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CCF Spring Camps and Events

 

Methods of Instruction Camp

On a damp February morning the schools CCF contingent began their journey to their usual haunt in Crowborugh, Sussex.  Among them were a privileged few who had been selected to do the Method Of Instruction Course.  We took warning that the course would be demanding both physically and mentally.  Those on the course had been receiving lessons during Monday parades from the new instructor from the Cadet Training Team, Sgt Tanner.  In a nutshell the course teaches JNCOs how to teach classes from Skill at Arms, Fieldcraft and Drill.Having arrived at Crowborugh we got changed into our uniform and begun our first class of the camp.Each candidate had to give a presentation on a subject given to them a week prior.  These ranged from the CCF to Thatcher to my subject, Tower Bridge.  Most of us scraped through with a pass and we were sent to our billets to get some much needed rest.The next day we joyfully woke up to the idea that there would be no formal hut inspection in the mornings, merely a quick check over of the hut.  Marching to a full English breakfast spirits were high, even with the black rain clouds of doom hanging over our heads.  After breakfast we went to the classroom in preparation for our examined lessons in Skill at Arms.  Considering most of us were extremely nervous we did very well with only the odd error.  Most of us got B’s and C’s.  Being our first ever attempt at teaching the entire group agreed that we didn’t do too bad at all.  Because a Skill at Arms lesson is so meticulous and takes a long time to teach it took a full two days to get through the 12 candidates.  However, as soon as the last man had finished his lessons we were given our new subject, Fieldcraft.  One of the most exciting things the corps has to offer Fieldcraft is the skill of moving about in the field and learning how to effectively fight the enemy.  We spent all night learning our subjects and practising our lessons but when it was crunch time we all performed far better than at our Skill at Arms, even if the black rain clouds of doom opened up and were chucking it down by the barrel.I am happy to say that after the course every candidate passed.  Putting an advanced subject under their belt and being qualified to teach in the Monday parades.  I would like to thank all of the adults on the camp for making it a memorable experience for all involved including Lt Col. Woodhams, Maj. Woodhams, WO1 Gregory and Sgt. Tanner. A/Sgt Joe Long

 

Army Training Section February Camp

This February, the City of London School Combined Cadet Force welcomed new cadets from St. Thomas The Apostle College who have very recently been signed on strength with this CCF. So, for these boys, this camp was their first camp and an insight to the British Army. This year the camp was held at Crowborough Training Camp. During this five day trip, the cadets covered some basic military subjects such as First Aid, Drill and Turnout, and Map and Compass. First Aid was successfully passed by all and most of the cadets Drill and Turnout improved.

The cadets were also involved with basic camp craft that includes how to cook army rationed meals and how to put up tents, and expedition training which includes how to read maps, navigating  by the use of landmarks, learning the country code. The camp craft and expedition training are initial preparations for the self reliance expedition to be undertaken in the Easter camp at Swynnerton Barracks. As a practice for this journey, the cadets went on a small excursion for a few hours as practice for the real test. Even though it was small, the cadets were required to fill out route cards that involved calculating distances, estimated timings, height gained, and bearings. This forced them to work as a team and put their map and compass skills to use. On the excursion, the cadets worked very well as a group, cooperating with each other, showing initiative, and developing leadership skills by taking it in turns to lead the group. The boys also had another opportunity to shoot the No.8 Rifle. For the St. Thomas The Apostle boys, this weapon was a foreign object in comparison to the CLS boys who have previously shot it last November. However, after a quick but precise lesson conducted by professionals, the majority passed the safety test and went onto shoot the weapon. By the end of the session, many of the cadets managed to obtain a ‘pass’ grade, with some achieving remarkable ‘first class’ grades. Although very few, some cadets managed the ‘marksman’ grade - the highest shooting grade on this weapon, so congratulations to those cadets. In the end, the cadets went home after an exciting five days at Crowborough. 

The St. Thomas The Apostle cadets came on this camp with little prior knowledge about the CCF, most of them performed well. If they manage to behave well and pass all their tests, I don’t see why they won’t get promoted after Easter Annual Camp (As goes for the CLS boys). So well done to all those involved and the NCO’s that have worked hard under the pressure.

By CSM Jensen S6

 

 

Chickerell

After traveling down in the back seat of the blue truck on advanced party, being treated to a slap up lunch and sorting out all the stores before the rest of the cadets arrived in the late afternoon.  By this time we already had our beds maid and felt as though we had been at camp for days. That evening the camp was started in true CCF fashion with a CO,s film show.

The main purpose of the camp was for the 3rd form to successfully complete the 1st aid course and drill & turnout for their APC (Army Proficiency Certificate) while the Signals Troop and Infantry Section took part in a methods of instruction cadre or completed their classification training. The first few days for Training Section were full of drill and 1st aid lessons (which by the way were full of amusing attempts to bandage various wounds). Between these lessons the cadets also had an introduction to field and camp-craft.

Since the cadets had no previous experience with compo rations, this left a great chance for us NCOs to stock up on some of the delights in the 24hour rations, including: Yorkie bars, orange powder and oatmeal blocks while explaining the various meal options and cooking instructions.

Towards the end of the camp the 3rd formers had to complete route cards to allow them to go on a practice self reliance walk, on which the cadets used some of their classic ingenuity to create entertainment using a muddy field and nothing else. The after effects resulted in hours of furious scrubbing to clean their uniform in preparation for their drill and turnout test.

The overall camp went by without any real hitches, just a small incident! It also offered an unexpected surprises for the Signals Troop and Infantry Platoon during their visit to The Royal School of Signals, Blandford.  They got to see the latest in signals technology and vehicles plus take part in user trials of the new replacement section radio.

Thanks must go to all Officers, Adult Instructors and SNCOs for another great camp.

 

Sgt Thomas O’Keeffe

 

RAF Halton, February   

The RAF left for their annual February camp at RAF Halton on Thursday 7th after school, rather than at the usual base of Uxbridge which is shortly to be closed. Halton is home to the recruit training base so on arrival we found ourselves surrounded by fresh recruit doing many of the same activities as the cadets, so the base was ideally suited for our purposes. On Friday morning we had an early start (even by CCF standards) and left for RAF Benson to give the cadets some Air Experience Flying, and a chance to look around some of the RAF’s latest helicopters. All of the cadets got at least half an hour in the air, and all got a chance to develop their skills further, some even got a chance to experience the thrill of Aerobatics.

After returning on to Halton we started on the main focus of the camp, which was either preparation for those cadets who are about to do their Duke of Edinburgh Bronze expedition, or basic a Basic First Aid course for the rest. This took up the majority of the Camp, with the D of E group learning how to set up tents and cook 24 hour ration packs. The first aid course was a great success, culminating with all the boys passing, and the NCO’s and officers having to sit through 8 hours of examinations and having to resort to ever more dramatic and elaborate accidents to amuse themselves.

The whole camp was finished off with an extremely successful orienteering exercise which involved small groups attempting to navigate around large areas of repetitive woodland, which was almost entirely a great success.

Mihir Anand