The Cadet Corporal (37 page)

Peter made a face. “So did I!” he replied. “Now I know how you felt that time you were thrown over the cliff beside the Kuranda railway last year.” With that he put his head down and sobbed, then broke into a fit of shivering.

Graham waited till he had recovered and then asked if he was alright. Peter nodded and then said, “Thanks mate.”

Which made Graham all embarrassed. Even so he shuddered every time he thought of that ghastly drop and what might have been.

It was well after midnight before Capt Conkey drove them back to the bivouac area, both having declined to spend the night in the RAP. Back at the campsite they found the officers all still awake but were told to get straight to bed. They were also told not to discuss the incident with anyone until given permission. By this time Graham was feeling very stiff and he hobbled off into the darkness to find his bed.

In the platoon area all was quiet. Everyone was asleep. Graham found his bedding and gently eased himself down onto it. His muscles protested but it was such a relief that he sighed and then slowly stretched out. He was sure he would not sleep but after giving thanks in another prayer he slipped quickly into a deep sleep.

When Graham was shaken awake he was dreaming he was teetering on a huge steel bridge and was in danger of falling off. As he woke he experienced a spasm of panic till he realised it was only a dream. Only when he tried to sit up did the memory really hit him, brought on by the pain of stiff muscles and aching scratches. With a groan he sat up and gently eased himself to his feet.

Sgt Grenfell was standing there. “Time for check parade,” he said, giving him a quizzical look. This was the first of many but Graham just shook his head and said he couldn't say anything. The platoon formed up with the others for check parade. After it was over they straggled back to their bivouac area to pack up.

While he was rolling up his bedding Kirsty came and stood next to him. “What happened last night Graham?” she asked.

“I'm not allowed to say,” Graham replied. As he looked up he noted that she had several bruises on her neck. ‘Love bites!' he thought. He found that immensely saddening and knew he was jealous, yet glad he had been strong enough to resist her.

At that moment CSM Cleland came along. He gave them both a hard look then said, “Cpl Kirk, Capt Conkey wants to speak to you.”

That got Graham all anxious again and while he walked to Company HQ he examined his guilty conscience, wondering why. Capt Conkey was sitting with all the other officers but he stood up and walked over to meet them as Graham and the CSM approached. For a few moments he looked hard at Graham, who found it difficult to meet his eyes.

Then Capt Conkey asked, “Cpl Kirk, were you planning to stay in cadets next year?”

‘Here it comes,' Graham thought. ‘He has found out about Kirsty and is going to chuck me out!' He swallowed and nodded. “Yes sir, I wanted to.”

“Good. How would you like to be CSM?” Capt Conkey asked.

For a moment Graham did not comprehend. Then it dawned on him he was not in trouble. He again swallowed and nodded, then said, “Yes sir. I'd like that.”

“Good. I have been very impressed with your leadership and determination during the camp. And after the last few nights I am really impressed by your courage. If you can resist the wrong sort of temptations you will do very well,” Capt Conkey said.

Graham simultaneously glowed with pleasure at the praise and shame over Kirsty. ‘He has noticed,' he thought, ‘and he is warning me.' Deeply moved, he silently vowed to do the very best he could. “Yes sir,” he managed to say.

“Good, now I have a less pleasant task for you,” Capt Conkey said.

“Sir?”

“Sergeant Yeldham has been relieved of his duties and Three Platoon needs a platoon sergeant. Are you willing to be an acting sergeant for the remainder of the year?”

“Yes sir.”

“Good,” Capt Conkey said. He dug into his pocket and took out a brassard with sergeants chevrons on it. “Then put this on and go and get them packed up ready to march. CSM, give Sgt Kirk their roll book.”

CSM Cleland handed Graham the 3 Platoon roll book and said, “Get going sergeant.”

“Yes sir!”

THE CADET CORPORAL C. R. Cummings

AUTHOR'S NOTE

This is a story about the problems of leadership. Its characters are teenage army cadets on their annual camp. The story deals with a wide range of problems and situations, all of which may be encountered by young leaders to test their character and training. Because some of the situations involve the issue of ‘fraternization' there are, of necessity, some sexual references.

Because most of the incidents involve teenage boys there is some coarse language (Strongly modified for the book and not nearly as colourful or objectionable as they tend to use in reality). There is also some discussion about maleness- as seen through the eyes of teenagers.

