From 23 to 25 March, a group of nine cadets from Bedford Modern School (BMS) took part in the annual Combat Cadet Competition held at Thetford military training area.
The students demonstrated their military and leadership skills in a very demanding two-day long series of challenges against 18 other Army Sections of Eastern Region Cadet Forces.
The weekend competition comprised several different phases, beginning with training on the Saturday. They completed drills as a section, worked on weapon handling, causality evacuation and room clearances.
On the second day the cadets took part in a village attack which required enormous amounts of proficiency including leadership, stamina and fast evaluation of their surroundings. Each team conducted building clearances and then had to provide fire support for the other sections in their platoon. At the end of this phase the BMS team were announced as the winners of the whole competition; a first for the school.
Sam Hodgkiss, the team captain and Corps Senior Cadet, said: “This is a really big achievement for BMS Combined Cadet Force, the Combat Cadet Competition is the pinnacle of all the competitions we take part in. This is the first time BMS has ever won and I feel honoured to have led the team. Everyone worked so well over the weekend, showing the highest standard of military skill, I couldn’t have asked for anymore from the team.”
Alex Smith, Contingent Commander at BMS, added: “All the students involved worked very hard over the course of the competition and in training sessions leading up to it. I am very proud of their commitment and they should be congratulated on this fantastic achievement.”
