ACF Fieldcraft: Kit and equipment

[@kalliste23]

In pockets of smock/trousers, stuff like pencil and notebook, lighter, band aids, hankerchief/tissues/wet wipes.

[@armycadet2091]

I'm a new army cadet and this was very helpful

[@CadetBooks]

Great, glad it helped! I hope you enjoy your time as a cadet!

[@michaeldixon4887]

They should give a kit list

[@SNUZZY_EDITZ]

@@michaeldixon4887 they do….

[@red_sky_]

I just started the cadets in November and these videos are really helpful so that I am prepared for this kind of stuff thank you.

[@CadetBooks]

Great, thanks for the comment. I'm glad you are finding them useful, I'm sure you'll have a great time with the cadets when you can finally get outside to do some training together. Have fun! D

[@red_sky_]

@@CadetBooks cheers and happy new year 🥳

[@todayiwilleat2corndogs]

Oh fancy meeting you here (I'm nokkthefrog)

[@red_sky_]

@@todayiwilleat2corndogs you in the acf aswell?

[@todayiwilleat2corndogs]

@@red_sky_ yea just joined my first time I go is Wednesday either this or next week forgot

[@Si3n.na7]

Hiya I joined the acf just over half a year ago and I have my first fieldcraft trip coming up this weekend, I unfortunately couldn’t go on the previous weekend trip (not sure if it’s fieldcraft) as I was busy. This may seem a bit ironic but I’ve never actually been away from home unless it’s family or friends that live close by so I’m feeling quite anxious throughout these upcoming days until the trip due to maybe home sickness? If anyone has any tips or anything please let me know because I want to enjoy this and get the most out of it and not have to be worrying about everything every five seconds 😂 oh and also is the red filter on the torch mandatory because I don’t have anything with a red light. Please can anyone let me know if it’s worth purchasing for upcoming trips, thank you

[@CadetBooks]

Hi! There is absolutely no need to feel anxious at all, it's very normal to be apprehensive but there will be a lot of others there that are feeling exactly the same as you and the staff are there to make sure you are safe and well looked after. Any new experience can be scary but that's what makes it so rewarding and it's how you make new friends for life. As this is your first FC weekend, I doubt you will use red light as you will be learning all the basics and probably just using white light in the evening. Don't worry about taking any extra kit that you have not been told to take, the most important items will be issued to you. Talk to your instructors and senior cadets before you go to get more advice. When you're away, be brave, get stuck in and enjoy it. Keep warm in the evenings and make sure to eat and drink enough as you will feel miserable if your energy levels drop. Instead of thinking about home and family, think about the memories you are making and what stories you're going to tell everyone when you get home. Have fun and let us know how you get on!

[@Si3n.na7]

@@CadetBooks heyy I’ve just got back a few hours ago and all was well, was a bit cold under the basha but besides that everything was really fun. Great experience and I recommend others to join the acf because of these opportunities. Thank you so much for your advice it really helped!

[@CadetBooks]

@@Si3n.na7 Hi, I'm so glad you went for it, did the weekend and enjoyed it. That was the toughest one to do as you didn't know what to expect, it just gets easier now. Glad I helped a bit. Have fun and keep signing up for new and scary things to do! Thanks, Dave

[@tjfm59]

retired us army sailor here. have always carried a mini-mag light for night chart work. charts have red ink on them. so i use a blue filter on the light instead of the red filter. the red filter white outs red ink. the blue filter allows the red ink to be seen. you will note i said charts(naval) not maps. as i have used both.

[@CadetBooks]

Thanks for the tip. D

[@archiesouth2630]

What should I do if I can’t get all of such as medic kit, mess tin, folding toothbrush,sew kit etc all at a time

[@CadetBooks]

Talk to your instructors as some items may be issued to you and others may be given to you on loan. You shouldn't need to buy everything yourself.

[@Tom_Tribe]

I'm not military or Cadets, but I would recommend adding a microfibre towel. Easy to freeze when you're wet. Just a suggestion.

[@CadetBooks]

Great suggestion, thanks. I pack one myself so definitely a good addition!

[@karalanning3196]

Do you get issued with your own webbing or assault vest or do i have to purchase it myself?

[@CadetBooks]

Hi, you should be given an assault vest or webbing to use for any activities where one will be needed so you shouldn't need to buy on. Make sure to check with your instructors if you ever do want to buy your own in case it's not allowed in your area.

[@The_enclave_2077]

Ok I must ask on these camps would I be allowed to bring my old 2002 MK6 helmet? (I’m considering joining at some point)

[@The_enclave_2077]

I’m 14 btw

[@one8ePublishing]

Instructors don't tend to wear helmets when doing Fieldcraft training (although I don't think there is a rule that says they can't) and cadets get issued a lightweight plastic Cadet Helmet which is the only helmet they are allowed to wear. The only time I've seen instructors wear helmets is when running an obstacle course. Hope that helps. D

[@charlieknibbs6203]

Is this the same for a CFAV? I usually carry quite an extensive first aid kit as I’m trained.

