Army Cadets from across Cumbria spent the weekend at Warcop Training Centre taking part in the Military Skills Competition. This is an annual competition where cadets from all over Cumbria can test their skills, try new things and challenge themselves in cadet activities with their friends and team mates.
The competition started early on the Saturday morning where, in teams of eight, the cadets spent the day making their way around six stands which were set up to test them in their Military Knowledge, Field Craft, and Shooting and also to test their teamwork and leadership.
The weather was challenging, the wettest skills competition in a long time, it just didn’t stop all day. All of the cadets (and the adult volunteers) felt the wet and cold and everyone was glad they had packed their waterproofs, gloves, woolly hats and plenty of socks. The cadets weren’t deterred, and kept going all day, taking on each new challenge as they came to it in good spirit.
Cadet L/Cpl Smith said: “The overall competition was testing but it was very enjoyable and a brilliant experience. My favourite stand was the section attack stand because you can put as much enthusiasm into it as you want.”
Some of the teams were made up of very junior cadets who had never competed in the cadet competition before. Their enthusiasm and energy was second to none and the lack of experience didn’t deter them from giving their all.
Cadet L/Cpl’s Graham & Dicker said: “It was competitive, but fun – especially winning! The stands were amazing but my personal favourites were the stalk and shooting.”
The final tasks on Sunday were the Drill and the ancient Military Skill Archery.
The weekend culminated with the prize giving, where Col. Peter McCall (Police and Crime Commissioner for Cumbria) presented the trophies to the winners of the individual stands and to the overall winners of the competition. Carlisle Castle Detachment were the overall winners with Dalton and Barrow Detachments coming a close second and third.
County Training Officer, Major Richmond summed up the weekend: “The best part of the competition for me was seeing everyone pull together to make it work. From the cadets taking part in the stands to the adult instructors giving up their time and putting the hard work to get everything up and running”
Interested in joining as a cadet or adult volunteer please call (01228) 516222 for further information
