Major Proctor
The Combined Cadet Force (CCF) will be an important aspect of academy life. Major Steve Proctor from 43 (Wessex) Brigade, who is responsible for CCFs in Wiltshire, provides an insightful and comprehensive overview of what life is like in the CCF
Q: What is the CCF?
Major Proctor: The CCF is a voluntary youth organisation based in schools and colleges sponsored by the Ministry of Defence (MoD). It’s known as the ‘combined’ cadet force because it can comprise of the three service sections – the royal navy, army and royal air force. The broad role of the CCF is to provide a disciplined organisation in a school setting so students can develop their leadership skills through training which promotes the qualities of responsibility, self-reliance, resourcefulness, endurance and perseverance.
Q: Who runs a CCF?
Major Proctor: The CCF is run by adult volunteers from the teaching staff of the school/college. They receive training from the relevant service to teach the CCF curriculum and are supported by a School Staff Instructor (SSI), an ex-senior rank who has served in the forces, and a cadet training team. The cadet training team who will look after the academy will be 19 cadet training team based at Colerne. A Sergeant will be allocated to the school to help out on training days.
Q: What kind of activities are the cadets involved in?
Major Proctor: The syllabus is 60% military training and 40% adventure training. The CCF normally meets once a week at the end of the school day for 1.5-3 hours. They also undertake additional activities at weekends and there’s the opportunity to go on organised camps and adventure training weeks. The syllabus is designed to ensure students get the most out of it and have lots of fun.
Q: Who can join and how much is it?
Major Proctor: It’s open to students between 14-18 years old. The military cover all the costs, the only item parents will need to pay for is the boots.
Q: When can I join the academy CCF?
Major Proctor: The CCF will start when the new academy building is ready in 2011. For those students who are keen to get a flavour of the cadet forces in meantime, there are lots of organisations out there including the Army Cadet Force, The Sea Cadets and the Air Training Corps. You’ll find details of your local cadet forces on their websites.
Q: What are the main benefits of the CCF?
Major Proctor: In a nutshell it’s an activity within school which allows young people to be challenged in ways that they don’t get out of any other single activity. It brings together military training and adventure training, with the opportunity to work as part of a group, exercise and build endurance and self–confidence.
