Last weekend, 65 cadets from the Combined Cadet Force attended Brunswick Training Camp for Winter Camp 24. Brunswick is attached to Pirbright which is where all new soldiers attend for their Phase 1 training after selection. This meant that our uniforms had to be extra smart with highly polished boots!
After a hasty lunch at school, cadets assembled outside CCF HQ at 1330hrs for what was shaping up to be an exciting and action packed Winter Camp! This year there were multiple packages offered including, RAF Part1 Syllabus, Army Range Packages, Joint Junior Non-Commissioned Officer Cadre, and Army 2* Syllabus modules.
Military dinners are always exciting as there is such a variety on offer at each meal time. A particular favourite this camp was the Full English Breakfast and Chicken Kievs. Friday evening saw First Parade led by Major Lacey setting out the expectations and training goals for the weekend before breaking down into our respective sections for evening lessons. The army section cleaned and Columnated their rifles before the range whilst the RAF section had lessons in map reading and symbols, grid references and land features. The JNCO cadre received their opening brief and had an introduction into Leadership. After the mandatory fire drill at the end of lessons we had some free time before lights out at 2230hrs sharp!
Saturday saw the respective sections continuing with their specific training objectives including firing the L98A2 Cadet GP Rifle at 25 meter targets for the first time by Army section recruits! A massive shout out to Cadet Xoel Barcia-Akande who achieved a 10 round grouping of 62mm at 25 meters. This was the best shot in the Army recruit Section.
The RAF section continued with the Part 1 syllabus, progressing through map reading assessments and Radio procedures including the Phonetic alphabet. Well done to the RAF recruits who achieved top scores in their Drill and turnout assessment meaning they have been awarded their Berets!
After a busy day there was a room inspection conducted by the Officers at 1930hrs sharp to ensure our rooms were kept tidy and in a presentable manner. The standards expected came as quite a shock for some of the recruits in year9 – I can’t imagine what their bedrooms at home are like! To finish off the evening we had our annual Quiz night, with rounds consisting of RRS CCF, general knowledge, military knowledge and geography.
Sunday saw the continuation of lessons for all sections on camp before we had final parade after lunch where promotions were made and a Summary of camp was conducted. By attending this weekend camp, it’s the equivalent of attending Monday nights throughout the whole year, so the cadets have been taught a significant amount of knowledge to lead the rest of the contingent.
Congratulations to the following cadets who were promoted over the weekend:
From Cadet to Lance Corporal:
⁃ T Clements
⁃ D Cross
⁃ W Hackett
⁃ A Nobis
⁃ K Nobis
⁃ L Ojo
⁃ M Omole
⁃ K Petkov
⁃ E Purcell
⁃ L Silvera
⁃ G Skelton
⁃ J Tindall
⁃ S Whitehead
⁃ B Yasothar
From Lance Corporal to Corporal
⁃ M Graham
⁃ B Jenkins
⁃ M Soji
⁃ J Watkins
Many thanks to the Officers and SNCO’s for preparing and putting on such an exciting and varied winter camp for 2024. They are all volunteers and give up their free time so we can benefit and grow as individuals within a military ethos.
Onwards to the next activity – Go Ape in March!
Sergeant Toby Cascarini
RRS CCF
