Royal Marine cadets from Strathallan School put their combat skills and medicine to the test last weekend at the prestigious Sir Steuart Pringle Trophy Competition.
Nine members of Strathallan’s Combined Cadet Force (CCF), led by Cadet Colour Sergeant Oliver Kent, attended the highly competitive competition held at Lympstone in Devon.
Representing the only Royal Marines CCF section in Scotland, the cadets were tested in teamwork, navigation, camouflage & concealment, battle skills, endurance and combat medicine by a team of instructors who were looking for the same levels of proficiency and determination as they would in regular commandos.
The Perthshire pupils, who were up against 16 other schools, were judged ‘spectacular’ in the First Aid section of the competition.
Cadet Sergeant Chloe McMichael, said, “We were delighted to win the First Aid section, especially as it meant we were the first Strathallan team to win a trophy at the Pringle competition. We weren’t expecting it but Jacy, our first aider, really stepped up and was so knowledgeable that we really got the chance to shine.”
Cadet Sergeant Ross Telfer added, “It was a tough weekend but so much fun. You got used to being dirty by the end of the week. I’d say we are much stronger as a team now and definitely have learned to communicate better with each other.”
Cadet Colour Sergeant Jacy Evans, said the whole weekend felt surreal but has left her even more convinced that she wants to pursue a medical career.
“We gave our everything the whole weekend and never left a teammate behind when it got tough. Winning the first aid section felt euphoric. It was the last award to be announced and when our name came up my heart skipped a beat.”
“In the future, I want to become a paramedic and then a doctor, so once I’m qualified I hope to apply as a medic and serve my country. Currently, I’m teaching first aid to the younger cadets and I hope they get the same opportunities as I have to put my combat medicine skills into practice.”
Contingent Commander of the Strathallan CCF, Major Charlotte Marjoribanks said, “We are incredibly proud of the Strathallan team and look forward to training for next year’s event!”
Categories: School News Strathallan School
