, take notes if allowed
2. As any questions that pop into your head or if you want to clarify something.
3. Examine the equipment, think of possible solution.
4. Once you have a solution call your team over, explain situation, mission and how you think it should be completed it to them.
5. Ask for opinions, praise where it is due. Ask confirming questions (ie how long do we have for the task). Appoint people to tasks (2 i/c, time keeper etc)
6. Implement your plan, as a leader your job is control, do not try and lift every plank or tie every knot.
7. Continue to assess your situation. Think of how to improve. If someone is stepping out of line correct them (remember you are in competition for a place at Cranwell/ Sandhurst/Dartmouth), repremand gently though (dont ball them out hardcore)
8. Praise team members if its going well, by name.
9. If it all goes wrong ask for ideas how to improve it.

Got my through Junior Leaders leadership course and Frimley Park leadership course.

GCMK1

Reply 2

StaVix

Well.. from someone who failed dismally on the command tasks first time round and set out with that exact aim I did all of what GCMK! says except... to add, looking at the problem backwards sometimes the solution is more apparent.

You need to practise beiong assertive even if you havnet a clue what to do, stay in control, dont let other team members take over. I found that standing aside slightly and telling (not asking) ie A4 and A5 put that plank on the barrels A6 you go first etc...
First time I hung round on the periphery... big mistake... get involved even if it is not your lead, hold planks, balance on stuff carry the china etc etc.

HOwever although there are techniques for command tasks it does styrongly reflect on yopur personality and leadership potential. But do not dispair as the more you do the better you get, try the local cadets, any mates in OTC's UAS's who have commisionning briefings. Get your mates/family members together etc andf order them aroiund! Some people will argue that there is nothing you can do to change the way you operate in command tasks but this is total BS confidence, self belief and even if you totally screw up as a certain nameless poster on here who was on my board did, you can still pass! :wink:

¬_¬

i was really worried about my command task at rcb because i had never had to think on my feet like that before. You get 2 mins to come up with a plan and the first 30sec i just couldnt think of anything. but slowly it comes to you! im sure you will be fine. just remember the whole "sense of urgency" thing.

Reply 5

StaVix

Schleigg

¬_¬

at least it was done with style

Reply 6

Schleigg

and flair, you forgot the flair :P

Reply 7

TheEsoognom

Six Command Tools;

Planning

Briefing

Controlling

Supporting

Informing

Evaluating

I'll add the rest of the details into the headings when I find my sheet, just spent three weeks running a command task stand at a brigade camp for ccf kiddies.

Reply 8

sapper

hi have you got any ideas or where i can get any ideas for command tasks, i need to plan a few for a course i am doing at college.

Reply 9

mark1010

Get involved with the Air Training Corps if you can (maybe the other youth groups too - i was only in the ATC so couldn't comment). Certainly our squadron always seem to be running this sort of activity, not with all the kit OASC has, but the way of tackling them is the same and you can certainly make your own shark infested custard!

Mark