Summer holidays Cadet style

With the end of the school holidays fast approaching most teenagers have had many lazy days lying around the house.
LCpl Chloe Campbell gets to grips with map reading,LCpl Chloe Campbell gets to grips with map reading,
LCpl Chloe Campbell gets to grips with map reading,

This was not the case, however, for over 350 young people who had signed up for something that bit different, fun, action, adventure and the chance to meet new friends.

All members of the 1st (NI) Battalion, Army Cadet Force enjoyed a ‘summer holiday’ that was jam-packed with activities. The ACF is a youth organisation for young people aged 12 to 18 and in July they cadets went to Otterburn Army Training camp near Newcastle upon Tyne for a two-week adventure holiday camp, and among them were over 100 cadets from B Company which covers the Londonderry area.

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At around 7am the cadets arrived at Otterburn Camp, tired and ready for a full English breakfast. Everyone had the chance to get to bed for a few hours before they had to get dressed into their uniform and start the camp.

Cadet CSM Heather McKinley, of Drumahoe Detachment, receiving her Master Cadet Certificate and badge.Cadet CSM Heather McKinley, of Drumahoe Detachment, receiving her Master Cadet Certificate and badge.
Cadet CSM Heather McKinley, of Drumahoe Detachment, receiving her Master Cadet Certificate and badge.

The whole battalion gathered on the parade square where the Cadet Commandant, Colonel David Kane welcomed them and wished them a good and enjoyable time. During the parade the Cadet Commandant made a special presentation of a Master Cadet Certificate to Cadet Company Sergeant Major Heather McKinley (17) from Drumahoe and a pupil of Lisneal College. This is one of the highest achievements a cadet can attain.

The cadets were then split into different training companies depending on what stage of training they had reached. The younger cadets who were attending their first camp joined the one star training companies which were titled Talavera and Barossa. Next the cadets who were in their second year joined Waterloo and Mons Companies. Lastly the more senior cadets going for three star joined Namur Company and they would do much more advanced training than the other companies.

There were two other types of cadets at camp and they were the Senior Cadets who had already passed three star and were now about to take part in the Senior Cadet Instructors Cadre were they would be taught how to teach by members of 38 (Irish) Brigade Cadet Training Team so that they can go on and teach the younger cadets in their detachments at home.

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The other type of Senior Cadet were those who had already completed the SCIC and were now Cadet Instructors and they would assist the adult staff to teach the one and two Star cadets.

B Company Commander Major Sam Donnell said: “This is a great experience for the cadets. Two weeks away from their families with other young people of their age and meeting many of them for the first time. Some of the cadets are attending their first camp but others could be attending their final camp as they reach the upper age limit. They all live, train and enjoy free time with other cadets from all parts of Northern Ireland and many will remain close friends even after they leave the cadets.”

Cadets took part in fieldcraft, with the chance to camp out for 48 hours playing soldiers, which involved having to build a shelter, cook their own food with a 24-hour operational ration pack as well as carryout patrols and attack an enemy position. Other activities included target shooting, first aid, navigation training, expedition training and an adventure training package.

At Hawkhirst Scout Activity Centre, Kielder Water, the Cadets took part in adventure training which included kayaking, a zip line from a very high tower, archery and building a raft from planks, rope and some barrels which six cadets then paddled across and lifted it out of the marina. A spectacular place to train, Kielder Water was used by ‘the Dambusters’ for practice during World War 2.

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Cadet Colour Sergeant Jodie Spence (17), from Newbuildings, who is attending her last camp said: “The secret of a good and successful camp is good weather, good training, good friends, and good food and to top it off a good day out and I think we had them all despite the midges on exercise”.

The senior cadets were invited to a formal regimental dinner hosted by Cadet RSM Watson who was accompanied to the dinner by the Honorary Colonel Mrs Joan Christie who is also HM Lord Lieutenant of County Antrim and the Cadet Commandant along with other guests, senior officers and adult instructors.

For most people the thought of taking 350 teenagers away for two weeks might be a bit daunting, but the 110 well-trained adult staff took it all in their stride and made it a very enjoyable and a safe camp for the cadets.

When away for two weeks a few of the cadets get a bit homesick as it could be the first time away from home for them, but organisers have a couple of secret weapons in the shape of Padres Jack Moore and Kenneth Crowe, who are experts in dealing with the young homesick cadets and they soon have them getting involved to such a degree that they soon forget they were homesick.

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Cadet Sergeant Rebekah Mahon (17), a pupil of Lisneal College, who was a Cadet Instructor with Waterloo Company said: “Camp was great as a cadet instructor you get the chance to help the younger cadets and they really look to you for help and advice as well as making sure they turn up on time for their meals and parades but the bit I enjoyed was being on the obstacle course as it really tests you as an individual and as a leader.

“The cadets is probably the best thing I have ever done and I would recommend the ACF to all young people,” she said.

After all this hard work the cadets and adults all had the chance to let their hair down and have a day out to either Edinburgh or to Lightwater Valley Theme Park.

The cadets went home with many stories and new friends to tell their family about and are now looking forward to a tough, exciting and rewarding training year starting in September with many hoping to gain promotion and more qualifications.

For more information on the Cadets do or how to join the ACF log on to www.armycadets.com/1stNIacf