HIVE OF ACTIVITY AS TRAINING TAKES OFF..

WEEKEND TRAINING ACTIVITIES

In 2005, the Commandant of the Barbados Cadet Corps, Lt Col Trevor Browne, instituted a new plan for Inspections whereby all Inspections would be done in ONE day as opposed to being stretched out over two months. Previously, Inspecting Teams visited 21 school units across the island over an 8 - 10 week period during February and March. This meant that most units spent a great deal of time preparing for Inspection and this severely restricted training activities.

         Since this ONE day Inspection was introduced officers in charge of Units and companies, have been able to plan and execute a wide range of exciting activities during Term 2.

          The following report written by PCO Maria Barrow aptly captures the extent to which Unit Commanders are making use of this opportunity.
...By PCO Maria Barrow

      Paragon Base Camp could best be described as a hive of activity on Friday 25 Jan 08 when the North and South Zones of the Barbados Cadet Corps came together for the firs t Battalion Camp of the year. Upon arrival, the two Battalions immediately got down to the business at hand as classes for the preparation of the upcoming star level exams got underway from as early as 1900 hours.

 Muster brought the two Battalions together and ushered in a full day of Drill, Skill at Arms, Map and Compass and Field Craft.

               2 Lt Gamble was able to give a new perspective to these Star 1 cadets during his class on orienting maps. His lesson was greatly enhanced by its location, and he was certainly not alone in making full use of the resources Paragon had to offer.

                  With the support of Potential Cadet Officers  Walker and Ward, the officers found creative ways of putting the cadets’ knowledge on the subject to the test

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maj. Bradshaw and star 3 cadets discussing field craft

       The cadets had the opportunity to benefit from the vast knowledge of persons such as Maj. Bradshaw and Maj. Boyce who made themselves available along with Lt Bascombe and  2 Lt Green to assist and instruct areas such as Map and Compass for the Star 1 and 2 cadets and Field Craft for the Star 3’s. The Star 3 cadets were also briefed on the history and finer points of patrolling and found this session with Major Bradshaw not only interesting but informative.

                 As always, the PSI’s provided their full support to ensure that the cadets achieve a high standard of drill.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sgt Broome instructing an Arms Drill lesson

Star 2 cadets enjoyed the classes on the LMG conducted by Sgt Wendell Kellman who made every effort to ensure that by the end of the lesson they could demonstrate an understanding of the weapon. 

Sgts Brome and Kellman worked tirelessly to develop both competence and confidence in the areas of basic foot drill and arms drill in the various star levels.

 

             

     

 

Sgt Kellman teaching a skill at arms lesson

 2Lt Gamble and Star 1 cadets in a map and compass session

       
The Camp Commandants, Captains Walkes and Kellman, and their officers are to be commended for the seamless running of the camp as it was not discernible that two separate Battalions with differing schedules were coexisting in the same space. So much so that on Saturday 26 when Battalion 3 broke camp, Battalion 1 was able to continue their activities with little interference until the conclusion of their own camp the following day.  The cadets of both Battalions found the camp to be quite helpful in terms of clarifying any areas of uncertainty that they may have had and preparing them for the upcoming star level exams.