Sherborne CCF at the Dorset Cadet Challenge 2010

The Dorset Cadet Challenge has been a feature of the CCF's calendar for over a decade. Run by 43 Wessex brigade and held at Bovington Camp, it allows cadets from the county's cadets forces to match their skills against each other in three arduous events, for which this year the team undertook considerable preparation.

The first event comprised a speed march of nearly four miles. This demands that individuals carry all equipment necessary for combat as if advancing to battle, at a typical speed of nine kilometres per hour. The aforesaid training for this event had taken place at 7am on the Mondays and Fridays of the Lent term preceding the event. Very committed members of the CCF staff accompanied the team on long runs with empty stomachs, and without this such fitness would not have been achieved. Thankfully, and rewardingly, we scored most highly on the run, beating all other teams. This served as a reminder to everyone that it would have taken only one lagging member to lower our score, but each had given his all to great success.

Before the pulse could drop, we were taken to the dismounted close combat training range where a set of ten aimed shots is taken at a screen representing a battlefield digitally. This device is used to train all military personnel, before and after deployment, with close competition for the smallest shot pattern. We did not score so highly this event, partly due to our natural inaccuracy and inexperience, and perhaps also forgetfulness of the need to produce not one accurate shot, but ten as tightly grouped as possible.

Several hours elapsed, during which we visited the Bovington Tank Museum, learning more generally about warfare and appreciating the evolutionary history of these well-designed, and now indispensible weapons.

Our final event was the obstacle course. A weekend's training at a nearby course had improved our technique slightly. The biggest challenge is undoubtedly a twelve-foot wall, demanding considered and practised technique. Fortunately, each member of the team succeeded here also, and although we had won neither of the last two events, our average position placed us well clear of the opposition.

The team would like to thank all those who facilitated the training and preparation of the team, and feels strongly that the CCF's ongoing success would not be possible without their unseen efforts.

Sgt Charlie Hensher
RM Cadet Sherborne School

Sherborne School won the Dorset Cadet Challenge Cup for Best CCF in the County and the Dorset Cadet Challenge Shield for Best Cadet Force in the County (CCF, ACF and ATC)

The team:
WO1 Sam Hayes
CSgt Alex Tuck
Sgt Charles Hensher
L/Cpl Toby Wicks
Mne Peter Trebelev
Mne Charles Howes
Mne Tom Hole

Posted: Friday, May 21, 2010