The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Battalion Army Cadet Force

(The Royal Regiment of Scotland) - Annual Update

By the Commandant

I am delighted to record that the Battalion has continued to climb in its achievements and have started 2011 with a demanding programme at a time when the future of the Cadets is under scrutiny and financial constraints are a key deciding factor in what we can achieve.  The introduction of the Cadet Calculator and the changes to allowances has resulted in less financial rewards for Adults however, to date this has not had an effect on their commitment to our Cadets and we continue to achieve in all areas of Cadetmanship.  Forward planning is ongoing and we have an exciting year ahead for our Cadets.  2011 started in January with 4 days of intense training for the Officers and Adults in preparation for the start of a new year and to ensure that we are working on a safe and firm platform and ready to take our Cadets forward.  Much has happened up to now with all Companies deploying on weekend training to Arrochar or Lochgilphead, the Pipe Band Gathering culminating in a Massed Pipes and Drums Beating Retreat in Dingwall, Inverness and Glasgow to huge crowds.  We have 4 Lord Lieutenants Cadets, representation at the Army Cadet Force Association Sports events, Cadets on the Cadet Leadership Course, Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme in all disciplines and much more.  Camp this year will take place at Altcar near Liverpool and this promises to be the jewel in the crown for our Cadets with access to many ranges, training areas, adventure training, sports and fun.

On a sad note we say farewell to our Honorary Colonel, Colonel Clive Fairweather, who has been with us for many years, a true friend to our Officers, Adults and Cadets and of tremendous help to our Command Team.  He will be missed by all and we will say farewell to him at Altcar in July after many years service to our Battalion.  He will be succeeded by Colonel A K Miller who is a well-known Argyll and staunch supporter of the Cadet movement; we look forward to working with him and are delighted to have him as our Honorary Colonel.

Our efforts in recruiting have resulted in an increasing number of Cadets and Adult volunteers joining the Battalion and I am grateful to Gilly Moncur for her continued push on Outreach, to Gordon Prescott for his proactive attitude to recruiting and to my Company Commanders for keeping this issue high on their priority list.

Activities

Cadets have been engaged in a wide range of activities.  As usual, they have braved all weathers to continue their company training.  Our new structured programme for senior Cadets is proving highly popular and successful and we currently have an ever increasing number of Cadets taking a greater interest in the training on offer.  Gaining land clearance for a number of new and localized areas, including Mugdock Country Park near Milngavie, has given us lots of new opportunities for fieldcraft and expedition training.

The Battalion has continued its run of sporting successes with the senior boys, senior girls and junior boys’ football teams all winning at the ACFA Scotland Football Championships. Erin McGill held on to her winner’s position for the third year in both the Scottish and National Cross-Country ACFA Championships.  The swimming team also acquitted itself well, returning from the Sandhurst championships with a handful of medals.

Signals

Under the auspices of the Battalion’s new Signals Officer, interest in radios and signals has blossomed, with the Battalion running the first of its own Cadet Radio User Courses for many years with more planned for the future.

Community Engagement

Our Cadets have continued to play their part in supporting their local communities.  Remembrance is, of course, a high profile parade for them, however our Cadets have also helped with a whole range of other fundraising activities as well as with local fetes and galas, including Stirling's Church of the Holy Rude Autumn Fete.  They will also play a part in the Homecoming Parades of 5 SCOTS, assisted in the Stirling Military Show and the parade for the Laying up of the Old Colours of The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders as well as many localized charity events.  In essence we are in demand due to past success.

Cadet 150

Having been active participants in the Cadet 150 celebrations in 2010 in Scotland and London, our Cadets continued to play their part by contributing to the Cadet 150 Commemorative DVD­­.  We are still building on the success of Cadet 150 which has improved the profile of the Army Cadet Force as a viable and successful youth organization and has brought us more into focus with local communities throughout our recruiting area.

Lochgilphead Opening

One highlight of the period was the opening by the Lord Lieutenant, Kenneth MacKinnon, of the new facilities at our weekend training centre at Lochgilphead in February.  As well as the opening, the Lord Lieutenant made company presentations to Cadets from Argyll Company and sports colours to Cadets from across the Battalion.  Cadet medals were also presented to Lieutenant Colonel Brian Hume, Major George Kerr and CSMI Alex Chlopuk.

Pipes and Drums

The Battalion had the largest single contingent -- 27 Cadets -- at April’s annual Pipes and Drums concentration at Cameron Barracks.  They were thrilled to come away with the award for most improved Pipes and Drums Band.  This is another growth area for the Battalion, with regular training involving Cadets from right across our 5 Companies and 1 Squadron.  We are now in the strong position to staff a Pipe and Drum Major and a Drum Sergeant.  The commitment of Caroline Reardon and Derek Findlay have produced excellent results and our thanks go to Major Jim Stout who pulls all the Cadet bands together to get them to where they are at this time.  The displays at Dingwall, Inverness and Glasgow go a long way to maintaining the image and achievements of the Cadet Force Pipers and Drummers and keeps them in the public eye at such a high standard.

Affiliations

Our links with 5 SCOTS and the Scottish Transport Regiment remains strong and in February the RLC Detachment of our Squadron at Clydebank, along with Argyll Cadets from Milngavie, were hosted to a fantastic evening of clambering around huge Army trucks with the Scottish Transport Regiment at Carmyle.  Most Companies will have the opportunity to participate in the Homecoming Parades with 5 SCOTS which will include a combined Reunion at Bridge of Allan during the Stirling Military Show.

 Awards and Courses

As well as looking after our Cadets, we have also been investing in our Adult volunteers with a number of training and development activities.  Two successful Adult training weekends ran in January, at which Major John Brown, Major Davie Blair and RQMS Davey Gardner were presented with Lord Lieutenants’ Awards by the Lord Lieutenants of Dunbartonshire and Stirling and Falkirk.  Cadet medals were also presented to Major Gordon Prescott, Lieutenant Dick Kinsella, AUO Jim Brown and SSI Robin Morton.  There were 12 new Adults at our induction training in March;  our Adults are queuing up for the Adult Instructors’ Course at the Cadet Training Centre at Frimley Park and the King George VI Memorial Course.  We are also committed to preparing Adults with commissioning potential to attend selection at the Army Officer Selection Board at Westbury and congratulate 2nd Lieutenant Derek Smith of F Squadron on being successful at the board.

 Recruiting

Should any of our readers wish to become an Adult Instructor or have children who they wish to join the Cadets, I would invite you to contact Major Gordon Prescott who is located at our Dumbarton Headquarters, telephone number 01389 763451.  Cadets can serve from the age of 12 to 18 years and Adults from 19 to 65.

I look forward to letting you know of our successes throughout 2011.