The Marines are Coming
Are You Tough Enough?
A new detachment of Royal Marine Cadets, the first ever in South Worcestershire, is setting up in the Vale this week. The group is looking for young people and adults who have a lot of bottle. Based at the home of the Evesham Sea Cadets, the new group is for those who want an even bigger challenge. Volunteers could soon be abseiling down a Bavarian mountain or finding their way across Dartmoor in Devon at night.
Tim Johnson, 15 years old, is switching from the Sea Cadets to the Marine Cadets. “It’s more physical, more disciplined and more demanding,” he says. “It tests your character.”
“We want the best of the cadets to be marines,” says Sean Kent, an ex-staff sergeant from the Royal Corps of Signals, who becomes the detachment commander this week. Their first meeting, their Parade night, will be this coming Monday, 8th August.
The detachment is also looking for other adults and young people, from 13 to 18 years old, to sign up. The Marine Cadets will follow the spirit of the Royal Marines.
“They will learn all the water skills that the Sea Cadets do,” says Sean Kent. “But they’ll also do the land stuff.”
On the itinerary is military map reading, concealment and camouflage, shooting, and, of course, the assault course.
Paige Woodward, 14 years old, an ordinary cadet (which is one step up from being a cadet) says that is what has attracted her to the new detachment, that and the uniform.
“The blue jacket, for ceremonial wear, is much smarter,” she says. “But I’m really doing it because of the physical challenge. I love running, climbing and shooting.”
Tim Johnson is looking forward to improving his field skills. “I want to sleep under the stars and build my own shelter and to be able to survive in the open.”
Some lucky marines will be invited to Exercise Bavarian Surprise in Germany where they will be able to go rock climbing, abseiling and kayaking. Or the new recruits might join the real Royal Marines for a week of training, including running the infamous Bottom Field assault course which can make grown men and women cry.
Unit commander Keith Field says the new detachment will attract people from as far away as Stratford and Chipping Norton. “We see the Royal Marine Cadets as increasing the opportunities for young people in Evesham, the Vale and beyond.”
This year, marines will form the guard of honour at the war memorial in Evesham on Remembrance Sunday.
The Royal Marine Cadet Detachment meets on Monday 8th August, and then every Monday and Thursday, from 7.00pm – 9.30pm at the Sea Cadets headquarters in Shinehill Lane, South Littleton, Evesham. The Unit is looking for both adults to train as instructors, and young people who may wish to join. For further information, come to the unit on a parade night, call 01386 833383 or visit the Royal Marine Cadets’ website acoy.co.uk.
For more information please contact:
Unit Commander Keith Field
keithfield605@btinternet.com
Detachment Commander Sean Kent
sean.kent@virgin.net
Press coordinator Rupert Segar
rs@pershore.worcs.sch.uk
01386 861078
079821 40403
Unit Headquarters 01386 833383
The telephone is manned on Parade evenings only but has a message service that you can call anytime.
Rupert Segar