[@CadetBooks]

Hi, CFAVs only need to provide their own personal FA kit as there will be full and extensive FA kits provided for every activity. When organisers plan events, part of their job is to arrange for adequate FA cover with enough FA supplies for the number of people involved. I don't see a problem with you taking a larger FA kit if you wanted to though, just check with your senior staff and make sure everything is in date and you don't have any unauthorised bits of kit. I have worked with CFAVs that are paramedics and they quite often have a larger personal FA kit. I hope that helps. D

[@charlieknibbs6203]

@@CadetBooks thank you so much! That really does help. Can I ask about any other kit the CFAV’s carry that maybe cadets can’t? I’ve already had conversations with seniors about any multi tools, knives, scissors etc. what would you recommend a CFAV carry that a cadet usually doesn’t?

[@CadetBooks]

@@charlieknibbs6203 To be honest, I don't think you need much, if anything, extra to what the cadets have. I have a GPS watch and OS maps on my phone in case of an emergency when out on Nav or Fieldcraft. I also have a basic multi tool, a whistle, a power pack for my phone and a good powerful torch with spare batteries that has white light and red. I can't Really think of much else. With kit, just think of safety and emergency situations where you might need something, apart from that it's kind of down to comfort and having 'Ali' kit! (If I think of anything else I'll add another comment). D

[@charlieknibbs6203]

@@CadetBooks you’re amazing! Thank you so much for your help and replies!

[@CadetBooks]

@@charlieknibbs6203 No worries, good luck with it all. D

[@iamaperson7193]

What is better webbing or an assault vest

[@CadetBooks]

I prefer to use webbing for cadet activities as it is easier to lay in the prone position for shooting etc. The assault vests have equipment stored on your chest so it is harder to lay down. It is personal preference though. D

[@evar3621]

On your first camp will they tell you what to bring?

[@CadetBooks]

Hi, yes on most cadet activities a kit list will be issued to let cadets know what to take. Some bits will be issued to the cadets to borrow and other bits will need to be supplied by the cadets. Thanks.

[@evar3621]

Cadet Books ok, thank you 😊

[@evar3621]

XixiXLoganXixiX like a Swiss Army knife?

[@yaseenali413]

Hello, do you know where I can buy all the equipment needed?

[@CadetBooks]

Online stores like Cadet Direct will have all you need, or you could shop around on eBay and Amazon. First Aid items, wash kit items and boot cleaning etc can be bought from standard supermarkets or high street shops. Make a shopping list and don't spend too much! D

[@yaseenali413]

@@CadetBooks Thank you very much sir. I’m kind of a new cadet and wanted to find out where to get the things I needed before receiving my uniform

[@evar3621]

What do you wear to army cadets on your first day when you don't have the kit

[@CadetBooks]

It really doesn’t matter. Something comfortable that you don’t mind getting dirty. Some kind of sports kits (tracksuit/trainers) can be quite good.

[@nigelgregory4777]

Just be yourself, dress that you are feeling comfortable in, it may take a few months to get your uniform, even pre covid, clothing is not important, the fact that you are there is. If you want to join the cadets, keep the faith, all is closed down at the moment, but as soon as we get the green light we will be ready to go.

[@humanhandgrenade4555]

Are cadets allowed to take there own assault vest/webbing/chest rigs

[@CadetBooks]

Hi, it's not normally a problem, but worth checking with your own Detachment/County staff first.

[@thecrow2924]

do we have to buy all of this

[@sambriggs6068]

No. Alot of this is issued before weekends if you dont have it, however some of it such as a polish kit and personal first aid kit should be bought or made using what you can find. Lance corporal briggs, ACF

[@thecrow2924]

Sam Briggs thank you for the answer and

[@milesnouch4806]

can you attach the document please

[@CadetBooks]

What document do you need?

[@milesnouch4806]

@@CadetBooks the hole stink on this video

[@CadetBooks]

@@milesnouch4806 I don't have the original files that made this to hand, but you can download the video here if it helps: www.dropbox.com/s/6rmbmhikz8iuf46/1%20Basic%20FC%20Kit.pptx?dl=0 (It will be available for the rest of the week)

[@benjaminsomers9790]

No problem with this equipment but some of it really is not needed as different Star levels do different things, and as an update, webbing should include your radio as that is now part of all FTX courses

[@CadetBooks]

Thanks for your comment, good point! It says that this is a 'suggested' list, but worth mentioning different things for different levels. Be good to see radios being used more too! D

[@cathalobri4740]

Wait why the red filter

[@CadetBooks]

Hi, the red filter is used at night as it preserves your night vision and is not easily seen by others as white light. Hope that helps.

[@cathalobri4740]

@@CadetBooks oh cool thanks

[@Khilton2000]

You pack what you are told, items should not be optional. Either you have spare socks in your belt order/vest or you don't. You either have a notebook and pencils in your smock or you don't, you have a snack in your CEFO, or you don't. You don't have cadets doing their own thing.