Stories

Canadian Exchange 2018 - The 2018 Rocky Mountain Leadership and Challenge Course

In 2018 I was one of the lucky 12 cadets to pass the national selection weekend and represent the UK, the Mercian Regiment, and King’s School Worcester CCF on the course. It certainly lived up to my expectations. I got the opportunity to test myself and my leadership capabilities in

Cadet Cambrian Patrol 2018

The Cadet Cambrian Patrol is one of the toughest and most challenging of all cadet competitions. Taking place over two days in South Wales it tests teams in a variety of skills from leadership to field craft. This year saw 150 cadets taking part with gold medals being awarded to just three teams. SSI Tony Brown at King's School Chester looks back on what is one of the highlights of his cadet calendar.

Adventurous training in North Wales for intrepid cadets

In March 2018, a group of 12 cadets and accompanying staff from Kingham Hill School CCF departed for five days of Adventurous Training in Snowdonia, North Wales.

Bavaria skiing experience

One cadet's amazing skiing experience in Bavaria gaining a skiing qualification and learning even more about her own self confidence, thanks to a CCFA small grant.

Social impact and cadets - University of Northampton research

The Ministry of Defence (MOD), the Combined Cadet Force Association and CVQO have commissioned the Institute for Social Innovation and Impact at the University of Northampton to undertake a four-year study designed to help understand the social impact of the spending on cadets and the Cadet Expansion Programme, as well as the benefits of the qualifications provided by CVQO.

Sustainability funding case studies

Albion Academy CCF (RAF), part of CEP 100, Salford, used the funds to buy additional kit. Andrew Kyle, Contingent Commander, says:

Oundle School Ccf To The Somme 047 Small

Oundle remembers Somme 101

Oundle School CCF shares their experience of visiting the Somme Battlefields in September 2017.

Canadian Exchange 2017

Cadets from the United Kingdom and Canada traded places this summer to participate in the annual Canadian Cadet Exchange.

Dog sledding in Lapland

Oldham Hulme Grammar School CCF, Oldham, took a group of 11 cadets and two CCF officers to Lapland in Arctic Sweden for a week of dog sledding. Maj Ian Blackwood tells us about the experience…

Glyn-Freemen’s CCF tackle the Great Glen canoe trail

A team of intrepid cadets from the Glyn-Freemen’s CCF, Surrey, completed the Great Glen Canoe Trail: a 95km (60 mile) stretch of Lochs and waterways that links the Atlantic Ocean to the North Sea.

Clare’s 'Cadet Norski' Adventure

In February 2017 Cadet Sergeant Clare, King Edward VI Grammar School CCF(RAF), traveled to Rjukan, Norway, to take part in the Cadet Centre for Adventure Training (CCAT) Nordic skiing training course. In her own words, Clare recalls her experience.

Leadership

Cadet Sergeant Kieran Scott, aged 17, joined Heanor Gate Science College’s Combined Cadet Force (CCF) three years ago as a founder cadet, and has since been promoted to a senior cadet role, been awarded the Best Cadet on Camp and has improved his confidence, team-working and leadership abilities. Kieran, who

Air Cadets music camp

Last year Cadet – now Lance Corporal – Oliver Wales asked permission to leave CCF slightly early for a jazz band rehearsal. His CO at Wilson’s School CCF told him that marching band selection had started, and the then-14-year-old decided to give it a go. “To my dismay, only days

Tri-Service band camp with the Royal Navy

Each year around 100 CCF cadets from across all services can attend a tri-service music camp held in Dartmouth. David Green, who served in the Royal Marines band and is now the director of music at Plymouth College, gives his insight into the course. “Each summer we draw cadets from across the country to

Joint training between Bromsgrove Schools

North Bromsgrove High School pupils enjoyed a two day camp at Nesscliffe Training Area as part of their new CEP experience. The camp, run by Bromsgrove School CCF gave the new cadets the chance to experience skill at arms training and marksmanship, obstacle course training, first aid and fieldcraft -

King Edward VI Grammar School at Armed Forces Day

King Edward VI Grammar School Combined Cadet Force have been proud to support the Armed Forces Day National Event in Cleethorpes. Events kicked off with the Cadet Games on Wednesday evening, where the region's cadet forces competed against each other in a series of events such as Tug of War, command

