On Saturday 2nd November, 65 new recruits met at CCF HQ for 0700hrs. All the recruits were very exited for the weekends events ahead, hopping onto the minibuses and deploying to Pippingford Park Military Training area in Crowborough. The recruits learnt personal Camouflage and Concealment , Aims and Types of Patrolling , Movement in the field with and without a rifle, and basic Army tactics.

All of the recruits really enjoyed training on the Saturday, as we were able to practice our Camouflage and Concealment and Movement in the field with a Stalk exercise – which is a military term for a massive game of hide and seek. We were tasked to observe an enemy position, moving as close to it as possible without being spotted.

We finished the day observing a Hasty Attack and an Ambush laid on by senior Cadets from the Army Section. This allowed us to observe how our tactics learnt throughout the day can be implemented during missions later on throughout our training should we wish to join the Army Section at CCF.

On The Sunday, the Recruits met back up again at 0830hrs and they received a briefing on Basic First Aid, which counts towards the Army Cadet Syllabus Basic Star Level. Throughout this training period, the recruits learnt how to perform Cardio Pulmonary Recusation (CPR) in emergency situations and also how to place unconscious casualties into the recovery position.

Later in the day, all of the recruits headed up to RAF Kenley. Here they were shown the memorial of the pilots from the Battle of Britain. Then we went into the Gliding school, where we met the volunteer instructors who showed us around. From there, we were split into groups and one group was shown how the Viking t1 glider worked and the other group looked at how the Viking glider was launched using the winch system. All of the recruits had a great time at the Aerodrome.

We hoped back on the minibuses and headed back to Royal Russell after a fun but exhausting weekend. Soon we will choose our section of choice (Army or RAF) and then follow the respective training syllabus moving forward. Thank you to all the CCF staff for giving up their weekend to showcase the CCF at Royal Russell School and providing us with an informative and exciting weekend.

Next Up – Recruit Skill at Arms Training Weekend

Cadet A Main