CI military cadets in three-day training event
Military cadets from across the Channel Islands came together for a special training weekend last week.
About 40 young people aged between 12 and 18 from Guernsey and Jersey took part in the three-day field training event.
They camped at Rue Mainguy for two nights and trained at both the Scout site and L’Ancresse common.
It culminated in an evening ambush exercise on the common on Saturday night. Any late-night dog walkers on the common might have had a surprise from camouflaged soldiers armed with rifles, which were made safe.
Channel Islands army cadet commandant Major Liz Curtis oversaw the event, which included training from UK army personnel, who had travelled over specially for the event.
‘This is a chance for them to put all their skills into practice,’ she said.
As well as the army cadets, there were also marine cadets and the air training corps.
It took months of planning to pull together and was the first such exercise for two years.
The event included tactical manoeuvres and camouflage and concealment training.
Lt-Governor Lt General Richard Cripwell served in the army for more than 30 years and came to watch the training.
‘It’s fantastic,’ he said.
‘We are very fortunate to have trainers over from the UK.’
He said it was important to remember that being a cadet was not just about learning army skills, but also self-discipline and people skills.
Among the people taking part was Sergeant Lillie-May Hawkins, 17, who has been an army cadet for nearly five years. She joined the cadets as she was considering joining the army. While that is no longer her aim, she said being a cadet was a great way to learn skills.
She was enjoying the weekend and was particularly looking forward to Saturday’s ambush exercise.
‘It’s been good to get to know new people and learn from each other,’ she said.
Sergeant Mark Goodhew was one of the trainers who had come over from the UK.
‘They are doing brilliantly,’ he said.
The army cadets train every Sunday at L’Ancresse common.
They are set to attend a camp at Castlemartin in Wales in August, where they will get another chance to use their skills.
Anyone wanting to find out more about the army cadets should visit the group’s Facebook page – Guernsey Detachment Army Cadet Force – RGLI.
