Reports from Cadets
Frimley Park Diary by Sgt Barlow
During the week 13 – 19th July 2008 I attended the Cadet Leadership Course No. 113 at the CTC Frimley Park. Now entering its 50th year as a cadet training centre, it is run as a small Regular Army unit. There are 120 places on each course, which are shared with the ATC (a minority!), ACF, SCC, and CCF.
The aim of the course is to develop and assess cadets’ leadership capabilities under physical and mental stress. I was a little nervous about the course, and had been training to achieve the physical prerequisites for the course. Whilst the requirements for girls are lower than boys, I had aimed for the boys’ targets which are definitely achievable (completing 30 press ups followed by a 1.5 mile run in under 11 minutes) so that I could get the most from the course and help my section.
Sunday 13th
To get to Frimley Park, I made my own way via train from Cambridge, including crossing London with all of my kit. As I stepped off the train at Farnborough, I caught sight of a 4 tonne truck and minibus which took us to Frimley. Driving up to CTC we saw the house (below), which unfortunately we didn’t get to stay in, but it looked amazing nonetheless.
After arrival admin and a brief, when I was allocated my platoon and section number, I made my way to my tent. Here I met my roommates for the week – a Scottish girl (who had flown from Glasgow!) from the CCF, an Army Cadet from Manchester, and a girl from a nearby school’s CCF. After being issued kit, we then went to meet our Platoon Officers. Our Platoon Commander was a 2nd Lieutenant in the Regular Army (as opposed to the ACF), who informed us that he had little experience with cadets so would treat us and expected us to “behave like true soldiers” for the week. We also all introduced ourselves in front of the platoon, giving the first of several lecturettes of the week. Following supper we had Muster Parade, a Fire Procedure check, kit check (“at the speed of a thousand gazelles, bring me your webbing. GO!”), roll call, platoon officers’ briefing when I was appointed Section IC, then lights out.
Monday 14th
Today reveille was at 0530hrs before early morning PT, which involved a recce of Exercise Safari Park. This would be a log run the following morning followed by the assault course, and would kick start the inter-section competition. After this we had breakfast, then Muster parade, before deploying to the training area (in 4 tonne trucks which was the standard transport for the week) for a round robin of military skills revision. This included map and compass, platoon battle drills, and ambush drills. All of these would come into use later on in the week during the field phases.
After this training we quickly got into PT kit again for Exercise Top Score – orienteering – when again I was IC of our team. Whilst we took a while to get started, we were soon running around the exercise area on bearing from each location and collected a decent number of points for our section. We then returned back to CTC for lunch and a platoon photograph.
In the afternoon we did another round robin of training - this time it was raft building, skill at arms, and obstacle course training. During raft building we learnt how to build a raft out of empty water carriers, planks of wood, and rope, and successfully crossed the lake (which is in the grounds of Frimley Park.) This was another skill that would come into use later on in the week. Whilst training on the assault course we learnt the correct techniques for each obstacle, which would be vital to our sections’ success in Exercise Safari Park.
After supper we then had inter-section sports, which was volleyball and a boat race around the lake. Our section did well at the volleyball, just missing out on a place in the semi-final, and we performed well in the boat race around the lake as well. Following sports we did another practice of the log run, going through hand over drills and our different speeds at each point, before roll call then lights out.
Tuesday 15th
Waking up at 0515 we got into our CS95s for Exercise Safari Park. During the log race our determination as a team was strong, and was maintained as we dropped the log at the finish line before immediately doing the assault course. Scaling each obstacle whilst physically tired proved easier than we thought it would be with an adrenaline rush. Every member of the section completed the exercise: we were proud of our performance. Immediately afterwards we returned to our tents to do final preparation for a tent inspection before breakfast. After inspection and muster, we began the command tasks. At each of 10 tasks a different leader was appointed and our teamwork grew stronger and stronger, as each member had to trust each other fully to complete the majority of the objectives. My task was the final one of the day, and although we were tired, we achieved the objective with time to spare and ended the tasks on a high.
