EX COMAL VENTURER (12th-20th June 2026) was undertaken by 3 officer cadets from the Oxford Unit; Travelling to Boston, USA to chaperone students from Tile Cross Academy and
Solihull School on their overseas CCF camp. This exercise aimed to shape and build upon leadership skills by placing us in a position of authority and care; challenge our knowledge of certain skills, alongside physical strength and ability; as well as reinforce core integral values. Individual desired goals included gaining a sense of command, developing self-admin strength and pushing personal comfort boundaries. Our ‘chaperoning’ role included ensuring the safety and state of the UK cadets, whilst overseeing a company consisting of 40 cadets.
The week was divided into two sections. One, exploring the city of Boston itself and representing the British military in the Bunker Hill Parade on Sunday; the other, based in Fort Devens for a week, a military camp an hour North-East from the centre of Boston. Our role involved supporting the UK cadets across a wide variety of activities, ranging from watersports, rappelling, marksmanship activities to trips to museums, leading drill and mottos. Ensuring general administration and the organisation of activities was smooth was another responsibility bestowed on us, guaranteeing that the students were able to get the most out of their experience. The tasks were met with strength and competition, with some of our cadets placed in commanding roles. A Solihull cadet stated that:
“They had never had the opportunity to lead a section up until now and they liked having the responsibility and
power to command.”
Team building was also a major part of the experience. Through the activities and challenges, we were able to encourage the cadets to work together, build confidence and develop their communication and problem-solving skills. It was particularly rewarding to see how the cadets grew as a team throughout the week, becoming more confident and independent as they took on new challenges.
The opportunity to work alongside the American staff and learn from the way they delivered training and activities allowed a valuable insight. Working with them opened us to a different approach to leadership and cadet development, while also building strong relationships between the British and American groups. Whilst challenges were met through differences in culture and shifts of environments throughout the week for us and the UK cadets, resilience and pure grit shone through the adversity. We worked closely as a team throughout the week, sharing responsibilities, supporting one another and adapting to different situations as they arose.
Overall, the trip was a fantastic balance of leadership, teamwork, responsibility and enjoyment. We had a great time supporting the cadets and working alongside the American staff, while also developing our own skills and gaining experience of leading in a different environment; A week of highs and lows from which built true memories and relationships that will live on forever.
