Thursday 29 August - Day 10
Today is the last full day of camp and is our competition day.
Commandant's orderly is a basic drill and turnout competition for junior cadets. Cadets are inspected and must present an envelope to the commandant.
The next competition was the drill competition, where each company is represented by a team of more senior cadets who are inspected and then perform a sequence of both foot drill and rifle drill.
There were also various sports competitions going on. Here are a few photos from the volleyball.
The final formal event of camp was our final parade. All of Beds & Herts ACF assembled on the helipad for a chat with the padre and awards presented by the commandant. More photos will be available over the next few days!
The cadets still have the disco to look forward to tonight and then home tomorrow.
Wednesday 28 August - Day 9
Today was the last day of cadre training. The senior 2 stars were on the range, trying to get a few last minute passes at 2 and 3 star shooting.
Tomorrow is our competition and visitors day. Stay tuned for the photos!
Tuesday 27 August - Day 8
Quite a few cadets are still out of camp today. I managed to catch up with the CIS cadre who were busy erecting a mast.
Meanwhile, the senior 2 stars were back at learning rifle drill and doing some skill at arms training.
I didn't get time to post this yesterday, but yesterday was the birthday of Maj Cousen, our CEO. The QM managed to find a cake and some candles somewhere.
Monday 26 August - Day 7
It was an early start for the senior 2 star cadre who made the most of the cool morning mist to do some navigation training before the heat of the day set in. When they got back, they did some more skill at arms and rifle drill training.
While the senior 2 star cadre were out, I took the opportunity to visit the junior 1 star cadre who have just deployed to the field, and they had a few minutes with the padre.
Just up the road, the 3 star cadre were in the process of moving to their next harbour area.
Sunday 25 August - Day 6
Camp is now half over and today has been the hottest day so far. Unfortunately, the temperatures have been so hot that we have been limited in what training we can do. The 2 star cadres have been in camp today, doing some drill and skill at arms training.
Our Cadet Information Systems (CIS) cadre has been busy throughout the week. Here are a few photos:
Saturday 24 August - Day 5
Today was a relatively quiet day in camp with most cadres either already out in the field or deploying to the field, including the senior 1 star cadre and the 3 star cadre. The senior 2 star cadre had their turn going to the Bovington Tank Museum, taking one of our photographers with them.
I decided to take a walk down to the junior 1 star cadre who are currently doing fieldcraft training.
The intermediate 1 stars returned from the field and had to do something very important - weapon cleaning.
Friday 23 August - Day 4
It was the turn of the 3 Star and Cadet Information Systems (CIS) cadets to visit the tank museum at Bovington today. Here are a few photos taken by the instructors who went with them:
More from around the camp and training area:
Junior 1 stars having their kit checked prior to deploying on the fieldcraft training phase of camp.
Today was the final day of the fieldcraft assessment for the senior 2 star cadets. Hopefully there were many passes!
One of our photographers was embedded with the cadre so there will be a few more photos to follow.
Senior 1 star cadets got to do some air rifle shooting.
Expedition time for the junior 2 star cadets.
Thursday 22 August - Day 3
Today was section attack day for the 4 star cadre. The cadets are each given appointments as a Section Commander and 2IC, and must lead their section in an attack against an enemy position. Everyone was in high spirits and working together well.
Here are a few more photos taken around camp:
Lastly, our junior 2 star cadre went on a cultural visit to Bovington Tank Museum.
Wednesday 21 August - Day 2
Camp is well and truly underway! Today, I stopped by the senior 2 star cadre who are deploying into the field on a three day FTX (Field Training Exercise) and the intermediate 1 star cadre who are brushing up on their weapon handling skills. Safety is very important to us and all cadets must pass a Weapon Handling Test (WHT) before firing a rifle and then keep in date every six months.
I also went to visit the 3 Star, shooting team and junior 2 star cadets on the ranges. The weather held out and there were quite a few passes, with some achieving First Class or Marksman on the L98A2 GP Rifle.
One of the cadet media team also went to the Tank Museum at Bovington. Pictures to follow!
Tuesday 21 August - Day 1
Today was arrival day. 400 cadets from across Bedfordshire & Hertfordshire have converged on Westdown Camp in Wiltshire and been allocated to their cadres. Save this link and check back every day for updates of what the cadets are getting up to whilst they are here!
I would like to welcome all Adults and Cadets to Westdown Camp on Salisbury Plain. It is 10 years since the county were last here. Salisbury Plain is the largest training area in the UK and has fantastic training facilities. We will use a lot of these facilities during the next two weeks.
Cadets will be participating in shooting, navigation, expeditions, fieldcraft, first aid and signals from 1 Star to 4 Star level. We will also be hosting several high profile visitors including the High Sheriff of Bedfordshire and the Lord-Lieutenant of Hertfordshire.
I look forward to meeting you all over the next few weeks.
Colonel Andrew Every, Commandant.