Royal Marines Cadets

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In the United Kingdom there are three types of Royal Marines (RM) cadets:

  • Royal Marines Volunteer Cadet Corps (RMVCC).

This article deals with the RMVCC.


[edit] History

The RMVCC was first formed on 14 February 1901 at the now closed Royal Marines barracks in Eastney, Portsmouth. It was formed, so the story goes, to "gainfully occupy the spare time of sons of senior Non-Commissioned Officers (SNCOs)" after an occasion when the colonel's office window was broken by a ball kicked by a SNCO's son playing outside.

The RMVCC was formed with the title of Royal Marines Artillery Cadet Corps with the motto 'Manners Maketh Man'. It was known as the Royal Marines Volunteer Boys Corps for a while mid-20th century and Girl Ambulance Corps units existed alongside for some time. These were merged with the RMVBC after the Second World War and the current title adopted in the 1970s. However, RMVCC Portsmouth only accepted girls from the mid-1990s.

Soon, units were also formed at the Royal Marines barracks in Chatham, Deal and Plymouth. Later on, another unit was formed at Lympstone (Commando Training Centre Royal Marines). RMVCC Deal closed when the Royal Marines School of Music left the town and moved to HM Naval Base, Portsmouth. RMVCC Chatham transferred to the Sea Cadet Corps when HM Naval Base Chatham closed in the 1980s.

The current Motto of the RMVCC is 'Be Worthy'.

[edit] Structure

There are currently three existing RMVCC units (known as 'Divisions'), at Portsmouth, Plymouth and Lympstone. Each Division is autonomous, and is staffed by adult civilian instructors, some of who have previous military experience. The Commanding Officer of each Division is usually a serving Royal Marines or Royal Navy officer from the parent establishment.

The RMVCC is sponsored by the UK's Ministry of Defence (MoD) which provides some funding to each Unit. The organisation is overseen by Director Royal Marines (DRM). Additional funding is usually self-raised through events and display groups, plus donations and subscriptions/joining fees paid by the cadets.

Whilst there may be variations between each Division, in general the RMVCC will accept boys and girls between the ages of 10 and 17 who can serve until their 18th birthday.

Boys and girls enter as a Recruit, and having 'passed out' at the end of their basic training become a cadet. Command Courses allow the cadets to progress up through the ranks:

  • Lance Corporal.
  • Corporal.
  • Sergeant.
  • Colour Sergeant.
  • Warrant Officer Second Class.

In each Division, where a suitable candidate exists, one cadet will be appointed the Cadet Regimental Sergeant Major in the rank of Warrant Officer First Class. All ranks are preceded by the word 'Cadet' to ensure no confusion with serving personnel in HM Armed Forces. All cadets receive Good Conduct Badges if their behaviour and discipinary record is sufficiently 'worthy' and after four years service are awarded a Long Service and Good Conduct Medal. A Rosette is awarded for a further two years' good service. These are only cadet awards and do not entitle the recipient to wear them if joining the armed or uniformed civilian services in later life.

[edit] Activities and Training

Cadets can take part in a variety of activities including:

  • Drill.
  • Camps.
  • Fieldcraft.
  • Military skills (ie: camouflage and field exercises).
  • Navigation (including Ten Tors on Dartmoor).
  • Seamanship.
  • Band.
  • Field gun.
  • Sports and gymnastics.
  • Target shooting.
  • Parades.

Each Division usually meets on two training nights per week, except leave periods in Summer and at Christmas. Also, there is usually a week-long Annual Summer Camp and many weekends.

The RMVCC is not a pre-service organisation, although any cadets who shows an interest in joining HM Armed Forces will be given support and guidance. Many cadets go on to equally rewarding civlian careers.

The RMVCC in Portsmouth is closely aligned with the Royal Navy VCC units from HMS Collingwood, HMS Sultan and Fort Blockhouse (formerly HMS Dolphin). Together, they form the Portsmouth Area Volunteer Cadet Corps (PAVCC). These units often meet in sports and Field Gun competitions.