A 1st Battalion the Highlanders cadet has competed to see who is the top cadet in the UK.
Cadet Company Sergeant Major Lani Jones (17), from the battalion’s Castletown Detachment, competed in the prestigious Champion Cadet Competition, held at the Army Cadet Force’s National Training Centre at Frimley Park, Surrey.
The hard-fought competition, taking place over 48 hours, sees one cadet from each of the 55 counties of the ACF representing their county to be named the Champion Cadet of the UK. The competition saw Lani tested physically and mentally, both individually and as a team in a range of activities, being put through a comprehensive test of the entire ACF Army Proficiency Certificate (APC) syllabus.
The cadets were being judged throughout on their leadership, teamwork and self-discipline. CSM Jones was not the only cadet from Scotland who took part, she was also joined by Cadet Staff Sergeant Rachel Mason (Glasgow & Lanarkshire), Cadet Regimental Sergeant Major Greg Anderson (West Lowland), Cadet Company Sergeant Major Iona Robertson (2 Highlanders) and Cadet Staff Sergeant Levi Winter (Black Watch).
Unfortunately Lani was not named overall Champion Cadet, which went to Cadet Regimental Sergeant Major Robbie Jackson of The Royal County of Berkshire Army Cadet Force.
She was still proud of being able to represent the Battalion. She said: “It was an amazing, but challenging competition that was definitely worth the travel. It was very rewarding to have completed it.”
CSM Jones (2nd left) with fellow Scottish Cadets who also took part.
