Nottingham High School CCF hosted the second annual Nottinghamshire Cadet competition with teams from all of cadet forces coming together to compete in wide range of events. Cadets from the CCF, Air Training Corps, Sea Cadets & Royal Marine Cadets and the Army Cadet Force pitted themselves against he each other in challenges designed to stretch each team outside of their comfort zone.
The drill competition, under the watchful eye of an ACF and retired Royal Marine drill instructor demonstrated that although there are variations in words of command and, in the case of the Sea Cadets, different foot movements, the standards that can be achieved by committed cadets are high whatever the uniform.
The physical challenges of the day revolved around a mobile climbing tower, field gun run and Land Rover pull in which all of the teams were required to work together with maximum effort to reach a successful outcome.
Mental challenge was provided in the form of a water based command task and an intricate first aid scenario provided by the East Midlands Ambulance Service. A test of marksmanship was also on the cards as those present aimed to do their best with the BSA Scorpion Air Rifle.
The Lord Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire, who came to visit the event, was suitably impressed by what he saw commenting that it is often the skills that cadets develop while attempting to complete a task that are the most valuable.
Nottingham High School Cadet RSM Ella Bicknell, who led her team to a second place finish behind the victorious ATC team said, “it was a really enjoyable day. We never get to compete against other cadet forces and so it’s been great to have the chance to today.”