Uniformed services students from the college's King’s Lynn and Wisbech campuses participated in a weekend of challenges as part of a Royal Navy and Royal Marine induction initiative from 1st to 3rd May at the British Army’s West Tofts Training Area Camp in Thetford Forest.
During the 3-day period, the fourteen students participated in strenuous physical training with the Royal Marines and AFCO staff, and practical leadership tasks alongside numerous other team activities. The students were also introduced to the intricacies of map reading, and the essential use of a Silva (orientating) Compass.
The Royal Navy Experience Team made the students negotiate obstacles on a Go Ape assault course as well as cross-country trekking, where students were in introduced to the Military 24-hour ration pack, and how to correctly prepare a substantial meal using its contents.
If this initiative has been rolled out and if proven successful will be adopted by the entire Royal Navy Armed Forces Careers Office (AFCO) team throughout the entire United Kingdom.
Uniformed services lecturer, Adrian Kent, said:
“I feel immensely proud of all of our students who repeatedly demonstrated their individual total commitment to supporting each other in every task, which is in keeping with ethos our Uniformed Services program strives hard to promote.”
Chief Petty Officer RN (Royal Navy), Richard Gray, said:
“The over success of this pilot camp was due to the hard work, enthusiasm and full support of the College of West Anglia students and staff members, I would like to thank them all for a great week where they conducted themselves to an exemplary standard and should be proud of their achievements and behaviour.”