Almost 500 Cadets from across Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, and Rutland (LNR) embarked on a remarkable journey during their 2025 Annual Camp at Otterburn this August. But, keeping the whole operation running smoothly takes far more than meets the eye.
With Cadet Force Adult Volunteers at the controls, steering the camp forward, permanent staff like Darren Rickman ‘Fletch’ work tirelessly behind the scenes to keep everything firmly on track.
“As permanent staff, we’re here to support, enable, and champion the Cadets,” says Darren Rickman ‘Fletch’, an experienced member of the LNR Army Cadet Force (ACF) support team.
“When you finish camp and head home, and some of those Cadets say, ‘Thank you very much, sir,’ that makes it all worthwhile.”
Supporting Cadet training
Fletch has been part of the permanent staff at LNR ACF for nearly a decade. Starting as a Cadet Admin Assistant, Fletch was initially employed to support several Cadet Detachments with all of their administrative and logistical requirements.
In recent years, he has worked his way up to County Stores Assistant, overseeing the equipment and stores for the whole county.
“My job is to ensure that all the equipment arrives at camp in serviceable condition and that we provide the right gear for the activities,” Fletch explains.
“One of my primary responsibilities is managing the ammunition account. This includes live rounds, blank rounds, and air pellets. I’m the guy who issues that to the Adult Volunteers so the Cadets can carry out their training.”
He continues, “The challenge at camp is that the activities take place in different locations. For instance, today we had two shooting ranges spread over a sizeable area, and one group had exhausted their ammunition. So, we took it out there so they could continue their training because, as permanent staff, we are here to support the Cadets at all times.
“The drive took 40 minutes each way, requiring two vehicles and four staff members, but ultimately it allowed the Cadets to keep firing.”
Dedication and logistics of Annual Camps
During the summer months, when their workload peaks, the 45 permanent staff members within the East Midlands prepare and execute the ambitious schedules for their county’s Annual Camps.
In 2024, permanent staff members enabled an impressive 1,586 Cadets to experience Annual Camp across the region. However, the work doesn’t just begin when they arrive at Annual Camp. Alongside their regular duties, dedicated individuals like Fletch are constantly planning for the following year.
“We’re already getting ready for next year’s Annual Camp. We’ll be thinking about the type of storage we’ll need and how we will transport everything,” he says.
“It’s all about logistics. We have specific vehicles, like the ammunition truck, that can only be driven by designated staff. This ranges from cars to 18-tonne lorries, which we use to manage our stores, so we’re planning that now to ensure everyone in the team knows their responsibilities next year.”
As Fletch reflects on his seventh Annual Camp, his commitment to the role is undeniable. Although much of their work is unseen, the logistical and administrative support provided by the team of permanent staff is vital to the success of the Army Cadet experience, a responsibility that Fletch truly values.
“At the end of the day, it’s all about the Cadets. Seeing those who come from less fortunate backgrounds—many of which may never get to experience something like this—that’s what drives me. As permanent staff, we have a good rapport with both Cadets and Adult Volunteers, and we work tirelessly to support them.”
Professional Support Staff: An indispensable cog in the Army Cadets’ success