Royal Navy Officer Initial Course

1. What were you anticipating before you went on the course? Did you know what to expect? Before I started CCF I thought that it was based on aggressive, antagonising and shouting based requests from military to young people enabling them to engage. I thought I knew what to expect

Giggleswick CCF cadet set for South Africa singing stardom

In the school holidays, a joint expedition saw CCF(Army) and ACF cadets exploring South Africa, canoeing down the Tugela River, keeping a wary eye open for crocodiles. For one CCF cadet from Giggleswick School however, something even more unexpected was waiting for him in South Africa. Sgt Wil Richmond was happy to

Giggleswick cadet on Air Cadet Leadership Course

This year, Rebecca Witt, a sixth form pupil at Giggleswick School and member of the CCF(RAF) there, earned a place on the prestigious Air Cadet Leadership Course (ACLC). Rebecca spent a week of her summer holiday at RAF College Cranwell taking part in physical training, drill exercises, inspections, and leadership theory. Rebecca, who was made Flight

Royal Belfast CCF in Tenerife

In 2016, Royal Belfast Academical Institution CCF deployed on a rock climbing exercise in Tenerife , making it the first overseas AT Exercise for the Contingent . The expedition was supported by a generous grant from the Ulysses Trust – for more information on funding for expeditions, see our funding

Canadian Exchange 2016

Each year Cadets Branch HQ Army Regional Command in conjunction with the Royal Canadian Army Cadet (RCAC) organisation manages an International cadet exchange. This year, three groups of 13 ACF/CCF cadets travelled with their two adult volunteers to three Canadian cadet camps in New Brunswick (Argonaut) Yukon Territory (Whitehorse) and Alberta

Learning new skills

Cerys Bailey from Heanor Gate Science Academy explains how the skills she has developed through her time in the CCF have helped her rise up the ranks to Cadet Corporal, and also helped her outside of the CCF. Cerys, aged 16, explained: “I’m really proud to have been promoted to

Confidence

Cadet Rhys Wood, from Heanor Gate Science College in Derbyshire, joined the CCF two years ago and believes the experience has helped to improve his confidence.Speaking during the CCF’s summer camp at RAF Halton, Rhys said: “This is my second visit to RAF Halton and a year on from joining the cadets I’m

Network Rail

Network Rail are hoping to encourage more cadets from across all the cadet forces to take part in their exciting advanced apprenticeship scheme in engineering. Alison Pyman, Talent Acquisition Adviser at Network Rail, explained: “We're looking for young people who are keen to find a career as bright, and unique as

Trinity School and RNAS Culdrose

Cadets and staff from Trinity School CCF were treated to trips over Teignmouth and Dawlish in a former Royal Navy Search and Rescue helicopter, which had called in as part of its farewell tour. As Contingent Commander, Lt Cdr (CCF) Geraldine Poulet-Bowden RNR explains, “As a CCF Contingent we are

Lauren flies high with RAFA scholarship

Each year, six exceptional cadets are selected for a flying scholarship to reward them for their service in the CCF (RAF), Air Training Corps, Girls Venture Corps Air Cadets or Air (Explorer) Scouts. Five of the cadets receive 12 hours training each, and the overall top candidate is rewarded with

Brentwood and Westcliffe High School for Boys Partnership

Westcliff High School for Boys was one of the first schools to sign up to the Cadet Expansion Programme. The state grammar school’s headmaster, Michael Skelly – then deputy head – had been impressed by the CCF at his previous school and was quick to grasp the opportunity to establish

Giggleswick CCF Exercise Northern Jacobite Venturer

Four seasons in one week maintained the ambitions of Ex Northern Jacobite Venturer (Ex NJV). Blue sky and delightful spring weather for the first few days gave way to snow and wind by the end of the expedition. Our now annual Scottish exploit is in its 9th year and is

Cam and Kirsty's Canadian adventure

In 2015, 19 cadets and 6 adults from Strathallan School CCF went on a sea kayaking expedition to Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. Two of the cadets were supported by grants from CCFA; Cam and Kirsty recount their highlights of the expedition.