Army cadet’s Canadian trip of a lifetime

Army cadet’s Canadian trip of a lifetime

4 December 2013

FIFTEEN year-old Taylor Gribbon is the envy of his classmates at Saintfield High School having just returned from the adventure of a lifetime.

The Ballygowan Army Cadet recently took part in an 18-day expedition to the Canadian Rockies and Alaska where he met every challenge the great outdoors could provide.

The teenager participated in assault rifle training, abseiling, canoeing, cycling and hiking and a 30 hour solo “wild country survival” exercise.

Ironically, the opportunity to take part in the 18-day adventure only arose because at just 15 years old, Taylor was judged too young to a tackle Cadet 3 Star training programme.

“Even though I am young to be heading for that level, I was keen to keep pushing my Cadet training along for I really enjoy it and get a tremendous sense of achievement and satisfaction with each goal reached,” he explained

“My disappointment didn’t last long however, for my Company Sergeant Major suggested I try out for this once in a lifetime course and I was absolutely thrilled to get one of the 12 places open to Cadets from right across the UK.”

Taylor said he learnt a lot of new skills, made lots of new friends and discovered a lot about himself which, in turn, has helped him in the cadets since his return.

He continued: “The training course makes you push yourself to new limits and helps you realise your own potential as an individual and as part of a team.

“My personal highlight was the time in Alaska. We were taken on a flight over the mountains there and the views were absolutely breathtaking.”

The Army Cadets’ Ballygowan Detachment meets on Wednesday evening between 7pm and 10pm. For further details log on at armycadets.com/county/2nd-northern-ireland-battalion-acf/