June 2006 see picture library here
In June 16 St Albans Sea Cadets attended a skill at arms competition weekend at Cambridge. The group included boys and girls and some of the units Marine Cadets. All passed safety tests and went on to fire over 1,500 rounds with the L98 GP Rifle. All achieving SCC Good Shooting badges.
The Sea Cadet Eastern Area event was also attended by Cambridge and Barnsley units, with a total of 26 cadets and nine staff. The St Albans Cadets travelled to their accommodation at Cambridge Sea Cadet Unit on Friday night. On Saturday after an early hearty breakfast the Cadets were divided into four teams each with two L98 GP rifles - a manual version of the standard services SA80 weapon. The day was spent weapons training with a very strong emphasis on safety. The principals of marksmanship (hold, align, aim and trigger) the sight picture, effects of wind and aiming off were covered too. The cadets were also taught to strip the guns down and reassemble them.
In the evening there was some air rifle target shooting in the unit and recreational games.
After a 6am start on Sunday the Cadets bid a fond farewell to Cambridge Unit and were transported to Bassingbourne Ranges. Shooting commenced at 9am. Details of six Cadets fired four "stances" of ten rounds each. Then lunch from a special nutty van and more shooting till 1,800 rounds had been fired.
Finally there was prize giving and while everyone was a winner, individuals won out at various "stances". Adam Lansdown won overall. St Albans Cadet Smart said, "Wow, it was a great feeling. This was my first time shooting but I seemed to be doing well" a correct assumption as Smart was a medal winner!
There's no time to be bored with St Albans Sea Cadets, see www.seacadetfun.com . It offers many fun opportunities and is open to boys and girls for 10 to 17 years and very inexpensive. The unit always welcomes new faces, just turn up at 7pm on a Tuesday or Friday night, at the unit, which is just behind Westminster Lodge swimming pool. Why not give it a try and make new friends and learn new skills, you've nothing to lose!
Adult volunteers also most welcome. Our management committee, who meet just once a month, have spaces and we are always interested in new instructors. Full training given. Open to parents too!