Below is details of courses cadets from A Company have been on and recommend other cadets to go on. If you have ever been on a Cadet course and would recommend it to other cadets from A Company send an email to acoysite@acompanyacf.co.uk.
Adventure Training Courses 2011-12 [112Kb]
Using a Rail Warrant [353.6Kb]
CADET BASIC COOKERY COURSE CADET ELECTRONIC APPRECIATION COURSE SENIOR CADET INSTRUCTOR COURSE CADET LEADERSHIP COURSE LOS PICOS DofE SPAIN EXPEDITION CADET150 GOLD DOFE RESIDENTIAL
We travelled up to Aldershot on the train using rail warrants we had been issued by the company. When we arrived at Aldershot Train Station we got a taxi to the camp. The taxi driver new exactly where we were supposed to be, and took us there.
When we arrived at the camp we went to the guard house. In the guard house they had a list of names and ticked us off their sheet. The called one of our course instructors and they showed us to our rooms. When we got there we were told where are beds were and given all our bed sheets. Once we had settled in and met most of the other cadets from around the country on the course we went to get our chef whites. We gave our sizes and they gave us two lots.
In the evening we were shown around the camp and watched a video of some of the army chefs taking part in competitions and stuff like that.
All day Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday we were in the kitchens making food such as scones and lasagne under the direction of our instructors. It got really hot in the kitchens as it is the middle of summer and all the cookers are on full temperature.
In the evening we did a treasure hunt on Tuesday, on Wednesday we did a round robin of putting up a cam net, cooking pancakes in the field and improvised cookers in the field.
At the end of the course we had a presentation from Army Careers and presentations for the best cadets in the group. Two cadets from Tiverton Detachment were awarded best cadet.
This is a really good course whether you are interested in cooking or not and highly recommend.
To see pictures taken on the course click here.
Cadet Electronic Appreciation Course
We travelled to Arborfield Garrison in Reading on the Monday morning using a rail warrant provided by the cadets. If we had paid for it ourselves it would of cost £153! The group of 15 cadets from around the country met up at the REME Museum which is just next to the camp. Once everyone had arrived we had a tour around the museum and then were allowed to look around on our own. In the museum there was military vehicles that the REME fix, weapons, medals, etc.
We then went into camp to settle into our accommodation. This was a room that used to be the commanding officer's office, filled with camp beds and sleeping bags. We thought this was bad but then realised we had one shower to share between 13 boys. Later on we had an introduction to the course, and a look around the camp.
The next day we had Basic Electronics. The people who teach Basic Electronics to the regular army thought our course had been cancelled, so quickly prepared a days activities. This wasn't the most interesting bit of the course, but we knew things could only get better. We found out about static electricity, super lightning and wired a circuit bored to make an LED flash. In the evening we played 5 a side football and basketball.
The next day started off with a visit to Air Systems. This is where they learn to fix all of the helicopters. They had Lynx and Gazelle helicopters for us to have a look in, which was good. We then had a drill session with the senior drill instructor of the camp. He taught as a drill movement that was new to most of us. The Left and Right form, ask Captain Barnes if you want to know more about that movement. In the afternoon we took part in an Orienteering competition with six other teams from the regular Army. We didn't win but we got a respectable score. In the evening we had a BBQ.
On the Thursday we visited Land Systems. This is where they fix all the equipment used by the army that doesn't go in the sky. This varies from dental chairs to tanks, to missile launchers. The visit finished off with the chance to go in a Challenger 2 tank, controlling the turret and aiming the weapon. In the evening we went to Coral Reef Water park, which is like a bigger version of Sedgemoor Splash.
On the last day we walked to the opposite camp and did paintballing. We did Fire and Movement at the enemy using paintball guns. We had lunch and then travelled home.
To see pictures taken on the course click here.
Next Course: Ask your DC
We travelled to Penhale Camp by car wearing our uniform. When we arrived we booked in with the Cadet Training Team and they gave us our bed sheets and told us were are billet was. When we got to the billet a few people were already there but we found a bed and a locker and started to unpack.
