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23rd Apr 2015

Venture Adventure

Spending a weekend living in a wood may not be everyone’s idea of fun, but for 21 Air Cadets from 134 (Bedford) Squadron, and 8 Cadets from 2331 (St Ives) Squadron spending a weekend in Chicksands, Bedfordshire proved a hugely enjoyable experience.

The new recruits, split into two separate flights, spent a busy weekend, undertaking field craft and leadership training under the supervision of the Squadron Staff and Cadet NCO Team. This is all part of the New Recruit Training Syllabus where cadets are required to look after themselves and able to use field craft skills.

During the day, the new recruits attended a series of lessons delivered in the field by the Cadet NCO Team. The lessons, essential for showing how to living in the field, included how to prepare and cook military rations, shelter building using ‘bashers’, basic hygiene, movements in the field and camouflage and concealment. In delivering the lessons to the cadets, the NCO Team were able to pass on their knowledge and experience and further develop their presentational skills.

To reinforce the training they had received, the new recruits were given time to consolidate their skills before embarking on a night exercise within the confines of the park. The exercise required the cadets to undertake a number of leadership tasks, under the cover of darkness, without being detected by the other teams who were out looking for them.

Having completed the exercise, during the in the early hours of the morning the cadets camped out in 12x12 tents they had erected that day.

The following day concluded the training with a day exercise and striking camp.

Flight Sergeant James Tye who organised the weekend said, "Our cadets have performed magnificently and demonstrated how incredibly versatile they are. Although tired, they have all thoroughly enjoyed the weekend and, no doubt, have enhanced their individual skills and abilities in field craft."