Narratives and Interviews
(reproduced with permission from Captain
Kaylan Schwarz)
Outline for today’s session
O Overview of Narrative requirements
O Activities – brainstorm ideas to assist with
writing the narrative
O Interview process
O Important info for reference, to be emailed
O Request Transcripts
Narratives
O Word Count: 500-600
O Spacing: 1.5 or double-spaced
O Font: 11 or 12 point, standard business font
O Plain white or cream paper
O Rank, given name, surname, and squadron
at the top of the page
O Signature at the end of the narrative
Evaluation
O 50% for understanding of the course content,
projecting the value/usefulness of the course to
themselves and their squadron, and articulating
their desire to take the course
O 25% for accomplishments as a cadet
O 20% for extra-curricular activities of the
applicant, particularly those that relate to the
training and qualifications provided by the
course
O 5% for presentation and special merit factors
Narrative Outline
(Hand out Sample Narrative)
O Why do you want to attend the course you are
O
O
O
O
applying for (not just that you are interested…what
inspired that interest in the first place?)
Who you are as a cadet (accomplishments, extracurricular activities, position, approach to leadership)
Who you are outside of cadets (extra-curricular
activities, interests and hobbies, what parts of your
personality you most value)
How the course will benefit you and the squadron/Air
Cadet system.
Future plans (relate them to course if applicable).
The Take-Away
O The goal of you narrative is to communicate a
sense of who you are.
O Put yourself in the position of your reader. There
will be hundreds of applications for any given
course…how will your message be memorable?
O Activities are designed to allow you to brainstorm
the specific content of your narrative during this
session.
Weak Narrative
O Paragraph 1: A typical statement:
O “I would like to attend the Power Pilot scholarship because
my goal is to become a pilot.”
O Why is this considered weak?
O It’s no different than anyone else. Everyone who is
applying wants to become a pilot.
O It doesn’t give readers a window into who you are.
O Instead, tell your story:
O Invited to the cockpit as a child and was captivated by the
vast blinking control panel.
O Great uncle was a helicopter pilot and would give cadet a
flight in a Griffin for each birthday.
Activity 1
(paper and pencil exercise for paragraph 1)
O 60 seconds of quiet reflection.
O Why do you want to attend the course you are
applying to?
O Go back to the source: What is your first memory
of flight? When did you decide you wanted to
become a pilot?
O Think in detail, think in senses.
Weak Narrative
O For Paragraph 2: A typical statement:
O “I have obtained the rank of Sergeant. I am in Level Four.”
O Why is this considered weak?
O This information is already in your application form. Instead,
highlight extracurricular involvement (active member of the drill
team), position (Flight Commander) or your approach to
leadership.
O For Paragraph 3: A typical statement:
O “Outside of cadets, I like to play sports and read.”
O Why is this considered weak?
O This information is vague. What types of sports do you like to play?
What kind of books do you like to read? Give specifics: I am the
goalie for the Richmond Green Hockey Team. I enjoy reading
Japanese manga comics.
Activity 2
Venn Diagram handout – pencil and paper exercise
O Personal Mind Map:
O Who are you as a cadet? (accomplishments, extra-
curricular activities, position, approach to
leadership, why you joined, what you love most)
O Who are you outside of Cadets? (extra-curricular
activities, interests and hobbies, personality
characteristics you most value, your future plans,
your passions in life)
O This is a brainstorming exercise. There are no right or
wrong answers. Do not filter your thoughts, just write
them down.
The Give-Back Statement
O Summer training is a considerable
investment in you. It is important to show
that you are not just ‘taking’ the opportunity.
O How might your specific summer training
opportunity allow you to contribute to the
squadron or the Air Cadet program? What
specific applications does your knowledge
have?
Activity 3
O Group Brainstorm – Paragraph 4
O How might this course benefit the squadron
or Air Cadet program?
Questions???
Interviews
O Who: A 2 or 3-person interview board
normally comprised of Air Cadet League
members, Detachment personnel, and CIC
Officers.
O Length: 12-15 minutes.
O Process: Enter facing the Board, wearing
headdress, and salute. Wait until you are
offered a seat. You may remove your
headdress while you are seated with the
Board.
Evaluation
The panel will be asking themselves:
O Does this cadet really want this course?
O Does this cadet understand the course and
the mental and physical commitment
required?
O Course graduates have a responsibility to
their squadron to set an example for junior
cadets, and to provide leadership and
instruction. Is this cadet aware of this
obligation?
Evaluation
You will specifically be marked on…
O Attitude, Motivation, Knowledge and Interest
O General Knowledge
O Dress and Deportment
O Self-Expression and Self-Confidence
Interview Hints
O Prepare, prepare, prepare…
O For factual questions, ensure you have memorized
the correct answers.
O Suggestion: Schedule a fact checking social
gathering among all applicants. Bring laptops or
smartphones. Divide questions and share answers.
O For self-knowledge, ensure you have reflected on
what you might say.
O Personal questions can be the most challenging. For
example: “Tell me about yourself”
Interview Hints
O An easy way to gain (or lose) points: uniform and bearing.
O Know your audience (whole section of questions on the Air
Cadet League and Sponsors)
O Don’t make your interviewers ‘pull teeth’ – elaborate on your
answers fully. (For yes or no questions, do not simply answer
yes or no)
O Don’t be afraid of silence. Take a moment to consider your
answers if you need it.
O What if you do not know the answer?
O Other hints???