November 29, 2024
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Orkney & Shetland Battery of 1st Battalion The Highlanders Army Cadet Force (ACF) travelled to the mainland during the October school holidays for a week-long camp at Dingwall Cadet Training Centre.
This annual event is primarily a shooting camp, but also has a Basic Star cadre running at the same time for more recently enrolled cadets. This not only allows the cadets to progress at a rapid rate and to attend a residential event (likely for the first time), but also more fully brings them into the ACF family.
A total of 27 cadets attended the October Camp. 14 cadets from Shetland first caught the ferry to Orkney before the following day all 27 travelled – again by ferry – to the mainland. They were accompanied by nine Adult Volunteers.
Having arrived on Saturday, Sunday was a day of drill and turnout for the eight cadets taking the Basic Star cadre, with rifle training for the more senior cadets. Rifle training and testing is always conducted prior to any live firing to ensure all cadets are currently qualified, competent, and safe when handling a rifle – safety is always paramount in any training undertaken by the ACF.
Senior cadets firing rifles on the shooting range at Fort George.
Having passed their testing, a party of cadets attended a comprehensive target shooting package, over two days, at Fort George. Using the cadet general purpose rifle, a 5.56mm full-bore rifle, the cadets achieved very good results. For some of the cadets this was their first opportunity to fire live ammunition.
At the same time the 1 Star cadets were kept busy learning first aid and navigation skills, while the Basic cadre worked their way through the Army Cadet Syllabus. This included practical and theory lessons in drill and turnout, military knowledge, first aid, communication information systems, and fieldcraft. They also received presentations on expedition, Adventure Training, keeping active, and community engagement. Later in the week the Basic cadets also received training and testing on the cadet air rifle.
Battalion Commandant Lieutenant Colonel Tim Martin (left) awarded first aid certificates.
Wednesday saw the Battery receive a visit from Battalion Commandant Lieutenant Colonel Tim Martin who was able to present a wide variety of awards and certificates. He also observed the training and chatted with both cadets and adults. The day ended with a trip to the ten-pin bowling alley in Inverness – which turned into a very competitive event between all concerned!
Thursday was the last full day of activities with two cadets undertaking their 3 Star Navigation package with both day and night map and compass components. Meanwhile, the senior cadets got to shoot the cadet .22 target rifle on the indoor range and the Basic cadre fired the air rifle to complete their training.
Battery Commander Major Cheryl Haynes talking to the cadets.
Friday saw a final parade, before the cadets left for their respective ferries: Scrabster to Orkney and Aberdeen to Shetland.
Battery Commander Major Cheryl Haynes said: “The week-long training in October is a very important event for our cadets and is a fantastic opportunity for cadets from both island groups to train and socialise. It’s also an opportunity for cadets to have a chance to fire full-bore rifles as there are no longer military target ranges on Orkney or Shetland.
“The week was very successful with cadets not only achieving passes in syllabus subjects, but gaining confidence in their abilities and learning valuable lessons in teamwork.”
