On Wednesday, 16th October, St Lawrence College hosted a successful Field Training Day for the 48 new recruits who joined the school’s Combined Cadet Force (CCF) in September. The training was designed to equip the young cadets with essential skills from the CCF syllabus, delivered through a series of engaging and hands-on activities.
The event consisted of six different training stands across the college grounds, each led by experienced CCF staff and supervised by the senior cadets. These activities not only introduced new cadets to key aspects of cadet life but also provided a fun and structured day that brought the new cohort closer together.
One of the highlights was the STEM challenge (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths). Overseen by Sergeants Lane and Senyega, cadets were given tasks to complete by assembling various structures as part of giant Meccano kits, honing their problem-solving and teamwork skills.
Another station focused on Drill led by C/Sgt Knox, the school’s Staff Instructor. Cadets learned the basics of foot drill, practiced marching and halting, and were briefed on their roles in the upcoming Remembrance Day Parade—an important event in the CCF calendar.
Weapons handling was another significant component of the day, as Sgt Limbu from the Cadet Training Team at Wainscott Camp introduced the recruits to the General Purpose Rifle (GPA2). This session included thorough training on safe handling, as well as loading and unloading the rifle, emphasizing the importance of safety and discipline.
The fieldcraft component of the day, led by Cadet Sergeants Durrant and White, alongside Cadet Corporal Callow, taught cadets how to navigate varied terrain using hand signals and team formations. They demonstrated how teams should adjust their formations depending on the environment, laying the groundwork for future exercises in the field.
2nd Lt Judd provided cadets with a session on shelter-building. The recruits learned two different methods of constructing a “basha” shelter, complete with demonstrations of the advantages and limitations of each method.
In line with the outdoor survival theme, 2nd Lt Hubbard led the session on cooking in the field, where cadets were introduced to military ration packs. Under supervision, cadets prepared and cooked their own meals, getting a hands-on experience of life in the field. “The All-Day Breakfast” was a crowd favourite, as attested by the staff.
The day concluded with Major Hill, who supervised the event, reflecting on its success. He said, “The field day is an essential phase of our junior cadet training program. It would not be possible to carry out the training without the hard work and commitment of our staff and senior cadets—they are a credit to the school.”
The Field Training Day not only introduced cadets to vital skills they will need throughout their CCF journey but also provided a memorable and enjoyable experience for all involved. The day went a long way in preparing them for the forthcoming field exercises and syllabus subject testing, with cadets and staff alike looking forward to the challenges ahead.
