Picture to Follow

Maj D Hands Over to Major Wagstaff RMR Alpha Company Commander

Ladies and Gentleman, TEAM,

As mentioned at the Alpha Company Conference towards the backend of 2012. I now write to update you as to my successor as Company Commander and to advise you of the handover timing and process. 

Capt. Paul Wagstaff  – 1 Troop Commander has been appointed as my successor as Alpha Company Commander and therefore is Company Commander designate. The handover is already in progress and the official handover of Alpha Company to Capt. Wagstaff is planned to take place on the 9th August 2013 the last day of Summer Camp 2013. Capt. Wagstaff will require a huge amount of support going forward as he gets his feet under the table and straight into the all-important and first CATSEA for Alpha Company in early September, a big task I’m sure you will agree. 

On reflection, my time as Company Commander has been full of ups and downs and that can be said for any role or job. I am extremely proud of what the team has achieved during my tenure. My main task in 2006 was to stabilise Alpha Company after the loss of a number Company Commanders in very quick succession. In May 2006 Alpha Company consisted of only ten Detachments and as I write we boast a healthy twenty-two Detachments within the South West with a number of interested parties to start a new Detachment increasing that Royal Marines Cadet footprint. There are approximately one hundred CFAVs and three-hundred and fifty cadets. Regrettably we have also lost a number of Detachments along the way for differing reasons and hard lessons have been learned by all concerned.  Although Alpha Company is not the biggest of the RMC Company’s what we lack in numbers we without doubt make up in quality. Alpha Company continues to lead the way for all to follow, I am confident that will continue under the new leadership of Capt. Wagstaff. 

Main Alpha Company achievements during tenure.

•       Gibraltar Cup Winners – 2006, 7, 8, 10. Runners-Up 2009, 11, 12.

•       National RMC Drill Winners 2006 to date.

•       London Trafalgar Parade RMC Drill Display Team 2006 and 2010

•       London Trafalgar Parade RMC Platoon 2007 and 2009

•       Inaugural RMC Colour Guard for London Trafalgar Parade 2011

•       RMR Badging Parade CTCRM 2011.

·         Increase Company strength to twenty-two Detachments 2006-2013

Looking forward, we have a number of key challenges; one of the biggest challenges we face is supplying the correct kit and equipment for Detachments to operate safely in often arduous and challenging environments. Another key challenge is to maintain a strong pace of rank succession and bringing on the skills to new joiners within the Company. 

Alpha Company is a strong close knit family and I know we are all very proud of belonging to the Corps family of Royal Marines and the help and support that they continue to give us. For those coming to Summer Camp 2013 I’ll see you there but for those that cannot make it, good luck and best wishes.  

Many thanks team and remember, Alpha Company – South West Area is Simply the Best!

ID

WO2 Paul Wagstaff RMR - CSM Alpha Company Royal Marines Cadets Hands Over to WO2 Kevin Cooper RMR After Ten Years in Role as HMS Flying Fox Annual Conference.

A timley reminder. All 2013 dates are on the website http://www.acoy.co.uk/page32.htm all events are now bookable on Westminster.

Please plan ahead to avoid disapointment.

Winner Spean Bridge Award and Gibraltar Cup Nominee
Walsall Detachment - 1 Troop Alpha Company

Winner of the Zeebrugge Shield and McCarroll Trophy Nominee
Sgt Sean Kent - Evesham Detachment - 1 Troop Alpha Company

Winner of the Port Stanley Cup and SRMO’s Award Nomination
Rugby Detachment - 1 Troop Alpha Company

Nomination For Indefatigable 1906 Shield
MC Declan Harwood - Milford Haven Detachment - 2 Troop Alpha Company

Nomination For Leadership Trophy (Commander Brown)
Cdt Sgt (now ASGT) Holt - Walsall Detachment - 1 Troop Alpha Company

Nomination for Navy Board Cadet 2012
Cpls Hodggets – Walsall Detachment – 1 Troop Alpha Company

Annual Grading’s 2012 - It is strongly recommended that all Detachment Commanders liaise with their relevant Troop Commander for a full debrief on their Detachments annual performance.

Capt Ady Rhodes - Weymouth Detachment was a worthy London 2012 Torch Bearer. Ady was nominated by his son LCpl Adam Rhodes to carry the torch to commorate all the work that his does for Weymouth Royal Marines Cadet Detachment. BZ Ady.

Walsall Detachment continued to top the bill in the Drill and Ceremonial world at the National Drill & Ceremonial Competition held at HMS Raleigh on the 28^th April 2012. Months of hard work have again paid off for the West Midlands Detachment, representing 1 Troop – Alpha Company Royal Marines Cadets. The thirteen Cadets all from the Walsall Area had already swept the board at the Troop and Company competitions held in February. The clean sweep at the National Competition completed the ‘slam dunk’ for the 2012 competitions.

The Guard put on a first class display of Armed & Unarmed movements showing how Royal Marines Drill should be carried out. Walsall Detachment fought off the competition from Bravo (North West Area), X-Ray (Eastern Area), Yankee (Northern Area) and Zulu (Southern Area) Companies which placed then the overall winners of the competition.

They also won Best Dressed Guard, Best Guard Commander (Cdt Sgt Leon Holt) and Best Arena Display.

Detachment Commander, Lt (SCC) V Wagstaff RMR, quoted “The Cadets have worked so hard to get here and all their determination has now paid off.  I am extremely proud of them all and especially grateful for their continued support and commitment to the Unit”

For more information about Walsall Royal Marines Cadets, contact them at walsall@acoy.co.uk or alpha.company@acoy.co.uk.

