C.C.F. Notes

ARMY SECTION

Eight recruits joined the unit from Basic Training, bringing the total strength to 26.

The following are to be congratulated on achieving their Apex qualifi-cation: CSM Balls, Sgt Ray, L/Cpl Cooper, L/Cpl Prowde.

The Junior NCOs have been attending an NCOs' Cadre and have acquitted themselves well.

D.S.O.

Captain Oxley has given stimulating service to the Army Section and to the Contingent. Those who went with him to Brecon Beacons for Adventurous Training last year appreciated his enthusiasm and ideas, and the value of his connection with St. Edward's, Oxford.

We thank Captain Oxley and wish him well.

D.G.C.

ROYAL NAVY SECTION

Expansion could well be the theme for the Division this term. We have progressed from the small number of recruits in 1968 to the healthy number of 18 this term. Our future strength now lies in Rodney and Nelson Divisions, where we hope that good Senior NCOs will come from.

The Royal Navy Section is now at full strength with 51 cadets, three officers and one Chief Petty Officer. Mr. Dawson has just joined the Division with the rank of Sub-Lieutenant and Lieutenant Maw is helping out. The ship we are steering has now taken on a lot more tonnage (in more ways than one) and is now sailing into a very rosy future and I think that this shows that we still have something to offer the people who can make an effort to join.

Instruction last term concentrated on getting Rodney and Nelson Divisions to a reasonable standard in their NP and ANP Exams which they will take later on this term. They are being instructed in Navigation, General Seamanship and Morse Code/Communications. Nelson Division helped Lieutenant Bulcock in the matter of an anchorage for the boat and other related problems.

Raleigh Division originally joined the Basic Division under the auspices of the Army Section and for this we are very grateful as we were an instructor down having no Chief Petty Officer at the time. CPO Dodson had left us at the end of the previous term. 35

This term we are joined by CPO Ingrey and he is a Chief PTI, which should liven the Division up a bit! Instruction of Raleigh Division is now fully under way and the other two Divisions are revising for their imminent Exams. We hope a lot of them pass and so we can get more new blood into the NCO corps. "Callie" has not been used very much this term but she has caused us a few moments of very great concern. She has taken to sleep walking and this necessitated two officers and many others being involved in rescuing her from Scarborough Bridge at 3 o'clock one winter's morning. Next term she will come into her metier again and she will be no doubt taken up river for long day trips.

It is most gratifying when we see the many camps that the Royal Navy offers being made use of. The Section will be sending many cadets to the Royal Britannia Naval College at Dartmouth, to HMS Raleigh, Plymouth, and the camps at Loch Ewe Boom Defence. There are a few specialist courses being attended and the RAF are making use of the excellent choice of camps. Several cadets are also becoming candidates for their Bronze Medallions (RLSS).

The organisation in the Section has reached the RN Stores which finally have got their new nameplate. The inside of the Stores has been made more efficient in its layout and so chaos now becomes more orderly and losses, we hope, will be minimised. The change has been instituted by Quartermaster Able Seaman Feeney. It is now the policy in the Stores that no kit can be issued on Parade days (Tuesday) unless for some extraordinary occasion. Kit Issue times are posted on weekly orders and these must be kept to. There is nothing more irritating than for the QM or any other issuing person to wait in the Stores for half an hour and for only one person to come and collect a badge or whatever. It is only courtesy to attend such issues when requested and not to pester the QM at other times.

During last term a trip was arranged to HMS Caledonia, Rosyth for Lieutenant Bulcock and Lieutenant Maw, with Under Officer Craven in charge of the party. Here I would like to thank Lieutenant Morgan of the Establishment who has handed over the job of Liaison Officer to Lieutenant Commander Hall. Lieutenant Morgan is now serving as Engineer Officer on board HMS Bulwark (Commando ship Carrier).

Two members of the Section have got interviews for the Royal Navy at the AIB in HMS Sultan, Gosport this term.

Finally, the present attitude in the Section is a signpost guiding us towards much better things and with some keen and willing help a lot can be achieved in the Summer Term. We might undertake some construction work and manoeuvres with the boats on the river. Thanks go as always to the Officers of the Division for their administrative efficiency and guidance.

J.A.G.C. U.O. (N) I

The Organisation of the Royal Navy Division at 12:i:72

Officers Senior NCOs

Lieutenant R. J. Bulcock RNR (CCF)

Lieutenant J. E. Maw RNR (CCF)

Sub-Lieutenant M. Dawson RNR (CCF)

Under Officer J. A. G. Craven—Instructor

Petty Officer P. A. 0. Bell—In Charge Division

Senior L.S. J. R. Slater

NCOs in charge

L.S. Littlefield—Boats

Cadets in charge

A.B. Feeney—Quartermaster

A.B. Mcllroy—Mast Area J.A.G.C.

R.A.F. NOTES

A new training syllabus was introduced in September, 1971. To obtain Proficiency it became necessary to pass three different tests. The first of these involved drill and map reading, the second Principles of Flight and Airmanship, and the third air Navigation (to a higher standard and on a more practical basis than previously). It was anticipated that this syllabus would be covered in two years leaving a third year to be devoted to N.C.O. training and projects. In the latter, cadets would be concerned with subjects associated with aircraft or flying, and would submit accounts of their work, constructions, essays etc. at the annual inspection. Some projects could entail visits to aircraft works or local R.A.F. stations.

The new syllabus would not be fully operative for the first year and would only affect third year cadets to a very limited extent.

During this school year the section has once again been able to take advantage of air experience flying at R.A.F. Church Fenton thanks to the arrangements made, and flying undertaken by F/O Riley. Gliding courses will be available for a limited number of cadets at the end of August.

The annual camp was held at R.A.F. Abingdon from April 12th-19th and 13 cadets attended, wih Sgt. Moxon in charge, assisted by Cpls. Dixon and Hodge. Although the programme was less varied than usual. a higher proportion of flying was obtainable and included flights in Chipmunks, and Hercules transport aircraft. The Senior cadets were flown to R.A.F. St. Mawgan on April 14th where they had lunch and a stay of about 2 hours. One outstanding feature of the camp was a visit to the parachute training school, where the equipment and instruction were most impressive.

P.L.H.