All Fun in the Sun

Now field craft is something that I've always enjoyed however as I've got older I've discovered something not too great. Health and Safety rules suck. I understand they are there for a reason however they really do suck and have so many things. The first the springs to mind is the sunshine. Now I live in Scotland where scorching hot sunshine is extremely rare, so when it does come along I like to make the best of it. However Health and Safety disagree with me, once and exercise it was deemed too hot us to continue working so we were sent to sleep. Yup that's right, just after lunch time we were sent to sleep and weren't allowed to do anything for the rest of the afternoon so that we could cool down. This was not fun actually it was really boring, most of couldn't sleep anyway as we were wide awake and it was too hot. So we ended telling jokes, funny stories and stuff with was really great but I still wish we'd been allowed to actually do some training. 

Country Code

A common lesson for Basic cadets is the Country Code this is a set of rules based on how you should behave when out in the country on exercises or expeditions or if you just out as a civilian. These rules are:

1. Guard against every risk of fire (all fusee should be controlled and someone who knows what they're doing should be there as fires are dangerous and can get out of hand easily).

2. Fasten all gates after you use them (i.e close gates once you've walked through them or leave them open if they were already open as there will be a reason for a farmer maybe keeping livestock in a field if you leave the gate open they'll get out and I can't imagine the farmer would be very pleased)

3. Keep all dogs under control (keep them on leads or by your side don't let them run off as it can scare animals)

4. Avoid damaging fences, hedges and walls (this is fairly obvious don't climb on things, don't do anything that would cause damage as you could be charged for it and you're ruining it for everyone else) 

5. Keep to the paths across farmland ( this is so that you don't damage any crops) 

6. Leave no litter (as it's damaging to the environment and can hurt animals and lead to pollution. It also looks horrible and will ruin other peoples outdoor experience) 

7. Safe guard water supplies (don't pollute water as it's needed, make sure that if you are drinking water from somewhere that's it clean) 

8. Protect wild life, plants and trees (don't break the branches off trees, don't pick wild flowers, as it could kill them and then no one else can share in their beauty. Also animals are protected and you can get into serious trouble for hurting them, it's not a nice thing to do anyway leave animals be) 

9. Go carefully on country roads (these roads are often quite empty but still you need to careful of traffic and things like tractors or supplie lorries. Also if you're driving the roads maybe not be the smoothest and beware of animals crossing) 

10. Respect the life of the countryside (don't be rude to farm workers, don't be too loud asyou'll disturb people and animals) 

That's everything guys remember to be careful when out in the countryside if you have any other questions feel free to ask. 

Remembrance Day

Remembrance day has always been a big thing within cadets and every year standing on parade is one of the most poignant moments of my year. I've been impressed with how cadets react to this day: there is always that cadet that acts out, the cadet that doesn't care, the cadet that likes to make a big out of everything. However not at this time of year, it's like they are suddenly reminded of what soldiers have done and been through, for them, for us.
Whilst it isn't the happiest time of year I think it's always good to take a step back and think.

They shall not grow old as we who are left grow old.
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and the in the morning.
We will always remember them.  

Drill

Drill has evolved over a long period of time and it is now accepted as the foundation of military discipline.

For cadets drill is too produce a cadet who is alert, obedient and to provide a basis of teamwork. 

The aim and purpose of drill is to get from point A to point B in a smart And soldierly manner. 

Happy Halloween!!

Hope you all have a great Halloween and get to stuff your face with chocolate!

Here's a happy Halloween from my detachment! Yup we are so cool.