By AUO Lizzie Nevell, 4 (Korea) Company, GMACF
I’m writing on the penultimate night of Annual Camp 2014; 4 (Korea) Company are still hard at work, squeezing every drop of work and fun out of Sennybridge. Looking back on the last nine days it is incredible that we have been able to fit so much in; from ambushes to stalking, high ropes to drill, the variety of activities we’ve worked through has been imaginative and engaging for staff and Cadets alike.
Talking to many Cadets the highlight of their camp has been the Field Training Exercise (FTX).
The training Two Stars entered the field in full tactical mode, basing their harbour area deep in a forestry block – so even the sheep struggled to find them. The weather stayed kind for the duration of the exercise, with glorious sunshine glowing over the hills while the Cadets practised their contact drills.
Each cadet had the chance to act as a sentry and take part in a number of patrols, reccies and even building clearances.
The platoon was helped by the ever enthusiastic L/Cpl Mitchell of the Mercian Regiment. The platoon patrolled across country towards the training village situated a few kilometres from the harbour area. Once there the Cadets were given a first class demonstration of contact drills and how to withdraw from contact.
L/Cpl Mitchell along with senior Cadets CSM Jack Taylor and Sergeant Major Declan Thompson concealed themselves in one of the training buildings and acted as the enemy, opening a barrage of fire against the advancing troops.
Cadet L/Cpl Neate acted as Section Commander for the Cadets under fire, using his Four Star Cadet knowledge to issue fire control orders and control the withdrawal of the Cadets in his section. Each Cadet peeled off whilst the remainder put down covering fire on the enemy locations. The adrenalin pumping through their blood streams was clear as each Cadet focused their fire on the enemy location and used all their energy to withdraw as swiftly as possible. Once they had bugged out of the area they were able to patrol away and report back any information they found. Once the enemy withdrew – obviously feeling they didn’t stand a chance against the skills of the Training Two Stars, the Cadets were able to return to conduct searches on the buildings, where they located a number of pieces of vital information about the enemy state as well as their ration supplies for that evening.
Each Cadet got to experience blank firing in the field and will hopefully continue to develop these skills with Senior Company next year.
This has been my second annual camp as a platoon commander and third as a member of staff. And each time I’ve come away shattered but thinking ‘this is awesome’. Every platoon and group of Cadets is different and I have been privileged to train some of the hardest working, professional and enthusiastic Cadets on camp.
The role of platoon commander is one of personnel management and organisation. Planning what lessons are going to be delivered, where and by whom. It is an immensely tiring job, especially in the field where I had to deliver a set of orders to some Senior Cadets acting as section commanders as well as coordinate training, patrols and assessments.
For me the most rewarding thing about this position isn’t always the assessments at the end, but rather the small victories to be won with each Cadet on a daily basis. Sometimes it’s helping to get a grouping down from 500mm to a marksman standard through one to one coaching or watching the most vertically challenged Cadet on camp take the entire company for drill. They’ve made me laugh, cry, cringe and cheer with their constant enthusiasm and hilarity – although I’m not going to forgive them anytime soon for bowling me out in cricket earlier.
It’s a privilege to be trusted by the parents of these Cadets to look after them and help them to progress through their training as well as hopefully impart some life skills.
Annual Camp is always the most exhausting fortnight of the year, but thanks to these Cadets I wouldn’t miss it for the world.
Do you have what it takes to serve with GMACF, either as an Adult Volunteer or as a Cadet? Are you looking for an opportunity to work hard and develop new skills? If so, why not contact GMACF County HQ on 01204 512600.
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