Year 10 Pioneer Company |
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| Aim: To introduce Cadets to basic military and adventure training skills across all three Cadet services. |
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The Pioneers or Pioneer Company is the Cadets first insight into the CCF. Taking place every Thursday afternoon in the Christmas and Easter terms between 1530 hrs and 1640 hrs, training is designed to encompass skills and activities from all three Cadet services, such as map reading, first aid, basic military training and both water and airmanship skills.
For those Cadets who regularly attend Thursday training, there are three Field Days, one each term. These take place at various locations including RAF Aldergrove, Ballykinlar Training Centre and the Depot Royal Irish Regiment, comprising both adventurous and military training. At the end of the year Pioneer Cadets can attend the Army Section Annual Summer Camp to be held at Altcar Training Camp, near Liverpool in July 2006.
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"The Obstacle Course is a proven method of testing Cadets powers of determination, physical fitness and team building. At first Cadets may seem anxious about tackling the larger obstacles, but after some encouragement from the rest of their tem, they find it really quite enjoyable!" |
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Year 11 Proficiency Company |
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| Aim: To enhance the level of basic infantry training to Cadet Proficiency level (APC certificate) in order to build upon leadership skills and achieve promotion to Lance Corporal. |
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Weekly training is conducted on Thursday afternoons between 1530 hrs and 1645 hrs in both the designated Company classrooms and the extensive College grounds. This training is aimed at covering the APC syllabus prior to the annual Easter Camp at which Cadets are assessed on their military and leadership skills in order to receive their first promotion to Lance Corporal. The APC syllabus is widely varied including many military training topics such as fieldcraft, section battle drills and camouflage and concealment and marksmanship. Proficiency Cadets have many further training opportunities such as; Two termly Field Days to Ballykinlar Training Centre, First Aid courses including the St. Johns Lifesaver Plus and an extended Adventure Training Expedition to the West Highland Way in Scotland. For the top Cadets in year 11, opportunities are available to attend the Cadet Exchange which takes place in Canada for 6 weeks over the summer holidays at Whitehorse, Banff and in the Rocky Mountains.
Cadets who regularly attend Thursday training have the opportunity to attend the Junior NCOs’ Cadre run during Easter Camp. This Cadre trains Cadets to become a Junior NCO to instruct junior Cadets, which becomes crucial as they are given leadership posts as second in command of a section at the Annual Summer Camp. |
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"At Annual Camp there is a 24hr exercise. This is the culmination of the military training and is a simulated exercise in which cadets are required to live in the field and construct their own shelters or 'bashas,' as well as cook their own meals. For senior Cadets it is a chance to test their powers of leadership as they are responsible for up to 30 other junior Cadets." |
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Year 12 Infantry Company |
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Aim: To further enhance the skills achieved in Proficiency Company and complete the Advanced Army Proficiency(APC(A)) Certificate in order to gain further promotion to enable leadership appointments within the CCF rank structure.
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Conducted during weekly Thursday training between 1530 hrs and 1645 hrs, Infantry Company provides advanced infantry training for those Cadets wishing to take an active role in the CCF, completing the Advanced Army Proficiency Certificate (APC(A)) at the Senior NCOs’ cadre at Easter Camp.
As Cadets progress up the rank structure, more responsibility is placed on them for the organisation and training of junior Cadets. This becomes evident at the Annual Summer Camp, where cadets fulfil further leadership roles and conduct lessons under the supervision of regular and TA soldiers and Officers. |
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"As Cadets progress through the ranks they become more involved in activities outside the required training. Each year a group of cadets attends the Remembrance Day Parade at City hall to form a Guard of Honour along with selected Cadets from all over CCF and ACF units throughout Northern Ireland.
Representatives form the Bugles, Pipes and Drums also take part throught Belfast and have sounded the Last Post at prestigious venues such as the Stormont Assembly." |
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