Once everyone had settled in we had our lunch and then in the afternoon the cadre began. First we were introduced to our instructors then we were given a lesson on Method of Instruction. We were then shown how a Skill at Arms Lesson and a Map and Compass Lesson should be taught, and were shown all the teaching aids we could use, they had everything.
That evening a sheet was stuck up that told us what are Skill at Arms lesson, Map and Compass and Fieldcraft Lessons were. We did not have a drill lesson just an assessment on how we took it.
The next two days followed the same format. In the morning drill assessments, including one from Sgt Jones who had sayings such as "I'd rather chew on my own jugular" and "Don't walk on my run way!". During the day everyone would teach their lessons in three groups. After each lesson everyone gave their opinion on it. In the evening we would prepare the next day's lesson. We also did a number of tests on our knowledge of everything we had done since basic training.
On the third day we did our Fieldcraft lessons in the field, which meant putting cam cream on and taking it off for every lesson. It was good to get out of the classroom though.
The next two days we did a field exercise. Everyone had a go at being a section commander and we started at one end of the training area and went to the other doing section attacks with blank ammo and smoke grenades.
On the last day we found out if we passed and some were given the chance to do re-sits.
Click here to see the lessons you could be given on SCIC
Cdt Sgt Braunton Turner of Honiton detachment attended the CLC at Frimley Park in July 2009. This is what he did in each day of the course:Los Picos Duke of Edinburgh's Award Spain Trip
On Sunday afternoon 45 cadets and 27 adults from Devon, Cornwall, Somerset, Dorset and Bristol assembled at Pellew House with bags packed ready to go to Spain to complete their Silver of Gold DofE Final expedition. After a briefing by the trip organiser Major Waterworth, everyone got on the minibuses to go to Plymouth Ferry Terminal. The ferry was a 17 hour journey, but on board everyone had a room with a bed. There was also two cinemas, a swimming pool, shops and entertainment such as cabaret, quizzes and bingo. On the ferry everyone got given 10 Euros spending money.
When the ferry arrived on Monday at Santander, we drove for about two hours to get to our Camp Site for the whole trip. When we arrived we put up our tents and settled in. This involved making use of the camps own swimming pool. Before evening meal we were given a safety briefing and put into our walking groups.
Tuesday was spent doing Expedition Preparation in our walking groups. This involved Kit Checks and Route Planning. We also went into the local town of Potes to buy any kit we forgot to bring and the maps we would be using for the expedition. We also went to a museum that was about the mountains we would be walking on.
On Wednesday everyone left the camp site to begin either a three day expedition for silver candidates or a four day expedition for gold candidates. During the expeditions everyone was being assessed on navigation, camp craft and most importantly team work.
The Silver expedition group returned to the camp site on Friday and had the rest of the day to relax by the pool, and have a debrief on the walk.
The gold group returned on Saturday and did the same. On Saturday the Silver groups went Canoeing. We drove in the minibus to the Canoe shop where we picked up the kit and then drove a couple of miles up the river to canoe back to the shop. We canoed with the current so it was quite easy. It is a lot nicer canoeing in 27 degrees opposed to the temperatures of England at this time of year! Half way through we stopped for lunch and went for a swim in the river.
On Sunday the Gold group had the option to go canoeing or spend the day on the beach with the Silver Group. In the evening we had a pub quiz in our walking groups.
On Monday we packed and loaded all the kit into the minibuses before we went into Potes to buy souvenirs. There was a market on in the town as well. We then went back to Santander to sail back to Portsmouth. This was a 26 hour journey! There was cabaret and a Disco. All the cadets got up and sang along to Robbie Williams on the stage with singer Chilli Gold. On the ferry we were given 20 Euros spending money each.
This is a really good trip, and value for money as it only cost £150. This is a great way to complete your Silver or Gold DofE Expedition and have a holiday in Spain at the same time.
Click here to see pictures taken on the trip
 AT 2011 - 2012.doc |
 Using a Rail Warrant |
SJA Sprains & Strains Handout
