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About the CCF
All pupils join the CCF aged 14 and have a choice of Army or RAF Sections. They learn the military rudiments including drill and survival, shooting and safety, and are also able to participate in a wide variety of adventurous activities including scuba diving, rock climbing, canoeing, skiing and camping. They also go flying and sailing to complete their first year's training.
The CCF then becomes voluntary, but many stay on to pursue leadership courses and become NCOs. They are then able to instruct the younger cadets. The Pipe Band is part of the CCF and often wins the Scottish Schools competition. A team of marchers goes every year to participate in the 100 mile Nijmegen March. Not infrequently they are assessed as the best cadet team in the UK.
The Edinburgh Academy CCF Centenary Celebrations
May – October 2008
CCF Battalion Headquarters which is located on the dark side of the school where few dare to venture was a hive of activity towards the end of 2006 as planning commenced on how best to celebrate this very important anniversary. Events, some simple, others more stylish were hatched; this was to be a 900 phase operation!
Proceedings got under way when the entire contingent lined up in front of the school during a summers day, summer this year was on a Monday, Monday 5 May; it was a lovely bright sunny day, possibly a bit too bright for a photograph which led to a few squinting faces. Everyone looked very smart, maybe the hair was a little longer and more colourful than it would have been 100 years ago! Immediately after the photo the rector presented all cadets with a special commemorative medal which would serve as a lasting memento, possibly a collector’s item of the future or an article on eBay.
All 7 th year cadets were invited to compete for The Harry Buchan Centenary Cup during May; this was a new shooting trophy. Harry Buchan was the team captain of The Edinburgh Academy cadet shooting team in 1911; they won the Ashburton Shield at the first time of asking and became known as the Ashburton 8. His son, Ian Buchan, kindly presented the school with funds which allowed its purchase. Harry Buchan would not have been disappointed with the standard of marksmanship.
The annual Scottish Schools Combined Cadet Forces Massed Pipes & Drums Beating Retreat Ceremony was held on the esplanade of Edinburgh Castle on Wednesday 21 st May with the salute being taken by Major General David McDowall MBE, General Officer Commanding 2 nd Division and Governor, Edinburgh Castle. The Edinburgh Academy volunteered to host the event, the rector thought this would be a suitable occasion to entertain past generations of cadets. The setting was fantastic, the music exemplary, the weather was good and the date clashed with the champion’s league football cup final! Part 1 went extremely well as pipers, drummers and dancers performed to a very high standard; they provided the large crowd with a fantastic musical spectacle. Part 2 was the party within the Great Hall of the Castle, General McDowall very kindly allowing us its use. Officers and cadets were present to swap stories of what it was like in their day; there was a plentiful supply of refreshments which added to its success; it certainly was a bouncy castle that night!
A select group travelled to Fallingbostel in Germany which is home of The Highlanders, 4 th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland to which the school is affiliated. Large numbers of the battalion were deployed on operations within both Iraq and Afghanistan, nonetheless, cadets took part in numerous military, adventurous and leisure activities; it was a very enjoyable and exciting few days.
18 marchers took part in the annual Nijmegen Marches in mid July; the team worked extremely hard during the march and were rewarded with the prize for best cadet team. Our secret weapon was our 3 marching pipers, however, during the final march past we were joined by the entire pipe band who had flown over especially to take part in the parade, it was an extremely proud and memorable moment; pipes were skirling, drums beating, flags flying, crowds screaming; the Dutch were in love with The Edinburgh Academy. The team recovered to Scotland by bus, train, plane, and boat; thankfully nobody had found love!
The CCF biennial inspection took place on Tuesday 14 th October; Colonel Jim Wilson (TA Colonel) carried out the duties of reviewing officer. The day also witnessed the issue of the cap badge of the Royal Regiment of Scotland to the army section; this brought the centenary celebrations to a close. I am sure that those on parade in 2108 will have just as much fun planning their festivities.
Captain Eric Burnett
The sections
Army Section These term-time activities are punctuated by an assortment of Field Days and visits throughout the year, including opportunities to: shoot the L98 Cadet GP rifle, rock climb, mountain bike and visit service bases and to test both knowledge and ability in activities at Newfield. Camps provide for many the highlight of the year, and it is good to see increasing numbers coming to the Easter and Summer Camps. The Camps provide a nice mixture of both military and adventurous training pursuits. |
RAF Section
During the Easter and Summer holidays cadets go to camp on RAF bases nationwide. While there, they enjoy flying in new aircraft, night exercises and section visits, to see the different areas of the RAF at work. Older boys may do work experience with the different sections. In addition to the main Summer and Easter Camps there are a variety of other camps and courses, to which the Academy regularly sends cadets. These include camps in Cyprus and Germany, the RAF Halton Leadership course and both Gliding & Flying Scholarships. There is also the opportunity to take part in the International Air Cadet Exchange, a prestigious exchange scheme admitting only nine cadets from the UK. The RAF Section’s popularity within the School is reflected by the large numbers volunteering to join and the fact that 75-80% of cadets choose to remain in the section after the compulsory first year. |
On normal CCF afternoons, First Year cadets learn the rudiments of shooting, drill, navigation, fieldcraft, self reliance and first aid. Once in their second year, cadets learn to teach, give 10 minute talks, cope with leadership through initiative exercises, and also complete a Signals Course using radios. Half way through their second year, cadets who have passed the NCO Cadre Course are promoted and become Junior Corporals. In their new role, they teach First and Second Year cadets what they were taught. After another year they are eligible for promotion again, this time becoming either Corporals (who supervise and help Jnr Corporals teach), Sergeants (who are in charge of a year-group) or Colour Sergeant (who organises the whole section). 
The school RAF section offers the best of several worlds, providing substantial amounts of flying, during the term and on camp, as well as many outdoor activities. Cadets gain regular Air Experience Flying during term-time in both the Bulldog powered training aircraft and Viking gliders. Events such as the annual Puma helicopter tour of Edinburgh complement the diversity of air experience available through the termly programme and on camp.
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