The overall aim of this overseas expedition was not only to teach the Cadets and Staff about adventurous training but also to teach them life skills in adapting to change within a new environment, teamwork and leadership. The Cadets were aged between 15 and 18 and both Cadets and Staff were from Cumbria and Lancashire …
Pyrenees Adventure 2015 – Cumbria and Lancashire Wing ATC Read More »
Exercise Rolling Eagle saw a team of three officer cadets from Exeter University Officer Training Corps embark upon a trans-continental cycling challenge, crossing North America from Seattle, Washington, to New York City. The expedition aimed to improve the organisational, planning and leadership skills of those involved, in addition to presenting a physical and mental challenge …
Ex Rolling Eagle – Exeter University Officer Training Corps Read More »
After a relatively comfortable, sleepless eight-hour flight from RAF Brize Norton, the plane finally touched down on the Ascension Island and we emerged from the cabin into the bright and humid South Atlantic air. Our 12-strong party, comprising Army, Air Force and (retd) Navy personnel had been brought together to conduct overseas Adventurous Training (AT) …
Ex Ascension Serpent – 208 Field Hospital Read More »
As part of its role Exeter UOTC is tasked with organising high quality and demanding Adventurous Training for the Cadets. This should deliver foundation qualifications but also give the Cadets exposure to just how demanding AT can be and how it can be used to develop personal qualities and teamwork. The Dolomite mountains of northern …
Ex Falzarego Tiger – Exeter University Officer Training Corps Read More »
At Sheffield University Officer Training Corps (SUOTC) we run an annual adventure training expedition for the cadets and subalterns reaching the end of their third and final year of OTC. This is the culmination of all their training and development and a ‘last hurrah’ before they embark on civilian and reservist careers or set off …
Ex Northern Cutlers’ Climb – Sheffield University Officer Training Corps Read More »
On the 16 May 15 selected members from all three squadrons of 1st Military Working Dog Regiment left the UK for Marrakech, Morocco. The aim of this exercise was to introduce us to the activity of mountaineering, by giving us the Summer Mountain Foundation course, and what better place to have this experience than in …
Ex Dragon Toubkal – 1st Military Working Dog Regiment Read More »
On 1 June 2015 a group of 14 intrepid adventurists left the UK bound for the high mountains of the Bolivian Altiplano. Flying via Miami we eventually touched down in La Paz (4000m) after around 15 hours in the air. This Army Mountaineering Association (AMA) Expedition had an ambitious plan to scale a number of …
Ex Altiplano Tiger – Army Mountaineering Association Read More »
Early on 11th August, 17 cadets from Oakham School CCF departed on an expedition which was to combine an appreciation of two battlefield sites from the Peninsular Campaign with a challenging trek across the Sierra de Gredos mountains of central Spain. The journey took in a 24-hour ferry crossing between Portsmouth and Santander which provided …
Expedition Peninsular Cadet – Oakham School Combined Cadet Force Read More »
Two days after the end of a busy year 14 cadets and 3 staff from Bromsgrove School Combined Cadet Force embarked on a three week expedition of a lifetime to some of the remotest areas of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa. The aim of the expedition was to give the cadets an opportunity to develop self-reliance …
Exercise Zulu Kingdom – Bromsgrove School Combined Cadet Force Read More »
“Oh, I could never do that…I can’t even bear to put my face underwater.” Curious to know who had commented on Justin Maker’s near perfect forward roll into the blue waters of the Mediterranean, I turned round to see a middle-aged British tourist sitting with two of her friends on the sun-baked concrete quayside beside …
Ex Submerged Battlefield (Dragon) – Army Training Unit (West Midlands) Read More »
A team of 12 Air Cadets and 3 staff from 234 (City of Durham) Squadron have returned from the challenge of a lifetime, trekking in the French Pyrenees and summiting the mighty Pic du Canigou. It had taken 15 months of planning, fundraising and training, so when the Cadets arrived at the airport, the excitement …
Pyrenees Trekking Expedition 2015 – 234 (City of Durham) Sqn ATC Read More »
After a brisk walk to the boarding gate, 16 members of Bristol University Officer Training Corps and 4 external instructors were en route to Sharm El Sheikh, with complimentary extra legroom to boot. Upon arrival in Egypt we were greeted with warmth from both the local climate and the lively tourist guide who would be …
Exercise Cabot Coral – Bristol University Officer Training Corps Read More »
The aim of Exercise DRAGON CORSE was for members of 203 Fd Hosp to complete the northern half of the GR20 high altitude route in Corsica. Putting 16 Officer’s and Soldiers under pressure while conducting arduous physical and mental adventurous training and develop leadership outside of their normal comfort zones. The biggest challenge on this …
Exercise Dragon Corse – 203 (Welsh) Field Hospital Read More »
Exercise Northern Alpinista consisted of a two week mountaineering expedition to the Benasque valley region within the Spanish Pyrenees. The expedition took place during July 2015 and was supported by 15 Officer Cadets (OCdts) from Leeds University Officers Training Corps and Regular and Reserve Forces instructors and staff. The location was chosen for its appeal …
Exercise Northern Alpinista – Leeds University Officers’ Training Corps Read More »
Gale force winds, rough seas and seven days spent almost entirely within the confines of the 72 foot ketch, Alba Venturer, set the scene for the West Coast Challenge Sailing Expedition 2015. Eleven cadets from across the UK together with two adult staff joined the OYT Scotland crew to sail out of Oban for a …
OYT West Coast Challenge – Headquarters Air Cadets Read More »
MTMC (Mission Training and Mobilisation Centre) based in Nottingham and Lydd, took part in their annual diving expedition from 08 to 22 May 2015 on Exercise Dragon Diver 2. This was an expedition to two of the Canary Islands, Fuerteventura and Tenerife. Planning for the expedition started in Oct 2014, novice divers were trained to …
Ex Dragon Diver 2 – British Army Read More »
It’s one of the toughest summits to reach in the Pyrenees. At a mighty 2784m above sea level combined with a 20m final sharp ascent, stunning views and a test of nerve, few mountains can rival the excitement of the Pic du Canigou in southern France. After 15 months of planning and fundraising, a team …
Operation Vertex – 2344 (Longbenton) Squadron Air Training Corps Read More »
The 2015 Scot-Paddle with the Sea Cadets was probably the best way in my opinion to experience the wild and beautiful nature of Scotland for the first time. Our six days paddling and camping on Loch Morar and Loch Nevis was an awesome experience. From the bug infested fields, to the harsh but forever present …
Knoydart Wilderness Open Canoe 2015 – Marine Society and Sea Cadets Read More »
