Army Cadets Awarded ‘Top School’ at Combat Cadet Competition, Beckingham

The Combat Cadet Competition, which takes place at Beckingham Training Camp, is a demanding fieldcraft competition for cadets from the Army Cadet Force and Combined Cadet Force which builds on the core syllabus to test cadets’ resolve and leadership skills. Nine of our Army cadets took part this year coming away as the top CFF and taking second place overall out of 23 teams, performing excellently across all aspects of the fieldcraft tasks, this is an achievement they can all be incredibly proud of as Year 13’s Head of Contingent and Captain of the Combat Cadet Team Warrant Officer 1 Oscar W reports.

Year 13’s Oscar W

Training for the competition started months ago, with 24 cadets trying out for the team across various afternoon sessions doing different series of tests from fitness to skills and drills. Slowly we selected down to a final team of nine cadets who all had the required fitness and varied types of skills we would need during the competition. The final team also attended a weekend training at School.

During the competition, the team took part in many different aspects of field craft. We carried out a series of mock military scenarios, including a building assault, a casualty evacuation under fire and a two-hour long patrol lanes in order to recce a position and then moved off straight into a 2km timed run.

At each stand, the objective had to be planned and carried out while adapting to any changes that were happening live. I would like to especially thank 2IC Colour Sgt. Oliver B for his amazing help with creating and adapting plans as well as organising admin such as ammo distribution and kit checks.

The competition was a great test of everyone’s personal skills dependent on their role, from section commander, scout to rifleman and I am very proud with the personal performances of every cadet on the team.

Congratulations to the whole team: 2IC Colour Sgt Oliver B, Sgt Jack M, Cpls Ethan W & Henry C, LCpls Sam C, Arlo W, Alex B and Ben B. I would also like to thank LCpl Huw Beaumont who couldn’t make the team due to injury but assisted the Army in running one of the stands. All our hard work from the training to the weekend of competition really paid off with top CCF and second place overall.

Well done to everyone and thank you to Mr Garvie, Mr Capjon and Dr Stern who helped us with the training and made it all possible.