COMBINED CADET FORCE

Army Field Day

Kailin Lovell, L6E

Friday 17 March saw a group of 48 U4 and nine staff head off to the Dark Peaks for their Silver DofE practice expedition. As they hadn’t had the experience of a full-on Bronze Expedition last year, this was to be the first time carrying full rucksacks and camping for many of the pupils.

They all coped remarkably well with the navigation and campcraft. All groups finished on Sunday in good time with smiles on faces and a sense of achievement, in many cases having developed a genuine love of outdoor pursuits.

The previous weekend had seen roads and farms, including those at which groups camped, cut off due to heavy snow; there was still evidence of this on the higher ground, much to the delight of some groups who indulged in a spot of snowball throwing. However, apart from a couple of heavy downpours, we experienced ideal walking weather and even got to see some sun over the beautiful Derbyshire hills.

A particular thank you to Mr Sam Taylor for running a tight expedition. We are returning to the area in April, when the Fifth Form will be undertaking their practice expedition.

On Tuesday 21 March, the Army Section went to 664 Sqn Army Air Corps at Wattisham to an event organised by OB Major Laurence Baum. There were many different stands hosted by Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME), Army Aviation, the Army medics and more.

At the medics’ stand, we got to experience what it was like in an army field hospital and we played with all the fascinating gadgets that they have, including an ECG. After that, they talked us though their Bergen, which contained a lot of cool stuff such as powdered penicillin, a fake airway and a turkey baster to remove blood and teeth from your mouth. Finally, we walked through the on-site clinic, which smelt sterile and of bleach, and then we peered inside the ambulance.