18.12.11

Durham Cadets go to Sandhurst

On December 16^th 2011 4 adults and 10 cadets from Durham ACF attended the Sovereign’s Parade at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in Surrey and handed out programmes to the parade spectators.  This was as part of a larger group of cadets from different parts of the country and was the first time Army Cadets had participated in the event.

The call came out from Land in September for adults and cadets interested in taking part in the Sovereign’s Parade in December.  The original idea was to give the opportunity to cadets interested in a career as an Army officer to view Sandhurst.  This is because RMA Sandhurst is the spiritual home of the British Army’s officer corps as all Regular and TA officers are trained there.  Sandhurst holds three Sovereign’s Parades a year at the end of each one of which graduating Officer Cadets march up the imposing steps of Old College to the strains of Auld Lang Syne, signifying their commissioning in to the British Army.

In total 27 cadets and 8 adults from Berkshire, Durham, Hampshire and Isle of Wight, Lincolnshire, London, Lothian and Borders and Suffolk ACFs and Brentwood and Rossall Schools’ CCFs attended.  Durham ACF provided the largest contingent of 10 cadets and 4 adults.  Travelling down to Surrey was quite tiring what with either being stuck on or avoiding the M25 car park.  However the trip it self was well worth it.  Events included an informative tour around the Academy the day before the parade, an interesting talk from a serving officer in the Army Air Corps the night before and the Parade itself.

Over 600 Officer Cadets from all three terms were on parade with the inspection and address given by General David Patreus, current Director of the CIA and former Commander in Afghanistan, serving as Her Majesty’s Representative.  Durham cadets were especially impressed by the standard of drill during the parade with Cadet RSM Dobbson commenting, after the inspection phase of approximately 20 minutes with rifles at the shoulder, “That’s a LONG hold!”

All in all, despite being very tired and very cold, the cadets and adults thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

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