Cadet Cambrian Patrol Competition

COMPETITION HISTORY

TEAM SELECTION AND TRAINING

SKILLS TESTED

TEAM EQUIPMENT

TROPHIES

HOW TO JOIN THE CAMBRIAN TEAM

COMPETITION HISTORY

 

 

The Regular and TA soldier had, from 1977, the chance to compete in the modern version of the gruelling Patrol Competition. Winning and even taking part in the challenge became a coverted opportunity and international interest grew year by year.

Evolving from the successes of this adult soldier competition it was decided to copy the format and make the challenges suitable for cadets, both male and female. The new competition was to replace the original Wales County competition of the Green Cup in the South and the Kitchin Cup in the North, both being a test of moderately easy ACF skills based on the Cert A Certificate and held in a semi classroom environment at either CYG or Kinmel Park.

It was Gwent`s Colonel Tom Buckthought, the then Commandant who persuaded his fellow Welsh Commandants that the competition in its existing format was becoming a little jaded and that cadets required a more rigorous challenge to test qualities of leadership, military skills based on the then new APC syllabus and a more demanding physical challenge. Excitement was to be the keyword.

Colonel Buckthought instructed the then Gwent County Training Officer, Major Philip Mead, to select a trial team of six senior cadets from Gwent to act as guinea pigs over a challenging course to be laid out on the range at Sennybridge by the then OC 31 CTT Major John Barnard and the support of 160 Brigade at Brecon. It is hard to realize in these days that at that time the idea was revolutionary and the general opinion was that such a course would be too physically demanding for cadets. Six cadets from Gwent`s Griffithstown Detachment were selected and they easily completed this training run and thus the new format for CCPC was born with its then permanent home at Sennybridge.

Over the years the format, the team compositions and the venues have been adapted to circumstances, but the spirit and the challenge of the CCPC remains to this day a fitting tribute to Gwent`s Colonel Tom Buckthought and his initiatives a quarter of a century ago.

Gwent`s first wins in the CCPC were back to back in 1980 and 1981. Gwent`s last win to date was in 2005.

The CCPC is now well established and is competed for each year by the six ACF Counties or Battalions in the principality and Welsh CCFs by invitation, It has gained the reputation over the years of being possibly the toughest and most demanding of ACF competitions nationally.

Today it is administered by HQ 160 (Wales) Brigade in co-operation with a nominated Cadet County and is open to ACF and CCF groups.

The aim of the competition is to provide cadets with a series of challenging tests that:

1. Are physically demanding

2. Confirm military proficiency

3. Test mental dexterity

4. Promote teamwork and Unit identity.

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TEAM SELECTION AND TRAINING

 

 

At the beginning of each Autumn, the Commandant of Gwent ACF appoints an officer to take charge of selecting and training two teams to enter the Cambrian Patrol Competition the following year.

Cadets are invited to attend selection weekends to see if they have the potential and determination to capture one of the ten places in either the Senior or Junior team.

From then on the numbers are whittled down to around 40 cadets. Serious training then takes place on dedicated weekends. The training is intense, challenging and in all weathers. A special type of cadet is sought and many fall out of the team - there is never any disgrace, to even get through the first selection phase is a huge achievement.

As the year progresses the possible candidates attend a specialist two week intensive training course during Annual Camp. At the end of this phase the final 10 ten members of each team are chosen. The blood, the sweat and the tears have all been worth it.

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SKILLS TESTED

 

 

The venues and individual tests that the teams undergo varies from year to year, but generally the skills that are being examined and points looked for are:

1. An inspection - Equipment, weapons and clothing is examined for serviceability.

2. Watermanship - Getting wet is part and parcel of the training. Teamwork is involved.

3. Command Tasks - Mental dexterity, teamwork and a system of Command and Control.

4. Map Reading - The bread and butter of any cadet. Competitions are won and lost here.

5. Abseiling - Nerves and competence.

6. Weapon handling - Practical assessments for safety and knowledge.

7. Fieldcraft - Expertise in surviving and movement in the field.

8. First Aid - Knowledge and skills to treat injuries and save life.

9. Marksmanship - Ability to shoot accurately.

10. Assault Course - Fitness, teamwork and guts.

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TEAM EQUIPMENT

 

 

Each cadet can win or lose his/her team points by having the right equipment and being correctly dressed. Preparation is vital - items are checked, rechecked and then checked again.

Cadets each carry their own webbing and personal items of equipment to complete the separate challenges of the competition. As well as a weapon, rations and hygiene items, team members carry additional safety equipments such as whistles, torches and additional water.

Each team also has to distribute items between individuals, including hi vis vests, compasses and first aid items.

The patrol equipment is checked on the inspection stand before cadets progress on to further skills stands.

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TROPHIES

 

 

The Senior Cadet team compete for the Welsh Guards Trophy. The Senior Cadet team with the most points scored on day two tests will receive the Davis Cup.

The Junior Cadet team compete for the Cadet Challenge (Kitchin) Cup. The runner up team receive the Lewis Trophy. The Junior Cadet team with the most points scored on day two tests will receive the Data Media International Trophy.

The ACF County with the highest aggregate score of both their Senior and Junior teams will receive the Buckthought Trophy.

All team members who complete the stands on both days will qualify for an individual award based on the team performance.

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HOW TO JOIN THE CAMBRIAN TEAM

 

 

If you think you have what it takes to join the Gwent ACF Cadet Cambrian Patrol Team for 2008 please speak to your Platoon Commander. You will need to be a minimum of 14 years of age by 1st September 2008 and will be at least Star One qualified.

Many have tried ....... Many have failed.
Come and give it a go if you think you`re hard enough!

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