Thomas Hardye CCF

Thomas Hardye School CCF
For just over one hundred years there has been a CCF Contingent at the Thomas Hardye School in Dorchester, originally on a different site in the boys school hampered with less Health and Safety Laws (Cadets from even a just a few decades ago will remember driving around the school field towing a fellow cadet up in the air - suspended by a parachute, unsupervised at breaktime).
It is a lot smaller now than it once was, mainly because then it was all boys so it was more "the done thing" and on a Wednesday afternoon you would either do CCF or Games. But it is still popular and although the Army section is somewhat larger than that of the RAF, it seems that too is starting to change, and they are levelling out very slightly (although the Army still holds the majority) female Cadets are welcome, as proved by the current CSM (Company Sergeant Major) who is female.
The Contingent is part of The 6th Rifles Regiment, formerly the Devonshire & Dorset Light Infantry, which was merged with the Green Jackets, the Light Infantry and the Royal Gloucester, Berkshire and Wiltshire Regiment
Management
The Contingent is headed by an ex-military and indeed even ex-Harydean CCF, where he was once CSM himself - Lieutenant Colonel M. Skinner. All of the AI's (Adult Instructors) are teachers at the school, but to qualify must go through military training, as if they were attending RMASandhurst, only less taxing. Next in line are heads of each section, Captain G. Pearce and Flying Officer C. Salisbury, respectively.
Ranks
Cadet Army Ranks:
Note that all ranks apart from Recruit and Cadet are supposed to be preceded by 'Cadet' to symbolise that they have not actually got any authority over Regulars.
Recruit - this is while you are still undergoing induction tests and waiting to be badged as a member of The Rifles, though a recruit, you are technically 'Without Rank
Cadet - Once badged (awarded Beret and cap-badge) as a Rifleman you are no longer a recruit, however you are still 'Without Rank
Lance Corporal - At this level cadets might now be teaching small groups of Recruits, or junior cadets - they might also have a ion within a platoon (affective when on Parade) of about 6 Cadets
Corporal - Cadets will now definatly be teaching and giving some command out within the platoon. They may also be the 2i/c (Second in Command - pronounced Two-I-See) within the platoon, and would take place in front of the platoon on parade, should the Sergeant be absent.
Sergeant - Now in command of a platoon of up to 12 Cadets, in other Sergeants absense, they be leading a total of anything up to 30 Cadets, including other NCO's (Non-Commisioned Officer ie. Corporal, Sergeant etc.)
Colour Sergeant -
Sergeant-Major - As CSM, except only in authority over the Army Section
Company Sergeant Major (CSM) - In commmand of the whole contingent, particularly when on parade.
Learning and Discipline
Subjects taught include:
Drill
Camoflauge and Concealment
Fieldcraft
Skill at Arms and shooting
Weapon Drill
First Aid
Maps and Compass Ordnance
These, among other topics are taught by Cadets who have achieved an appropriate rank - starting with (Cadet) Lance Corporal.
Disciplinary punishments are also dished out by Cadets, respective of rank. This mostly entails a run or x number of press ups.
Parade is also led by Cadets, Platoon Commanders (Usually a Sergeant)will organise their platoon (group of cadets) and stand at ease waiting for the CSM to order evryone to attention for an Officer, who might say what needs to be done on that particular night, or the parade may fall out straight away if there is nothing to add.
Inter-Section Rivalry
There is much banter between the Army and RAF sections, mainly just over who is better! The RAF's argument is that they go flying, but the Army do more shooting, general opinion is favourable for the Army section, but only because there's more of them.

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