On 1stt-3rd March, 90 cadets from No3 Ironside Company took part in an action packed residential training weekend at Waterbeach Cadet Training Centre and Ely Detachment. The weekend was focussed on getting cadets to make progress through the training syllabus – and have fun.
3 Company Training Weekend
Roles and Responsibilities class for cadet NCOs.
2 Star Level cadets made great progress with navigation, beginning by planning a route around Waterbeach using a map, and preparing route cards. They then went out and completed the 5K walk they had planned, practicing the map reading skills they had learned.. As well as teaching navigation, this was also a good learning experience for the cadets to consider what kit they needed to bring with them on an expedition.
A 2 Star Navigation group.
On Saturday morning, RSMI Bland taught the senior cadets about their roles and responsibilities, and in the afternoon, the seniors took part in fieldcraft exercises with SI Lambert, including Patrolling, Fire and Movement, Battle Procedures and Keeping Direction at Night. 1 Star Level cadets also got to handle the L98 Cadet GP Rifle, many for the first time. Supervised by experienced instructor SMI Young, they learned to handle, carry, strip and clean the weapon. He was assisted by SI Lowe, who said; ‘It’s very fast paced and there is a lot to learn, but the cadets are doing incredibly well.’
SI Lowe helps a cadet strip the GP rifle.
At Ely Detachment, Basic Level cadets got to shoot the air rifle, with many achieving exceptional results. SSI Rylan Ray, who was assisting with the shooting, said: ‘It was great to see so many cadets achieve their basic Skill at Arms and Shooting passes with the air rifle at the weekend. Not only did they all pass by listening to their coaching and developing their marksman skills, but we had some cadets go from missing the target completely, to getting 5 rounds in a 10mm group! Basic cadets at Ely also took part in drill lessons, where again, superb progress was made.
Air rifle shooting.
On Sunday, cadets took part in CIS (signals) training, with the use of radios, including how to use the equipment and how to speak on the radio, and drill and turnout. For many of the cadets, one highlight of the weekend was the free time with their friends in the evenings, and the fun of being away from home.
3 Coy staff and instructors.
Lt Houghton, Training Officer for 3 (Ironside) Company, said: ‘It was a fantastic weekend of training for the cadets, who were taught and supported in their journey by the adult volunteers. I was very impressed with the willingness of both the staff and cadets to get stuck in and make the most of the weekend.’
Text, pictures and video by SI Doug Stuart
