RAF Admin (Training) Officer Flt Lt James Tenniswood is currently serving at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan in the Joint Theatre Education Centre. This is a joint education unit, providing learning, development and welfare to all UK servicemen based at Kandahar.

Out in Afghanistan, James is busy teaching GCSE Maths and English courses, basic literacy, basic skills and Defence Electronic Learning courses. Normally back in the UK at his Force Development Squadron, James oversees personnel development, but out in theatre, he is training servicemen of all ranks the important training required. James said “It is really rewarding to see people improve their education during their time here on deployed operations”

James, who is in theatre for a 4 month tour, is looking forward to getting the centre Defence Instructional Techniques (DIT) accredited and hopes to roll this out the detachment at RAF Bastion. “It is the soldiers in particular need to keep up with their promotion courses whilst they are in theatre.” he explains. “They fit in their studies in and around their patrols, and when they get any down-time.”

Working with different Armed Forces and nationalities has been highly challenging and unique. On being prepared for his role James said “the training you receive prior to deploying really prepares you for what to expect at Kandahar…”

James, aged 31, joined the RAF 8 years ago following study at Hertfordshire University where he studied Astro-physics! He then went on to complete his PGCE prior to joining the RAF as an Admin (Training) Officer. James was keen to deploy on operations due to the unique challenges presented and to get the opportunity to teach a wide range of personnel.

Image 1:  ( Larger size) Flt Lt James Tenniswood and SAC Darren Gledhill prepare for their next lesson.  Photograph:  RAF.