:: Annual Camp Day 11 - Wednesday 29 August 2007

As Annual Camp approaches its end, the momentum continues. Another Gazelle helicopter arrived flown by Captain Anthony Arnott. His mission, to ensure that every cadet on camp had been in the air at least once. No one was disappointed. Captain Arnott stayed well over his allotted time, to the delight of the cadets.

Safety Brief	Waiting To Fly	All Aboard	Top Gun

Many parents heard about the BTEC Scheme for the first time at parent's day. Surrey ACF is a great believer in BTEC and now has over 50 cadets participating. For more information see the BTEC Page. The photograph below show the BTEC cadets with the Commandant.

	Major Newman BTEC Co-ordinator

Talking Heads: here are some of our cadet's impressions of camp.

Cadet L/Cpl Poland Training for 3 Star. Best part of camp was the survival training, learning about what plants you eat and how to make rough shelters.	Cadet Corporal Rance Training for 3 Star. Learned fantastic outdoor skills in the the 3 star survival training. Loves to get back to nature.	Cadet McKenzie Training for 2 Star. Having a great time at camp. His parents think he will be a changed person when he goes home.	Cadet Meyer Training for 2 Star. Having a great time, but looking forward to going home. Camp has been very tiring. Looks forward to going on the 3 Star training cadre next year.

:: Annual Camp Day 10 - Tuesday 28 August 2007

Camp continues to progress well, the good weather keeping spirits up and enthusiasm and morale high. The cadres progress well with the APC, knots of cadets can be seen all over the camp swotting up on map and compass, drill, field craft and all manner of other subjects.

Today, the Assistant Chief of the Defence Staff (ACDS) Major General Lalor TD (responsible for Reserves and Cadets) visited camp to see cadets in action for the first time. He was not disappointed. The 3 Star Training Cadre were busily engaged in their survival exercise - living off the land, boiling water in paper kettles, skinning and preparing rabbit and constructing rough shelters. The 1 Star cadets were participating in a tactical exercise.

2 Star Cadets Practice Rifle Drill	General Lalor Discusses Training With The Commandant, Honorary Colonel & Major White	Cadet RSM Discusses The ACF With General Lalor & Major Jones	1 Star Cadets With General Lalor	3 Star Cadets Demonstrate Survival Skills

General Lalor Samples Pine Needle Tea Prepared By Colour Sgt Crothall	Cadet Barron Demonstrates How To Cook Blackberry Crumble In The Field	Senior Cadets Talk About Employment Options With The General	Under Officer Paice Takes On The 1 Star Cadre	RSMI Brocklehurst In Butch Pose!

:: Annual Camp Day 9 - Monday 27 August 2007

The fine weather continued throughout Monday, giving the 3 Star Cadre and the 1 Stars chance to experience the great outdoors without the inconvenience of the recent Monsoon.

The Three Star Cadre were out practicing their survival skills under the expert eye of Mike Haxeltine. They learned how to live off the land, find water, make fire and prepare rabbits and fish. The cadets erected makeshift shelters and improvised cooking equipment.

Lt Butler Improvises Cooking Equipment	Drying Bandages & Cooking Dough	Erecting Temporary Shelters	Survivalists	More Survivalists

CUO Jump Chops Off His Leg	Mike Haxeltine Explains The Art Of Dousing	CEO Ponders The Mysteries Of The Universe

The 1 Star Cadets were practicing their field craft and tactical skills under the watchful eyes of their ever vigilant Company Commander!

Tactical	Camouflage & Concealment	Sentry Duty	Company Commander Stands Down

Two 1 Star Biffs who were unable to go on the field craft exercise found their own solution. If they couldn't go on the exercise the exercise would come to them. They erected their own bivvie tent in their barrack room and spent two nights under canvass in their room. Great initiative, fantastic spirit!

:: Annual Camp Day 8 - Sunday 26 August 2007 - Parent's & VIP Day

First thing Sunday morning, the whole county attended Church Parade in the camp theatre, led by our Padre, Major Nigel Nicholson. As has become customary, the Padre pitted one section of the congregation against another in a raucous hymn singing competition conducted by the Cadet RSM. Who won? No one quite knows - but a lot of fun was had. 

County Banner Party Prepares for Church Parade	Cadets File Into Church	Padre Nigel Nicholson	Padre Leads The Singing		Cadet RSM Conducts The Singing

Cadet Under Officer Reads The Lesson	Happy Clappy Cadets get Into The Spirit Of The Service	March Past	March Past	Eyes Right

Following the church service there was a County Parade and march past. Later in the day, the Parent's and VIP Day  started. Nearly five hundred visitors arrived to see what Surrey Army Cadets get up to at Annual Camp. The VIPs included:

The Mayor of Surrey Heath Borough Council, Councillor Patricia Pearce, The Mayor of Mayor of Woking Borough Council, Councillor Brian Cross, The Deputy Mayor of Guildford Borough Council, Councillor Jennifer Jordan, The Deputy Mayor of Reigate & Banstead Borough Council, Councillor Mrs Rachel Turner, The Deputy Mayor of Waverley Borough Council, Councillor Len Bate.

