Angus Malcolm – Bravo Company Commander

Angus has had a busy term indeed.  Along with Robson’s Charlie Dight, he was a director of the student-directed play (as mentioned in the Senior Boarding Housemaster’s report) and along with the remarkable Adrian Lai (pictured here with Angus), he was responsible for a wonderful production.  In addition, Angus was appointed as Bravo Company Commander in the Cadet Unit, and here he details the role, the journey and the rewards…

Bravo Company Commander – Angus Malcolm

Finally, after the long break – the Shore Cadet Unit is back on its feet again, ready to hit the ground running.  All the stirring excitement and anticipation of the year to come has arrived at last to provide a beneficial new experience for the fresh recruits.  Throughout all of Term 2, Junior and Senior cadets have been working rigorously in online promotions courses, to improve their leadership, teamwork, competency, and communication skills to achieve a higher level of command within the Unit.  This year, I am honoured to be appointed to the position of Bravo Company Commander, in charge of leading and coordinating a Company of Corporals, Sergeants and CUO’s to give my Cadets the greatest possible experience, to grow in courage and leadership through Army-based learning and structure. 

What does a Company Commander do?

While I’m responsible for is a whole range of things within the Unit; the main things include planning and implementing the autonomous training for Cadets, providing a vison for my people to follow, giving speeches to inspire Bravo and meeting and planning with RHQ (the top dogs) to prepare and organise for future activities.  On a regular Cadet afternoon, you will see me addressing the entire Company giving some admin and logistics for the day, working closely with my CSM to ensure cadets are organised and well-behaved during lessons and activities.  Other times you might see me holding mini meetings with my Junior and Senior rank to check-in and ensure the overall running of activities is smooth. 

What did I do to get here?

Before I was appointed to this rank, I was a part of the SCU for two years, about to complete my third year.  First, I began as a recruit as everyone else and got a taste for what cadets is truly about – I decided I wanted to invest the next few years growing the Unit.  Next came the 5-day Junior Promotions Courses at Singleton, where I learned to lead a section (10 Cadets), teach lessons and hone in on other important skills such as navigation and giving orders.  After a year of leading a section of recruits through two camps and three terms of training, I underwent a term of Senior Leaders Promotions Course this year, which was difficult due to the online learning modules and activities posed by COVID -19.  Here, we learn to plan, organise and lead large groups of people, to implement a vision and become someone cadets can follow.  After this process, I have been trained well enough to be in the position where I am today. 

What is the most rewarding thing about this position?

By far the biggest privilege of being in this position allows me to see the growth in Cadets as they try things they have never done before, putting themselves in situations that push them out of their comfort zone.  In training, it is seeing Junior and Senior Rank teaching a group of recruits a lesson for the first time.  For recruits it is seeing them getting involved in team building activities such as obstacle courses, escape rooms and problems solving that helps them emerge into the future leaders of the Unit. 

I am hoping that for the rest of the year I can continue to give cadets the most enjoyable experience in Bravo Company that for Cadets will be proud of, while teaching them the core values of Cadets and building up skills in them that are relevant for their everyday life.