Cadetting for the maidens | Page 2 | Sunday Observer

Cadetting for the maidens

20 January, 2019
At an Officer training program
At an Officer training program

Cadetting which was begun with the purpose of raising well-disciplined school children has come a long way since then. Even though some still think that cadetting leads to the strengthening of the tri-forces of the country, it is not true. Cadetting aims to make responsible citizens with a combination of theory and practice. Unlike many other extra-curricular activities, Cadetting gives children the opportunity to learn and experience many things which will be useful for their future. As the cadet officers say, "We make real men and women through cadetting".

In order to achieve its goals, cadetting has inherited the systematic approach seen in the military.

As described in my previous articles, cadetting began as a voluntary service attached to the light infantry. Later, it ended its dependency on the infantry and was formed as a separate entity. Its now under the National Cadet Corps (NCC) with 38 battalions throughout the island.

Out of these 38 battalions nine are for girls, representing each province. The other 29 are for the boys.

A battalion is headed by a Commanding Officer (CO). Girls' battalions are headed by a lady CO. The CO handles the administrative duties of the battalion. The Adjutant Officer is the second most powerful officer in a battalion. Third in rank is the Training Officer (TO) who is responsible for the quality of training at each school under the battalion. Several Instructors report to the TO. These instructors hold positions such as Sergeant and Corporal attached to the Army, Navy, Air Force and Police.

The duties of the Instructors are to visit schools and oversee the training. They continuously visit schools and instruct the officer in charge of cadetting at schools. These resident officers at schools are also trained by the NCC. In 2018, the 39th batch of officers were trained in Diyatalawa with 60 officers participating

At this training, potential resident officers are given a two- month-long training consisting of transmitting basic military knowledge, including weapon handling, cadet training skills and many more.

Levels of training

* Training at School, Battalion and Provincial Level

* Assessment Camps at Rantembe Training Centre

* Final Assessment Camp for boys for selection of Best Platoon

* Final Assessment Camp for girls for selection of Best Platoon

* Final Assessment Camp, Western Bands for the selection of Best Band Platoon

* Final Assessment Camp, Eastern Bands for the selection of Best Band Platoon

* Final Assessment Camp for selection of best Junior Boys and Girls platoons.

To be continued...

(Special thanks - NCC HQ)

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