Cadets and instructors have to complete mandatory weapon training and our cadets were instructed by WO1 Nigel Barrett. He said: ‘For the last eight weeks the students have been doing weapons training building up to this stage where they are now qualified to fire a weapon. They have spent nine hours learning all the procedures and now are deemed to be competent for six months, after which they will have to be re-tested.’

Meanwhile Contingent Commander Capt Matt Isherwood was conducting training drills on the field. He said: ‘The cadets are doing section hasty attack drills in preparation for a field weekend including reaction to enemy fire, locating and suppressing the enemy, assault and regroup. In the build-up they did individual pairs fire manoeuvre, pairs fire manoeuvre and they have come back together for battle exercises at section strength with between eight to 12 in a section. They are doing very well considering it is their first time.’

Cdt Alex Bramham from Thomas Clarkson Academy said: ‘I get a lot of discipline from cadets and it’s about learning new skills. Being in cadets has made me a lot more confident and it’s about meeting new people and making new friends.’

Cadet Josh Jakins from Kettering Science Academy said: ‘I like cadets because you get to meet loads of great people and learn life skills like camping. I have been on one field weekend, a summer camp and we are going to another field weekend soon at Yardley Chase.’