The first Region Media and Communications Officers Course of the year has been successfully run at the Skyways Conference Centre, RAF Wyton.
Flight Lieutenant Ben Wilkinson delivers his Pearls of Wisdom to the receptive candidates
Fifteen volunteers from across the Central and East Region’s six wings of the Air Training Corps were in attendance. Cadets, uniformed staff, Civilian Instructors and Civilian Committee members all of whom were destined to become Squadron Media & Communication Officers (SMCOs) came together for the course at the excellent training facilities made available by kind permission of RAF Wyton’s Station Commander.
Covering all aspects of the media that a SMCO would expect to encounter, the one day course contained elements of Press Release writing, photography, Air Cadet Organisation branding, websites, Social Networking and Crisis Management.
The course invites, and receives, lively debate on many media related subjects as the course delegates absorb the information given. Practical Press Release writing helps the candidates realise their potential as well as giving the course staff an idea of how their imparted information is being interpreted.
Squadron Leader Allan Munns, Region Media & Communications Officer said after the course;“ It was good to see the enthusiasm shown for the subject from the candidates. It is hoped this will translate into the promotion of their squadrons in their local communities and further afield. It is realised that the SMCO role is usually yet another hat to be worn by our volunteers and the Organisation is deeply indebted to them”