devildoghopeful
05-08-07, 02:53 PM
My message is simple: cherish it.
I graduate from High School in a few weeks so my term of service in my school's cadet force is over. I always loved it but now that I've attended my last Training Camp (on a Royal Marine camp :)) I've realised how much it did for me.
The CCF (Combined Cadet Force) instilled leadership, loyalty and the appreciation of teamwork on me unlike any other organisation that I've been involved in....which is part of the reason I intend to join the Marine Corps.
I've had the best and worst times of my life in the CCF, from the beginning with the rank of cadet, running through the pouring rain, diving into mud pits then getting up and going on another run - through to the end as Head of Training Section and Sgt Maj. - basically the senior drill instructor for all new cadets (which has been AMAZING). I've also forged lasting friendships that have maintained through the most testing of times (friction was a common occurence on base and in the field, especially if we'd been denied sleep!).
Basically what I'm trying to say is - before you join the Marine Corps, join and enjoy the JROTC, it is an organisation that is worth it's weight in gold. For example, if you happen to be like me i.e. short and seemingly puny, it is the perfect opportunity to prove your worth not only to the powers that be, but to yourself (my self-confidence has shot up - for the 1st two years they didn't promote me, but I worked my a** off until they recognised my worth and look at me now! There are people a s***load taller than me that are terrified of me!!!!!!)
Aah, I'm so sad that it's all over - I suppose I have a bigger and better version to look forward to, the Marine Corps!
I'd like to finish with a question to any Marine that might know:
If I decide not to go down the Officer route (there is a serious battle going on in my head about this), will I be able to contract PFC from my CCF experience? I know it's not JROTC but my record is pretty good (Sgt. Maj, Head of Training Section, Method of Instruction course, Royal Engineer's course, Amphibious Training course, Signals Classification).
I've made a photobucket thing of all the pictures that I have of my time in the CCF. If it interests you at all (which it probably doesn't), I'll post the link below - it ranges from '05 to '07 (you can see the change in me!). The most recent photos are of this last camp, Annual Camp '07.
http://public.fotki.com/SQBermanA/
Obviously there is no time to take photos when on exersise so most of the photos are of us on parade (taken by others).
I graduate from High School in a few weeks so my term of service in my school's cadet force is over. I always loved it but now that I've attended my last Training Camp (on a Royal Marine camp :)) I've realised how much it did for me.
The CCF (Combined Cadet Force) instilled leadership, loyalty and the appreciation of teamwork on me unlike any other organisation that I've been involved in....which is part of the reason I intend to join the Marine Corps.
I've had the best and worst times of my life in the CCF, from the beginning with the rank of cadet, running through the pouring rain, diving into mud pits then getting up and going on another run - through to the end as Head of Training Section and Sgt Maj. - basically the senior drill instructor for all new cadets (which has been AMAZING). I've also forged lasting friendships that have maintained through the most testing of times (friction was a common occurence on base and in the field, especially if we'd been denied sleep!).
Basically what I'm trying to say is - before you join the Marine Corps, join and enjoy the JROTC, it is an organisation that is worth it's weight in gold. For example, if you happen to be like me i.e. short and seemingly puny, it is the perfect opportunity to prove your worth not only to the powers that be, but to yourself (my self-confidence has shot up - for the 1st two years they didn't promote me, but I worked my a** off until they recognised my worth and look at me now! There are people a s***load taller than me that are terrified of me!!!!!!)
Aah, I'm so sad that it's all over - I suppose I have a bigger and better version to look forward to, the Marine Corps!
I'd like to finish with a question to any Marine that might know:
If I decide not to go down the Officer route (there is a serious battle going on in my head about this), will I be able to contract PFC from my CCF experience? I know it's not JROTC but my record is pretty good (Sgt. Maj, Head of Training Section, Method of Instruction course, Royal Engineer's course, Amphibious Training course, Signals Classification).
I've made a photobucket thing of all the pictures that I have of my time in the CCF. If it interests you at all (which it probably doesn't), I'll post the link below - it ranges from '05 to '07 (you can see the change in me!). The most recent photos are of this last camp, Annual Camp '07.
http://public.fotki.com/SQBermanA/
Obviously there is no time to take photos when on exersise so most of the photos are of us on parade (taken by others).