W Company

The cadets of W Company moved into the field this morning for the first of three days on exercise.

Today the 1-Star training cadets in 1- and 2 Platoons set up their bashas, got an introduction to ration packs, practised their cam & concealment and did a sniper stalk exercise. The 2-Star training cadets of 3 Platoon have also been practising harbour drills and patrolling. This evening the cadets will all take part in movement and observation at night exercises.

The cadets don't know this yet, but tomorrow and Monday they will be moving into an assessment phase where they will take on a live enemy out on the training area. The exercise will culminates at silly-o-clock on Monday morning with 3 Platoon cadets carrying out a blank firing attack on farm buildings. The more junior cadets of 1- and 2 Platoons will take part in a blank firing patrol lane exercise, where they have to detect and eliminate enemy around a predetermined route.

It should be a good couple of days and hopefully the weather will stop nice and dry. The cadets are all in good spirits, despite missing the comforts of home.

Notwithstanding the lack of facilities we will be trying to keep the website updated when we're out in the field. Remember to keep checking our photo gallery for the newest images of what we've been up to.

W Company is very pleased to officially welcome three new Sergeant Instructors into the fold (the three on the right in the image above).

SI Andi Allan is a former 4-Star cadet, who has been with the Company for several years before becoming an adult. He parades at Alnwick Detachment. SI Debra Jerdan is a youth worker, who comes to the Company with a raft of non-military experience. She is parading at Berwick Detachment. SI Neil Watson is an executive with an insurance company, who again joins the ACF with a wealth of alternative experience. Neil will be parading with Broomhill Detachment.

The three new W Company Sergeants, along with two colleagues from Y Company, completed the 8 day residential course under the guidance of Regular Army NCOs from the 15 Brigade Cadet Training Team. As well as developing their all important instructional skills, they were put through their paces on the drill square, rifle range and fieldcraft training area.

The Company is very proud of all their achievements and looks forward to their continuing success within the organisation.

The photos below show the Deputy Commandant, Lt Col Sue Haughie TD, presenting SIs Allan, Jerdan and Watson with their Sergeants slides.

The cadets spent Tuesday (23rd) and Wednesday (24th) this week taking part in Adventurous Training.

Half the 1-Star cadets spent Tuesday at Ullswater taking part in canoeing, rafting and rock climbing. The other half remained close to Warcop and took part in mountain biking and abseiling. On Wednesday the groups alternated.

The 2-Star training group, 3 Platoon, have spent these two days on expedition. The route started at Sun Biggin Tarn, which is 5 miles east of Old Tebay and finished at Murton. They had an overnight stop off route on the training area.

The Company welcomed 3 new Sergeant Instructors, who have just passed out from their Initial Training Course at nearby Stainton Camp. SI Andi Allan is parading at Alnwick Detachment, SI Debra Jerdan is parading at Berwick Detachment and SI Neil Watson is parading at Broomhill Detachment.

Several senior Officers visited camp on Wednesday, including Major General Robin Brims who commanded the Desert Rats during the First Gulf War.

Remember to keep a running check on our photo galleries, which are being added to daily.

Having passed their weapon handling tests and DCCT training yesterday the junior cadets of 1- and 2 Platoons were ready to head out on the live ranges today.

It was an early start with all cadets at breakfast for 0700 hrs and the armoury for 0730 hrs. After drawing their weapons from the armoury and completing all the necessary paperwork the platoon adults showed the cadets how to sling their weapons correctly for the short coach journey across the A66 to the ranges.

SSI Becky Matthewson put 1- and 2 Platoons through their paces on the 25 metre range, with non-firing cadets training on the adjacent obstacle course. The cadets had a great time challenging themselves across the obstacles, which included the usual array of high walls, muddy ditches and ropeways.

The senior cadets of 3 Platoon stopped in camp and trained on the DCCT in the morning. Lt Dan Carville ran a signals course in the afternoon, which allowed the cadets to get hands on and practice their voice procedure.

The same 3 Platoon cadets will be going out on a 2 day expedition tomorrow, so spent the evening preparing their kit and practicing with their tents.

1- and 2 Platoon cadets will be taking part in water activities, mountain biking, abseiling and rock climbing over the next two days.

You can follow what we're doing by keeping a check on the photo gallery.

The first full day of annual camp focused on range and weapon training.

