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.

Shooting

Did you know that 81% of cadets say that shooting is what attracted them to the Army Cadet Force. Also most say that it is their favourite activity or the most exciting and enjoyable. So with that in mind I thought I would remind you all of the Marksmanship Principles:

1. The position and hold must be firm enough to support the weapon.
2. The weapon must point naturally at the target with out undue physical effort.
3. The sighting and alignment must be correct.
4. The shot must then be released and followed through without disturbing the position.

Getting into the Army - Fitness continued

Here is just some more helpful information about fitness levels for getting into the British Army (I only know British information so if you are from somewhere else then check out websites or if you want leave a comment and I'll try to find out as much as I can). 

"All officers and soldiers need to be fit, so whether you’re on operations, a training exercise or in camp, you need to be able to meet physical challenges head on. It’s not just about your own safety and success – it’s about the other soldiers in your team who rely on you.

You’ll be put through your paces during your Army Assessment with several strength and stamina tests. It’s nothing to worry about and you don’t need to be super-fit, but to get to the level of a solider in training you should do some training first."

The above quote is taken from http://www.army.mod.uk/join/20261.aspx and I find it very helpful as many people are convinced that they need to be "super fit" to join up which is untrue. It is always a good idea to work out and train before you go for selections and such. Being in the army will build up your fitness levels but you need to have a base level to work from, so I would suggest to start regularly working out. Start small though don't jump into a full blown routine as you could injury yourself. Some cadets that I know who went on to join up use get up before everyone at camps and go for a run before training (do ask if you are allowed to this I don't want anyone getting into trouble over it) or they would use the gym at their school during free periods.

This is one of the best exercise programs that I have been given as it shows you step by step what you should be doing and how to build yourself up. This was actually given to be by a recruiting sergeant so I would say that it is pretty reliable.

As it says you should have a rest every other day to give you body time to recover. Start with the four week program Level 1 and if you pass the test at the end move onto Level 2 and so on and so on. 

Types of Harbour Areas

There are 3 types of Harbour Area:

• Triangular - The most common type of Harbour used today 
• Hasty - A Harbour which is occupied for a short period of time for meals, orders etc
• Silent - Used for very short rest periods in high risk areas and relies on stealth and concealment

Getting into the Army

Since I know that I a lot of you are interested in joining the army I thought I started a mini series on how to get in, tips for interviews and things like that. 

So the first thing I'm going to talk about is fitness. This is a big that I know a lot of people don't actually take into consideration but it is really important. 

There are different tasks that you must complete and there is different categories that I'll list below. 

SOLDIER

If you go to an Army Development and Seletion Centre (ADSC) there will be a number of task you must complete:

• 1.5 mile run with in a set time limit (different regiments and corps have their own requirements, ranging from 9 mins 18 secs to 14 mins) 

•4 exercises assessing your strength, including the upper body and lower back 

OFFICER 

You will have to complete a staged fitness test that will contain several different tasks; such as the bleep test. This will be held at the Army Officer Selection Board (ABOSB) 

MALES

• Bleep test level 10.2 (at least) 

• 50 sit ups in 2mins 

• 44 press ups in 2 mins 

FEMALES

• Bleep test level 8.1

• 50 sit ups in 2 mins

• 21 press ups in 2 mins 

Hope you found like helpful guys and if there is anything else you want to know just ask! 

The Official British Army blog

Hey guy! Just wanted to point out this blog to you all as some of you many not have heard about it. It really good, the posts are great to read and insightful, it full of pictures and interesting stories, so why not give it a read!

http://britisharmy.wordpress.com/

The Phonetic Alphabet

This is something I know that a lot of people forget or muddle up, so I've listed them here so that you can easily check if you need it. Also a good tip is have them typed up onto a small piece of paper (that laminated so it doesn't get ruined) in your pocket so you can check whenever you need it. It'll come in handy if you go on a Signals course.

A=Alpha
B=Bravo
C=Charlie
D=Delta
E=Echo
F=Foxtrot
G=Golf
H=Hotel
I=India (NOT INDIGO!!)
J=Juliet
K=Kilo
L=Lima
M=Mike
N=November
O=Oscar
P=Papa
Q=Quebec
R=Romeo
S=Sierra
T=Tango
U=Uniform
V=Victor
W=Whiskey
X=X-ray
Y=Yankee
Z=Zulu