Looking Back at the King’s Coronation

Published on 14/11/2023

Today is HM The King’s 75th birthday so it seems a good opportunity to look back at the Coronation earlier this year and reflect upon the VCC’s involvement in this historic occasion. To do so, we’re delighted to link with our friends in the Royal Marines Charity and the Globe & Laurel magazine here.

Happy birthday Your Majesty from everyone in the Volunteer Cadet Corps.

Summer Camp Comes to an End

Published on 07/08/2023

On Saturday 5 August over 170 cadets and 45 adult volunteers travelled home after an amazing week away in south Wales. Over the past week, the cadets and staff had dived into an action packed training programme with coasteering, team building activities, first aid lessons, sports, a theme park visit, paddle boarding, axe throwing, competitions, archery, field exercise and rowing. Based at Merrion Camp on Castlemartin Training Area near Pembroke, the camp was designed around challenge, achievement and fun.

All of this was planned and delivered by a dedicated group of unpaid adult volunteers, focused on the safety and well-being of our cadets.

If you would like to have a similar experience just apply to join your nearest VCC unit.

Command Warrant Officer Appointment

Published on 25/04/2023

Lt Col (VCC) Chris Spratt was delighted to formally appoint WO2 (VCC) Ryan Shelley GM as the new Command Warrant Officer (CWO) in the Volunteer Cadet Corps on Mon 24 Apr 2023. 

Having served 12 years in the Royal Marines as a medic, Mr Shelley was awarded the George Medal for actions in active service while in Afghanistan. After leaving the Corps in 2014, Mr Shelley joined the NHS as a Paramedic on the HART team where he spent a number of years working whilst also volunteering in the VCC – latterly as the Executive Officer at HMS Excellent RNVCC. 

Responsible for monitoring and guiding Service matters across the VCC, focusing on supporting standards, discipline, ethos, values, and culture, as CWO Mr Shelley will act as Comd VCC’s representative amongst the CFAVs. He will also support and guide adult volunteers in their continuing personal development.

Upon appointment, WO2 (VCC) Ryan Shelley GM said “It’s a privilege to take on this role in the Volunteer Cadet Corps and I am really excited to get started”

“The role of the Command Warrant Officer is to act as a bridge between our units and the Senior Leadership Team. Getting out to the units, working with the teams and helping to provide the best possible experience for our Cadets and Adult Volunteers.”. 

We cannot wait to see Mr Shelley out and about visiting our Units. Why not follow our CWO on Twitter and Instagram to learn more about this crucial volunteer role. 

Historic Evening for HMS Excellent RNVCC

Published on 23/04/2023

One of our senior cadets in HMS Excellent RNVCC sat and passed a Cadet Warrant Officers Board with flying colours. Their CO was subsequently pleased to advance CPO Cadet Archie to WO2 Cadet, and in doing so he is the first Warrant Officer cadet for the unit. Archie is also one of our First Sea Lord Cadets, and hopes to follow his uncle (also a former VCC cadet) into the Service.

So BZ to him and all those adult volunteers who help our inspirational Royal Navy and Royal Marines Cadets unlock their potential, achieve success and #MeetTheChallenge!

Youth & Cadets Dinner

Published on 23/03/2023

On Thursday evening, the Volunteer Cadet Corps was represented at the Royal Navy Youth & Cadets Dinner hosted by the Second Sea Lord, VAdm Martin Connell CBE at Admiralty House.

Selected independently by the Commander VCC to represent the organisation, Lt (VCC) Alfie Richardson, CO HMS Excellent Royal Naval Volunteer Cadet Corps; CSgt (VCC) Stuart Hinchliffe, CO Portsmouth Division Royal Marines Volunteer Cadet Corps and Capt (VCC) Louis Colpitts, Executive Officer (Support) joined adult volunteers from Combined Cadet Force RN-RM, RN Recognised Sea Scouts and Sea Cadet Corps over dinner to recognise the hard work, commitment and motivation of each and every CFAV within the RNCF.

The evening was a mixture of learning about the Cadet Forces history (spanning back pre Battle of Trafalgar) with the Admiralty Librarians to learning and understanding how the modern RN will develop further have a positive impact on the delivering the cadet experience. It also gave our volunteers time to discuss directly with the 2SL the highs and lows of their service (both as a cadet and as volunteers).

We give thanks to all of our Adult Volunteers across the organisation, without you and the time that you put in, we would not be able to provide the opportunities to our cadets.