1 Troop Annual Gradings

Evesham   - Trial N/A
Walsall   - Grade 2
Vernon   - Grade 2
Rugby   - Grade 4
Redditch   - Grade 2 

2 Troop Annual Gradings

Bristol Adventure - Grade 1 
Bristol Filton  - Grade 2
Cheltenham  - Grade 3
Gloucester  - Grade 4
Milford   - Trail N/A
Stroud   - Grade 2 
Torfaen   - Grade 3
Weston   - Grade 2

3 Troop Annual Gradings

Bridgwater  - Grade 5
Exeter   - Grade 4
Exmouth   - Grade 3
Plymouth Drake  - Grade 3 
Plymouth Manadon - Grade 4
Truro   - Grade 3
Weymouth  - Grade 2
Yeovil   - Grade 2

Awards

McCarroll Trophy (Zeebrugge Shield) - Sgt Thompson - Exmouth Det 3 Troop                                         

Gibraltar Cup (Speanbridge Trophy)  - Bristol Adventure Det - 2 Troop       

Indefatigable Shield - MC2 James Gahame - Weston-Super-Mare Det - 2 Troop                      

SRMO Award (Port Stanley Cup) - Weston-Super-Mare Det - 2 Troop Alpha Company                                                    

Leadership Trophy - Cdt Sgt Holt - Walsall Det - 1 Troop

Navy Board Cadet - Cdt Sgt Yuille - Torfaen Det - 2 Troop

The Royal Marines Cadet community is spread across three organisations, totalling over three thousand Royal Marines Cadets, Officers and instructors.  Historically these organisations have operated separately with each Royal Marines Cadet organisation displaying different badges and identification insignia.  The Commandant General Royal Marines (CGRM) and Colonel Paul Cautley CMG DL RMR encouraged an initiative to bring conformity and unity of identity across the Royal Marines Cadet community by standardising Royal Marines Cadet badges and insignia.  Following an agreement to a detailed staff proposal at the recent Royal Marines Cadet Advisory Group, contractual discussions have now commenced and it was intended to launch the new Royal Marines Cadet badges at a high profile event – an Royal Marines Cadet Formation Parade– on 25 Sep 11 at Commando Training Centre Royal Marines, Lympstone. Fittingly from a Regimental perspective, this will coincide with the Royal Marines Association (RMA), weekend.

The inaugural formation parade took place in the Falklands Hall in the morning prior to the RMA Parade. By its very nature this parade was a high profile event based on a formation of Royal Marines Cadets, Officers and Instructors representing the three Royal Marines Cadet organisations – Combined Cadet Force Royal Marines (CCF RM), Sea Cadet Corps Royal Marines (SCC RM) and Volunteer Cadet Corps Royal Marines (VCC RM) – in attendance was a party of invited guests and VIPs.  The CGRM, Corps Colonel and Colonel Cautley conducted a review of the parade, and there was a presentation of new badges to each cadet.

Creating a single identity for the Royal Marines Cadet community is one of the CGRM’s Regimental priorities and the opportunity for him to mark the launch of the Cadet badging initiative is a once in a generation chance to mark this important achievement.

The Royal Marines Cadets of The Sea Cadet Corps were represented by Alpha Company Royal Marines Cadets based in the South West.

This is a vocational award run in conjunction with City & Guilds. The Membership provides distinctive and formal recognition of personal achievement and the application of professional and technical expertise within the Cadet Forces. Successful candidates must show academic ability, equivalent to that which could be expected of someone holding a Masters degree or someone who has gained a vocational qualification or NVQ at Level 7. Individuals must be able to demonstrate skills and competencies at a strategic management level.

Are you interested in gaining meaningful and useful qualifications that can be used for your civilian employment! Go to CVQO - Download a Brochure Here.

Not a member of Alpha Company or the Royal Marines Cadets Contact Us to find a Detachment near you and soon you’ll be gaining meaningful qualifications and awards that you can use in the real world.

Well that was Camp 2011! Alpha Company has just returned from eleven days at Sennybridge in the heart of the Brecon Beacons - Wales.

Activities included a five day tactical package, range days, obstacle course, basic and intermediate fieldcraft courses, map reading courses, adult induction courses, safeguarding courses, weapon handling tests, signaller’s courses and first aid courses.

A huge well done to all that attended. A big…big thank-you from the HQ Troop to all the instructors that made it possible and who put so much into making camp such a huge success.

If you have any photographs, film and stories of camp then please let us know on alpha.company@acoy.co.uk

BZ Alpha Company.

Evesham Detachment is the latest and newest member of the Alpha Company family. Alpha Company now officially makes up one quarter of South West Area at twenty Detachments.

If you live within the Evesham/Worcester Area then contact:

Evesham Detachment Website
Email: evesham@acoy.co.uk
Telephone: 01386 833383

Well done & congratulations.

During the weekend of 6^th-8^th May 2011, Walsall Detachment representing 1 Troop - Alpha Company Royal Marines Cadets took part in the annual prestigious National Drill Championships at HMS Raleigh near Plymouth against over 300 other Cadets from around the UK.

A close competition ensued as the cadets representing 1 Troop - Alpha Company (South West Area) took on the might of X-Ray (Eastern Area), Bravo (North West Area) and Zulu (Southern Area) Companies under the watchful eye of Detachment Commander Lt Voirrey Wagstaff RMR.

The hard work and dedication from the cadets over the last few months proved worthy as they walked away with a hoard trophies which included: Best Guard Commander – LCpl Shaun Moriarty, Best Arena Display and Overall Winners, making them 2011 National Royal Marines Cadets Drill Display Champions.

