Canoeing/Rock Climbing/Trekking, 'Junior Cadet Leadership Challenge', Boston, Massachusetts, Jun 2011, ID 1110

Lordswood Boys School CCF

Following on from a successful visit to the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) based at East Boston High School (EBHS), earlier in the year, Lordswood CCF was invited to participate in the JROTC’s Junior Cadet Leadership Challenge (JCLC) held at Fort Devens, an active US military base, over the period of 20 – 24 June 2011.

On a showery Saturday morning in June, eight cadets and two officers from Lordswood CCF left Birmingham at 0600 hours and travelled to Boston. Arrival in Boston was fairly straightforward; however, it was 80 degrees and rising. We were met at the airport by four cadet chaperones who were easy to spot as they wore their JROTC uniforms which proudly displayed the name of their school; East Boston High School, along with four staff, including Lt Col Gerry Wellman, whom previously I had only met on Skype.

After a short journey we arrived at our home for the next week – Fort Devens, named after civil war general Charles Devens. Although much of the land has been sold off, the Fort today is mainly used by Reserve Forces and National Guard. Lt Col Kevin McGovern and the cadets of New Bedford High School (NBHS) would be our hosts for the weekend, prior to the other 14 schools arriving at camp. Saturday was spent acclimatising to the fabulous weather conditions and meeting the staff and cadets from NBHS.

We were awakened at 0430 hours on Sunday morning for PT American style! This was a shock to our system not only feeling a little jet lagged but the warm up and static exercise were conducted with both the cadets and instructor shouting out timings and singing songs ‘In-cadence’. Following squad warm up it was a squaded run, with Lt Col McGovern at the helm.

The cadets spent Sunday preparing for the arrival at camp of the other schools by going swimming, canoeing and rafting in a nearby lake (we had to make sure the equipment worked!). It was a glorious day for a picnic on the beach and MRE’s (meal ready to eat) were on the menu. Many of the cadets had not had the pleasure of dining in this way before so that in itself was an experience!

Formation for dinner was led by cadet WO1 Collins from Lordswood CCF with senior cadet Lt Col Chris Taylor from EBHS whispering the commands into his ear – now that’s teamwork! Cadets from Lordswood then showed NBHS how to do drill the British way, before the cadets from New Bedford showed Lordswood how to do Karaoke, the American way!

Monday morning saw 15 high schools with 300 cadets from Massachusetts and Connecticut arrive on camp. All ‘campers’, as they are now known, were split into two companies of three platoons each. Each platoon rotated through a series of activities including a day on the lake canoeing, rafting and watermanship drills, basic rifle marksmanship, rappelling off a 30 ft and 60ft tower, a leadership reaction course and a historic tour of battle sites in Lexington and Concord.

Known as the birthplace of the American Revolution, the cadets were able to walk in the footsteps of the Minute Men who took a stand by challenging the British Redcoats on Battle Road. The historical tour was particularly poignant for Lordswood cadets as there are graves for the British soldiers who fought and died there. Our American friends thought it apt if we laid flowers at those graves in Remembrance. Everyday a different cadet would march smartly from the ranks, halt at the grave lay the flowers at the British grave and salute whilst an American cadet played ‘Taps’ (played during flag ceremonies and funerals) on the bugle.

Each day reveille was played at 5am, with many cadets already up and cleaning the accommodation ready for the day’s activities. Throughout the week cadets hold leadership positions, being responsible from day one not only for themselves, but for the well-being of their platoon or section. It was pleasing to see how Lordswood cadets fully merged themselves into the American way, taking on responsibility from an early stage from being the Guidon (standard) bearer to Platoon and Section Commanders.

The leadership challenge ended with formation on a drizzly Friday morning, several speeches were heard, and Lordswood cadets were invited to perform a drumming display, which ended with rapturous applause. There were a lot of sad faces that day going home, however, we have many happy memories and many new ideas to take back to the contingent.

After sightseeing in Boston including the USS Constitution and Bunker Hill Monument, we had a pleasant meal, a couple of hours sleep, and then it was back to Blighty on Saturday morning after an experience which most of us will never forget.

The majority of cadets on this experience come from underprivileged backgrounds. The full cost was £650 per cadet which was way beyond the means of their families. As a result of grants from Ulysses Trust and the Cadet Welfare Fund and a sponsored row, we were able to significantly reduce this to an affordable level. This type of opportunity has a huge impact on the lives of our young people. Few of them would ever get this type of opportunity were it not offered by the school/cadets.

This was a fantastic opportunity which I know has developed their personal, social and emotional well-being, as well as enhancing their leadership skills, and raising their aspirations. It helps to level the playing field with more advantaged young people when it comes to jobs and university applications.

As one cadet put it, “That was the best thing I have ever done Miss”.

Thanks to

working in partnership with