King’s Worcester CCF Win West Midlands Military Skills Competition

A team of nine cadets from the Army Section of King’s Worcester CCF (Combined Cadet Forces) took part in the HQ West Midlands ACF and CCF Army Military Skills Competition last weekend and marched away with the top prize.

They competed against nine other teams from across the Brigade, finishing with a score of 101 points out of a possible total of 130; Warwickshire ACF and Adams Grammar School CCF tied for second place with 94 points each.

On arrival at Swynnerton Training Area on Friday evening, their first challenge was a comprehensive kit check, before they settled down to a night’s sleep in Bunker C31, which was even more uncomfortable than it sounds! The next day was spent working their way around seven activities, where their leadership, teamwork and military proficiency were all put to the test. Tasks included First Aid, a Section Attack, Navigation, a Leadership Exercise, an Observation Post, Fieldcraft and Signals. In the evening, after hungrily consuming the remainder of their 24-hour army ration packs, the team completed a written paper to test their military knowledge before bedding down for a well-earned rest in a wooded harbour area, protected from the elements all night only by their “bashas”, as improvised shelters are known by the military.

The focus of Day Two was the March & Shoot competition. The team had to complete a two-and-a-half-mile march whilst carrying their rifles and locating various checkpoints on their route before taking part in a Laser Clay Pigeon shoot and demonstrating their accuracy with the Cadet GP rifle on an electronic Dismounted Close Combat Trainer Firing Range.

Overall, the team enjoyed a very successful weekend, coming first overall in the Competition. We offer many congratulations to the cadets and staff involved upon their victory, the result of their remarkable commitment and hard work in preparation and their outstanding resilience and enthusiasm throughout.