CCF

RAF GTC Competition - 15th October 2007

On 14th October, 13 cadets for the RAF section travelled to RAF Uxbridge for the regional section of the Ground Training Competition. The competition consisted of several different events; trim trail (circuits), air recognition, RAF knowledge, first Aid, shooting and the formidable drill and turn-out on the Number 63 Queens Colour Regiment parade square.

Having practised for two months before the competition, hopes were high amongst the largely young and inexperienced squad. On previous years, Hampton had won the entire national competition two times, came equal first once, and been in the top three on many other occasions. However, over the last three years, the squad had been rebuilding to such an extent we did not even enter last year.

So, with new hopes for another generation of cadets, we set off for the regionals. Firstly came shooting and air recognition. Shooting was a great success, with Arabella Burfitt-Dons (LEH) and Jonathon Higgs both scoring an excellent 18/20. Air recognition was an excellent achievement, with scores vastly improved from two years ago. Special note goes to Oliver Humphrys (27/30), Karim Noordally (21/30) and James Thompson, who only knew of his place in the squad two days before the competition.

Next came trim trail and command tasks. However, Trim trail was a slight disappointment and coming 5th in the most complicated tasks we have ever seen and under the leadership of Laura Martin (LEH), was very promising.

Having had some disappointments in the trim trail and command tasks, we marched towards the parade square, for what the Upper sixth assumed would be their drill swansong. Without a doubt, drill is the most important apart from the competition, it is the part all the team prepare for, and is the part that needs most determination and commitment. Although we had been practising for months, we had few hopes for drill, considering the very young squad we had. However a remarkable performance, won us this section of the competition. This was an amazing achievement when you consider we were up against the likes of RGS High Wycombe, London Oratory and Wellington College, some of the best sections in the country, who will be favourites to win the entire competition in March.

In the afternoon, we came 5th in the always tricky first aid (with Rene Wang – Rattansey having to endure a solo examination.) and there was another excellent team effort to come 2nd in RAF knowledge. So, at 3:30 we had done all we could and we had to wait nervously for the results.

Unfortunately, our worst fears were realised when it was announced we had come 4th, where only the top two teams qualify. That said, the victory in drill was an amazing achievement that made all the senior NCO’s very proud. Drill is one of the few events requiring the entire team to be on top form, nobody can take sole credit for it, so we can all be happy. So, despite the disappointment of not going to RAF Cranwell for the finals, we can still be very proud of our achievements, and have set ourselves up very well for next year. However, for the six leavers from the team, we wish next years squad the very best of luck.

David Flood, November 2007