New Detachment

So being at my new detachment was very strange. I wasn't sent to the same one that I trained at, for obvious reasons, my new detachment only as a few cadets who remember me from when I was a cadet, mostly new starts.
The thing I found the most different was how it was run, no shouting, a clear time put for the next few weeks, a detachment parliament (so everyone gets a say) it was quite a change. My old detachment, whilst I loved it and always will, it wasn't organised fantastically well and there was practically an argument every week but now at this new place that never happens. It made me think about all the arguments that I was in when I was a cadet, of which there were many, and that they were pretty stupid. I think I'm turning into a grown up! Oh dear maybe I need to have an argument about bed spaces or something to slow down the ageing process.

Interview - Scary, scary

That was quick! Today I had my interview with my old CO as to see about becoming an adult. I was surprised at how quick it was I'd only left a month ago!
The interview it's self wasn't too bad mostly just questions about what I thought I could bring to the cadets, why I wanted to join, that sort of thing. The strangest question was "Where do you see yourself in 5 years?" honestly I haven't a clue. Such a strange thing to think about, as before I was at school and it was obvious that I was going to continue with that, but now I'm a grown up (or meant to be).

Last night ever!

So tonight was my last night at cadets ever and it was the strangest feeling. This has been a long coming but I never quite expected it to be like this, I wasn't too sad more excited for becoming an adult. We didn't do much just the usual which was nice and as I felt like I'd already said my goodbyes at my last camp.
Joining the cadets has been probably one of the best things that I've ever done: it has completely changed who I am as person, allowed me to do some really amazing things and meet some fantastic people. However now that I'm too old (18 going on 80 it's feels like) I really want to come back as an adult so that I can take everything that I've learned over the past few years and put it to good use, plus I want to be able to help young people realise the true potential that they have, just like my adults have done for. But for now think it'll be nice to just relax and not to stress about camp dates or polishing my boots.

Camp!

Sorry for being away for a while guys but I was at camp! I always live going away to camps, especially company ones. Anyhoo I've got a few posts lined up and I'll get them up as soon as! 

Here a picture of our company doing some revision on the rifles. It was raining and we all go sent in oh well.

Kit List

Just a bog standard kit list for weekend camps:

The Lee-Enfield No.8 Rifle

The Lee-Enfield is probably the first weapon I ever got to use and is probably one of my favourites (apart from the fact my skinny little arms struggle to hold the thing). It was, in various marks and models, the British Army's standard bolt-action, magazine-fed, repeating rifle for over 60 years from (officially) 1895 until 1956, although it remained in British service well into the early 1960s and is still found in the armed forces of some Commonwealth nations. In its many versions, it was the standard army service rifle for the first half of the 20th century and was adopted by Britain's colonies and Commonwealth allies including: India, Australia, New Zealand and Canada.

After WW1 numbers of rifles were converted to .22 calibre training rifles, in order to teach cadets and new recruits the various aspects of shooting, firearms safety and marksmanship. These rifles were designated Rifle No 2 Mk IV and were generally single shot affairs, although some were later modified with special adaptors to enable magazine loading. After WW1 the Rifle No.7, No.8 and No.9 all .22 rim fire trainers and/or target rifles, were adopted or in use with Cadet units and target shooters throughout the Commonwealth.

Sights

The rear sight consists of a leaf, adjusting screw and a slide with aperture. The leaf is graduated in 25, 50 and 100 metres. When the sight is folded down the battle sight presents itself and could be used for all targets up to and including 300 metres but this sight is not normally used.

History of the A.C.F.

Now Military Knowledge is one of the less loved subjects within the A.C.F I don't know many cadets that enjoy it, however me being me I love it. Yup I'm a history geek and I admitted it. There must be more of you out I can't be the only one! So here is some facts about the A.C.F. and if history isn't your thing then this might be useful as revision or if you are teaching a lesson.

• The A.C.F was formed by Miss Octivia Hill on Castle green in Nottingham 1859
• It was originally called the Robin Hood Rifles (who thinks you should've kept that name?)
• In 191 all independent cadet units were taken in by the War Office and the name Army Cadet Force was born
• Prior to 1982 females were not allowed to join the A.C.F, although they were able to join an attached unit of the Girls Venture Corps which was formed in the early years of WW2
• The A.C.F can trace it's beginning back to 1859 when there was a threat of invasion by the French
•  1860 saw the first companies being formed
• South Watt cadet company was one of the first companies to be formed
• 1908 Lord Holclane formed the Territorial Army
• In 1957 Frimley Park cadet training centre was formed
• The A.C.F plays it's part as the army's own youth organisation and it is a valuable source for receiving troops for the regular army. However it is not actually a recruiting drive and cadets are in no way forced to sign up

Hope you all found that interesting and helpful if  you have any questions are want to know more about the History of the A.C.F I'll be happy to answer them.