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Combined Cadet Force

Contingent Commander’s Report

Contingent Commander’s Report and RAF: together, they have paraded on countless Fridays, planned and run Field Days, activity camps and a wide range of military experiences. They have shaped the character of hundreds of cadets in their roles, and enabled our young people to be both team players and leaders of the future. The single-service reports offer a glimpse of the diverse activities across the Contingent in which our cadets have been engaged, but we have also engaged in new and established tri-service events. The London North West University

T his year is the 75th anniversary of the formation of the Combined Cadet Force. Even though we have a tradition of a cadet corps at Merchant Taylors’ dating back to 1900, it marks a significant milestone for tri-service cadet activities. We had our Biennial Review by the MOD this year, where we were inspected across a range of criteria. Lt Col Crossman MBE, from CCF Regional Command, commented that we are ‘a robust and thriving multi-section CCF Contingent, enjoying the full support of the SLT, and with dedicated and capable CFAVs and SSI supporting and delivering a quality cadet experience.’ Our Friday parades foster personal growth for all cadets and leadership skills for the senior non-commissioned officers (NCOs). The senior cadet appointments were: Cadet Under Officer Max Witt, Warrant Officer Seraj Ali (RN), RSM Riya Krishna (Army), Warrant Officer Archie Stewart (RAF), and Bandmaster Cpl Panav Goyal. Two significant staff appointments were made: our new School Staff Instructor (SSI), Michael Anderson, joined us after leaving the Yorkshire Regiment with 25 years’ colour service, and new RAF Training Officer, Fg Off Michael Shirley, joined us after experiences in the Air Training Corps and as SSI at his previous school. At the end of this year, three Officers Commanding (OC) are stepping down. Lt Karl Bulman was responsible for the RN section for six years, Capt Kev Sharrock was OC Army for four years, and Flt Lt Chris Ryan, OC RAF, is stepping down after nine years. They have left an indelible impression on all those who have undertaken service in the RN, Army,

military Reserve units, on Remembrance Day at Northwick Park Hospital. WO1 Ali, who has his sights set on becoming a medic, read lines from Binyon’s ‘For the Fallen’. In May, a delegation of officers was invited back to witness the CEO of LNWUH NHS Trust re-sign the Armed Forces Covenant. We commend Bandmaster Goyal for conducting ‘Scipio’ and leading the Band’s first performance as half-time entertainment during Rugby Week. Doctors’ Day followed soon after, and ‘Heart of Oak’ rang out around the Inner Quad as the Master of the Company inspected the Honour Guard. ANZAC Day saw us return to St Paul’s

Healthcare (LNWUH) NHS Trust invited us to represent the Armed Forces, alongside local

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