Combined Cadet Force Frequently Asked Questions
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Please find below the answers to some frequently asked questions regarding the Combined Cadet Force. What is the required commitment from my son/ daughter? Sessions will take place on a Thursday16:00 1800 Ideally we expect cadets to achieve around 80% attendance throughout the year 1 weekend training activity per term 1 field day activity per term Easter adventure training camp (alternating between UK and Overseas) Summer Camp What happens if they miss a session/ camp? We understand that there will be instances where cadets cannot attend for a valid reason and in such cases we would appreciate as much written notice as possible to be given. If they are unwell an e-mail on the day would be helpful However, it is also important to understand that any absence may mean the cadet misses sections of training which cannot be re-covered until a later date and therefore they may be delayed in receiving proficiency badges Camps are a highlight of the whole experience so pupils are strongly encouraged to attend How much will CCF cost? There is a joining fee of 100 per year to cover equipment costs Boots and a sleeping bag are to be purchased separately but can be sourced through the CCF Camps and training weekends come with a small fee to cover food and board. This year the weekend training was around 30 and the summer camp usually costs between 90-120 3
How will CCF affect their schoolwork? As a CCF we are careful to plan training so that it has a minimum impact on schoolwork. We look closely at the calendars for both schools so that exam weeks, school trips and the such like can be catered for The CCF is intended to compliment students academic studies and as teachers we are ideally placed to facilitate this. How will CCF affect their other commitments (music/ sport?) CCF is planned to take place on a Thursday after school so as not to clash with any sports squads/ fixtures/music lessons Weekend training camps has been carefully planned so as not to occur on the same day as school fixtures We will endeavour to give as much advanced notice of extra dates / events as possible to allow parents time to make the necessary arrangements How does D of E impact on CCF? The Duke of Edinburgh s award scheme (D of E) is run concurrently with the school walking expedition, however the CCF offer a unique opportunity to do the expedition by open canoe. A lot of the training completed as part of the CCF compliments that given for D of E e.g. first aid and navigation skills. Those who wish to undertake D of E as a canoeing expedition (and hopefully in the future by mountain biking) will be offered this opportunity through the CCF. CCF can also contribute to the skills, physical (canoeing) volunteering and expedition elements of the D of E award. We plan military training weekends so that they do not clash with D of E expeditions and try to avoid, wherever possible, cadets doing D of E expeditions and CCF training weekends back-to-back. 4
Are they expected to join the military as a career? The CCF is not a recruiting tool for the armed forces nor is it a reserve service. Primarily it is a nationwide youth organisation which aims to provide cadets with the opportunity to develop leadership skills and qualities such as responsibility and perseverance. There is no commitment to go on to joining further armed forces organisations at university or beyond. Will my child visit military bases and interact with real soldiers? Summer camps and weekend training will take place on military bases which will be staffed, at least in part, by serving military personnel. However, in such instances training will be carried out by our own CCF staff and supporting staff provided by the Cadet Training Team, all of whom are fully DBS/CRB cleared and used to working with cadets. Trips will always be accompanied by a member of staff from each school. We may, as part of the training programme, visit Army Reserve units or other schools and again cadets will be always fall under the responsibility and leadership of a member of CCF staff. Will my child ever be sent to warzones? Those involved in the CCF, both pupils and staff, are ineligible for deployment. This means there is no risk of them being sent away on active service. The only way of being sent on operations is to become a member of the regular military or reserve services. 5
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