The Army Cadet Force

Hiya!
So for my second post I thought I would talk about the 3 and a half glorious years that I spent as a member of Rickmansworth Detachment. 'Ricky' (Rickmansworth) Detachment is one of the 8 detachments in 3 Company (3 Coy), and 3 Coy is one of the 5 companies that make up the Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire Army Cadet Force.

There are 8 detachments in 3 Coy, 4 detachments are Irish Guards (including Rickmansworth) and 4 are Royal Artillery. Each have their own cap badge (pictured below). Irish Guards wear a green beret and their TRF (Tactical Recognition Flash) is Blue Red Blue. Whereas members of the Royal Artillery have a navy beret and do not have a TRF.

Irish Guard's Cap Badge, written on it the Irish Guard's motto - 'Quis Separabit', 'who shall separate us'

Royal Artillery Cap Badge - Their motto - 'Quo Fas Et Gloria Ducunt', ' where right and glory lead' 

Irish Guards beret with TRF and cap badge

During my time as an Army cadet I was promoted to Lance Corporal, and this meant that I earnt the first rank in cadets. When cadets get rank they are expected to have a bit more responsibility and the expectations from NCO's (Non - Commissioned Officers (cadets with rank)) increases with each successive rank.

Brassard - worn on the right arm to display rank and achievements

Lance Corporal rank slide 

As a cadet we go to a variety of camps such as Easter, Annual and Christmas Camp.

Here is a video that was made on my first Annual Camp. It features me and two other cadets from different companies and we are asked the question, 'what is the best thing about being a cadet'. The video was posted on the Army Cadet Force website.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=i2yo7GWWN_8

By the time my second Annual camp came around I had been promoted and along with 6 other cadets I was a senior 2 star. Therefore, when we went 'out in the field' (a term used when we sleep outside in shelters (bashas) and carry out field craft) I was given the position of first in command (1.I.C) of a section. There are three sections in a platoon and each section has a 1st in command and a 2nd in command. These two positions are put in place so that the section is managed well. The job of the first in command is to make sure that the movements and timings of their section is done correctly, and second in command look after the section on a more personal level, such as making sure people have a full water bottle for the day or have eaten breakfast. Their job is also to help the first in command.

Having this position was very stressful, and you never quite understand how hard it is until you are put in an authoritative position. As a Lance Corporal I had not been given large amounts of responsibility and I now really appreciate how difficult it is to manage and look after around 10 other individuals as well as yourself, it was really hard!

When we were out in the field we had a bit of fun with some pyrotechnics and a group of us were gathered together to become 'the enemy'. We dressed up in desert camouflage , covered our faces with scarves and we 'kidnapped' an instructor and tied them to a tree within our harbour area (where we all sleep). All the other cadets came to our harbour area performing left and right flanking and began to advance towards our position, all while they fired blank rounds in our general direction and we fired back. It was hard to see them coming as our instructors threw smoke grenades in the area which reduced our visibility. Our position was stormed and as it was 7 cadets to about 40, we had to retreat and hand over our captive. Although by this time we had slept outside two nights and were extremely exhausted it was an awesome experience! We absolutely love letting loose and having a good old fashioned war! 

THE ENEMY (I am third from the right)

Other than the camps which we have the opportunity to attend year round, there are also events in the calendar which are of particular importance to us. One of these is Remembrance Sunday, every year we attend the service held at the chapel located on the school site on which we meet weekly. It is a big event for everybody, including adult staff, some of whom have been members of the army and have lost friends. So the whole detachment meet on a Sunday with immaculate kit to honour those who have been lost during times of conflict. For my third Remembrance Sunday we performed a Guard of Honour and I was lucky enough to be one of the cadets who was a part of it.

Another important date in the calendar is the 17^th  of March, St Patrick's Day As there are four detachments with connections with the Irish Guards, every year we are invited to attend the St Patrick's Day Parade at Aldershot. I attended the parade last year and it was excellent! Each year a member of the Royal family attends the parade and a select few are given the opportunity to meet them. Although I was not chosen, a few of my friends met Katherine Middleton! We stood right in front of the crowd and tried not to be pushed back by the large swarm of reporters and photographers from the press, and from there we saw the whole procession.

