News
October 11th 2019
First fieldcraft experience for CCF recruits
Cadets worked on many skills including navigation
More than 100 Cadets from the Combined Cadet Force (CCF) joined with other contingents from across Northamptonshire to attend two days of intensive training at the Yardley Chase Training Area.
Exercise First Bite saw 120 newly recruited Cadets attend their first field-based training exercise. The two-day event organised by Brooke Weston Trust CCF, provided introductory training for the cadets in fieldcraft, camouflage and concealment, basic patrol skills, navigation (using map and compass), first aid, cadet air rifle, a night patrol plus a light and noise demo at night.
More than 100 cadets took part in the event
The instruction at each exercise stand was provided by adult staff from the attending schools and academies and three training sergeants from the Cadet training team.
Each CCF operated at platoon strength with the instruction broken down to section strength. Additional support was provided by five senior Cadets from Brooke Weston Trust CCF fulfilling a ‘platoon sergeant’ role to ensure that the junior Cadets in their care were at the right place, at the right time with the right kit.
Brooke Weston Trust’s Contingent Commander Captain Matt Isherwood, who organised the event, said: “It was a hugely rewarding exercise that will provide a great platform to launch the CCF careers of the new Cadets, together with early exposure to all the adult staff from the CEP 500 schools of field-based training in an extended exercise scenario.
A Cadet during the fieldcraft exercise
“On behalf of Brooke Weston Trust CCF, sincere thanks for the effort and enthusiasm displayed by all the adult staff leading and supporting activities, without their support the event would not have taken place.”
The two-day event organised by Brooke Weston Trust CCF had Cadets from multiple Cadet Expansion Programme Schools including Brooke Weston Academy, Corby Business Academy, Corby Technical School, Kettering Science Academy, Thomas Clarkson Academy, Lodge Park Academy, Sir Christopher Hatton Academy & Abbey College.
The Cadet Expansion Programme was launched in June 2012 with the aim to set up 100 new Cadet units in state-funded schools by September 2015. The Government has now committed to grow the total number of Cadet units in schools across the UK to 500 by 2020.
“It was a hugely rewarding exercise that will provide a great platform to launch the CCF careers of the new Cadets."
