Read the latest

Part 1 Orders Published

by Cadet HQ

Action Packed Summer Camp 2010

Unlike previous years, there will be fewer star level specific camps and in fact, there will be one collective camp where almost all cadets will be encamped together.

This camp will then be divided into three different locations and campers will rotate through each camp location until all activities are covered.

Cadets can also expect to see high levels of competitiveness between camp units in areas such as shooting, orienteering, field craft, and many other areas.

Cadet day will also be observed during the camp and a massive public parade and display is being planned along with another of our famous marches through the city.

Fifteen cadets and three officers will travel to Ottawa Canada while another group of 15 cadets and three officers will visit Nottinghamshire England on their assigned overseas tour.

Over 40 star 4 cadets along with their instructors and support personnel will be going to Grenada to lend support to the new Corps recently re-launched there.

WEBSITE

ONLINE

AGAIN

Thank you for your patience

In the meantime, we have been even busier than usual in the Barbados Cadet Corps and numerous activities, events, plans and changes have been implemented.

'CHANGE has been the name of the game' according to the commandant. In his address to officers at a highly successful training retreat held at the Barbados Workers Union College from 9 to 10 April, he emphasized that we need to change proactively, in order to keep pace with the fast changing challenges facing our youth.

That retreat provided an opportunity for the large turnout of officers to discuss and review Corps plans and to look at the strategic direction for the BCC in coming months and years.

Officers in a discussion session led by Capt Sandra Norville during the retreat.

Outstanding contributions were made by an internal training team led by Maj. Peter Powlett which led an interactive planning session, as well as by a number of senior BDF officers who made presentations and led sessions on management and leadership.

A high level panel dealt with the subject of Leadership leading  to a lively, interesting and very interactive session.

Col C Fletcher, Director of Cadets Canada speak to cadets during the exchange visit.

Col. Craig Fletcher, Director of Cadets Canada, visited Barbados from April 4 to April 8 2010. The visit was at the invitation of Cadet Headquarters Barbados and was intended to recognize the outstanding assistance provided to the Barbados Cadet Corps by Cadets Canada over the past five years. This assistance was mainly in the form of training for junior officers.

Additionally, as a result of relationships developed between Canadian and Barbadian cadet units, there have been a growing request for exchange camps which would allow cadets from the two countries to share experiences in camping.

Setting recent history, a contingent of cadets from the 2784 Governor-General's Foot Guards Royal Canadian Cadets based in Ottawa were hosted at a camp in Barbados from April 1 to April 8.

Cadets prepare to overnight during their NavEx

Barbadian Cadets to visit Canada /England this summer

A total of thirty Barbadian cadets and eight officers will undertake reciprocal visits to Canada and England this summer. These two groups will be reciprocating visits by the Canadian group and by the Nottinghamshire Army Cadet unit which participated in our international cadet challenge camp 2009.

Sea Cadets

After a challenging period for the Sea Cadet program when both the Officer Commanding and Exec Officer were tied up with personal challenges at their work places, the Sea Cadet Program appears to be back on track. Captain John Walcott has also been posted to battalion 4 and will be assisting Lt Cmdr Farley with the special units. 

Sea Cadet Unit

Cadet Band

The band is in a rebuilding mode after the graduation of many of its top performers out of the Corps. Training has been moved to the Prince Cave Hall at the RBPF's District A complex and expert tutorage is provided by a select group of officers of the Royal Barbados Police Band.

There are still some vacancies for band recruits and any interested students who would like to be involved in music are invited to contact Lt Philip Eno or call Cadet Headquarters at 436 6185 to register.

Cadet Band at reception for Canadian cadet contingent in April

New Training organization implemented

The new scheme is modeled on the very successful Junior Cadet Program which is managed by Maj. Peter Powlett.

At each level of the Cadet training program, a training team of officers and other specialist will be established to manage that particular star level training.

That team will be responsible for each cadet at that level and for their training.

This arrangement is intended to focus the expertise where it is needed so that each cadet has the opportunity to benefit from our best training, and also to free unit commanders to focus on administrative challenges such as uniform, parents communications, school requirements etc.

Unit Commanders will now be directly responsible to Cadet Headquarters for all administrative aspects of their command. Previously this responsibility was discharged through a chain of command of Company Commander, Battalion Commanders etc.

Battalion Commanders will now be fully incorporated into Cadet Headquarters and will represent the Commandant in their particular areas of responsibility. These senior officers will oversee the general operations of the Corps and provide guidance and support to junior officers as required.

Battalion Commanders are

A new post of Corps Adjutant has also been announced with Maj. David Clarke taking up that duty.

Training cells will assume full responsibility for the training of all cadets at the star level covered, or for the particular program that they cover. Officers may be co-opted to different cells from time to time and external experts can also be used with prior permission from CHQ.

Cell leaders are responsible to the Commandant for all areas of their command.

OICs of the Training cells

Luke was a junior cadet at the Number 10 unit (St Michael School) of the Barbados Cadet Corps, having just completed his recruit training and passing out exams only in February.

In the short period of his membership of the Corps, Luke made a definite positive impression with his friendly attitude and gregarious spirit. Unit Commander of number 10, 2Lt Debra Marshall recalled Luke's brief but notable impact on the unit.  

Cadet Buglers sound the last post as Luke's Mum stands at right.

Cadet honorary pall bearers ceremonially fold the flag before interment.

There can be no more distressful and sad an occasion for a youth organization than the loss of such a young, vibrant and positive child. No doubt the loss is many times more difficult for the parents and family.

The Commandant, officers, staff and cadets of the Barbados Cadet Corps, and indeed the extended cadet family network- offer our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Luke.

Rest in peace Luke.