This is an excellent achievement for all cadets and staff involved.  They will now be looking forward to the Annual Trafalgar day parade, London in October where they will be representing Royal Marines Cadets Nationally.

For more information about Walsall Royal Marines Cadet Detachment, contact them at walsall@acoy.co.uk

On Sunday 19 June 2011, Lt (SCC) Joe Thurland and Sgt (SCC) Pete Gurney plan to speed march 26 Miles around their home town of Cheltenham.

26 Miles...cross country...speed marching...all in aid of The Royal Marines Charitable Trust Fund (RMCTF).  This fantastic charity is helping Royal Marines young and old, by hopefully raising £6 million by 28th October 2014, the 350th Anniversary of the formation of the Royal Marines.

Joe and Pete have been members of Cheltenham Royal Marines Cadet Detachment for some years, and would like to contribute just a small amount to this great charity.  They may regret speed marching a full 26 miles, but they are sure the pain and hardship will be worth it!  With a bit of Commando Spirit they'll make it to the end!

Please give us a hand, by making a contribution, however small it is...and help us reach our target of £2000!  We are proud to wear the uniform of the Royal Marines, and would like to give something back to the Royal Marines family, which has supported us and many other Royal Marines Cadets.

Good Luck Guys - Good Effort Great Charity. Follow and donate on

http://www.justgiving.com/cheltenham26miler

Sgt (Rtd)  Richard Meacham has signed up to trek the Inca Trail in Peru in aid of a care charity that has supported him in his battle with cancer.

Surgery on a tumour in his inner ear has left the former Sergeant with no hearing in the ear and no movement on the left side of his face.

Richard said he discovered the Bristol-based Penny Brohn Cancer Care centre - which offers free specialised advice and counselling in complementary therapies - when he went to an open day with wife Kaye. “Last year, when I was undergoing treatment, the support I received from the people at the charity was wonderful,” he said.

Inca challenge

“They really understood what I was going through. They recommended all sorts of treatments, like healing, reflexology and massage, which have helped me enormously - particularly after my surgery. They also helped me keep a positive mental attitude at a time when I really needed it.”

In appreciation of the help he has had from the charity, Richard will be holding a fundraising event at Bristol City Football Club in June - and in October will be joining other volunteers in a fundraising trek to discover the lost city of the Incas, Machu Picchu.

“The charity hopes to raise £90,000 and is looking for 30 people to take on the Inca challenge for its 30th anniversary year,” said Richard - who told 250,000 listeners about his planned trek in a 20-minute interview on BBC Radio Bristol last week.

“It has done so much for me and this seems like a great way to give something back. If any former colleagues feel able to support my fundraising effort for the trek, I would be really grateful.”

http://www.justgiving.com/richmeacham

Lt V Wagstaff (Alpha Company Clerk) is doing a sponsored tandem skydive on 26 March 2011. She will be fund raising for Great Ormond Street Hospital as it became a big part of her life last year. The hospital itself provides inspirational and world class care to hundreds of children every day, but for this to be possible it needs to raise over £50 Million every year to help re-development, fund new equipment & support research.

To date Lt V Wagstaff has already raised over £600.00, however she would like to raise as much money as possible and has set herself a target of £2,000.

If you can support Lt V Wagstaff then go to her Just Giving page which is: http://www.justgiving.com/Voirrey

Congratulations to Sgt Stevens of Bristol Filton Detachment on the birth of his daughter - Indie Stevens.

Overall Winner: 1 Troop - Walsall Detachment

Runner Up: 3 Troop - Yeovil Detachment

Winners - Best Dressed Guard: 1 Troop - Walsall Detachment

Runner Up - Best Dressed Guard: 2 Troop - Bristol Adventure Detachment

Winner - Best Guard Commander Cpl Brock of 3 Troop - Yeovil Detachment

Runner Up - Best Guard Commander LCpl Moriarty of 1 Troop - Walsall Detachment

Best Dressed Guard Member Cpl Holt of 1 Troop - Walsall Detachment

Runner Up - Best Dressed Guard Member MC Bird of 2 Troop - Bristol Adventure Detachment

Congratulations to Bridgwater Detachment for passing their formation trial.

McCarroll Trophy - Lt (SCC) Paul Edwards RMR - 2 Troop Alpha Company                                              

Gibraltar Cup - Bristol Filton Det - 2 Troop Alpha Company                                                                           

Indefatigable Shield - MC2 Rebecca ISAAC'S - Rugby Det - 1 Troop Alpha Company                          

SRMO Award - Redditch & Bromsgrove Det - 1 Troop Alpha Company                                                    

Leadership Trophy - Cdt Sgt Price - Bristol Adventure Det - 2 Troop Alpha Company

Navy Board Cadet - Cdt Sgt Price - Bristol Adventure Det - 2 Troop Alpha Company

Detachment Gradings 2010

If any Detachment Commander would like any clarification as to their Grading then please contact your relevant Troop Commander in the first instance.

National Award Nominations

WO2 Paul Wagstaff GCGI MInstLM  RMR - Alpha Company Sergeant Major has achieved a Graduateship in Youth Management and Training. WO2 Wagstaff follows other members of Alpha Company that have achieved this qualification.

This is a vocational award run in conjunction with City & Guilds through the Cadet Vocational Qualification Organisation (CVQO). The Graduateship provides distinctive and formal recognition of personal achievement and the application of professional and technical expertise within the Cadet Forces.

Learners must demonstrate through their written work, a knowledge and competency equivalent to that which could be expected of a graduate at Honours degree level or someone who has gained a vocational qualification or NVQ at Level 6.

Are you interested in gaining meaningful and useful qualifications that can be used for your civilian employment! Go to CVQO - Download a Brochure Here.

