Page 117 - Mercian Eagle 2013

Army League, Junior Cadet Leadership Challenge Camp, at Fort Devens.
In another initiative we have established a contingent Saddle Club with cadets having regular after school lessons and working
up towards Pony Club qualifications. The cadet flying programme continued until
the national fleet of Grab Tutors were all grounded. We managed to make up for this in some ways by a visit to 705 Naval Air Squadron at RAF Shawbury where the cadets all got a flight in a Squirrel. This was followed by a Griffin helicopter visiting
school for our Biennial Review during which 50 cadets had flights over Birmingham! Another milestone for the RAF section was reached when cadet George Allaway was awarded a flying scholarship over Easter during which he was awarded his ‘wings’.
The Royal Navy had conducted camps at HMS Bristol and HMS Raleigh where they were joined by French cadets from Ecole
des Mousses. The Royal Marines section competed in the Pringle Trophy for the first time and didn’t come last! A record 41 cadets attended CCF Central Camp at Sennybridge.
Queen Mary’s Grammar School CCF
Maj Roger Machin
The Contingent has enjoyed another full and hectic training year, the main theme being one of expansion. However, first I must mention a significant departure. Wing Commander David Pomeroy OBE
BSc has served in the Contingent for well over 40 years, the last
15 as Contingent Commander. This commitment, combined with service to the School as a whole as teacher of Mathematics and Examinations Officer, makes his achievement truly remarkable. He is replaced by Lt Colonel Steve Law
Despite losing the valuable services of Flying Officer Andy Stockley, Contingent expansion has taken place both in terms of staff and cadets. Teacher of Geography Chris Larvin and former senior cadet Stephen Pettitt are currently going through the commissioning process and we look forward to them both joining the Army Section. Well done to Lt Paul Rogers who successfully completed his KGVI Course including the SAA Instructor package.
Cadet numbers have gone up to a total of over 350 in both sections. With the School intake rising over the next three years these numbers are likely to increase further. However as we know it is not just about numbers. The Contingent has again enjoyed a busy and varied programme.
The School Welsh Centre continues to be a priceless asset. Three RAF weekends, Adventurous Training events , Recruits Induction and our unique attempt at a Command and Staff Trainer (CCCT – the reader can try and work out what it stands for!) were all very well attended.
AEG at Cosford has continued to be extremely popular and we all hope that AEF will resume soon. RAF Camps were far flung indeed being held at Linton on Ouse, Henlow, and Akrotiri.
Army Camp this year was at Longmoor Training Area and was run by the Contingent. A huge thank you to the 10 staff involved and the 75 cadets who attended. We also managed to put on a five day SCIC for selected Corporals who all seemed to thrive in what was a fairly “hot-house” environment.
Our usual three Field days took place despite some disruption caused by some fairly Arctic conditions. We also enjoyed our Formal Parade in May with Lt Col Chris Day former CO of 106 Ad Regt RA inspecting. We have strong links with this TA unit with several old boys serving. Cadets also attended a number of external courses. Paramount amongst these were Leadership courses at Frimley Park and RAF Cranwell respectively.
Friday Training has seen the usual progression through Red Star and Yellow Star Proficiency programmes for Y9 and Y10. Our Year 11 cadets went through a JCIC programme and Special to Arm Training. They are the third cohort to follow this course and with the SCIC being run for the second year in succession at Camp there has definitely been an improvement in the standard of Cadet Instructor which obviously has a beneficial knock on effect for the younger cadets.
In 2014 we have the challenge of our Biennial Review to look forward to as well as hopefully an Army Central Camp at SENTA. Another SCIC will take place in the summer together with a Tactics weekend for Year 10 and 11 cadets, not to mention a visit to TA training events for our senior NCOs. Can’t wait!
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