INTRODUCTION: – Lieutenant Colonel (Retd) Rod Gray MBE, Deputy Chief Executive (East) & Head of Cadets and Youth, South East Reserve Forces’ & Cadets’ Association
Wow, what a summer! As Head of Cadets and Youth it is an honour and huge privilege to support the Cadets and Cadet Force Adult Volunteers across the South East. The opportunity to visit the Cadet Camps during the summer is the highlight of my year and the culminating point of cadet training for our young people. Everywhere I visited, I witnessed happy and smiling cadets having immense fun in a safe environment supported by the brilliant Cadet Force Volunteers. I apologise in advance for not mentioning every activity enjoyed by cadets this summer. It is just fabulous to see the array of activities available.
Where do I start with this amazing summer of activities? Cadet RSM Tunnicliff from Sutton Valence CCF was awarded the Captain General Trophy at the National Champion Cadet Competition for the best CCF Cadet, an outstanding achievement. The CCF Annual Camp was in Lydd with 56 Combined Cadet Force (CCF) units attending, including contingents from LONDIST and the SE. Across the three-week rotation some, 1,640 cadets attended. Activities included Fieldcraft, STIBUA operations, Shooting, STEM and Adventure Training Activities.
Young cadets from Berkshire ACF were invited to a reception in the Moat Garden in Windsor Castle to celebrate and recognise their achievements. Sussex ACF attended their Annual Italian Exchange Exercise Venturer at the spectacular Monte Maniva working with Italian and Polish cadets. The ACF Counties also enjoyed the facilities in Lydd Camp over a 4 week period. Over 2000 Cadets and 650 Volunteers enjoyed the unique cadet experience. Cadets attended the Gold DofE Qualifying Expedition in Bavaria and parachuting in Netheravon. A personal thank you to the SERFCA Professional Support Staff for their hard work in their preparation, planning and support in assisting in the delivery of the ACF Annual Camps under some challenging logistical issues.
Royal Air Force Cadets from across the SE completed the world famous Nijmegen Four Day March covering 160km, a great achievement. At the Farnborough Air Show, Cadets experienced virtual reality simulators, aircraft static display, cockpit visits, STEM activities, career talks and private tour of a Sea King helicopter. A multi activity camp was held at Little Rissington which delivered Chinook Air Experience Flights, Gliding, STEM and Air Cadet 1 Qualifications across Aviation, Leadership, Cyber, Drones, First Aid, Wellbeing and much more. Huge congratulations to Cadet Warrant Officer Bethan Holmes, of 1015 (Horsham) Squadron, who has been awarded the prestigious Dacre Sword award, one of the highest honours available to a Cadet in the Royal Air Force Air Cadets. The Dacre Sword is presented annually to the Cadet who has demonstrated exceptional leadership and personal development, commitment and service to the organisation.
Southern Area Sea Cadet Corps had an extremely busy summer which included their Summer Camp, Combined Regatta in Poole, Central District Kayaking Competition. Zulu Company Royal Marines Summer Camp, with cadets immersed in fieldcraft, teamwork, tactical thinking, weapon handling, drill and PT. Sea Cadets also enjoyed camps across the UK enjoying amazing activities such as Paddlesport, Fixed Seat Rowing, Sliding Seat Rowing, Powerboating, Sailing and, DofE to name just a few.
The Volunteer Cadet Corps key activities included their summer camp which is an immersive multi day training featuring tactical fieldcraft, teamwork, adventure, command tasks and outdoor challenges. VCC cadets also conducted this summer Adventurous Training, Community and Public Engagements and ongoing proficiencies in first aid, navigation, drill and music training. Cadets visited the Royal Navy Fire Fighting School where they tackled realistic firefighting scenarios, damage control and structural repair exercise which tested teamwork, resilience and problem solving. The VCC also had a great Field Gun Season, a fitting activity for their 125th anniversary.
I am looking forward immensely to the autumn and the Lord-Lieutenant’s Awards. This is our opportunity to showcase and reward some of our inspirational cadets and the magnificent Cadet Force Adult Volunteers whose support is invaluable to all of our unique cadet organisations. Please support the first ever Cadet Week 5-11 October 26.