New appointments to Kent ACF

I am sure that everyone will be delighted to hear that a Brigade Promotion Board has confirmed the appointments of our two new Deputy Commandants, to succeed Lt Col's Pankhurst and Masters, who retire from their posts at Christmas 2012 and Easter 2013 respectively.

The first appointment will be Major David Steele, who will take up his post on promotion in January 2013. Major Steele is currently the County Training Officer in South East London ACF, where he has established an impressive portfolio of achievements for the Sector and its cadets and adults. One of his key developments and achievements has been the establishment of a formal association between the Italian Army Cadet Force and South East London ACF. This has enabled a large number of the Sector's cadets and adults to have the opportunity to train in Italy and for Italian cadets to train in the UK. I am hoping that this initiative may migrate over the border from London and provide our adults and cadets with similar opportunities!

Maj Chris Gilbert needs little introduction to the County, where he has an outstanding record of service to Kent ACF. Major Gilbert will take up his post on promotion on 1st April 2013.

Both Deputy Commandants will be taking up slightly re-defined roles and duties and line management responsibilities, details of which will be promulgated through the chain of command before Christmas.

The incoming RSMI, RSM Sullivan will be taking up his post at County Headquarters in December this year. RSM Sullivan has a bold vision to take the county forward over the next 3-5 years, particularly with regard to AI training and development. In this, he will be working closely with the incoming Deputy Commandant, the County Training Officer and the OC County Training Team.

The fourth new appointment is that of Lt Tara Yong as the next County Adventure Training Officer, to succeed Capt Mo Morris who retired earlier this year. Tara has an impressive record of delivering the AT experience in B Coy and will now be looking to expand this to the County as a whole. Finally, Lt Mark Johnson will be taing over County wide responsibility for CVQO awards for cadets and adults in the new year. Lt Johnson has lately been serving with B Coy.

I know that all adult members of Kent Army Cadet Force will support all the newly appointed adults and work with them to develop and enhance the opportunities that we able able to offer our cadets.

New Honorary Colonel

I am very pleased to be able to confirm the appointment of Colonel James Partridge TD DL as our new Honorary Colonel, to succeed The Viscount De L'Isle MBE, who retired in the summer.

Col James Partridge was commissioned from Cambridge University OTC into the Royal Artillery in 1981, serving with 100 (Yeomanry) Regiment, which he commanded for two and a half years, until 1998.  Since then he has held several staff appointments, including TA Colonel, Royal Artillery and Deputy Commander 2 (SE) Brigade.  His last active post was in Reserve Forces & Cadets Division in the Ministry of Defence, where he sat as the Reservist member on the Cottam Review of the Reserve Forces.  He is a Solicitor of the Supreme Court and practises in Tunbridge Wells.  He has two grown up children and lives just over the County border near Crowborough.  When time permits, he is a keen walker and dinghy sailor and enjoys touring in England and France.

It is my intent that OCs invite Col Partridge to a weekend event, certainly well before Annual Camp 2013, in order to give him the chance to meet Officers and Adult Instructors and to see cadets undergoing training.