Rochdale Detachment achieve top award

Rochdale Detachment achieve top award ‘Champion Detachment’

Rochdale Detachment achieved the top award, ‘Champion Detachment’, as all the detachments from Number One ‘Minden’ Company, GMACF gathered for the Inter Detachment Competition on 27 June.

In order to win the Champion Detachment the cadets of the seven detachments from across the north of Greater Manchester - Rochdale, Heywood, Middleton, Bury, Radcliffe, Ramsbottom and Crumpsall - were put through their paces to test the skills that they had learnt since joining the Army Cadet Force (ACF).

The first assessment was first aid. A scenario based on what could happen in everyday life was set up by SI James Hutton, who when not volunteering as an adult instructor in the ACF is a registered nurse who works in the trauma stabilisation unit at Bolton Royal Hospital. Two cadets were used as ‘actors’.

Next was the navigation assessment. This was run by another adult volunteer, SI Stan Lingard, who also works for the public service which helps to save lives.

Once the navigation was completed next up the shooting assessment where the cadets were given the opportunity to fire on the indoor range under the close supervision of two adult volunteers.

The final part of the competition was the challenge which all the cadets across Greater Manchester Army Cadet Force see as the ultimate to achieve. Taking part in drill is about discipline, team work, communication and looking your smartest when wearing your uniform with pride. This was judged by RSM Quinn, who as another volunteer for GMACF, spent the day with Nunmber One ‘Minden’ Company.

The scores were added together whilst the cadets stood eagerly waiting for the announcement to be made by the Company Commander, Major Linda Connolly.

Rochdale Detachment gained first or second place in every competition.

The results for Rochdale Detachment:

• First Aid - Second place
• Navigation – First place
• Shooting - First place
• Drill - Second place

The final award for the Champion Detachment - included in the score to win this award is the cadet's discipline and the respect they have for others - went to Rochdale Detachment.

A spokesman said: "A huge well done to each and every cadet who attends the detachment. The cadets always work hard and always help each other to improve on everything they do. Rochdale Borough should be rightly proud to have such amazing young citizens living amongst them.

"A final thank you has to go to all the adult volunteers who give their time freely to work with the ACF."