By Cadet Colour Sergeant Rahees Ramzan, Rochdale Detachment, 1 (Minden) Company, GMACF
Sunday
Today consisted of a five-hour journey from Manchester Piccadilly to Reading, and then onwards to North Camp to get a taxi to CTC Frimley Park with Cadet S/Sgt Ann Crockett from 4 (Korea) Company. On the train I met an old friend from my SCIC course, Cadet CSM Kershaw (Lancashire ACF) and Cadets from different counties, all bound for Frimley. Once there, we were allocated rooms, unpacked and told to be at Marlborough Hall for 19.00, where we were given a programme and name cards, and then split into our section. I was allocated to Red Section, commanded by SMI Colley (Royal County of Berkshire ACF), with our Section DS Captain Preddy (Dyfed and Glamorgan ACF). Then, we went into ice-breakers getting to know each other and the staff. We were then issued our Fieldcraft Teaching Practices which we were to prepare and deliver later in the week; I was given Movement With and Without a Personal Weapon. Tea was then served by the front-of-house staff which was delicious. From there we got given free time in which I prepared my lesson, bulled my boots and pressed my kit for the kit inspection to follow the following day!
Monday
Today started with kit inspection and a presentation on the Army’s Values and Standards by the Commandant, Lieutenant Colonel Jones. It was a firm reminder of what was expected of a Cadet holding Master Cadet Status. It was polite and made us feel comfortable at CTC Frimley Park. Following the presentation, we had a course photo and were then told to prepare for Exercise SAFARI PARK, which consisted of two laps of the Obstacle Course. This was challenging but fun, and gave the sections the chance to bond, and we all motivated each other to the finish line! After lunch, we were allowed a rest period, followed by the presentation of our lectures. Mine was graded “highly competent” thanks to having rehearsed it with my detachment many times. Next came Exercise PARK RUNNER, where we were transported to the orienteering course. This would test our navigational ability and physical strength. I completed the course 11th out of the 40 cadets on the course. On return to CTC we were issued kit and Operational Ration Packs (ORPs) for two nights in the field, which would include the delivery of Battle Lessons, Exercise WHITE HORSE (Section Attacks) and Exercise NIGHT CRAWLER (night navigation).
Tuesday
After packing kit, a number of us were nominated as Section Commanders and Section 2ICs, for the command tasks to come. The command tasks were challenging and tested everyone’s planning and leadership skills and resilience. I was appointed Section Commander, with my 2IC, C/Sgt Wineberg-Methold (1st Battalion the Highlanders ACF). We worked effectively as a team to command the rest of the section and completed the task set for us. I was told I achieved the grade of “Highly Competent”. I was very proud of the section, due to the teamwork and effort that every individual had put in. We then continued with the rest of the command tasks as I was then given the 2IC role with the section commander as C/Sgt Wineberg-Methold. Similarly to our last task, we worked together very well and all the section put 100% in. After completing 10 command tasks and with everyone having a command role, we were given orders by Captain Weatherall which required us to deploy into the area of Minley and teach the citizens of Minley (the remainder of the section for the purpose of the exercise) different skills to remove the insurgents in the area. We were then given weapons and deployed out into the area, where we made out a sentry rota, set up our bashers and got some rest for the challenging day ahead of us.
Wednesday
After a final hour of preparation, the time had come to teach our Battle Lessons, my lesson was the last to be presented due to alphabetical order of presentation. The others in the section delivered some very high standard lessons, and finally it was my time to teach. After hours of preparation and planning I delivered my lesson to a competent standard of which I was very proud. I was pleased to get it done after hours and hours of planning. We were then given 30 minutes for lunch and replenishment of our water bottles for the eagerly awaited section attacks.
