EVENTS

ISCRM, Bisley.  Corps Colours x 5.  The Area had four teams entered for this competition. Scores overall where much higher than previous years with five of our cadets going forward to the Somerset Cup on the Sunday and being awarded Corp Colours.  Storage of L81 Target rifles within the Area is still a problem. We have access to only 50% of the rifles, and need secure storage for the rest.

CISSAM  PIRBRIGHT.

The Area Skill at Arms was cancelled this year, due to lack of entries.  We had no entries for the National Event and so did not progress to the
Inter-Service Competition.  This is a situation that cannot be allowed to
continue.

QUALIFICATIONS

SCC 41 Holders:  I have recently held an Area CRCQ Part 1 course for new Range Officers.  Eight staff are now going to the Part 2 at Longmoor this month.  I am hopeful that most, if not all, progress to the next Full bore course.  This would give the Area much needed qualified staff, who can also assist me addressing the problems within the Area.

New WI Qualification:   A new qualification of Weapons Instructor has been introduced nationally.  This has been done primarily to address a perceived loophole in the way we teach our cadets. Any member of staff who wishes to teach weapons handling or marksmanship now needs to be qualified to do so.  Courses have been held to enable staff to gain this qualification.

THE WAY AHEAD

Any one who looks at shooting within Eastern Area can see there are many problems to over come before we can provide a decent level of service to our Cadets, and Staff, that in any way equals what happens in other Areas, or Nationally.

THREE YEAR PLAN

The problems for shooting in our Area are many and diverse, but it is my
intention to identify these problems and deal with them.  Within our Area we have the potential. We have access to ranges.  We have experienced and qualified staff. And we have a great number of cadets who want to take part in shooting at all levels.

It is my intention to increase the number of Range days for Area participation in shooting. This will increase the skills level of both staff and cadets.
I would like to see more involvement at Unit and District level, for both Small Bore and Air Rifle.  By running shoots throughout the Area, and by running courses when ever necessary, so therefore increasing the level of skills and participation in competitions at  District, Area and National events.

The current situation will not be resolved over night, but within three years I expect Eastern Area to be at least on par with some Areas and the envy of most. 


G E JOHNSTONE
SGT (SCC)
ASO (WT)