RAF
This has been a phenomenal year for the RAF section . The Michaelmas term began with a host of new enthusiastic Year 10 cadets entering Bader Platoon in the training section and winning the drill competition under the tutelage of Cpls Betrys Galloni , Alex Harley and Adam Record . Meanwhile , other NCOs planned Year 11 lessons on Airmanship I , II and Land Navigation ( two cadets passing Airmanship I with 100 per cent ). October Field Day was spent at RAF Hendon amongst the aircraft , and we all experienced the thrill of simulated flights . The Lent term saw the Year 10s join Year 11s for outdoor command tasks , building cohesiveness as a group , as well as individual thinking , creativity and leadership skills .
Summer Field Day was a day of high ropes , low ropes and bushcraft shelter building in the woods – activities which called for planning , teamwork , balance and bravery ! To celebrate the past year ’ s achievements , we had the first RAF dinner in two years , which was a bittersweet event as we said goodbye and thank you to our Upper Sixth NCOs , including head of section F / Sgt Ferdinand Beier , who have been dedicated members since joining in Year 10 .
Corporal Ellie Rowland , Lower Sixth
ARMY
Exercises in CCF are rare enough to make them special , but Field Day in Pippingford Park saw me responsible for commanding 50 or so Year 10s . No easy task ! We began by helping them set up their bashas and cooking field rations , followed by a teaching phase on vehicle checkpoints and ambushes which were put into operation later that evening . We headed out on patrol at 08:00 the next morning after studying a model of the area and enemy positions . Patrols needed vigilance and the discipline to react to enemy contact and several firefights with blank ammo resulted . My biggest challenge was planning the final assault on the enemy base , which involved a pincer movement , after a low-profile approach , and remaining in control of three sections I was commanding by voice projection alone . The attack was both exhilarating and a success .
Summer camp this year was a fully tactical ‘ battle camp ’: five days of reconnaissance , planning , attacking , ambushing and generally pitting wits against an enemy force amidst the pine forests of Longmoor training area . The highlight of the week was a surprise visit by and flight in a chinook helicopter . I was proud to be awarded Best Cadet on camp !
Colour Sergeant Tom Bristow , Lower Sixth
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