 Junior Cadets - "The Bumbles"
Our junior cadet section is open to boys and girls
from the age of 10 years. At 12 they 'age out' but can choose to join our
main cadet section, normally as a fully enrolled
cadet. Juniors have their own uniform of white polo shirt, blue
sweatshirt with logo, grey/black trousers, black shoes and beret.
Juniors - nicknamed the Bumbles - normally
parade every Tuesday evening, between 1830 and 2000 and follow a set
programme of training where they learn about the Sea Cadet Corps in
general and Whitehaven unit in particular. Subjects covered include the
cadet and staff rank system, what the various badges and insignia mean,
basic parts of a ship and boat, and a few simple bends and hitches
(knots). We also cover very basic hygiene, first aid and fire
prevention. All cadets, including Juniors, have to learn the
Sea Cadet
Promise and understand what it means.
It's not all boring stuff
though! Classroom-based lessons are put to practical use when
our juniors get out on the water and take part in pulling (rowing),
sailing and canoeing. They can go air rifle shooting and we take them to
visit various ships, museums, the fire station, Sellafield visitors
centre and much more. And, of course, we encourage them (and you!) to
take part in and support fundraising events.
On a slightly more serious
note, juniors receive awards and rank advancements in the
same way as our general cadets and these are presented in front of the
full ships' company. The Bumbles are also required to take part in
events such as the annual Remembrance Day parade, Royal Navy Parade
(when the whole unit is inspected and rated by a serving Naval officer),
Presentations Evening (usually in late December, when we recognise and
reward achievements over the past year) and on one or two other other
occasions during the year.
The Junior section is led by Petty
Officer Julie Kennedy, assisted by Petty Officer Rebecca Gray,
Lieutenant Peter Lucas and other staff as
required. |
 Cadets
|
 Marine Cadet Detachment
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