Page 159 - The Bugle 2018

Somerset Army Cadet Force
The news at Battalion HQ has been the recent change of Commandant. Colonel Stephen Bartlett has now moved on and is succeeded by Colonel Peter Bates. Colonel Bates was previously the staff focal point at, HQ South West, for Ten Tors. Now amongst various responsibilities he holds a Reserve appointment that is tied to to Military Civil Integration (MCI).
In July at the Inter-Services Cadet Rifle Meeting (ISCRM), Risley, Somerset won the Cadet One Hundred, in addition to winning four cups and having six cadets reach the Cadet One Hundred; outstanding news!. For a competition where almost 100,000 cadets from all the cadet services nationwide and cadets from the Royal Canadian Army Cadets are eligible to enter, it was a fantastic result. LCpI Sam Rudge from Langport Platoon, did particularly well and Cadet 100 honours went to: Cadets CSM Brandon Harvey, Cpl Kezaya Nichols, LCpI Beth Farr and LCpI Sam Rudge. Cadet 100 badges were awarded CSM Brandon Harvey, CSjt Alex Carmichael, Cpl Kezaya Nichols, LCpI Bethany Farr, LCpI Sam Rudge and LCpI Ellie-May Venn.
In 2017 Somerset had an excellent Annual Camp on Salisbury Plain, where cadets’ skills and abilities were stretched to limits with a variety of pursuits including: watersports at Portland Marina; gliding at Upavon; TIBUA & TIWAF at Copehill Down and Green- lands Camp; and, shooting on Warminster ranges. Meanwhile military skills and shooting gained us third place at The Rifles National Cadet Competition. Three points separated the three tops teams! Also competitive is ongoing selection and training for the Florida Canoe Expedition, 2019. Cadets completed a range of testing command tasks with an emphasis on team work, approaching problems and decision making. An unsupported canoe expedition of the Florida Everglades is the objective and underpinning that is a myriad of factors: selection of safe camp sites; care and maintenance of canoes; operating communication equipment; recognising potential threats such as venomous snakes; and, being able to canoe, navigate and survive in testing, unfamiliar conditions. We wish them well in their training.
Athletics at Yeovil Arena
matics is designed to offer cadets the opportunity to experience STEM in a military context and encourage the study of such subjects at GCSE, A Level and beyond. 157 cadets from across the UK, including 9 from Somerset, attended the week-long course run by the R SIGNALS at Westdown Camp. Teams undertook daily rotations round Salisbury Plain where they gained an insight into the Army’s technology and learnt about diverse career oppor- tunities. Stands included the Land Warfare Centre’s Science and Technology (S&T) Branch, and the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL) whose work covers a range of technical areas from biology and chemistry to engineering and analysis. Specific activity included: R SIGNALS explaining communications technology including satellite platforms, antennas, electronic warfare, direction finding and intercept; the RA focused on eyes, ears and firepower plus drones and Unmanned Aerial Systems; RE highlighted armoured close engineering, explosive ordnance disposal and operations with airborne and commando forces; and REME considered maintenance, repair, procurement, manufacture and trades. Cadets returned buzzing with enthusiasm and full of praise for the course.
On a further practical note Cadets visited 846 Naval Air Squadron at RNAS Yeovilton. “I was right next to the open cargo door in the Merlin and got a huge thrill as we did steep turns and dives,” enthused Cadet LCpI Max Carp. “I’m looking forward to getting my hands on the water jets as I’ve got lots of friends that I want to spray!” announced Cadet Elizabeth Pye. Army Cadets can be about unforgettable experiences that can seldom, if ever,
157 CADETS FROM ACROSS
THE UK, INCLUDING
9 FROM SOMERSET, ATTENDED THE WEEK- LONG COURSE RUN BY THE R SIGNALS
I’ve only been here a day and want to come back
for more!” said Cadet LCpI Jacob Flint-Johnson
from Nailsea Platoon after experiencing STEM.
Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathe- be offered ‘in civvy street’. The bucket list includes
Commandant’s Parade