Following dinner we had another round of inter-section sports. This time we did tug of war and made it to the semi-finals, when we performed well but were knocked out by the eventual winners. We then did another boat race, aiming to beat our time from the previous day.
Wednesday 16th
Today we had a lie in, as reveille was at 0615! After breakfast we received a briefing for Exercise Super Stars and collected our weapons from the armoury, which would now stay by our sides until Friday. The exercise was another round of command tasks, this time in a large training area where we would have to navigate from task to task within a set time limit. Despite a few initial navigation problems to the first task (we like to think we did a little recce of the area…) the rest of the day sped by as we went from task to task and we continued to develop as a team.
Once all command tasks were completed we immediately went on to the next exercise – Exercise Shark Eye. Having deployed to another training area, we set up our harbour area and began work routine before an orders group. Following rehearsals, we prepared for the exercise at around 2300hrs. Whilst the exercise had an unexpected twist, the objective was complete and we learnt a lot as a section.
Thursday 17th
On returning from the exercise early in the morning, we continued our work routine, and I was posted on sentry duty between 0230 and 0330 hours, before reveille at 0600 hours. Once we had left our harbour area we cleaned our weapons and got ready for Exercise Range Rover. This is a march and shoot competition: a run of 3.3 km up and down hills with full webbing, day sack, and carrying L98, before a sprint of 100m to a shooting position where we had to hit as many targets as possible. This is a true test of marksmanship as our performance was weakened by being physically exhausted, but we achieved a respectable score and time nonetheless.
We then returned to CTC for post exercise admin, supper, and a briefing for Exercise Tender Foot, the final exercise of the week, and I was posted as a team leader. After supper we were deployed to the training area. The exercise immediately had a twist in it as we were rushed of our vehicles and had to escape the enemy and remain tactical, whilst navigating to an RV in time, which we managed to do. We then patrolled again to our harbour area – we were the first team there - and I was appointed patrol harbour commander. This role is about co-ordinating the admin of the entire platoon, making sure the Section ICs had sentry rotas prepared, their sections were briefed, personal admin was sorted, and ammunition was issued. Later on that night we received another orders group for an ambush, which we successfully completed, before returning to our harbour area for a few hours sleep.
Friday 18th
Reveille at 0415hrs (as patrol harbour commander I was up earlier to remain on top of the section ICs) was followed by a swift exit of the harbour area. We patrolled to a river, which we had to cross using given equipment. This is where we used our raft building skills, and we successfully ferried everyone over the river. Immediately after the river crossing we prepared for the final assault on the enemy position. Running up a hill before moving in bounds to assault the enemy position, smoke grenades were going off everywhere, shooting at the enemy… this was my favourite part of the week without a doubt. After a swift re-org we tabbed to our vehicles and were returned to the training area. Before breakfast cleaned our weapons and returned them to the armoury.
We then went to the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst for the final part of the inter section competitions. This was “Exercise Safari Park, but bigger”. We were to complete another log run, followed by parts of the assault course at Sandhurst. Despite being physically and mentally tired, we were all determined that our performance would reflect our hard work as a section throughout the week. As we jumped down the final wall and formed up in the finishing position, we were all happy with our final result as a team.
On returning to Frimley Park, we had time to quickly put a layer of polish on our boots before Platoon Commanders’ interviews. Fortunately I had made a good impression on my commander, and I was very pleased with my review of the week. After packing we made a card for our platoon officers and bought them all Yorkie bars to thank them for the week. The evening was the filled with a BBQ, disco and a film, and we were all buzzing with energy knowing we had successfully completed the course, but were sad that the following day we would be going home.
Saturday 19th
After reveille, breakfast, and personal admin time, we handed our kit back to stores and prepared for final parade. It was interesting to see the wide spectrum of uniforms that the different cadet forces were parading (the ATC looking the smartest of course!) and to see the pride that everyone took in their uniform. We then had a church service before final parade. We were handed our certificates for the course and the presentations were given to the winners and runners up of the inter section competition.
