Combat Cadet 2022

Every year cadet units from across the 7 Brigade region, from up in Derbyshire to down to Essex, are invited by the Cadet Training Team to join together and compete in two days worth of tough exercises to test the skills and knowledge of senior cadets.

In preparation for the competition, the cadets had taken part in County training and a selection process under the experienced supervision of Captain Blake and SMI Gardiner. A team of 9 were successful in being picked for the team to represent the County in the competition.

The team

IC – Cdt Sgt Lowrie from Ely Detachment

2IC - Staff Cadet Sgt Harris from Soham Detachment

Medic – Cdt Cpl Hamilton from Soham Detachment

Cdt RSM Rice from Whittlesey Detachment

Cdt CSM Cameron-Wickes from March Detachment

Cdt Sgt Parker from Longstanton Detachment

Cdt Cpl Parry from Yaxley Detachment

Friday night was the coming together of the team with representatives from all 3 Companies. Unfortunately, Covid reduced the team , and we took a section of 7 cadets to compete against the other ACF and CCF (Combined Cadet Force) teams.

Getting all kit together and travelling to Thetford, they were thrown straight into briefings and ammo prep for the morning, before bedding down in a hangar for the night.

After a cold night, starting with a 5am wake up call, the cadets rose to the challenge for the gruelling and relentless stands on the Saturday.

The morning was based in an TIBUA (training in a built up area), completing 5 section stands and platoon assault. From rescuing a casualty, traversing through a small space, to clearing a house, they were put into situations they have never encountered before where their teamwork and communication skills were continually tested along with their fieldcraft skills.

After a small reprieve they moved into the second phase of the competition, designed to assess their knowledge of offensive operations and fieldcraft theory. Completing one stand after another culminating in a flanking section attack finished their first day of the competition.

Sunday brought another early start, and the convoy of minibuses was away for the final phase of the competition focusing more on the skills needed to be a cadet. A patrolling exercise, an observation activity recorded on a range card, a march and shoot comprising of a 2 km run straight into an air rifle shoot and a micro navigation exercise.

All teams came together for the final parade under the close eye of the Cadet Training Team RSM before the parade was given to the Colonel Marc Godfrey, Colonel Cadets East Anglia, to present the medals and awards to the competing teams. At the end of the competition, Cambs ACF Combat Cadet Team have come away with bronze medals, a fantastic achievement.

Text by Lt Victoria Houghton, photos by 2Lt Konrad Burgoyne.