The Army Section of the CCF deployed to Okehampton Battle Camp to attend the CCF Central Camp run by the Cadet Training Team. The cadets experienced all the weather Dartmoor has to offer, getting thoroughly soaked on their first morning but drying out in the wind and sun by the afternoon! This did not dampen their spirits as the first day was the military skills competition, which involved a grenade-throwing assault course, electronic firing range, climbing wall, drill, paint ball attack in pairs, first aid, navigation and blank firing section attack. All the cadets put in maximum effort on each activity and impressed not only the staff, but the military team running the activities. The second day was military skills, working within a fixed cadet chain of command, receiving and issuing orders for section and platoon attacks across the moor. This comprised of a set piece ambush, extraction and an introduction to other weapon types, including missile launchers, heavy machine guns, mortars and pistols. Another good day but by now some very tired cadets! Additional activities on the remaining days of the camp included survival skills, where the cadets all assisted in making fire using sticks or flint and steel, as well as knife-work and axe-throwing. A very busy and action-packed week!
