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"I've booked onto another one this summer and I cannot wait!"

The Sea Cadets Offshore fleet gets reviews from Cadets describing their amazing time at sea all the time, and rightly so! But this time it was our very own Cadet Force Adult Volunteers (CFAVs) giving the review! 

A week after Royal Marines Cadet James went to sea on TS John Jerwood, our very own Detachment Commander (DC) and Unit Training Officer (UTO) put on their sea shoes and climbed onboard. 

Heading to sea for the first time since they were cadets, the DC and UTO were taking up the role of supervisor and support for the crew of TS John Jerwood. This gave them a unique insight into what our cadets experience on offshore and allowed them to further expand their own skill base. 

"What a fantastic week! I thoroughly enjoyed getting to meet new people and being out in the fresh ocean air building up my offshore hours. I enjoyed it so much, especially with the added bonus of seeing dolphins!" - Sgt (SCC) C Unwin 

This was a first for Birmingham Vernon, having two of our volunteers at sea together at the same time, and week after another cadet returned to the Jerwood for his second time on the Offshore programme. A historical moment!

"Offshore provides our cadets with the chance to go to sea, experience things they have never thought possible, or thought was accessible to them. We may be in the heart of Birmingham and rather far from the sea, but Sea Cadets offers each cadet the chance to get their sea legs and create lifelong memories" - Sub Lieutenant (SCC) R Keyte RNR - CO

The Ships Company thanks our DC, Sgt (SCC) C Unwin and our UTO, PO (SCC) J Roberts for giving up their time and energy for this voyage. 

If you want more information on the Offshore programme, and think your cadet would like to know more please contact UTO@birminghamvernon-seacadets.org

Our Junior Sea Cadets have entered the Mercia District Drill & Piping competition for the first time in years, and have WON!

We are so proud of our Junior Piping team who have trained hard over the last month to get ready for the annual competition. Not having entered this competition in several years, we were just happy to take part! However all cadets performed perfectly and we came away with the win!

PO (SCC) L Smith, the Junior Sea Cadet Training Officer (JTO) said "I am so so proud of what they have achieved, and in such a small space of time. They have all committed themselves to this and even attended extra training sessions to make sure they were ready. It has clearly paid off!"

Junior Sea Cadet Carolina also took second place in the Individual Piping competition.

Congratulations Cadets, you have given T.S Vernon its first silverware of 2024! 

After our Commanding Officer, Sub Lieutenant (SCC) R Keyte and Detachment Commander, Sergeant (SCC) C Unwin attended an amazing South West Area Sea Cadets conference we are delighted to announce that Birmingham Vernons Royal Marines Detachment (RMCD) has been nominated from the whole of South West Area for the SMRO Trophy.

This is recognition of the transformation of the Detachment over the past 12 months.

A huge thank you to the volunteers at Birmingham Vernon, the previous Detachment Commander Sergeant (SCC) J Millward for leading the detachment through location changes and COVID-19, and to our current Detachment Commander for her hard work and drive to give our cadets the opportunity to achieve and have the Royal Marines experience.

On after receiving the award our Commanding Officer said "As the Detachment nearly closed, this recognition is fantastic, and goes to show that the hard work put in by our volunteers is providing results. We are striving to provide a safe and enjoyable learning environment for our Royal Marines Cadets and offer both Sea Cadets and Royal Marines the full cadet experience. Starting the year with two cadets, and with nine new cadets onboard with two more joining, Birmingham Vernons RMCD is back and ready to push further in 2024"

BZ, thank you and goodbye to our former Commanding Officer Lieutenant (SCC) O Chambers MBE RNR.

LT Chambers MBE RNR was presented with a custom made decanter engraved with the ships crest and the dates of his command, a gift from all the volunteers and Unit Management Team here. He was also presented with a frame with photographs of his time at Vernon, including the various rates and ranks he had held during his 29 years at Birmingham Vernon.

Our VIP inspected the ship's company and spoke to the cadets about the opportunities and experiences Sea Cadets can provide, helping launch young people for life.

To top off the evening, he was carried out of the ship by senior rates whilst applauded by the ships company.

Commanding Officer, Sub Lieutenant (SCC) R Keyte commented : "Sir has been involved in Birmingham Vernon for almost my entire life time, and has set this ship on a positive and secure trajectory. Guiding the unit and its staff members during Covid-19 and starting the process of us securing our new building at the Midlands Boat Station. He will be missed, but is always welcome here at Birmingham Vernon"

We look forward to seeing Sir around the District as he takes up his role within Mercia District Sea Cadets

ACOY RMC summer camp! 

It's been a fun filled week with field craft lessons followed by section attacks, breaking contact, room clearances, and so much more. Put into practice with 3 nights in the field sleeping out under the stars. 

Cadets took part in a final assault on Friday evening, firing blank rounds and practicing everything they had covered in the week. 

What a successful week for Alpha company, Birmingham Vernon Royal Marines Cadets and the Sea Cadets that accompanied them! You can be sure to look forward to many stories of the adventures and unforgettable experiences the cadets have been a part of. 

We look forward to the next RMC camp and hope to see more Cadets from both the Sea Cadet Division and Royal Marines Detachment taking part.