Over the weekend of 22nd - 24th March 2024, the cadets and instructors of Waterloo Company carried out their annual Fieldcraft training weekend on part of the Lulworth training area.
They arrived from their detachments mid evening on Friday night, once the briefings had taken place they were issued with the necessary equipment to live in the field for just under 48 hours including two ration packs to sustain them for that period. Once this was done the Basic cadets moved off to their Harbour area and got themselves established in, including setting up Sheet Shelters (Bashas), which they would sleep under in pairs. While they were doing this the remainder of the company stepped off to patrol to their harbour area 2.5 kilometers away, on arrival they separated into their respective platoons and set up their platoon harbours including defensive positions. It was then time for them to turn in, with the help of an almost full moon, the temperature during the early hours dropped to 4 degrees, however this did not deter any of the cadets.
The following morning they all stood to in their defensive positions at 06:00, followed by preparation of their breakfast from the ration packs, and getting washed. Once this was complete they started their training; the Basic Cadre started the training with living in the field, camouflage and concealment, and the ration pack. Meanwhile the 1 and 2 stars patrolled back to FOB George and set up a series of OP’s (Observation posts) and conducted CTR’s (Close Target Recce’s). There was then time for lunch and then orders for an ambush that evening, while dodging the only rain we saw all weekend. The Basics continued their training in their own area.
Darkness fell and the1 and 2 Stars moved off to set up an ambush, while the Basics moved into an area where they could observe the ambush site. Finally, the enemy, 12 cadets who had volunteered to help as enemy from N Company, walked into the ambush. At the end of the ambush there was at least one complaint, the enemy had not had a chance to return much fire as the weight of fire from the ambush party was too great! With the ambush complete the cadres returned to their respective harbour areas, a hot drink and into their sleeping bags for another night literally under the stars.
06:00 came around quickly and everyone stood to, the enemy chose this time to attack the 1 and 2 stars, however they were able to defend their harbour areas and the enemy moved off after a short exchange of fire. Orders were then issued around the model pit, on how they were about to carry out a company attack on the enemy positions in the woods further up the training area. The Basics were there to observe the more experienced cadets carry out an attack on six enemy positions one after the other. Once this was successfully completed everyone returned to FOB George to start the hard work of post exercise administration and await the arrival of coaches to take them home.
The exercise was a great success and all the cadets worked hard to achieve their individual and collective goals.
A quick word of thanks for Sgt Cox from the Royal Signals, Cpl Tatton from 6 Rifles, and our own County Signals Officer SMI Jackson who ran the radio net for us, the 12 Cadets from North Company and the Instructors from Waterloo Company. Last but not least the effort put in by the cadets of Waterloo Company during the weekend. Well done, Mission Accomplished!!
Major J Stockford
Company Commander
West (Waterloo) Company
Dorset Army Cadet Force