Cadets meeting Katherine Middleton

The Irish Guards mascot, the Irish Wolfhound, Conmael

 

I owe a lot to the Army Cadet Force, I have been able to develop and grow as a person and particularly on camps I was pushed to my limits as I had to sleep out in cold and wet conditions in bashas, which provide little protection from the wind! I became stronger and more thick skinned, the experience I had was truly incredible. I made friends from my detachment and other detachments who I will always keep in touch with and continue to see on a regular basis. If you want to meet some truly down to earth people, become an Army Cadet!

Photograph of a Basha (Google Images)

Detachment Photos 

Rickmansworth Detachment at Croxley Revels

We Won best stand! 

If anybody is interested in the ACF, then have a look at their website:
https://armycadets.com/

Or 'Become a Cadet' at:
https://armycadets.com/become-a-cadet/

Fitness First

This blog is just my way of being able to look over all the activities and clubs that I have been a part of, it is a way in which I can reflect upon all the things that I have achieved, the places I have been or the places I have worked.

For many years I have been a member of Templar Martial Arts, this is a kick-boxing club and through my time with them I have achieved Brown Belt Black Tag  which is two belts before black belt. I have been a kickboxer for over 4 years and it is a great way to improve fitness, balance and flexibility. I have never stopped enjoying this sport and after a good hour session I always feel very relaxed.

Through kick boxing I have been given the opportunity to attend gradings (where we are able to earn a new belt), seminars (such as interactive sessions on self defence), and fights (during which we compete with other members of the club or members from other clubs).

In 2010 I was awarded student of the month, this was due to my commitment and hard work. The idea of this award is to recognise that a particular member has worked to improve and to inspire everyone to work harder.

Once you get to Blue belt, in order to continue on to Brown belt, you must compete in a fight and so, at 15 years old, I competed in my first fight with another member of Templar Martial Arts. The pairs are put together by the instructor who knows each member personally. Your ability to go into the ring with somebody is dependant on weight, you must be of a similar weight to fight somebody. So, due to the fact that I was a fairly skinny teenager, I was matched with a girl 4 years my junior. Each fight consists of three 2 minute rounds, and are all very exhausting. I went on to win the fight and received a trophy, along with all other participants. The experience, although tiring, was very enjoyable and I would do it again if I was given the opportunity. 

Photograph of my fight in 2011 - my guard really should be up!

If you really want to work your way up the ranks in any club, you have to do so by earning belts, and in order to earn belts, you must attend gradings. Gradings consist of a warm up; which depending on the belt you are going for can either range from three 2 minute rounds to six 2 minute rounds

Photograph of a warm up

After this, you carry out pad work with a partner and do a range of punch-kick combinations: 

Pad Work

and following three 2 minute rounds of pad work, you then go on to spar. Sparring is where you partake in combat with a partner, wearing protective equipment of course! 

Sparring

And finally, everybody gathers around in a circle and my instructor would pick two people who would spar in the enclosure of the ring which has been created. 

Sparing in a circle

There may be additional activities which must be carried out by people aiming to achieve the higher belts. These include grappling; a personal favourite, in which two people compete on their knees (on mats) and try to get their opponent to 'tap out', another activity is where members have to display their control with nunchuks or with sticks. Lastly: A Kata: 'kata' is a Japanese word which describes detailed choreographed patterns, if you are member of Templar Martial Arts you are asked to do a kata at Brown belt Black tag, Black tag and then Black belt, and each kata becomes increasingly difficult. It is a way of highlighting your control, fluidity and accuracy. 

Every aspect of a grading is designed so that you are able to push yourself to the limit, every member is able to go at the pace which matches their own ability, but when you really try and you work hard, your efforts are commended. 

If you are interested in becoming a member of Templar Martial Arts and training with a 4th dan Black belt instructor, you can have a look at their website http://www.thekickboxer.co.uk/