Royal Marines Cadets

[Former AE]

We have been busy over the last few months getting ready RMCTC, Royal Marines Cadets Training Centre, this is located at Crowborough ATC and is for use by RM Cadets from all over the country, we have a newly refurbished building containing lecture rooms, galley, stores and other learning facilities to get you prepared for going out on the ground in one of the many training areas available to use for fieldcraft lessons and blank firing scenarios. Accommodation is on base and you are fed from the main galley. This building has opened up so many more options for us to improve the cadet experience.

 

[Former AE]

Zulu Company, Southern area Summer camp had to be cancelled like many other things, it was at Pirbright ATC and a lot of planning went into the week, we had 12,000 rounds of ball to use on the ranges, 15,000 rounds of blank and other kit for field exercises, visits to relevant organisations to show how the armed forces are evolving and even a Chinook from RAF Odiham to take cadets on flights and drop off senior cadets on an adjacent training area. Hopefully we can rerun this next year.

 

[Chelonian]

@Former AE is active within the Royal Marines Cadets and has written an overview of the current role of Cadets, its structure and history.
News related to Royal Marines Cadets can be posted here along with questions which are relevant to Cadets.

Introduction
As part of the Sea Cadets, the Royal Marines Cadets (RMC) participate in all waterborne activities as well as having the opportunity to branch off and partake in more strenuous adventure training. The RMVCC are a separate organisation but works along the same lines as their SCC equivalent and on occasions we work together. They are based at Lympstone, Portsmouth and Arbroath.
The RMC learn fieldcraft, map reading and weapons handling as part of their core syllabus and take part in training exercises across the country to not only expand their core skills but to also test their navigational and fieldcraft skills.

Royal Marines Cadets are based in Detachments which sit within Sea Cadet units. There are currently approximately 136 RMC detachments across the UK. The lower age limit to be a Royal Marines Cadet is 13 years, with ageing out being 18 years of age.

RMC History
The RMC was originally formed in 1954 by the CGRM and originally named Marine Cadet Section. In 2011 the MCS was renamed the Royal Marines Cadets (RMC) following approval from HM the Queen. Since its formation the RMC has expanded from five detachments to approximately 136. We were presented with our Colours By HRH The Duke Of Edinburgh, Prince Phillip in the garden of Buckingham Palace on the occasion of the Corps 350th anniversary and marched along The Mall behind the Band of Her Majesty's Royal Marines.

Objectives: In addition to the aim of the Sea Cadet Corps, the Royal Marines Cadet section has three objectives:

• To provide a platform for young people with an interest in the Royal Marines to broaden their knowledge of that Corps.
• Instil the qualities of good citizenship and high moral values in our young people by using the skills, ethos and qualities of the Royal Marines.
• To be advocates of the Royal Marines throughout communities and to increase the footprint of the Royal Marines family within those communities.

Royal Marines Cadets Structure
The Royal Marines Cadets section is an integral part of the SCC and although both the SCC and RMC partake in joint events the RMC looks to the Corps of Royal Marines for its styles, standards of dress, drill and training.

National: The operational head of the RMC is the Staff Royal Marines Officer (SRMO), who is a serving Colour Sergeant on secondment from the Royal Marines. He is responsible for overseeing the running of the RMC and reporting to the CSC. He is also responsible for conducting the annual CATSEA, field assessment including blank firing, which all detachments must participate in.

The SRMO is assisted by the Royal Marines Cadets Senior Staff Officer (RMCSSO) and Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM), who is the senior WO1 in the Royal Marines Cadets.

In addition to appointments made within the SCC, the honorary appointment of Colonel Commandant Royal Marines Cadets is made by the Queen, in conjunction with the Commandant General Royal Marines to act as a focus for all the Royal Marines Cadet organisations, including the RMC of the SCC.

Company: The Royal Marines Cadets of the SCC is divided up into Royal Marines Cadet (RMC) Companies which are aligned to the six Sea Cadet Areas and each is identified by a phonetic letter, the exception being Command Company.

HQ	Command Company
South West	Alpha Company
North West	Bravo Company
London	Lima Company
Eastern	X-Ray Company
Northern	Yankee Company
Southern	Zulu Company

Each company has a Company Commander, usually a Major (SCC) RMR and in addition, Company staff include:

• Company 2IC – Second in Command – Organisation of the Company and Officer Development
• Company Training Officer – organises Company-level training
• Company Sergeant Major (CSM) – SNCO Development
• Company Quartermaster Sergeant – Stores
• Company Drill Leader
• Company Medic
• Company Signals Officer
• Company Training Team

Troops: RMC Companies are made up of Troops. These Troops are known as: 1 Troop, 2 Troop, 3 Troop, continuing to a maximum required and overlap Districts as required. There should be enough Troops to manage the Detachments efficiently and effectively and the Area Officer, a serving RN Officer and RMCSSO are required that the Company/Troop structure is appropriate to manage this. Troops are led by Troop Commanders.

Detachments: Royal Marines Cadet Detachments (RMCD) are formed in authorised Sea Cadet units. The RMCDs are supported by RMC Officers and Senior Non Commissioned Officers (SNCO) dedicated to supporting those Detachments, led by the Detachment Commander. The RMC are fully integrated at every level into the Sea Cadet national organisation.

Links:

https://www.sea-cadets.org/royal-marines-cadets

https://www.facebook.com/RMCadetsSCC/

Many Cadet detachments also have their own Twitter and Instagram pages.

