RUGBY SEA CADETS

The Royal Naval Association, Rugby Branch, played host to Rugby Sea Cadets on Friday 10th December 2010, for their annual Cadet Presentation Evening.  The cadets and staff from Rugby Sea Cadets and Rugby Royal Marines Cadets were joined by the Mayor of Rugby, Cllr Don Williams and the Warwickshire District Officer, Lieutenant Commander (SCC) Gary Truelove Royal Naval Reserve and were presented with a number of trophies, promotions and awards for their efforts throughout 2010. The Commanding Officer of Rugby Sea Cadets, Lieutenant (SCC) Stuart Glover Royal Naval Reserve said “The cadets that have won awards this evening have worked hard and have set an example to the other cadets.”

In addition to the cadets receiving awards, Chief Petty Officer (SCC) Douglas Cobham was awarded his 1st Clasp for his Cadet Forces Medal signifying 12 years of service to the Cadet Forces, while Aaron Snowdon, a former Rugby Sea Cadet, now serving in the Royal Navy, received his BTEC Diploma in Public Services with a Distinction *.

LJSC Michael Suddens with CPO (SCC) Dean Marshall

Leading Junior Sea Cadet Michael Suddens has become the first Junior Sea Cadet at Rugby Unit to be awarded the Commodores Broad Pennant, an award that he has been working to for just over a year.  The Junior Sea Cadet Training Syllabus was re-vamped back in 2007 and now consists of four coloured modules; Red, Blue, Green and Yellow.

Cadets must complete a number of modules in each of the coloured modules which include unit based activities, waterborne training, outdoor & recreation and community based projects. Having completed all of the required modules, Michael completed another 15 modules to gain the Commodores Broad Pennant.

Michael will shortly turn 12 and move from the Junior Sea Cadets into the Sea Cadets. He is pictured here collecting his award from Chief Petty Officer (SCC) Dean Marshall, the Unit Training Officer.

For the first time, not one but two cadets from Rugby Sea Cadets, have been awarded the Reg Day Memorial Trophies for attaining the highest overall marks on a District Leading Cadet and Petty Officer Cadet Advancement Board.

The District Advancement Boards test the cadets ability in a number of disciplines to include, drill and ceremonial, leadership, instructional methods, fire safety and self discipline.

The two trophies, one for the highest mark attained on a District Leading Cadet Board and the other for the highest mark attained on a District Petty Officer Cadet Board were first awarded in 1996 by the widow of Reg Day, a former Chief Petty Officer in the Sea Cadets.

It is a great honour to have won both trophies in the same year, which were presented by the District Officer, Lieutenant Commander (SCC) G. Truelove RNR at the Warwickshire District Drill Competition, held on Sunday 8th February 2009.

The recipients of these trophies pictured below are Leading Cadet Aaron Snowdon and Petty Officer Cadet,  (now Probationary Petty Officer) Alice Spiby receiving their trophies from the Commanding Officer, Captain (SCC) David Scholes RMR.

Having been with Rugby Sea Cadets since September 2008, Able Cadet Aaron Snowdon has been working hard in preparation for his Leading Cadet Advancement Board, which he attended this weekend – Saturday 29th November at Shirley Sea Cadets.  Aaron was previously a cadet at Kettering Sea Cadets but transferred over to the Rugby Unit when he came to live in Rugby.

Able Cadet Aaron Snowdon

The advancement board tests every cadet’s ability to lead, motivate, influence and manage younger cadets. All candidates have to complete a series of assessments to ensure that they are of a correct standard to be promoted to Leading Cadet. Able Cadet Snowdon scored highly on the board and will now be promoted to Leading Cadet.

PO (SCC) Henri Smith

Probationary Petty Officer (SCC) Henri Smith became the latest member of the unit staff  to attend the week long Sea Cadet Instructor Qualifying (SCIQ) Course held at HMS Excellent in Portsmouth. Students are assessed during the week on their organisational ability, communication, interpersonal skills, common sense, drill, dress and bearing. Having passed the course successfully, Henri has now been promoted to Petty Officer (SCC).

Earlier this year, two instructors from the unit attended a week long Sea Cadet Instructor Qualifying (SCIQ) Course held at HMS Excellent in Portsmouth.  Having successfully completed this course and a number of qualifications, both PSGT (SCC) Ben Fishwick and Wayne Musgrave have now been promoted to Sergeant (SCC).  Congratulations to both of them!

CPO (SCC) Dean Marshall

Having successfully completed the South West Area Selection Board and National Assessment, Petty Officer (SCC) Dean Marshall has now been promoted to the rate of Chief Petty Officer (SCC).  Congratulations Chief!

Leading Cadet Alice Spiby has recently been promoted to the rate of Petty Officer Cadet having completed the necessary training and assessment.  She passed the advancement board held in Evesham, Worcestershire with a Credit Pass and is the first Petty Officer Cadet at Rugby Unit in 5 years.  Congratulations to Alice on a well deserved promotion.