FOUR Army Cadets from Sedgemoor have undertaken a week of challenges at Somerset’s Yoxter camp over half term.

The week-long ‘Senior Cadet Instructor Cadre’ (SCIS) course was delivered by Cadet Training Teams made up of West Country soldiers from 43 Wessex Brigade.

Four of the sixteen Cadets who took part were from Cannington and Bridgwater Army Cadet Force (ACF) Platoons: Serjeant Shannon Came, 16, Serjeant Ben Squires, 17, both of Cannington; Corporal Kelly Kirby, 18, and Corporal Rachel Butt, 18, of Bridgwater.

Shannon, who has just picked up her BTEC distinction diploma in Public Services through Somerset ACF, said: "I managed to pass my first lesson and my assessor said that I was enthusiastic and well planned which was a real bonus.”

She added: “At the end of the week I was told I made the top three. I am really proud of myself."

Ben Squires also travelled to Okehampton to take part in an Advanced Field Craft Weekend with Reserve soldiers from 6 Rifles – one of the only two Reserve Rifles Units in the UK.

The weekend was held on Dartmoor and was designed to train and asses the Senior Cadets in further practical leadership in high pressure situations by putting them through a gruelling 48 hour exercise with real soldiers.

Ben said: "Last weekend was the hardest, both physically and mentally, draining exercise I’ve ever done.

“It was a phenomenal experience that I will take away with me and I have realised that it is what I want to do in the future.

“The last week and a half has been awesome. I met lots of new people who I need to stay in contact with, I became a 4 Star complete Cadet in a week and a half, gained ‘best student’ on the week long training exercise with 43 Wessex Brigade and had a great time on the advanced field craft.

“Next I’ll be aiming to become a Master Cadet – I can’t wait to get started!”

For more information visit www.armycadets.com/somerset-acf or call 01823-284486.