CADETS IN CAMP

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 28, 3 February 1938, Page 17

CADETS IN CAMP

CENTRAL COMMAND

TRAINING AT TRENTHAM

Trcntham Military Camp has taken on' a comparatively busy appearance this week, the usual draft of recruits at the Military School being dwarfed in numbers by cadet officers and non commissioned officers from all secondary schools in, the-Central Military Command: The cadet officers entered camp last week for technical instruction and the non-commissioned officers began their course last Saturday, and both courses are designed to make for efficiency at the secondary schools' "barracks" which are held early Lri the school year. Lieutenant-Colonel E. A. Row, D.b.0., N.Z.S.C, is in command of the cadet camp, and his adjutant is Lieutenant J. D. Armstrong, N.Z.S.C. Instruction is being given by New Zealand Permanent Staff officers and warrant officers. There are 42 officers and 197 non-commissioned officers from the cadet battalions. The boys in camp are of a particularly fine type and all show keenness for the work, sick parades having been conspicuous by their absence. When the week of training was commenced a display was put on by the trainees in the Military School, their marching and drill giving 7the boys jrfi excellent idea of what could be aimed at Although the standard set by the adult soldiers was a high one the majority of the boys have already* made substantial progress towards it- , FIRS'! AID TRAINING. In accordance with the decision made •by the Defence^ Department ,last year no specialised draining is undertaken apart from first aid which is'proving ■ a popular innovation y with the ■ boys. Every care is taken riot to work the cadets to the point of "stateness," Ire^ quent changes being made in the instruction' classes. While one company is engaged at military drill another is kept at! musketry instruction, another at physical training,' and another at first-aid work. Every 35 minutes a halt is called' for five minutes and a change-over takes place, the boys having' a chance to' practise marching as they move by companies from one class to another. There are also longer breaks at mid-morning and afternoon and the formal training courses close at 4.30 p.m. when sporting events are organised. The competitive spirit has. been used to advantage and the different companies vie with .one another ,in their drill and v hut fatigues. Last night' a boxing competition was held, the physique of most of. the boys placing them nearer the heavyweight class than the featherweight. Tomorrow night the physical side will give way. to the cultural, a concert having been arranged to enable the boys who can 6ing~x>r entertain in any way to show what they can do. The .excellent weather conditions prevailing have contributed in a large measure to the success' of the camp -and as .the duties arranged, for the boys' have not been' arduous the course has been something of a holiday (or them.