News

Another fantastic night of promotions, awards and qualifications gained by our wonderful cadets.

Promotions:

3X NEC-CDT

1X JSC-JCFC

Good Conduct (Undetected Crime)

1x 1 year Good Conduct

2x 2 Year Good Conduct

Rowing:

7x SCC Row 1

4X SCC Row 2

1X Go Row 2 (Slide Seat)

5x SCC Row Coxswain Module

1x Cadet Forces Water Safety Test

2X CFAV's SCC Rowing Coxswains Award

Proficiencies:

5x Basic Camp Craft

3X Class 3 Marine Engineering

Specialisations:

2x Class 3 Seamship

Offshore:

1x Offshore Hand 1 (Sail)

1x Offshore Hand 2 (Sail)

JSC:

2X Yellow (Community) Modules

1X Earthshot Superstar Award

CVQO:

2X BTEC Level 1 Certificate in Teamwork and Personal Skills for Uniformed Youth Organisations

BRAVO ZULU to all who gained qualifications and promotions this month

#Qualification #Promotion #awards #seacadetsuk #simplythebest

There are so many occasions when I feel immensely proud to be the Commanding Officer of such a wonderful unit, but none more so than when I see our cadets grow into confident, capable young people who will undoubtedly make a positive contribution wherever life takes them.

Last night, we were delighted to welcome two very special visitors back to the unit: former senior cadets Swifty and Dave. Although still only young men, they are already shaping up to be wonderful adults, excellent role models and a real credit to their families, the unit and themselves.

They left Sea Cadets last year to begin their careers as engineers in the Royal Navy. Having successfully completed their basic training, they are now approaching the end of their Phase 2 branch training. From there, their naval careers will take them in different directions, with one joining the Submarine Service and the other serving in the Surface Fleet.

It was a genuine pleasure to sit and chat with them, hear about their experiences of Royal Navy life and share a few dits. Seeing how much they have developed in such a relatively short time was quite something.

As Commanding Officer, there is no greater reward than watching young people find their confidence, discover what they are capable of and begin to make their own way in the world. We know that their achievements belong entirely to them, but it is incredibly special to think that their time at TS Kingfisher played a small part in their development and helped to influence the career paths they have chosen.

Their visit was also a powerful example for our current cadets. It showed them that the skills, standards, friendships and experiences gained through Sea Cadets can remain with them long after they leave the unit—and that the possibilities ahead of them really are enormous.

‘Swifty’ and ‘Dave’, enjoy every opportunity that life in a blue suit brings. Work hard, look after your oppos, keep making us proud and, most importantly, please keep in touch and let us know how you are getting on.

You will always be part of the TS Kingfisher family.

Fair winds, shippers...

SLt(SCC) LA Wood MA RNR

Commanding Officer

A trip to Greenwich

This weekend was one of those very special occasions that I think will take quite a while to sink in.

I am absolutely thrilled, incredibly proud and more than a little overwhelmed to have been presented with the Roddie Casement OBE RN Sword, awarded nationally to the Sea Cadet Commanding Officer judged to be the best in the Corps.

To receive such a prestigious national award is an extraordinary honour. To have it presented at the National Band Competition, in the magnificent surroundings of the Queen’s House at the Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich, made the occasion even more memorable. To receive the Sword from descendants of Captain Roddie Casement OBE RN himself was something very special indeed.

I make no apology for being immensely proud of this one. I give a huge part of my life to the Sea Cadets because I passionately believe in what we do and in the opportunities, confidence and experiences we give to young people. Being a Commanding Officer is already an enormous privilege; to have that commitment recognised nationally in this way means more to me than I can really put into words.

But no Commanding Officer achieves anything alone.

I am enormously proud to command TS Kingfisher – Redditch & Bromsgrove Sea Cadets and Royal Marines Cadets, and of the fantastic cadets and volunteers who make our Unit what it is. Their achievements, enthusiasm, occasional chaos, determination and sheer hard work are what make being their CO so rewarding.

The success of our Unit is built on an extraordinary team of volunteers who give their time, skills and energy so generously, the support of our UMT, our families and friends and, above all, a fantastic group of young people who continually make us proud.

They are the reason we do it.

I may have been the one holding the Sword this weekend, and my name may be engraved upon it, but there are a great many people standing behind that achievement.

And what a setting for such a moment, glorious sunshine, fabulous music, a Royal Marine Band, a superb National Sea Cadet Band Competition and some wonderful friends alongside me.

I came away feeling enormously proud, genuinely humbled and, I have to admit, more than a little bit chuffed.

There are some days in your Sea Cadet career that you know you will remember forever.

This was definitely one of mine.

The Roddie Casement OBE RN Sword – National Best Sea Cadet Commanding Officer.

That one really does mean a great deal.

SLt (SCC) LAWood MA RNR

This week the Royal Marine Cadets got out into the field for the first time this year, with an evening out at Arrow Valley Park. It was a great opportunity for the new Marine Cadets to experience what RMCs do. Time was spent  building shelters with our 'bivvi’s' and learning about patrolling.  It was great to be back outside!

This weekend has been another roaring success, with our Dril Team, already  District Champions, now proudly holding the title of Area Champions. 

This victory means our cadets will be representing the South West Area at the prestigious Sea Cadet National Drill Competition at HMS Raleigh at the end of April.

The journey of our drill team has not been easy. Amongst nine units in Warwickshire District, our team has put in weeks of rigorous training to achieve first place within the district. 

At the competition this weekend, they outshone competition from eight other Districts, claiming the gold medal. Put into perspective, they have beaten 77 other units to attain their well-deserved title.

The hard work and dedication of both the cadets and the volunteers has been truly remarkable. Their flawless performance, attention to detail, and ‘snap’ had set them apart from the rest.

Despite their exhaustion, the cadets have displayed impeccable behaviour throughout, embodying qualities such as politeness, courtesy, and respect that has made both the unit and the SCC proud.

We are all very proud!