We then collected our course reports and were given our badges, before cleaning the area and lunch. We then said our goodbyes and were taken to the train station. We boarded the trains in mass groups of cadets, full of stories to tell all the way home.
The Cadet Leadership course has been, without a doubt, a true highlight of my cadet career. Whilst the course is both physically and mentally challenging, the effort pays off and you will profit from it immensely. I highly recommend the course to anybody who is ready for a challenge, loves field craft and PT, and is looking for a taster of the Junior Leaders’ Course.
Easter Camp 2008 at Wathgill Camp, Yorkshire
By Sgt P Barlow
We arrived at Wathgill Camp, part of Catterick Army Garrison in Yorkshire, fully prepared and excited for the week’s events. Following arrival admin, when we and another 150 cadets were put into our flights, we did a Fam-ex, locating key parts of the grounds for the rest of the week. After several briefs and settling into our rooms, we had a chance to socialise and relax before field training the following day.
Field training consisted of a series of lectures on the basic skills needed for the exercise later that week – harbour areas, personal admin, cooking in the field, observation techniques, shelter construction, and camouflage and concealment. Patrolling the exercise area in the afternoon, we put these skills into practice. On the next day, Monday, we did further pre-deployment training, including vehicle searches, comms, first aid, teamwork and a kit check, before heading back to the billets and making our final preparations for the exercise. Waking up early the next morning, the exercise begins…
The first surprise of the day began when we were told we would be deployed to the exercise area in 4 tonne trucks. Adrenaline was running high as we cruised through the countryside and landed on the ex area. Wind, rain, sleet and hail couldn’t dampen our spirits as we patrolled up to our harbour area, carrying a 12x12, jerry cans, and other equipment required for the ex. Having set up our harbour area, and starting our work routine, we were given our first mission. A group of 4 cadets went to a given location, and did navigation exercise. Locating a yellow marker, which would be difficult to find in the dark, they were told to remember how to get to it, and sent back. Soon after returning to the harbour area, another team was called out for a first aid exercise, and returned back later on in high spirits as our flight had done well. It was soon well into the night, and the cadets got some rest. Not for long though – at 4am our next mission came through! Returning to the yellow marker, we collected some equipment, and patrolled to the other side of the exercise area where we were to build a free-flowing shower, with on/ off capabilities, from a stream. The solution? Assemble only the few essential pieces of equipment and create a siphon. Returning to the harbour area, we broke camp, conducting FOD plods, before patrolling to the exit point. On returning to Wathgill Camp, we had a debrief, before being stood down for the afternoon and having a chance to relax for the first time in 36 hours!
On Thursday we did orienteering and abseiling. Orienteering was a true test of our navigation techniques, walking on bearings from point to point, including one marker which was on the edge of a bit of marsh! Passing other flights just entering the exercise area, we wished them good luck. Abseiling was the highlight of the week for many people, speeding down the rocks and singing “heads, shoulders knees and toes” lying upside down against a cliff! Once again in high spirits, we were all sad that the following day would be our last day of activities.
On the Friday, we did a series initiative exercises. Having worked together as a flight all week, we worked well as a team and were told we had set records in several of the tasks - only for them to be beaten later that afternoon by G Flight, the winners of the inter-flight competition! In the afternoon we did shooting. A lucky few of us were given the chance to shoot on the SATT range. This was great to get feedback on our shooting techniques, which I’m sure I will bring back to the range when firing the L98. We also ran through several scenarios, where we had to avoid shooting civilians but target as many enemy as possible (this proved quite difficult!)
Returning home on the Saturday, we were all sad to say goodbye to our friends and had had so many great experiences. Overall the week was fantastic, and it was amazing to do so many different activities. I would definitely recommend Easter camp to anyone who enjoys being outdoors, rising to a challenge, meeting new people, and most of all, having fun!