Fieldcraft Exercise Day 2 08/28/2011
A very quick summary of what the cadets have done today, which is also captured on the photo gallery. Most of the cadets spent last night outside in bashas, where they had a surprisingly good night's sleep despite the heavy rain showers. We decided to keep the more junior cadets, 1 Platoon, inside our converted farmhouse because we knew they'd probably get soaked through inexperience. After rising at the unusually civilised hour of 0700 hrs the cadets got washed, cleaned their kit, polished their boots and started preparing breakfast. Depending on their choice of ration pack they either had bacon & beans, beans & sausage or creamy porridge oats. Even the porridge tastes good after a spending the night in the bracing fresh air. Straight after breakfast the cadets cleaned their weapons, which they are responsible for until we get back to camp on Monday. The damp conditions means they need to be kept clean and well oiled so they don't seize up and become rusty, which happens remarkably quickly if left unchecked. The Padre, Major Stephen Caddy, visited the Company out in the field. We spent a few moments reflecting on the responsibilities of being an army cadet and remembering the fallen. Back out onto training and the cadets finished their preparation for the assessment phase, which begins later today. They have been practising obstacle crossing, duties of a sentry and fire & movement, to name but a few. Just before lunch the Deputy Commander of 15 (NE) Brigade, Colonel Jeremy Hughes, visited the farm and toured some of the training. with the OC, Major Mark Ewart, and 2IC, Capt Tom Jackson. He spent some time chatting with the cadets to find out what they thought about the ACF and Army in general. 15 Brigade is responsible for all of the British Army units between the Humber and Scottish border. After lunch the cadets moved 2 miles eastwards across the training area to their new location for tonight's assessment phase. 1 & 2 Platoons, under the command of SSI John Rollo and Lt Barry Lister respectively, are spending this evening practising their harbour drills, observation and sentry skills whilst 3 Platoon, under the command of Lt Keith Marchant, are conducting patrols against an enemy force located a couple of kilometres away. The cadets are all likely to work late into the night, with their position being attacked periodically to test their response. That will involve lots of flares, smoke and blank ammunition, which they should all enjoy. I haven't mentioned the cadets of Minden Company much, because they have been working separately to the rest of W Company. They're all doing well and were very chatty when our paths crossed earlier today. Tomorrow 3 Platoon have an all out assault on the enemy's farm buildings so stay tuned! New photos uploaded. Add Comment Annual Camp Fieldcraft Exercise 08/27/2011
 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. Minden Company FTX Info, 22-24 July 2011 07/16/2011
Timings for those cadets attending the Minden Company field training exercise (FTX) next weekend, 22-24 July 2011: Friday, 22nd July 2011: Minibus 1 (RSMI Lawrence to drive): Alnwick, 1830 hrs (4 x cdts) Broomhill, 1850 hrs (4 x cdts) Rothbury, 1920 hrs (4 x cdts) CTC Otterburn, 2000 hrs Sunday, 24th July 2011: The minibus should depart Otterburn at around 1500 hrs for the return journey home. All cadets will need the correct dress and equipment to head straight out into the field on the Friday night. Speak to your DC for further advice about what to take. W Company Fieldcraft Weekend 06/18/2011
 Almost 100 cadets from W Company took part in fieldcraft training on the windswept Otterburn training area. The Company's senior cadets also took part in a night time blank firing ambush, where they intercepted their junior peers during a patrol. Everyone took part in navigation exercises and honed their skills at living in the field. They also got to sample the British Army's new (for us) Afghanistan ration packs, which are cleverly designed to suit soldiers operating in hotter climates. Unfortunately, as the cadets will testify, their lack of stoginess mean they're not best suited for the chilly Northumberland moors. The weekend also signified Bellingham Detachment's first Company training at Otterburn. A few more photos appear in the gallery. W Company Battle Camp 10/24/2010
 Ninety cadets from W Company took part in the annual Company battle camp on Otterburn Training Area this weekend. The cadets, based from Berwick in the north to Bellingham in the south, spent two nights out on the bleak and windswept Northumberland moors honing their skills at patrolling, section battle drills and ambushes. Twenty new cadets from Bellingham Detachment spent their first day on camp with W Company and were introduced to shooting on the Dismounted Close Combat Trainer (DCCT). They also explored the big guns of 26 Regt Royal Artillery, who were on Otterburn for a major field firing exercise.   At the end of the weekend the Company Commander, Major Mark Ewart, presented the following cadets with their crossed-flag signals badges: - Sgt Jack Hale (Rothbury) - Sgt Greg Hogarth (Berwick) - Cpl Meg Straker (Alnwick) - Cpl Joe Pendrich (Alnwick) - Cpl Ed Inkster (Alnwick) - LCpl Nicole Beaman (Alnwick) - LCpl Kate Netherwood (Alnwick) The following cadets were promoted to the rank of Cpl: - Cpl Ellie Tribe (Alnwick) - Cpl Will Young (Alnwick) - Cpl James Scott (Amble) The next W Company weekend is on 6/7 November at Alnwick.  W Company Fieldcraft Weekend 06/18/2009
 Ninety cadets from north-Northumberland have just returned from an action-packed field training weekend up at Otterburn. | ArchivesJanuary 2012 CategoriesAll |
