Bearwood College CCF held the Spring Term Field Day on what proved to be the wettest day of the entire year so far. Field Day this term was an opportunity for all cadets to get outside of the College grounds and visit two regular service bases. The Royal Navy cadets travelled to a Portsmouth Naval Base and visited HMS King Alfred on Whale Island. The vast majority of Army cadets completed activities in two parts, one at 11 Training Battalion REME, Arborfield with the second held in the Bearwood grounds.

Each Platoon was allocated two Cadet Junior Non Commissioned Officers (JNCOs) who commanded the groups throughout the day. The Contingent has been working hard over the past year to train the cadet NCOs who are able to command and instruct on such occasions. This is in order to develop self confidence, leadership and instructional ability as well as promoting a cadet NCO hierarchy who junior cadets can aspire to take over from in the future.

Activities in the Bearwood grounds consisted of Patrol Harbours, Target Indication, Duties of a Sentry and Harbour Defence. Old Royal, Captain John Vlietstra of the Intelligence Corps kindly travelled from his unit in Lincoln to support the cadet instructors teaching Duties of a Sentry and teaching Target Indication.

The activities in Arborfield included firing the L98A2 5.56 mm rifle at 25 meters, a visit to the REME Museum and an instructional period covering Forward Operating Bases. The day was very wet and windy however, due to the recent procurement of new waterproof jackets all cadets appeared to cope extremely well with what was thrown at them.

Several cadets have now successfully passed the majority of the Basic Army Proficiency Certificate with only an overnight exercise preventing the award of the coveted ‘Red Star’. All but a handful of Maiwand Company have been awarded Skill at Arms proficiency and are now entitled to wear their beret. We are very proud of all our cadets who worked very hard in some challenging conditions.

At the end of another successful Field Day, before dismissing the parade, the Contingent Commander awarded the rank of Cadet Serjeant to 3 Cadet Corporals for their impeccable dedication and commitment to the Contingent and for demonstrating outstanding resolve, command and leadership throughout their current cadet careers.