This past weekend, a team of eight bright-eyed Army Cadets, led by Detachment Commander Staff Sergeant Ben Sanderson, proved their mettle at the Military Intelligence Corps Competition held from March 8th to 10th at Bassingbourn Barracks. While some were seasoned competitors returning for their second year, the majority were brand new to the event, showcasing the impressive depth of talent within the cadet ranks.
Junior Cadets Triumph at Intelligence Weekend!
Operational intelligence gathering.
The competition, designed to test the cadets' intelligence gathering and analytical skills, threw them into a series of demanding tasks. From the intricacies of human intelligence gathering (HUMINT) to the vast world of open-source intelligence (OSINT), the cadets had to think on their feet and adapt to each challenge.
Human intelligence gathering task.
Operational intelligence gathering (OPINT) tested their ability to gather information in a simulated operational environment, while vehicle recognition pushed their observational skills to the limit. But the cadets didn't just gather information; they also had to analyse it effectively. The competition heavily emphasized information analysis, and it's here that our young cadets truly shone, achieving top marks in this crucial aspect.
Adult volunteers take part in target sprint.
Command tasks assessed their leadership abilities, while camouflage and concealment exercise tested their fieldcraft skills. Halfway through the intense competition weekend, the cadets faced the shooting challenge in the form of a target sprint. The cadets put their marksmanship to the test, showcasing their ability to handle weapons safely and effectively. It was here some of the adult volunteers from the detachment, namely Staff Sergeant Ben Sanderson and Staff Sergeant Sam Cole, took on the challenge in a friendly competition, of which Staff Sergeant Cole managed to be the most accurate shot, but was thoroughly beaten overall by Staff Sergeant Sanderson to win overall.
Camouflage and concealment exercise.
Throughout the competition, the team spirit was phenomenal. Despite being relatively new to the scene, the cadets worked together seamlessly, supporting each other through every challenge. Their dedication and collaborative spirit paid off handsomely, as they secured a well-deserved third-place finish out of seven participating teams!
Camouflage and concealment exercise.
Sergeant Eleanor Lowe, who accompanied the team, couldn't be prouder. "Thanks to the incredible team spirit of the cadets, this weekend away became one of my most memorable experiences," she said. "I was personally impressed by the leadership skills shown by Cadet Lance Corporal Dawson and her ability to adapt to every given task" The cadets themselves were ecstatic with their performance. "We were pretty bummed about finishing seventh last year, so coming in third this time feels amazing! It shows all our hard work really paid off," one cadet remarked. "I found the command task a real struggle, something we will need to work on for next year."
Command task warmup.
The weekend wasn't all about competition, though. The cadets also enjoyed building camaraderie and forging new friendships with cadets from other counties and schools. The weekend was topped of with a celebratory post-competition trip to McDonald's, a well-deserved treat!
Well-deserved treat after competition.
This impressive showing by our junior cadets is a testament to the high caliber of training they receive within the Army Cadets. It demonstrates not only their eagerness to learn but also their ability to excel in challenging environments. We look forward to seeing these talented cadets continue to grow and develop their skills in the years to come.
Text and photos by SSI Sam Cole.
