|
|
|
ARMY CADET FORCE
|
Portora’s Detachment of the Army Cadet Force was first founded in 2004 and in 2007 the Detachment was re-badged from the Royal Irish Rangers, to the Irish Guards The ceremony, held in the Steele Hall, was well attended by cadets and their parents. Also present were numerous VIPs, including the ex-Commandant for the Battalion, and his successor, as well as the Colonel of the Irish Guards, the Duke of Abercorn, and numerous Lords and Lieutenants.
Cadets currently meet on Wednesdays after school at the ACF mobile from 15:30 to 17:00. We go away for a weekend every couple of months, at a cost of only £4 per cadet.
The highlight of every cadet’s year is the annual camp for two weeks at the start of the summer holidays. At the cost of only £70 per cadet, which includes everything from food (the best chefs in the country are found in the Armed Forces) to equipment to numerous day trips (this year cadets visited Alton Towers!). Last year’s camp was at Beckingham and was attended by 350 male and female cadets from the 1st Battalion Army Cadet Force Northern Ireland.
2010 saw the Cadet 150 events, celebrating 150 years of the Army Cadet Force. Notably, several cadets were in attendance at the Queen’s garden party at Buckingham Palace!
Through the ACF cadets can experience an incredible range of challenging yet rewarding activities, not limited to:
- Skill-at-arms (including Air rifle, .22, the cadet A2 rifle and the LSW)
- Fieldcraft (Camouflage & Concealment, Six Section Battle Drills, etc.)
- First Aid (in association with St. John’s Ambulance)
- Map & Compass
- Radio/Signals
- Foot Drill
As you rise through the ranks of the ACF, you will acquire and develop the essential skills of teamwork, leadership, discipline and problem-solving that today’s employers and university admissions officers look for. If all this wasn’t enough, more experienced cadets also have access to programmes such as:
- Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (ACF can count as a Service, ACF can supply Expedition equipment which is normally very expensive for those doing DoE through their school)
- BTEC in Public Services (Worth 4 GCSEs at A*-C level; a Music BTEC is also available through the Corps of Drums)
- An exchange programme with cadets in Canada
Pupils wishing to join the ACF should contact the senior cadets of Portora Detachment all of whom are in Year 14, or come along to Detachment afternoons at the cadet mobile (between the Drama Studio and Technology Department) on Wednesdays after school.
Army Cadet Force - “To inspire to achieve”
|
|
|
|
|