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Army International Cadet Exchange (July 2009)

Over this summer Jo Ellet, James Allen, Josh Munday and I hosted for the Army International Cadet Exchange. There were 4 groups of Cadets: 2 from the Caymen Islands, 2 from Norway, 4 from Australia and 4 from Germany. Their trip consisted of 2 weeks, the first being on a cultural basis and the other a military week. We helped out in the first week.

We were based at a Cadet centre in South London. On arrival many of the cadets were jetlagged after long journeys but it wasn’t long until we were all talking about the differences in our cadet units. Over the week the four of us were each assigned a group of cadets to lead, the idea being that when we went on trips out we would stay with this group, assisting them and also applying our vast knowledge about our country and capital when they asked their many questions!

A highlight for many was the first outing to the Air Tattoo. The weather was dismal but the air show still went on, giving us a fantastic introduction to the week ahead. There were stands from the Army and RAF where we were all asking about life in the forces, and rows of aircraft to look at and for many take photos of. At one Army stand we came across a very weird looking bike. It had 7 seats all facing inwards to the main steering wheel. After talking to the Royal Engineer soldiers we were told it was the bike they used to raise money for Help for Heroes by cycling on it for 150 mile from Selly Oak hospital to London. We managed to get a ride on this famous bike which was an amazing experience, and we didn’t crash!

Over the week we visited a few museums. One being the Army Air Corps own museum which had an extensive collection of aircraft, past and present with very interesting exhibitions. Another was our trip to Portsmouth where we visited HMS Victory, HMS Warrior and the Submarine museum, all of which we went on the corresponding vessel.

Whilst in Portsmouth we stayed onboard HMS Bristol for 2 nights. This was nothing new to us four and the Caymen Cadets who were in fact sea cadets, however it was a very new experience for the rest of the group. They seemed to enjoy life on board ship though with the small bunks and rows of heads. We were also lucky to go on a boat trip around the harbour where we saw various Frigates, Destroyers and Patrol boats of the Navy including a new Type 45 Destroyer, HMS Illustrious and a US Submarine.

On one of the days we went to visit the main base for the Army Air Corps. After our introduction, we headed to a hanger where we were introduced to the aircraft. We were able to see and sit in the Gazelle and Lynx, with a view of a Blue Eagle Lynx and an Apache from afar. The highlight of that day though was the flight in the Gazelle, and the pilot was female! For some of the cadets it was their first flight in a helicopter and the view from the full length window was amazing.

Thorpe Park was our mid week trip. Time was short but we managed to get rides on Tidal Wave, Stealth, Detonator, Quantum and Zodiac. It was a great day to get to know each other better and our time in long queues was spent quizzing each other about our very different lives.

A trip to RMS Sandhurst was also scheduled. It was the first chance for us all to see each other in our different uniforms, the best being the Australians with their peak sun hats. We got a tour of the New and Old College and dinner with the Officer Cadets. The day was finished off with a group picture on the famous steps outside Old College.

The final day was our chance to be tourists. We were “let loose” in London, planning our own days out. We all started at the Tower of London with a tour around the home of the Fusiliers followed by a look at the Crown Jewels. Groups then visited attractions such as Buckingham Palace, 10 Downing Street, Covent Garden, St Pauls Cathedral and Oxford Street. We were very lucky to go on a boat trip down the Thames which gave us good views from the riverbank but even better was the trip on the London Eye with fantastic views all across London.

Overall the week was very jam packed but never were any of us bored, even on the long minibus journeys. We all learnt about the differences between our Cadet units and lives in general. We all swapped e-mails before parting and keep in touch via this and Facebook. It was definitely a once in the life time type of week!

Michelle Sangan, Nelson 08E

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