Not a member of Alpha Company or the Royal Marines Cadets Contact Us to find a Detachment near you and soon you’ll be gaining meaningful qualifications and awards that you can use on the outside.

This years Gibraltar Cup Winners; Royal Marines Cadets from Bristol Filton Detachment - 2 Troop Alpha Company took the history out of the classroom for a hands on a trip to Normandy. The trip started with the obligatory stupid o'clock early morning start to get to London where we picked up and met our guide for the weekend, an ex Army Major who spun more dits than our CSM and had managed to be part of everything in the British Army since Korea! Well it passed the 10 hour trip to Normandy. We would have probably  done it quicker if it had been for a bit of dodgy map reading from the good Major - Cheers Sir! The accommodation was a small hostel with a games room, sports field and a hoof'in chef. The lads appreciated a bit of quality scran after a long days travel and of course an evenings phys session!!

Another stupid o'clock start on Friday to start our tour of the American Sector of the D-Day landings we started on the most western flank Sainte-Mere-Eglise. Then we moved onto the first of the American beaches we would visit ‘Utah ’ Despite being substantially off course, the US 4th Infantry Division (part of VII corps) landed with relatively little resistance, in contrast to Omaha Beach, where the fighting was fierce.   This beach is 5 miles (8 km) long, from east of Sainte-Honorine-des-Pertes to west of Vierville-sur-Mer on the right bank of the Douve River estuary. Landings here were necessary in order to link up the British landings to the east at Gold beach with the American landing to the west at Utah beach, thus providing a continuous lodgement on the Normandy coast of the Bay of the Seine. Taking Omaha was to be the responsibility of United States Army troops, with sea transport provided by the U.S. Navy and elements of the Royal Marines. . Onwards to the American Cemetery, the enormity of the cemetery was unbelievable! The final visit of the day was up to Pointe du Hoc where the 2nd Battalion Rangers armed with ladders and grabs scaled the cliff under German machine-gun fire to take out a battery of larger guns.

The second day we visited the British Sector. We started with Gold Beach where 47 Commando (RM) landed and had to fight their way inland 8km to Port-En-Bessin. Port-En-Bessin was to be the receiving point for the Allies Pipeline Under The Ocean (PLUTO) so was critical for the Operation. After visiting ‘ Juno Beach' which is also known as the Canadian beach, as it was assigned to the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division we went to the Royal Marines and Royal Navy Memorial We had a small ceremony with a minutes silence, and then LCpl Fey had the task of laying a wreath on behalf of our Detachment. Next was ‘Sword’ where 41 Commando (RM) and 45 Commando (RM) landed, Sword Beach Stretches   8 km from Ouistreham to Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer it was the farthest east of the landing points and around 15  km from Caen. The initial landings were achieved with low casualties, but the British forces ran into heavily defended areas behind the beachhead. The British landings were the only Allied sectors that faced attack by German Panzer Divisions, then onto the British Cemetery this provided an opportunity for each Cadet to pay his respects by placing a poppy cross on a Royal Marines grave, a moving experience for all concerned. Our last destination of the trip was Pegasus Bridge where a force of 181 men drawn from the Oxs and Bucks Light Infantry (not the Parachute Regiment!) led by Major John Howard's task was to capture and hold both Pegasus and Horsa Bridges .

Once back at the hostel the lads had some down time to reflect on the tour and after the last meal before the long trip home there was time for some presentations. LCpl   Taylor. L received a D-day book for runner-up best Cadet of the tour and the top spot went to MC2 Crangle who received a replica Afghan medal. However, the happiest man in the room was Major D Craig who was presented with a tour T-Shirt in appreciation for his help.

Our trip was a huge success, with both the staff and the Cadets learning a fantastic amount. I would like to thank John Lewis Partnership Bristol for their generosity in helping to fund it and of course to Major D Craig, our guide, a hoof'in tour Sir - Thank-You!

The Royal Marines Cadet Detachments are constantly looking for Military Instructors with various SQ’s and Ranks, so if you’re serving now or retired and want to put something back into your community and are looking to keep our youth off the streets and teach them the skills and traditions of the Royal Marines (and you want to keep on wearing the only Badge that matters !) contact the SRMO – C/Sgt Mark (Stretch) Allen RM on 020 7928 8978.

Alpha Company are also looking to swell our numbers so if you want to be part of the current success then check out www.acoy.co.uk email alpha.company@acoy.co.uk

By Sgt(SCC) Stevens - Det Cdr Bristol Filton Det - 2 Troop Alpha Company

Members of the Alpha Company Royal Marines Cadets were praised during a visit from the Lord Lieutenant of Gloucestershire Sir Henry Elwes KCVO. Sir Henry Elwes was guest of honour at the Cadet 150 Event at Highnam Court Gloucestershire, dignitaries from all three branches of the Armed Services joined the Lord Lieutenant for the ceremony. 

Cadet 150 will be marked at all levels of the Cadet Forces and this is just one of many major national events planned. All four Cadet Forces (Sea Cadet Corps, Air Training Corps, Combined Cadet Force, and Army Cadets) will be involved in celebrating a century and a half of success. During the ceremony, Sir Henry Elwes paid tribute to Cadet’s' hard work and commitment to the Cadet Forces and thanked all the Staff serving as volunteers and parents for their understanding and support of the Cadet Forces.

The Cadets were from Detachments in 2 Troop Alpha Company Royal Marines Cadets (Bristol Filton, Bristol Adventure, Cheltenham and Gloucester). Many Visitors, family and friends of the Cadets attended the parade.