The first attack was a bit shaky – as expected – but slowly we progressed as a section to understand each other and destroy the enemy and dominate the area. I was then appointed Section Commander and given orders from the Platoon Commander. I quickly planned my Quick Battle Orders and then delivered them to the section. I was praised by Captain Preddy for the quality of my delivery. I should say that whilst back at home, I had spent some time being tutored by Sgt Girault from 4 LANCS Machine Gun Platoon, who are based in Bury. Time spent there now proved useful and gave me confidence in my delivery.
The section then patrolled out and quickly came under contact. I made a quick battle appreciation and assessed that a left flanking approach was suitable for the situation. I briefed my Fire Team and then started to work forward, whilst my 2IC S/Sgt Taylor (Northumbria ACF) gave fire support. We successfully executed the flanking attack, destroyed the enemy position and dominated the area.
By 18.00 we had completed five Section Attacks and were then taken back to the harbour area to prepare our kit for Exercise NIGHT CRAWLER, the night navigation exercise, which we started at 19.30 finishing just after midnight, although even then we weren’t finished as we had to prepare our kit for the following day.
Thursday
After early morning reveille, we were given an hour and a half to pack our bergens, sort out our kit, have a wash and a shave and have breakfast, as a field inspection was going to be conducted soon. After this inspection, we were then into Phase 2 of Exercise WHITE HORSE, ensuring everyone had been given two command appointments. I was given the task of 2IC in the first attack which meant that I had to ensure the section had the right equipment and was motivated for the attack. I issued our ammunition and was preparing the section for the next attack whilst the section commander was busy planning his orders. After orders, we moved out and came under contact. The Section Commander then ordered me to attack the enemy position with my Fire Team, whilst he used his Team to give fire support. We destroyed the enemy position. We completed five attacks in all and then moved back to Frimley Park where we cleaned weapons and handed back our stores.
Our final night also included the eagerly anticipated Mess Night, so we were then briefed on the seating order and given our dress code. Myself and C/Sgt Fretwell (Derbyshire ACF) were to be given the honour of sitting with the Commandant, so we were briefed to wait at the bottom of the stairs to greet the him, with the Course President, RSM Jakubiak (Dyfed and Glamorgan ACF) and the course Vice, Sgt Emberson (Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire ACF). The dinner night was a chance for the Cadets and adults to have a chat and share their experiences. The night was topped off by a very inspiring story by the Commandant about being an individual and a good leader and the importance of integrity. Dinner over, we returned to our rooms to pack our kit and prepare for the final kit inspection and Passing Out Parade for the following day.
Friday
Today was the final day of the course. Soon, the waiting to find out if we had passed would be over. Everyone was nervous and couldn’t wait to find out, but first we had parade rehearsals for an hour and a half. Finally, the time arrived to find out what everyone was waiting for. I was called into the room and greeted by my Section Commander and DS, SMI Colley and Captain Preddy. They described me as a very good leader and an essential member of the section. I was told to maintain the good work and effort, as many people looked up to me in the section and Cadets in my county would in the future look to me for inspiration. I was told I had passed the course at a solid competent grade, narrowly missing out on the grade of highly competent. Nevertheless, I was ecstatic as I had been recognised for my work and achievements.
I would like to thank all of Red Section for the amazing week – we never had a dull moment and kept helping each other to the end.
Red Section consisted of:
Cadet CSM Sam Dry ( Cambridgeshire ACF)
Cadet S/Sgt Courtney Edwards (Essex ACF)
Cadet CSM Tom Parrin (Buckinghamshire ACF)
Cadet CSM Jacob Longley (Dorset ACF)
Cadet C/Sgt Rahees Ramzan (Greater Manchester ACF)
Cadet CSM Rebbeca Scott (Northern Ireland ACF)
Cadet Sgt Tom Skelhorn (Humberside and South Yorkshire ACF)
Cadet S/Sgt Ellery Smith (Lincolnshire ACF)
Cadet S/Sgt Molly Taylor (Northumbria ACF)
Cadet C/Sgt Oskar Wineberg-Methold (The Highlanders ACF)
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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