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ACF
Cumbria shooting team selection
Selecting a Cumbria ACF
shooting team is no simple
matter because there are
24 detachments spread out
over a large county, from the
Scottish Border to the Furness
Peninsula.
Inevitably the shooting
officer, Maj Mike Davison,
has to rely on detachments to
identify likely candidates for
the team. The detachments are
encouraged to make use of the
few indoor .22 ranges available
to them and select their best
shots to attend the shooting
team weekend training. This
initial selection is usually completed in the
autumn and the first shooting team practises
usually take place in January.
The first selection weekend normally
makes use of the Dismounted Close Combat
Trainer (DCCT) at Warcop. This facility
allows unlimited practise and analysis
of performance without expending any
ammunition and without having to rely
on detailed observation by a firing point
instructor; the computer does all the
observation and gives corrective advice.
The final selection takes place in early
spring using a gallery range. This involves
travelling outside the county because,
although the Warcop Training Areas contain
all manner of electric field firing ranges,
Cumbria does not boast a single gallery range.
Once selected, the team follows an
intensive practise programme over a number
of weekends during the summer months in
preparation for the 42 (North West) Brigade
Cadet Skill at Arms Meeting at Altcar Ranges
in September. This usually involves staying
at the Cadet Training Centre in the Castle,
Carlisle rising early and travelling to a gallery
range in Northumberland or Lancashire. Some
extra practise is undertaken during annual
camp but this has to take second place to
the shooting requirements of those cadets
progressing through the Army Proficiency
Certificate.
Hot shot cadet Kimberly Jones with the
Mayor of St Helens, Cllr Neil Harvey
KIMBERLY IS BEST
MERSEYSIDE HOT SHOT
Cpl Kimberly Jones is a real hot shot.
The 16-year-old has been presented with
an award for the best female shot in
Merseyside ACF.
Cllr Neil Taylor, the Mayor of St
Helens, visited the Newton-le-Willows
detachment to meet cadets, parents and
staff and to present awards.
Cpl Jones is a student at Carmel
College, St Helens, and wants to study
economics at university. Of the ACF,
Kimberly says: “I enjoy it. In the cadets I
have learned to shoot and play the flute.”
Cllr Taylor said: “The Army Cadets are
great for young people and prepares
them for life ahead.”
36 THE VOLUNTEER www.nwrfca.org.uk