 The Royal Marines Cadet Detachments are constantly looking for Military Instructors with various SQ’s and Ranks, so if you’re serving now or retired and want to put something back into your community and are looking to keep our youth off the streets and teach them the skills and traditions of the Royal Marines (and you want to keep on wearing the only Badge that matters !) contact the SRMO – C/Sgt Mark (Stretch) Allen RM on 020 7928 8978.

Alpha Company are also looking to swell our numbers so if you want to be part of the current success then check out www.acoy.co.uk email alpha.company@acoy.co.uk

Her Majesty The Queen has graciously agreed to the use of the prefix ‘Royal’ for

Marine Cadets of the Sea Cadet Corps and they are to be known as “Royal Marines

Cadets” with immediate effect.

Congratulations to Lieutenants Voirrey Wagstaff & Paul Edwards for passing the Officers Selection Board over the weekend 26-28th March 2010 at HMS Excellent.

A Colour Sergeants Selection Board was run this weekend at Cheltenham by the South West Area Team. Alpha Company put two candidates forward.

Sgt M Cann - Stroud Detachment Commander/PW2 - Passed and will go forward to the National Board in 2010

Sgt N Thompson - Exeter Detachment Commander/3 Troop Sergeant - Partial Pass

BZ Both, Good Effort all round.

A Potential Officers Selection Board was run this weekend at Cheltenham by the South West Area Team. Alpha Company put two candidates forward.

CSgt P Edwards - 2 Troop Commander/Company Training Officer

Sgt V Wagstaff - Walsall Detachment Commander/Alpha Company Clerk

Well done to both who passed and will go forward to the National Board in 2010 - BZ Both, Good Effort all round.

Major Dave Poke RMR (CVQO) and CSgt Paul Edwards at BRNC Dartmouth For the Presentation

CSgt Paul Edwards GCGI MInstLM with

The Lord-Lieutenant of Gloucestershire, Sir Henry Elwes

Congratulations to the Alpha Company Team who were presented with Lord Lieutenant Awards during 2009 at ceremonies from the Gloucestershire to Cornwall.

Lord Lieutenant Awards 2009

• CSgt Paul  Edwards GCGI MInstLM - Alpha Company - Training Officer
• CSgt Marcus  Claridge - Alpha Company - PTI
• CSgt Mike Webley - Alpha Company - PW1
• CSgt Neil Hignet - Alpha Company - Medic 2

CSgt Marcus Claridge with Lord Lieutenant of Bristol Mary Prior MBE

Alpha Company - Southern Field Assessment Results 2009

Bristol Adventure Det - 85/100 Very Good Superior

Truro Det - 72/100 Very Good

Yeovil Det - 66/100 Very Good

Weymouth Det - 64/100 Very Good

Plymouth Manadon Det - 55/100 Good

Plymouth Drake Det - 45/100 Satisfactory

Exeter Det - 44/100 Satisfactory

Rugby Det - 38/100 Satisfactory

Gloucester Det - 36/100 Satisfactory

Exmouth Det - 32/100 Satisfactory

Alpha Company - Northern Field Assessment Results 2009

A mixed bag of results for the first assessment of the year!

Bristol Filton - 78/100 Very Good Superior

Stroud - 65/100 Very Good

Birmingham Perry Barr - 54/100 Good

Torfaen - 45/100 Satistactory

Redditch - 38/100 Satistactory

Cheltenham - 37/100 Satistactory

Walsall - 30 Fair

Birmingham Vernon - 0/100 Poor (DNA)

It's all over for Alpha Company's adventurers as they make it to Istanbul - Turkey with catastrophic suspension failure and no way of fixing the ford Fiesta after Day 8 of the Rally! Update to follow.

.

We are tracking that lads (Sgt's Kesterton and Burlace - Birmingham Perry-Barr Detachment) who form part of Team GB Rally as they take part in the 2009 Mongol Rally.

Starting at Goodwood UK, this epic adventure takes in 10,000 tyre shredding, car destroying and soul breakingly torturous miles to Ulaanbaatar in Mongolia! - All to raise money for charity.

Once they set off, there is NO break down recovery,NO support team, NO emergency help..... and for most of the journey, no roads! This is a true challenge in the very meaning of the word.

It will be up to the team to navigate, drive, push, walk, beg, bribe and survive our way across 16 different countries to our destination.

Each night Alpha Company get sent an update to the teams progress via a GPS spot tracker.

Its still not too late to donate go to: http://www.tgbrally.com/

MC1 Board Results - May 2009

The annual battle for the converted National Marine Cadet Drill Championships took part 24-26th April 2009 at HMS Raleigh.

Alpha Company has had a run of successful wins since 2002 at this prestigious competition. 3 Troop – Alpha Company (Plymouth Drake Detachment) winning the competition from 2004-2007. 1 Troop - Alpha Company (Perry Barr/Walsall Dets) winning in 2008.

A close competition ensued; as 3 Troop - Alpha Company represented by Plymouth Drake Detachment  took on the might of XRAY, Yankee and Zulu Companies under the watchful eye of Sgt Macey - Team Principle and Trainer.

Results:
Best Dressed Troop: Zulu Company.
Best Guard Commander: Yankee Company.
Best Arena Display: Alpha Company.

4th - XRAY Company

3rd - Yankee Company

2nd - Zulu Company

Overall Winners and 2009 National Drill Champions: 3 Troop - Alpha Company (South West Area).

Alpha Company Pose For The Camera After the Final Attack at Ex Loyal Defender'08

Alpha Company ran Exercise Loyal Defender'08 over Easter Weekend. 3 Troop put up a good fight against the advancing 1 & 2 Troop.

Checkout the gallery.