During the course of the day the visitors received presentations from the Commandant and Battalion Commander and saw demonstrations by the cadets that included archery, camouflage, first aid, drill and section battle drills. Everyone agreed that it was a highly successful day, many parents remarking that they were pleased that they had the opportunity to see what their cadets got up to annual camp!

	The Mayor of Woking With Major David Robinson MBE JP DL		The Commandant Addresses The Parents	Drill Demonstration

First Aid Demonstration	Fire & Manoeuvre  Demonstration	Fire & Manoeuvre  Demonstration	Final Parade	Corps Of Drums Black Light Display

:: Annual Camp Day 7 - Saturday 25 August 2007

The Instructors and Officers of Surrey ACF are the engine that drives the Cadet Force forwards. Adult volunteers give many hours of their free time to organise and run Detachments and to train the cadets in their charge. This year for the first time the Commandant has instituted a specifically Surrey ACF Award for service at 5, 10, 15 and 20 years. As this was the first time, there were a lot of catch ups. On the left the Commandant presents the Award to RSMI J Brocklehurst and on the right to Major Nigel Nicholson (Padre). All in all, there were some twenty presentations made.

Out and about there were a number of  things happening. On my travels I bumped into one of the 1 Star cadre groups training in the field. A lot of happy smiling faces were to be seen. Could it be because of the change in the weather?

Mr Richard Sibley, the Worshipful Master of the Company of Coopers, arrived to present the prize for the winning Company in the Coopers' Cask Competition at the Officers Mess Regimental Dinner night. The winner was A Company for the second year running.

The 1 Stars	Mr Sibley With the Commandant and Deputy Commandants	Mr Sibley Presents Major Shipton With The Coopers Cask	Corps of Drums Beats Retreat on Dinner Night	Major Jones With Brigadier Mike Wharmby

The Officers' Mess Dinner Night was held with all the traditional pomp and circumstance of the military. Scarlet uniforms and dinner jackets were resplendent, mess silver shone brightly in the candlelight and the Corps of Drums performed its spectacular black light display. Full marks to the 1 and 2 Star "Biffs" (cadets on light duties due to injuries) who worked so hard to set up the Mess for the Dinner.

Our Commandant (right) with Lt Col Julian Panton MBE (Commandant of the Cadet Training Centre, Frimley Park)	Guests and Senior Officers	Surrey ACF Officers	Major Hayter  Goes Camp!	The 1 and 2 Star "Biffs" Who Did A Splendid Job Setting Up The Mess

:: Annual Camp Day 6 - Friday 24 August 2007

One of the most important aspects of Annual Camp is health. Cadets involved in adventurous, energetic activities are prone to develop blisters on their feet, twist ankles, become dehydrated or just fall ill with coughs and colds. Surrey ACF is very fortunate to have Major David Williams a long serving Medical Officer, with much experience of treating both regular soldiers and cadets. He is ably assisted this year by Nurse Pat Holden who has many years of attending cadet Annual Camps. This dynamic duo can spot a malingerer at 1000 paces! But also, know instinctively when there is something seriously wrong. Out in the field, Sergeant Adrian Hirons a profession paramedic is always on hand to administer first aid and evacuate any seriously injured cadets.

Another Blister Sorted	And Another	Doc Williams (Right) With The Padre Major Nicholson (Left)	Paramedic Sgt Hirons With Ambulance	Nurse Pat

The senior 2 Star cadets returned from their two day field training exercise. Cold and damp after a rainy couple of nights out, nevertheless, they were still able to rustle up a smile. Look carefully at the pictures, who says you can't look stylish in combat kit! Surrey cadets always manage to make a fashion statement!!!

Glad To Be Back	One Of The Best Organised Training Groups	Chic What?	Hello Mum!	Cool	Cool Dudes

Annual Camp is not just for the cadets. Their Instructors also take some time out to let their hair down. Tonight was the Sergeants' Mess Dinner Night. A time to enjoy a formal Regimental Dinner and to relax before tackling the rest of camp. The Corps of Drums this year led the Sergeant's to dinner in the Officers Mess. Everyone was scrubbed and polished and squeaky clean. 

Shiny As New Buttons	The Corps Steps Off	Leading The Sgts to Dinner	Very Smart. Look At The Medals!	Not Sure About These Three - One Is The Padre!!.

