Barbados Cadet Corps History 2021 PDF

MILITARY KNOWLEDGE Barbados Cadet Corps (BCC) A Brief History The Barbados Cadet Corps is one of the oldest youth organizations in Barbados and in the region. It was formed in 1904, with the establishment of...

MILITARY KNOWLEDGE Barbados Cadet Corps (BCC) A Brief History The Barbados Cadet Corps is one of the oldest youth organizations in Barbados and in the region. It was formed in 1904, with the establishment of a cadet company at The Lodge School by schoolmaster Captain Radcliffe Hall. Soon after, Cadet companies were formed at Harrison College and Combermere School. In 1909, these three (3) school companies became affiliated to the Barbados Volunteer Force. The main aim of the Barbados Cadet Corps from the onset has been the use of military discipline in the formation of character in young boys ages 12 and above. At present both boys and girls benefit from this training. Five (5) major changes or developments were evident over the past two (2) decades: 1. Introduction of females. The year 1974 saw four (4) female sixth form students of Combermere School challenge and break a 70-year tradition by being accepted as full-fledged members of the Barbados Cadet Corps. These female students had successfully completed ‘O’ level studies at Foundation school. 2. Expansion of companies. In 1978, Ellerslie Secondary School took a significant step in establishing a fourth company; thus, paving the way for the expansion of companies that took place in the early 1980’s at almost all the secondary schools on the island. 3. Establishment of Cadet Headquarters. The expansion of the Barbados Cadet Corps necessitated that a central Headquarters be established to provide logistical and administrative support to the companies. The Cadet Headquarters was established in 1986 with the then Major H Maynard as Deputy Cadet Commandant. 4. Establishment of Sea Cadet Programme. The Sea Cadet Programme was established in January 1993 to offer Senior Cadets further opportunities for training, and to provide skills for living in a country surrounded by water. This training is conducted at HMBS (Her Majesty's Barbados Ship) Pelican, Barbados Coast Guard, which is located on the Mighty Grynner Highway, Bridgetown. 5. Establishment of the Band and Medical Programme. For many years, the No. 3 company at Combermere School had its own band. This band was started by the then OC, Lt Deighton Maynard who formed the band from within the school’s music programme. The Cadet Corps Band programme was expanded in 1998 and included other schools which had started small Drum Corps. Lt Len Cummins (now Major) was given the mandate to mold this programme, and this saw the formation of the Cadet Corps Band, which now wears the blue ‘Toy Soldier’ uniform.  The Medical programme was started in January 2007 and members of this group are drawn from the companies within the corps. This programme is for those Cadets who have an interest in medical training. Some cadets who have passed through this programme have gone on to further training and have become qualified Nurses. Organization of the Barbados Cadet Corps The Barbados Cadet Corps is administered by the Barbados Defence Force. The Chief of Staff of the Barbados Defence Force is Brigadier Carlos Lovell and the Commandant of the Barbados Cadet Corps is Commander David Dowridge. The Barbados Cadet Corps has its own headquarters, which is situated at Cherry Tree Cottage, Garrison, St. Michael. The headquarters is managed by several people who assist with the efficient functioning of the Corps. Major Alfred Taylor is the Cadet Executive Officer (CEO) in Cadet Headquarters (HQ), and he is responsible for the day-to-day management of the corps. He is assisted by Training Officers who are employed full time in the HQ, and who are assigned to assist the Companies within the Battalions with their training needs. The Training Officers currently working in Cadet HQ are Major David Clarke (Principal Training Officer), Captain Heather Leslie, Captain Wayne Hinds and Captain Natalie Haynes. The post of Human Resources, Welfare and Administration Officer (S1) was created in Cadet HQ and is held by Major Randolph Charles. The Companies and Units that comprise the Barbados Cadet Corps are divided into five (5) Battalions comprising three (3) infantry battalions, one (1) battalion comprising mainly special units and one (1) battalion comprising the Sea Cadet Division. Battalion 1 - Infantry Battalion 2 - Infantry Battalion 3 - Infantry Battalion 4 - Special Units Battalion 5 - Sea Cadet Division  Companies within the Battalions Battalion 1 Battalion 2 Bn Commander: Bn Commander: Major Philip Eno Major Rodney Millington Bn 2iC: Bn 2iC: Captain Junior Ward Captain Randolph Clarke No. 5 Alleyne School No. 1 Harrison College No. 6 Coleridge and Parry School No. 3 Combermere School No. 7 Frederick Smith Secondary School No. 4 The Ellerslie School No. 8 Daryll Jordan Secondary School No. 11 St. George Secondary School No. 18 Grantley Adams Memorial School No. 12 St. Leonard’s Boys’ Secondary School No. 21 Queen’s College No. 15 The St. Michael School No. 22 The Alexandra School No. 20 The Lester Vaughn School No. 23 Springer Memorial Battalion 3 Battalion 4 Bn Commander: Bn Commander: Major Michael Boyce Major Len Cummins Bn 2iC: Bn 2iC: Captain Adrian Ward Major Naomi Williams No. 2 The Lodge School No. 17 Independent Company No. 9 Parkinson Memorial School Barbados Cadet Corps Band No. 13 Christ Church Foundation School Cadet Medical Unit (CMU) No. 14 Graydon Sealy Secondary School Catering Unit No. 16 Princess Margaret Secondary School Technical, Engineering, Digital Unit (TED) No. 19 Deighton Griffith Secondary School  Battalion 5 (Sea Cadet Division) Commander Officer: Lieutenant Commander Robert Morris Executive Officer (XO): Sub Lieutenant Wayne Beckles Chain of Command Within every organisation there is a chain of command which can be compared to the rungs of a ladder that sit one on top of each other. The chain of command is a simple way of organising people so that orders or information is passed from one person to the next. The chain of command in the Cadet Corps closely follows the rank structure, so a cadet sees his Corporal first before addressing the Sergeant Major or even his officer.