If you want to add some pictures to this news story then please email alpha.company@acoy.co.uk

The annual Dorset Cadet Challenge, organised by the Army Cadet Force, was held at Bovington Camp last Sunday. 
 
The competition comprises of three phases consisting of a three mile speed march in full fighting order, 25m shoot and assault course.
 
19 tri-service teams representing the Army Cadet Force, Air Training Corps and the Combined Cadet Force entered the challenge the year to battle it out for the top spot.
 
In true Bootneck spirit the Yeovil team rose to the occasion and won the competition 'hands down'. The lads had a great day competing and are looking forward to retaining the top spot next year.
 
This is a great victory for the Yeovil Detachment; the competition has previously been won for a number of years by the Army Cadet Force. 

Medals were presented to the winners along with the prized trophy.

You can contact Yeovil Detachment at Email: yeovil@acoy.co.uk or Telephone: 01935 455711

Picture To Follow

The Company Drill Competition was held over weekend 1-3rd March 2009 at HMS Raleigh. A tough competition and a very close result........

Company Drill Results

Best Troop and Overall Winners - 3 Troop - Plymouth Drake Det
Runner Up - 2 Troop - Bristol Filton/Adventure Dets

Best Guard Commander - MC2 Carwithin Plymouth Drake Det

Runner Up - LCpl Higham - Bristol Filton Det

Best Dressed Guard - 2 Troop - Bristol Filton/Adventure Dets

Runner Up - 3 Troop - Plymouth Drake Det

Best Dressed Cadet - Cpl Bissell - Bristol Filton Det

Runner Up - MC2 Siviter - Birmingham Perry Barr Det

Good Luck to 3 Troop - Plymouth Drake Det for the forthcoming National Competition.

One week to go before the annual Gibraltar Cup Competition to be held at Commando Training Centre.

The Gibraltar Cup is a section competition, where each Company nominates their best Detachment. The nominated Detachments then go head to head to be crowned the UK's Top Marine Cadet Detachment.

Alpha Company's nominated team is Bristol Adventure. The team has been training hard for a number of months now with a final week at CTCRM consolidating all their skills.

Come on Fella's lets make it five in a row for the mighty "Saint's"

 MC1 Board Results 

 Do you:

• Like helicopters?
• Like Field Skills?
• Like Sea Survival Training?
• Like Rock Climbing?
• Like Flying in fixed wing aircraft?
• Like Navigation?
• Like a Challenge?

Well get your applications in for the C88 (Formerly C64) National Course at SCTC Inskip. 

The Course is broken into two modules:

• Module One - Friday 1^st – 4^th May 2009
• Module two - Saturday 18th – 25^th July 2009

All Enquiries to Sgt M Cann - Alpha Company - PW2

Exercise Loyal Defender'09

Congratulations to the Alpha Company Team who were presented with Lord Lieutenant Awards during 2008 at ceremonies from the West Midlands to Cornwall.

Maj D said - "It is very humbling to be in command of such skill and dedication which makes up the backbone of the Alpha Company family. December 2008 saw the end of yet another highly successful year for Alpha Company. Receiving so many Lord Lieutenant Awards within the same year is very much a first and can only be the icing on the cake for all the hard work from the very youngest Cadet to the very oldest Instructor. Congratulations to all".

Lord Lieutenant Awards 2008

• Maj ARS Benton RMR - Company 2IC
• WO2 PJ Wagstaff - Company Sergeant Major/1 Tp Commander
• CSgt K Cooper - Company Drill Leader/3 Tp Commander
• CSgt PB McEllin - Company Quartermaster Sergeant

A Very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from

All At Alpha Company Marine Cadets

Alpha Company Awards 2008

Spean Bridge Award (Top Detachment) - Bristol Adventure Detachment

The Port Stanley Cup (Most Improved Detachment) – Exeter Detachment

Zeebrugge Shield (The Officer or SNCO that has made an Outstanding Contribution) – Sgt Thompson Exeter Detachment

Nominees For National Awards 2008

Gibraltar Cup – Bristol Adventure Detachment

SRMO’s Award – Exeter Detachment

McCarroll Trophy – Sgt Thompson Exeter Detachment

The Indefatigable 1906 Shield – MC Simms Bristol Adventure Detachment

Commander Brown Award – Cdt Sgts A & D Balfour Bristol Filton Detachment

Congratulations to the winners of Company Awards and good luck with your National Nominations for 2008.

Training Ship Exeter said a sad farewell to their affiliated ship this week during their visit to Portsmouth Naval Base to have one last look over her before she is decommissioned in May '09. 

The ship was launched in 1979 by Lady Mulley and entered service in 1980. She is the 5th Ship to bear the name Exeter, her predecessor being famous for her role in the Battle of the River Plate and the sinking of the German "Pocket Battleship" the Graf Spee on 13 Dec 1939. The current Exeter saw service in the Falklands Campaign in 1982. Exeter has proud and long links with the City of Exeter and has many affiliates associated with the City. Ship's Motto Semper Fidelis (Always Faithful)

It was a full day of activities which also included a tour of another type 42 Destroyer - HMS Nottingham, a boat trip around Portsmouth harbour to Gosport to see the Submarine Museum and a visit to the infamous Royal Marines Museum.

Exeter Detachment

Email: exeter@acoy.co.uk

Telephone: 01392 426664 

You Tube Video Thanks to joew666

The Marine Cadets from Bristol Adventure Detachment have done it again at the Annual Field Assessments.   This is the yearly test that all Marine Cadet Detachments undergo to assess a Detachment’s capability of mounting a fighting patrol (which will result in an enemy contact) and their ability to deal with the situation, using Section Battle Drills as the model.

