Almost 100 cadets from the far flung corners of Northumberland, attended the recent weapon handling and range weekend up at Otterburn Camp.
The camp is home to Northumbria ACF's residential training centre, which provides accommodation to almost 200 cadets engaged in exciting adventurous and military activities on the Otterburn Training Area.
Last weekend W Company cadets, including those from our brand new Bellingham Detachment, spent a weekend honing their practical skills on the ranges.
As well as spending several hours on the full bore outdoor ranges, the cadets spent time clay target shooting and working on the Dismounted Close Combat Trainer (DCCT). The DCCT at Otterburn has 8 firing points, with gas operated training weapons that the cadets use to engage targets on an electronic screen. The facility is the ideal way to reinforce the marksmanship principles in a warmer and less pressurised environment than the live range. W Company resident shooting guru, SSI Cy Dilger, guided the cadets through their DCCT practices, which revealed some pretty good shots (notably Cdt Ryan Taylor of Alnwick).
The cadets rotated around several training stands all weekend. Those not actively engaged in shooting took part in their weapon handling safety tests with Lt Keith Marchant, fieldcraft with RSMI Peter Lawrence and orienteering with SSI John Grey.
On the Sunday the 2IC, Capt Tom Jackson, and Deputy Commandant, Lt Col Barry White, took a working party of cadets out to the site of "Cadet Wood". The wood was planted by the same cadets last year to mark the 150th anniversary of the Army Cadet Force, Cadet 150. Fearing the worst after horrendous weather in early December, the cadets were pleasantly surprised the find only a few saplings had succumbed to the snow.
W Company extends its thanks to all of the adults and cadets who made the weekend such a success. Particular thanks goes to visiting helpers SSI Dave Guthrie (now our CSM) and SI Daryl Wood.
The camp is home to Northumbria ACF's residential training centre, which provides accommodation to almost 200 cadets engaged in exciting adventurous and military activities on the Otterburn Training Area.
Last weekend W Company cadets, including those from our brand new Bellingham Detachment, spent a weekend honing their practical skills on the ranges.
As well as spending several hours on the full bore outdoor ranges, the cadets spent time clay target shooting and working on the Dismounted Close Combat Trainer (DCCT). The DCCT at Otterburn has 8 firing points, with gas operated training weapons that the cadets use to engage targets on an electronic screen. The facility is the ideal way to reinforce the marksmanship principles in a warmer and less pressurised environment than the live range. W Company resident shooting guru, SSI Cy Dilger, guided the cadets through their DCCT practices, which revealed some pretty good shots (notably Cdt Ryan Taylor of Alnwick).
The cadets rotated around several training stands all weekend. Those not actively engaged in shooting took part in their weapon handling safety tests with Lt Keith Marchant, fieldcraft with RSMI Peter Lawrence and orienteering with SSI John Grey.
On the Sunday the 2IC, Capt Tom Jackson, and Deputy Commandant, Lt Col Barry White, took a working party of cadets out to the site of "Cadet Wood". The wood was planted by the same cadets last year to mark the 150th anniversary of the Army Cadet Force, Cadet 150. Fearing the worst after horrendous weather in early December, the cadets were pleasantly surprised the find only a few saplings had succumbed to the snow.
W Company extends its thanks to all of the adults and cadets who made the weekend such a success. Particular thanks goes to visiting helpers SSI Dave Guthrie (now our CSM) and SI Daryl Wood.