 

[Johnny_Anonie]

Absolutely fantastic post and information provided by @Former AE

The RM Cadets is clearly a terrific organisation that will give young people the opportunity to do some very cool things. This post inspired me to research the Royal Marine cadets and I discovered that they give their cadets the chance to take part in all manner of adventurous activities. Stuff like rock climbing, mountain biking, archery and abseiling. They also specialise in orienteering/map reading, field craft and weapons handling which is what makes Royal Marines Cadets unique and you can join from the age of 13 to 18.
You might end up wet and muddy, but wouldn’t you rather get a taste of military life and make new friends instead of just sitting in front of a TV or computer alone in your room?

I know we have some younger members on the forum who would be a great fit for the cadets. Also some of the parents and partners may have younger members of their tribe who may be interested? Any questions post them here and I’m sure @Former AE will pick them up!

 

[Johnny_Anonie]

@Former AE

Do RM Cadets learn first aid?

 

[Former AE]

Hi Johnny, yes they do, you need to attend the basic if you want promotion. the following courses are available

Level of Qualifications to be gained through St John Ambulance:

SCC Basic Emergency Life Support Course

SCC Intermediate Youth First Aid Course

SCC Advanced Activity First Aid Course

Course content :

• Allergic Reactions
• Asthma
• Bites and Stings
• Bleeding - Minor/Severe
• Bone, Muscle and Joint Injuries
• Burns and Scalds - Minor
• Burns and Scalds - Severe
• Casualty Management - Outdoors
• Casualty Movement
• Casualty in Small Spaces
• Chest Pains
• Choking
• Communication and Casualty Care
• Drowning
• Emergencies in Public
• Fainting
• Head Injuries
• Heat and Cold Extreme - Incl. Immersion Hypothermia
• Low Blood Sugar
• Poisons
• Primary Survey
• Resuscitation (Including a use of an Automated External Defibrillator)
• Role of the First Aider
• Seasickness and Dehydration
• Seizures
• Shock
• Sprain and Strains
• Unconscious Casualty

 

[Former AE]

Due to Covid the Look@Life Courses at CTC are one hold, there are usually 2 a year which RM Cadets can attend and having lead a few its a great intro to the Corps. There is also the Gibraltar Cup competition held annually at CTC, this is where the best detachments from all the companies spend a weekend at Lympstone being tested on field skills, Corps Knowledge and finally Bottom Field and Phys tests. These are a couple of ways we interact with the Corps, we also send Cadets to the Graspan Parade in London and we now have a good presence at Corps Families Day,

 

[Johnny_Anonie]

That is absolutely fantastic, what a great footing that would give a young person. If my day job has taught me anything it’s that teenagers are the most likely to push boundaries and take risks. So when things inevitably go wrong it is vital that they are equipped with the skills and confidence to help each other and themselves.

The Gib cup sounds like a hell of a competition. It is fantastic you have such a good relationship with CTC.

 

[Duality]

Had there been a detachment that was accessible to my nod we'd have absolutely sent him to RM cadets instead of RAF. Nothing against the Air Cadets - it gave him some amazing opportunities and has helped him understand military life - kind off. The look at life courses would have been great for him.

 

[Johnny_Anonie]

@Former AE

What is the process for someone who is interested in volunteering as an Adult Instructor with the RM Cadets?
We may have some parents and partners who have caught the bug. Is former service as a Royal Marine a pre-requisite?

 

[Former AE]

No previous military experience is required, all you need is a sense of humour and patience, kids come of there own free will and the last thing they want is someone shouting at them. If you want I can post the CFV cadet force volunteer process.

 

[Johnny_Anonie]

No previous military experience is required, all you need is a sense of humour and patience, kids come of there own free will and the last thing they want is someone shouting at them. If you want I can post the CFV cadet force volunteer process.

If you don’t mind mate, it may be helpful and encourage some to volunteer.

 

[theguy]

I’m 15 and going to apply for RM when 18 do you reckon it is worth me joining the cadets?

 

[Caversham]

I’m 15 and going to apply for RM when 18 do you reckon it is worth me joining the cadets?

Definitely! Send @Former AE a DM and he will give you all the info that you will need.

Alan

 

[Former AE]

Its a great start and will give you a heads up when you join, plus you get to play with some nice toys ! *text deleted* Just google your local detachment and go for it.

 

[Former AE]

Happy Corps Birthday to all, young and old, we are family !

 

[Former AE]

On Wednesday 28th October 2020 the Flag will be hauled down on HMS Bristol for the last time as a Royal Navy warship bringing to an end her 47 years of service to the Royal Navy and The Sea Cadets.

Launched in 1969 and commissioned on 31st March 1973, unique in her construction she was to be the first of a class of destroyer (Type 82) built to support an Aircraft Carrier that never made it off the drawing board.
HMS Bristol is the last of the serving fleet that saw action during the Falklands conflict. In 1991 she was converted and replaced HMS Kent and HMS Ramhead before her as a harbour training ship moored off Whale Island in Portsmouth where she has been home to the Sea Cadets, Royal Naval Reserves and Royal Navy recruits carrying out training exercises and courses.

 

[Former AE]

 

[Former AE]

Volunteers mate, but we always welcome trained ranks in as a unit assistant, that means you can pop in whenever on leave. Gilly Gillespie retd is now Senior Royal Marines Officer and we have a serving WO2 RE , Commando Trained in a training role but that’s his hobby.

ps sorry about the " Mate " hehe

 

[Former AE]

We were hoping to run more courses at CTC instead of ACF Frimley to build a better bond with the Corps but that’s on hold as you can imagine, these include DI, Skill at Arms, PT, Fieldcraft and Train the Trainer.