Following the excitement of annual camp over the summer Suffolk Army Cadet Force (ACF) have been back in action at their company ‘mop-up’ weekends. They are known as mop-up weekends as they give cadets the chance to finishing subjects on the cadet syllabus, so they can complete their next Star level.
A Coy kicked things off in September with their mop up weekend including 1-Star fieldcraft and 2-Star weapons training. Cadets and staff had a productive and fun weekend, and Cadet Cowley gained her promotion to Cdt Sgt.
B Coy were next, having their weekend in late September. Cadets had a busy weekend with assessments covering first aid, military knowledge, drill and turnout, shooting air rifle and small bore target rifle and weapon handling tests. A Junior Cadet Instructor’s Cadre (JCIC) also took place – this teaches 3-Star level cadets how to instruct new and 1-Star cadets in various activities.
C Coy had their weekend most recently in October. This consisted of a wide range of activities for different star groups including air rifle shooting, fieldcraft, and navigation for the Basic level cadets. 1-Star level cadets took part in small bore target rifle shooting and weapons training, along with some further Communications and Information Systems. The 2-star level cadets focussed on fieldcraft and first aid. Senior cadets took part in an Emergency First Aid at Work course, which they can use outside the cadets as a recognised qualification.
Suffolk ACF congratulates all cadets for taking part and being willing to persevere to complete their Star levels. A big thank you goes to the adult volunteers, without whom these weekends and the cadet experience they provide, would not be possible.