The exercise is judged by the Staff Royal Marines Officer -  CSgt Ash (“Happy Days”) Bourne, who, along with Capt (SCC) Brian Reynolds RMR, has to judge every Detachment in the UK SCC including Channel Islands, Malta and the Falklands.     

On Friday 26^th September 2008, eight members of Bristol Adventure Marine Cadet Detachment, led by LCpl Pritchett, arrived at Swynnerton Training Area to take part in the exercise.

As usual, the Section is presented with a scenario and a mission, from which the Section Commander has to extract his own orders – a model is prepared and a full NATO sequence of orders is given.

The advance-to-contact results in effective enemy fire, which of course the Section Commander has to deal with – usually a flanking section attack and a final assault and reorg.

All of which is not bad going for Cadets aged between 13 -18 years.

During the section attack by Bristol Adventure, the SRMO decided things were going all too well and using his well-known sense of humour, added to the scenario and pinged LCpl Pritchett (the Section Commander) as dead.

MC2 Havvock immediately stepped in to fill the breach - digging out blind he took charge of Charlie team, led the assault, clearing the enemy position and calling the reorg.

Once Delta team had rejoined the section, Havvock again led out a recovery group of LCpl Price and MC2 West to recover the remains of the hapless casualty, lying comfortably some way back in the grass.  They carried him out in a fireman’s lift to complete the exercise and joined the rest of the section, LCpls Gibson and Hacker and MC2s Kelly and Groves. 

The SRMO, by now quite beside himself with excitement, pronounced it a hoofing display and Bristol Adventure Detachment were awarded a score of 95 out of 100 a VG Superior grade for the display and skill shown by the section, the best within Alpha Company and certainly one of the highest scores given to date. 

Congratulations to the Detachment Staff who trained the Section, Sgt Andy Lawrence and Instructors Tris Bennett and Phil Prys-Roberts. 

Bristol Adventure Detachment Website
Email: adventure@acoy.co.uk

Marine Cadet 1st Class Board - October 2008

Results from the National Cadet Sergeant's Board held over the weekend 3-5th October at SCTC Inskip:

Alpha Company

Cpl A Balfour                 Bristol Filton Det                  Pass     343 Credit Pass

Cpl D Balfour                 Bristol Filton Det                  Pass     347 Credit Pass

Bravo Company

Cpl G Smith                  Middleton & Chadd Det         Pass     283

Map Reading Re-assessment

Lima Company

Cpl S Banks                  Haringey Det                       Pass     319

Gained a IM 3 Grade

X-Ray Company

Cpl H Hornsey               Lincoln Det                          Failed   259 Failed One Subject Map Reading

To be re-assessed at Company Level                        Action: Company Commander

Cpl C Thompson-Hayes  Lincoln Det                          Pass     311

Zulu Company

Cpl A Richards              Eastbourne Det                    Pass     323

Cpl J Dowie                   Jersey Det                          Pass     349 Credit Pass

Gained a IM3 Grade

Cpl S Jones                   Windsor Det                        Pass     303

Results from this years Field Assessments which are now complete. BZ to all those who took part - Some work to do in the future for some of you! These results will now go towards this years efficiency grading.

Lance Corporal Eynon from Stroud Marine Detachment was recently selected to take part in a pilgrimage to the battlefields of Ypres - Belgium.

A group of sixteen Sea and Marine Cadets from Units across the Gloucestershire region, along with Instructors and members of the Severn Marine Society and Sea Cadets, set off for Belgium on Friday 5^th September.

The group visited various cemeteries, including the infamous Hill 62 and Ypres town centre itself, where the Menin Gate stands as a memorial to the British and Commonwealth troops who died in the Great War but whose bodies were never found.

The Cadets were invited by the Last Post Association in Ypres to lead the daily remembrance service at the Menin Gate. At the ceremony on Saturday evening, they marched in formation behind the pipe band with piper Iain Willox, from Cheltenham-based St Andrews Pipe Band.

For more details contact:

Stroud Detachment Website
Email: stroud@acoy.co.uk

During the summer the Captain of the Sea Cadet Corps - Captain Jonathan FRY Royal Navy, visited Yeovil and District Sea Cadets at Sutton Bingham Reservoir The purpose of the visit was to congratulate the ships company on a very successful year culminating in the retention of their ‘Burgee’ status which he presented to the unit along with individual awards to cadets. 

During the evening he watched cadets sailing and pulling on the reservoir and Cadets from the newly formed Marine Cadet Detachment receiving instruction in field craft.

MC Newbury with his new bivvy partner looked on by members of Yeovil Unit and Detachment

On the 5th July 2008 Sgt Robert Mitchell - Yeovil Detachment Commander did a Solo Endurance Run, starting at the foot of Ben Nevis, in Fort William to raise money for his Detachment. The course runs from Fort William along the Great Glen, passing Loch Ness and finishing at the grounds of Inverness Castle.  A total distance of 80 miles. Despite terrible weather conditions for the time of year and several blisters  Rob earned himself a top five finish.

Rob said "I had prepared enough equipment to last 4 days unaided, a total weight of around 24kg / 50lbs. I completed the run 26 hours early which which pushed me just a little. I would like to thank all those who were kind enough to sponsor and support me for the run".

Rob has raised just under £600 in sponsorship, which will go towards the purchase of much needed field equipment for Yeovil Detachment.  Rob is currently planning his next event which will involve cycling from Yeovil to Rome via Paris!

Alpha Company's 2 IC - Maj Tony Benton and his partner Gill spent the day at Buckingham Palace at the invitation of Her Majesty the Queen for a Royal Garden Party.