Finally for today, the self styled 1 Star Biffs wanted a mention on the web site. They were also recently back from their field training exercise - but couldn't do much because they were all crocked. 

After the Regimental Dinner, the Sergeants laid a wreath at the cadet Claire Shore memorial in Longmoor. Sadly, Claire died following an accident about 10 years ago. All cadet units that visit Longmoor pay tribute to Claire who was a typical enthusiastic cadet.

The 1 Star Biffs - Down But Not Out	The Claire Shore Memorial	The Claire Shore Memorial

:: Annual Camp Day 5 - Thursday 23 August 2007

I Think Major Hayter Is Great	So Do I	Who's Major Hayter?	Never Heard Of Him	Major Hayter Looks On In Bewilderment As The Three Star Cadre Cleans Its Equipment

Recently joining the county at camp was the Cadet Regimental Sergeant Major Theo Wilkie, who had just returned from seven weeks in Canada on an International Cadet Exchange Visit.

Caught out in the open together was the whole Quartermaster's Department, surely a one off!. Surrey ACF QM Department motto - "Stores are for storing - go away!

The PRI Shop is now in full swing with a wide range of attractive equipment for cadets to purchase. Everything is available from water bottles to sleeping bags.

Cadet RSM Describes His Canadian Experiences To The Commandant	Stores Are For Storing!	PRI Shop	PRI Shop	Instructor Tortures Cadet! Sorry, CAS-SIM Demo	More CAS-SIM Wounds

:: Annual Camp Day 4 - Wednesday 22 August 2007

Some cadets have been experiencing the Dismounted Close Combat Trainer - a massive video game used to train marksmen. A truly awesome experience. Totally safe and more fun than the average PC game at home.

Junior One Stars Just Out Of The Dismounted Close Combat Trainer (DCCT)	DCCT Screen. Mega Video Game	Junior One Stars in the DCCT	Junior One Star	No, Not A Triffid!  Camouflage & Concealment

We had visitors coming out of our ears, to learn how Surrey ACF operates and to see at first hand the cadets during their training. The Senior 3 Star Cadre provided a demonstration of their field craft skills.

Three Star Cadre Field Craft Demonstration

Meanwhile all over Longmoor Camp groups of cadets were getting stuck into their Army Proficiency Training to qualify for their badges.

Visitors Watch The Field Craft Demo

:: Annual Camp Day 3 - Tuesday 21 August 2007

Camp is now in full swing and it feels like we have been here for weeks!. Today we received a visit from a Chinook helicopter. As many cadets as possible were taken for a short but exhilarating ride.

Chinook Landing	Safety Brief	Safety Brief	All Aboard	Great View

Many Adult Instructors in the ACF go on to serve for many years. This year three instructors were presented with their Cadet Forces Medals by Brigadier Wharmby, General Secretary of the ACFA. In his address, Brigardier Wharmby drew attention to the significance of the award in recognising service and devotion to duty. The recipients were SMI Chris Ridgers, SMI Brian Woodley and SMI Steve Beatens.

SMI Beatens Receives His Medal	SMI Woodley Receives His Medal	SMI Ridgers Receives His Medal

Brigadier Wharmby visited various activities on camp including the Electric Target Range where he watched the cadets practicing their shooting skills.

Brigadier Wharmby On The Range With Commandant & Lieutenant Young-Hotz	Junior One Star Instructors With Brigadier Wharmby	Practicing Camouflage & Concealment	The Padre Shares A Joke With Some Cadets	The Cadet Executive Officer Checks Out The Junior Ranks Mess

Finally some of the cadets were finding out what Adventure Training was all about - Scuba Diving, Kayaking and Obstacle Course at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst.

Scuba Diving	Scuba Diving	Kayaking	Obstacle Course	Obstacle Course

:: Annual Camp Day 2 - Monday 20 August 2007

The second day of camp is going with a swing. Despite cloudy weather and the threat of rain, training went ahead as normal. The 1 Star Juniors were heavily into skill at arms and helicopter riding.

Junior One Star Skill at Arms	Smile	Gazelle Helicopter Arrives	Safety Brief From The Pilot	Top Gun

Major White & CA Mowbray  Thinking	First Flight	First Flight Too	All Systems Go	Contact

	Scary Or What?		2 Star Nerve Centre

After dinner, the RSMI and CSMs judged the County Drill Competition. The standard was very high and choosing a winner was very difficult. The honour went to E Company in the end. Meanwhile the Corps of Drums rehearses for a very busy weekend of Regimental Dinners and County Parades.

A Company Drill Team	CSM Butler Struts His Stuff	The RSMI & Her Jury	B Company Drill Team

The Corps Of Drums At Rehearsal	Getting Ready For The Regimental Dinner Nights