Trooping The Colour

I've finally been sent some photos of our recent trip to Trooping The Colour.

SMI Crofts

CNE SSM

Cadet Leadership Course

Congratulations to Sgt Tucker for passing her Cadet Leadership Course at Frimley Park this week.

The course lasts for a whole week and takes place at the headquarters of the Army Cadet Force. If you want to know what the course entails ask Sgt Tucker on Monday and If time allows I'll play the DVD that shows Cadets what the course is all about. This will hopefully encourage more Diss Senior Cadets to consider going on the course in the future.

SMI Crofts

CNE SSM

National Memorial Visit 11th July 2009

On Saturday 11th July Cadets from Diss & Long Stratton visited the National Memorial. Although the weather wasn't good on the journey to the Memorial it managed to stay fine, except for a couple of showers.

After arriving we got talking to a survivor of the HMS Dunedin which was sunk by a German U-Boat on the 24th November 1941. He invited the Cadets to a wreath laying they were doing at 14:15hrs and we were delighted to attend. Of 491 crew only 72 survived the U-Boat attack and of those only 4 are alive today. One of the members of the Dunedin society will hopefully be sending us some pictures which I will add when they arrive.

During the day we met many ex Royal Engineer's and two of those were Chelsea Pensioners who were especially pleased to see so many young Cadets wearing their cap badge.

My thanks to Sgt Caston & PI Gilson for their help during the visit and to the Cadets of Diss & Long Stratton for their behaviour and turnout which was mentioned by many visitors to the National Memorial during the day.

SMI Crofts

CNE SSM

Soldier Magazine: Frimley Park

In this months Soldier Magazine there is a feature on Frimley Park the headquarters for the Army Cadet Force.

All Adults who do their AI's & KGVI Courses and Cadets who do the Cadet Leadership Course and Master Cadet Course will go to.

It is definitely somewhere that all Cadets should go before their time in Cadets comes to an end.

SMI Crofts

CNE SSM

Frimley Park Article

National Memorial Visit Details

The National Memorial Trip details are as follows:

06:00 - Pick up at Long Stratton

06:15 - Pick up at Diss

06:30 - Leave Diss

10:00 - Arrive at the National Memorial [There will be a break during the journey]

11:00 - Remembrance Service

11:30 - Visit Royal Engineer's Memorial. L/Cpl Dade will be doing a talk

12:00 - Lunch, take a packed lunch or money to buy something

13:00 - Split in to two groups for tasks

14:00 - Task two

15:00 - Task three

16:00 - Gift shop

16:30 - Leave Memorial

17:30 - Stop for tea, again take something or money for a burger.

20:00 - 21:00 - Return to Long Stratton & Diss

Your Shirt and Combat Jacket are to be ironed and put on a coat hanger so that they don't get creased on the journey.

Ensure that your boots are highly polished and that your Brassard[s] have the badges sewn on properly and that your buttons for the Brassard are sewn on in the correct place.

Cadets selected for the trip are:

Diss:

L/Cpl Frewin

L/Cpl McPartland

L/Cpl Oakley

L/Cpl Misselbrook

Spr Porter

Spr Cowles

Spr Tucker

Spr R8-)

Long Stratton:

L/Cpl Dade

L/Cpl Wilson

L/Cpl Brown

CFAV's:

SMI Crofts

Sgt Caston

PI Gilson

PI Blythe

SMI Crofts

CNE SSM

Parade Night: 13th July

On Monday's Parade night [13th July] all Cadets will be in Civvies but you will all bring in all kit you have signed for in a black bag.

For most of you that means that you will need to bring in the following:

Beret

Cap Badge

Brown T-Shirts X2

Combat 95 Shirts X2

Combat 95 Trousers X2

Combat Jacket

Socks X2 Pair

Green Belt

Brassard [with all badges sewn on correctly]

Sports Brassard if Issued

For many of you that will mean digging through your rooms and houses trying to find the kit you never seem to have.

If you have any items missing it may mean that you will be billed for those items.

Any Cadet not parading on Monday with their Kit will be expected to bring it in the next time they parade.

All Cadets going to Camp must have their kit checked prior to them being allowed to go to Camp.

