The Cadet Cambrian Patrol aims to push cadets, testing them both physically and mentally on the skills they have learnt throughout their time in Cadets in the form of a 26km Patrol, which sees the teams undertake stands en-route covering observation, medical evacuation, defensive shooting, military knowledge, and section attacks. The competition welcomes teams each year from the whole of the UK, with the Highlanders being the only Scottish Team in this year’s event.
This was the first time that the Battalion had decided to enter the competition. Selection for the team started back in February and alongside monthly training weekends based at Dingwall and Fort George, which saw prospective cadets be put through their paces in their knowledge of the Cadet Syllabus.
The eight cadets who were selected to represent the Battalion were Cadet Company Sergeant Major Nathaniel McCully (17), Cadet Sergeant Kai Greig (17) and Cadet Lance Corporal Ennis Cotterhill-Stirling (17) from Ross Company, Cadet Corporal Callum Prideuax (17), Cadet Corporal John Bremner (15), Cadet Corporal Keanu Jones (16) from Caithness Company and Cadet Lance Corporal Saul Anderson (15) and Cadet Colour Sergeant Adam Ferenc (17) from Moray Company.
There is no overall winner of the competition, each team’s Patrol and conduct in the stands is assessed against a set marking criteria and at the end of the competition each team is given an overall grade: Gold, Silver and Bronze or a Certificate of Competition. Out of 19 teams who entered the 1st Battalion The Highlanders Team were one only four teams achieved a Gold and the Highlanders were the only Army Cadet team who achieved Gold with the other teams being from the Combined Cadet Force. The Battalion Team were also named the Best International Army Cadet Force Team, with the trophy collected by Section Commander CSgt Ferenc.
Upon his return home from the event LCpl Anderson said; “Without a doubt the best competition I have been involved in. The competition itself was a great experience within the Sennybridge Training Area. An intense Saturday with the Sun beaming the whole day, the testing stands around the training area allowed for all skills that we have learned to be put into a tactical practice. Our training for the Cadet Cambrian Patrol was challenging, enjoyable and physically demanding. With a wide range of skills covered from Navigation to field tactics to fitness, all being possible due to our adult instructors their commitment with delivering our training.”