First thing on Sunday (21st Aug) morning the 2-Star training group, known as 3 Platoon at camp, headed to the Electric Target Range (ETR) and completed their regular weapon handling tests under the watchful eye of SSI Cy Dilger. Once assessed as safe and competent with the weapon system they zeroed their weapons and completed the 2-Star assessment shoot. The Automated Marking System (AMS), which automatically plots the falls of each shot, was used to help coach the cadets to get their shots on target. Photos of the range, set on the spectacular Eden hills, feature on the photo gallery.

Meanwhile, back in camp, the 1-Star training cadets of 1- and 2 Platoons were carrying out their weapon handling tests before moving onto the DCCT (Dismounted Close Combat Trainer) range. The DCCT is a computerised range, which does everything the outdoor ranges do but in a more controlled environment. Several practice shoots were conducted to prepare these more junior cadets for live firing tomorrow.

The evening was spent doing administration in preparation for tomorrow's training, which will also be on the ranges and obstacle course.

All the cadets are in good spirits, but a few of the junior ones are obviously missing home a bit already. We're doing our best to keep the cadets

Warcop is another one of these strange places with a climate of its own. Despite glorious sunshine all the way from north Northumberland as soon as we hit the Eden Valley the clouds formed and rain began to fall.

The cadets spent last night settling into their new surroundings and becoming familiar with where everything was. They are accommodated in rooms of about 12. The was also a certain amount of admin to deal with on the first night. Each cadet was allocated to a room and bedspace, nominal rolls and training groups were finalised and a fire practice was held. The cadets also experienced their first meal in the cookhouse, which included an option for Cumberland sausage rings quite appropriately. Later in the evening the cadets got some down time in the NAAFI.

Today (Sun, 22 Aug) began with the customary selection of cooked breakfast or cereal, before an early start with training. Today and tomorrow the cadets will be live firing on the ranges, using the DCCT range (firing at a computerised screen) and practising their weapon handling skills. It's looking bright and sunny at the moment, which will hopefully hold for the rest of the day when the cadets are out and about.

Photos will be published on our dedicated camp photo page.

In common with a lot of other rural Army camps the internet facilities at Warcop aren't great. Even so the Company hopes to provide regular updates on the cadets' progress on this website.

We will also be Tweeting as we go if you want to follow us that way!

The cadets of W Company will begin the move to Warcop Training Camp on Saturday (20th Aug 11) morning.

Transport times are available in the previous post.

The cadets will travel in civilian clothing and adult staff in uniform.

Should parents need to get in contact with their youngster during camp the Guardroom telephone number is 01768 343236.

The Guardroom is manned by MOD Guard Service staff 24 hours a day and they will be able to get a message to us.

The full postal address for camp is:

[Cadet's Name]
W Company
Northumbria ACF
Warcop Training Camp
Warcop
Appleby-in-Westmorland
Cumbria
CA16 6PA

Hopefully the cadets should be thinking about packing their kit by now. A quick reminder that a suggested kit list is available to download here.

We look forward to seeing everyone on Saturday!

Transport timings for the move to Warcop Training Camp, on Sat 20th Aug 2011, will be as follows:

- Coach 1 (IC Lt Marchant):
 Berwick 1200 hrs
 Alnwick 1240 hrs
 Broomhill 1315 hrs

- Minibus 1 (Dvr SI Watson):
Belford 1200 hrs
Alnwick 1230 hrs (2IC)
Amble 1245 hrs

- Minibus 2 (Dvr SSI Dilger):
Bellingham 1200 hrs

- Minibus 3 (Dvr Lt Lister):
Rothbury 1200 hrs

Cadets should arrive at least 10 mins prior to the departure times given above. The transport will not wait for latecomers.

A recommended kit list for annual camp can be download here. Cadets should address any questions to their Detachment Commander in good time.

Pick up timings for those cadets attending Minstreacres this Saturday (6th Aug 2011) are as follows:

Broomhill: 0745 hrs
Alnwick: 0810 hrs
Rothbury: 0830 hrs
Minstreacres: 0930 hrs

Minden are expecting the following cadets:
Cpl E. Inkster
LCpl K. Straughan
LCpl K. Netherwood (F)
LCpl C. Arundel
Cpl E. Tribe (F)
Cpl W. Young
LCpl J. Truman
LCpl S. Shepherd
LCpl B. Mayes
LCpl R. Rose (F)
LCpl M. Newson
LCpl P. Barber
LCpl G. Mason
Cdt J. Price
Cdt H. Power

Dress is CS'95 and be sure to bring a waterproof jacket. Minstreacres will provide lunch for everyone attending.

We should be finished at Minstreacres by 1600 hrs, so back up our way by around 1700-1730 hrs.