This places the author in a difficult situation. If reality is included some people may be offended or object- but if reality is not included how then does one advise and help people to cope with the world they actually live in?

So this is a watered down but ‘warts and all' story describing the sorts of things young leaders may encounter and offering helpful hints on how to deal with them. The author has commanded an army cadet unit for 25 years and can assure the reader that all of the situations described have actually happened- with minor changes for the sake of the story- but thankfully not all to one poor cadet corporal.

The book was written in North Queensland in the days before combined camps with ‘Tier' Training and the style of camp described is, in this author's opinion, a much better way of achieving the character building and leadership training objectives of the AAC.

By the same author

March 2011

BEHIND MT BALDY

When Graham is in Year 11 and is the Company Sergeant Major of his army cadet unit he sets off on a five day hike during the June school holidays with his friends Peter, Stephen and Roger. Their aim is to complete the ‘expedition' task for the Duke of Edinburgh Award and plan to march 100km. Their OC, Captain Conkey, had placed a set of ‘clues' to test their navigation. Instead they walk into trouble so unexpected and so deadly that it tests all their characters and friendship. To survive they need to use all their skills as cadets.

To Roger, youngest, chubbiest, and least fit, the whole event is the toughest test of endurance he has ever encountered. He has to summon up all of his resources, and make hard moral choices, to see the thing through. This is Roger's story and it is set on the Atherton Tablelands of North Queensland. The action takes place around the shores of Lake Tinaroo and in the tropical rainforest.

Suitable for teenagers.

THE CADET SERGEANT MAJOR

‘Thirty nine girls! And some of them with reputations for being hot,' thought 16 year old Army Cadet Warrant Officer Graham Kirk as he scanned the company. ‘And some of them very pretty, like Cpl Allison Broadfoot and Cpl Kate O'Brien in HQ.'

It was Day 1 of the unit's annual field camp. The cadets had just arrived in the bush and were seated in the shade waiting for their OC. Through Graham's mind ran the roll book totals: 39 girls and 70 boys. ‘And Capt Conkey doesn't want any ‘boy-girl' problems this camp'.

As Graham looked at them his gaze met a pair of soft brown female eyes that smiled back. They belonged to Cadet Margaret Lake- his sister's best friend and his devoted admirer. But Margaret was two years younger and was plain and tubby. ‘No, Margaret doesn't set my blood on fire, not like her corporal, red-haired Barbara Brassington.' For a few moments Graham admired Barbara.

‘Heavens, Barbara is really something!' he thought. But then he shook his head. ‘No, don't start thinking like that.' That got him considering the problem of temptation- something he suffered strongly from as he really liked girls! ‘How do we prevent Fraternisation?' he wondered.

Fraternisation- improper relationships- was forbidden by the Cadet Policy Manual. As the Company Sergeant Major one of his main duties was discipline and while he knew that the real supervision was the responsibility of the adult Officers of Cadets he also had a key role to play. ‘And the cadet sergeants are the people I must depend on to help prevent any problems,' he thought, shifting his gaze to the sergeants standing at the back of their platoons. What bothered him was the feeling that he did not trust them all.

Graham called the company to attention and handed over to Capt Conkey and the camp began. What follows is the story of an army cadet camp and of how Graham and his friends coped with the unexpected problems that occurred. For cadets and ex-cadets the detail will inform and provide nostalgic flashbacks.

Because this is a story about teenagers, and particularly teenage relationships, there are some sexual references and coarse language. This book is written for young adults and is not suitable for Primary School children

THE CADET UNDER-OFFICER

Graham is in Year 12 and is now a Cadet Under-Officer in his army cadet unit. It is September. On the third day of annual camp he encounters 15 year old Elizabeth, who has a briefcase full of incriminating documents and is being hotly pursued by a gang of crooks. Graham knows Elizabeth from school and decides to hide her while he contacts the authorities. But who to trust? And how to do it?

Complicating matters is the fact that 15 year old Margaret, a corporal in his platoon, is in love with Graham. Jealous rear its ugly head. Problems multiply and plans go adrift. As the days go by the crooks become ever more desperate and Graham becomes involved in the most challenging adventure of his young life.

The story is set in the dry savannah country of inland North Queensland in the Charters Towers district. There is fast moving action and authentic detail about army cadets. Buy the book to join in with them as they try to use their training to overcome the mounting problems.