School Cadets Taste ‘New Look’ In Army

Northern Advocate, 30 August 1948, Page 5

School Cadets Taste ‘New Look’ In Army

Living and working under real army conditions, 130 cadets from all the high schools in the Northern Military District, including several boys from Northland, have spent a week at the Papakura military camp taking n.c.o. training and mutual instruction. At the same time 45 of the school-teacher-officers are undergoing a refresher course.

On completing the course, the boys will have a wider knowledge of military affairs and will be able to make a better showing as cadet n.c.o.s, as most of those selected will be spending another year at school.

Times have changed, however, in this new army with no “screaming skulls” or hard living conditions. The cadets are treated with every consideration by their instructors and are given every opportunity of doing mutual instruction in which they run their own parades as they did for their passing out parade at which the officer commanding the district (Brigadier R. S. Park) took the salute. SHEETS, PILLOW CASES

Sheets and pillow cases replaced the rough blankets and “scratchy” so familiar to the boys’ elder brothers.

The day started with reveille at 6.15 and breakfast at 7 a.m. First parade was a 7.50 with a break at 10.20 for morning tea. Lunch was from 12.15 to 1.15 with the afternoon’s work finishing at 4 p.m.

Lectures at 7.30 completed the full day required, to fill the extensive programme.

The instructors who had charge of the boys’ training spoke highly of their keenness and efficiency, and found them a pleasure to handle. This week will be taken up by another course for specialist n.c.o.s who will receive instruction in artillery engineer, signalling, and medical training.

A number of officers will also be in camp on refresher courses and confirmation courses for their commissions.