SMI Crofts

CNE SSM

Weybread Training Weekend

Here are some pictures of the training we did over the weekend of 12th - 14th June.

My thanks to PI Gilson, PI Blythe, Sgt Young, Sgt Caston and Sgt O'Brien for their help.

It was a very succesfull weekend and with the QM tidying up the Weybread training I'm sure we will be using the area again later in the year and much more in 2010.

SMI Crofts

CNE SSM

Buckingham Palace 9th May 2009

Kit Out

The 4 new recruits who I have said can be kitted out should be at Thetford at 13:00Hrs on Sunday the 28th June to be kitted out.

Remember to bring your £15 joining fee with you.

The Address is:

Cadet Training Centre
Croxton Road
Thetford
Norfolk
IP24 1LH


View Larger Map

SSI Crofts

Turn Out

A quick post about the standard of turn out on recent parade nights, which from some Diss Cadets has been way below what I expect.

So here's the minimum standard that you should be looking to achieve:

Beret: Brushed & Clean

Cap Badge: Clean

Combat 95 Shirt: Clean & Ironed

Brassard(s): Clean, ironed, with all badges sewn on correctly and neatly and to be worn on all parade nights.

Belt: Male section on the right, and belt not hanging loose around your waist

Combat 95 Trousers: Clean & ironed. You don't have to put creases down the front but they should at the minimum be ironed flat.

Twisters: they cost about a pound a pair, so invest in a pair as there's nothing worse than the bottoms of your combat trousers being tied up. Kombat UK in Diss sell them and you can get them off line cheaply enough.

Boots: Brush polished, every week, not just when you can be bothered. You also need to buy a pair of army style boots that come above the ankle for support. Work type boots are not acceptable and as this is the only piece of kit we ask you to buy it isn't a lot to ask.

NCO's: Your kit should be of the highest standard. You should also be pointing out to the newer cadets how they should be turned out.

Remember not only do I put you in for and award promotions, I can also take them away. If you cannot parade and act as I expect an NCO to be then I can look for others who will.

It may have passed your notice but you are all now Cadets not only of Diss but the Squadron Sergeant Major's Detachment and your turn out should reflect the standard that I am now trying to get the whole Squadron to achieve.

As Cadets you don't have to buy your uniform which is why I think some of you think you don't have to treat it well as you don't spend your money on it. Over the last two years I have spent Detachment money on replacing lost items, I've lost count of how many cap badges I have bought and that is now t an end. You signed for your uniform and it is your responsibility to treat it with care and look after it. If you lose something or it is damaged through neglect , then you will be expected to replace it.

Uniform damaged through normal Cadet activities or that you have grown out of will be replaced at kit exchange as usual.

Remember you signed for your uniform, look after it as if you had spent your own money on it.

Many of you who read the Blog already ensure that your turn out is of a high standard but you have to help those that don't.

SSI Crofts

CNE SSM

Combat Cadet Selection

On Sunday 12th April L/Cpl Frewin completed the last training day for the Combat Cadet Team.

I'm sure you will all be glad to hear that after all his hard work L/Cpl Frewin has made it in to the 2009 Combat Cadet Team.

L/Cpl Frewin has worked extremely hard to through the whole selection process and has represented not only our Detachment, but the Squadron impeccably. His determination and hard work should be an example to everyone at Diss as to what can be achieved if you work hard.

SSI Crofts

Photos supplied by SSI Tucker - County Training Team

Trooping The Colour

I have managed to get 16 tickets for this years Colonel's review, which is the final practice before the Colour is trooped before the Queen the following week.

The places will be split between Diss & Long Stratton, so there will be seven places available for Cadets from Diss.

This is a very prestigious event with people and dignitaries from all over the world in attendance so the seven cadets selected will have to be able to present themselves impeccably, especially as the Commandant will also be attending this event and sitting somewhere near us.

The trip will cost £10 for your ticket and afterwards we are intending to go to the Imperial War Museum so you will either need money to buy lunch or take a packed lunch.

We would be leaving at around 06:30hrs and will return to Detachment at around 20:00hrs.

If you are interested then let me know on Monday.

SSI Crofts

Okehampton Camp

1. drill square

2. accomodation

3. Naafi

4. cook house

5. sports field

6. DCCT