Royal Garden Parties are held during the summer, at least three times a year at Buckingham Palace and one at the Palace of Holyrood house in Edinburgh.

Royal Garden Parties have been held at Buckingham Palace since the 1860s. People from all sections of the community are invited to Royal Garden Parties. Invitations to Royal Garden Parties are sent out by the Lord Chamberlain on behalf of The Queen, all the arrangements are planned by the Lord Chamberlain's Office. Gentlemen wear morning dress, lounge suits or uniform; ladies wear afternoon dress (usually with hats). National dress can also be worn.

Maj Benton said “A thoroughly wonderful day for both of us, a really fantastic opportunity and experience”

The day was rounded off with a show at the Dominion Theatre.

Interested in doing something different during   your weekend; bored with the same old computer games and television repeats, then Contact Us   to find a Detachment near you to make your weekend different!

On May 29th  a party of 13 Cadets Sea and Marine Cadets escorted by the Unit Commanding Officer (Lt Cdr Lawes) and the Detachment Commander (Sgt Morgan) from Bristol Adventure Sea Cadet Unit and Marine Cadet Detachment joined HMS Bulwark in Devonport for a very special trip.The ship was sailing to the port of Dunkirk to pick up 300 cyclists who had completed a charity bike ride in Northern France. The ride was to raise money for the Charity 'Help for Heroes'.

The Cadets were given a full programme of activities organised by the ship's liaison officer Lt Will Burgoyne including, seamanship, drill, visits to the Operations Room and Bridge and a session of PT on the flight deck. The ship reached Dunkirk harbour on Saturday 31st May and launched the 4 large landing craft from the Well Deck (a spectacular sight to watch) and loaded with the welcoming parties they set off to pick up the cyclists. With the Cadets lining the stern the craft returned to loud cheers and applause .The riders were welcomed on board by the Captain and presented with a cheque from the ships company.The cadets enjoyed showing the guests to cabin and toilet facilites before everyone assembled on the Flight Deck for a Commemoration Service to mark the 68th Anniversary of the Dunkirk Evacuation in 1940. This was a moving occasion for the Cadets as some of the riders read from diaries of evacuees explaining their experiences at the time. The best was yet to come as the Staff and Cadets boarded the smaller Landing craft and were lowered slowly down the port side and into the water for the journey to Dover beach where the ramps were lowered and everyone clambered up the beach.The cyclists were already ashore having used the larger craft. The Red Devils Parachute display team completed the day with a landing on the beach. The riders continued to London where they laid a wreath at the Cenotaph and the Cadets boarded a mini bus back to Bristol having enjoyed a short but eventful visit to their affiliated ship.

Alpha Company's Website is open for business. If your reading this your already here and you've found it. Spread the word:  www.acoy.co.uk - Viva la Revolucion! - www.acoy.co.uk

MC1's Board Results

Cpl's Board Results

Cadets and Staff from T.S. Exmouth were recently invited to visit the Hunt Class Minehunter H.M.S. Middleton at Devonport.

Amongst the Cadets were members of Exmouth’s newly formed Marine Cadet Detachment, some of who have recently passed their recruit tests and been promoted to Marine Cadet. This was their first opportunity to be out and about wearing their hard won berets with the infamous insignia of the Royal Marines and to get a taste of life in the “Small Ship” Navy.

The Cadets were given a full tour of the ship, watched an actual fire fighting drill and were given demonstrations on the ships main 30mm gun and the remotely piloted Sea Fox mine detection system. The tour ended with “nutty” for all in the wardroom and gifts from the Ships Company.

All agreed that it was a “Hoofin” day out.

Alpha Company's very own Boss - Maj D is the McCarroll Trophy recipient for 2007 for outstanding personal achievement.

Maj D was presented the Trophy by Commander Neil Hinch RN - Area Officer South West Area at the South West Area Drill Competition at HMS Raleigh.

The McCarroll Trophy was presented to the Corps by CSgt G.R. McCarroll RM in 1970. It is presented nationally each year for an outstanding personal achievement by an Marine Officer, Warrant Officer or Senior Non-Commissioned Officer within The Sea Cadet Corps.

Cpl Board Results Sheet - January Board 2008

MC1 Board Results Sheet - January Board 2008

Congratulations to Capt Benton who has been promoted to Major as of 01/01/08. 2007 celebrated fifty years in Uniform for the 'Company Sage'. Congratulations ‘Spud’!

Alpha Company Marine Cadets Yomp In Remembrance

Marine Cadets from Alpha Company South West Area have commemorated the Falklands Campaign by Yomping across Dartmoor.

On 28 May 2007, each Marine Cadet Company within the Sea Cadet Corps had to complete a 10-12 mile Yomp. The cumulative mileage was to commemorate 45 Commandos epic trek across East Falkland.

3 Troop Alpha Company Marine Cadets from Truro, Plymouth Manadon and Weymouth joined up to trek across Dartmoor from Cadover Bridge to Princetown.

The Cadets are aged between 13 and 18 years old and their training follows that of the Royal Marines. Royal Marines history plays a significant part of their training and all the Cadets are familiar with the Falklands Campaign, so their part in the Falklands 25 Commemorations is very special to them.

During the 1982 Falklands War, after disembarking from ships at San Carlos on East Falkland, on 21 May 1982, Royal Marines and members of the Parachute Regiment yomped with their equipment across the islands, covering 56 miles (90 km) in three days carrying 80 lbs (36 kg) loads.

Interested in during The Marine Cadets? Contact us on 01179531991 or alpha.company@acoy.co.uk

If you have news stories and pictures please email alpha.company@acoy.co.uk