Value of teamwork drilled home at Sea Cadet Camp
WE WERE extremely proud to represent our Unit Training Ship (TS) Tiburon at the annual Sea Cadet Camp at the SAN Barracks in SAS Simonsberg last month.
It was a great honour and privilege for us to have been part of this encouraging environment and experience the “Navy Way” of life.
In life we all should be a TEAM – Together Each Achieves More.
Once we realise this, then our units will be stronger, more efficient and we will reach the goals set even quicker and with the utmost accuracy.
Upon arrival at the Sea Cadet Camp, all the cadets from eight participating units throughout South Africa were divided into divisions – SAS Amatola, SAS Mendi, SAS Isandlwana and SAS Spioenkop.
This gave us the opportunity to get to know one another, learn to work together, share our strengths, abilities, knowledge and help those who needed assistance.
During the camp, all evolutions were performed as a division or duty watch.
We built friendships, learnt various skills, gained general military knowledge and specific naval knowledge from our officers and instructors, learnt about some naval history (SS Mendi, for instance), and felt proud to be a part of these traditions and service.
Each morning the duty watch performed the Colours ceremony and, at the end of the day, Sunset.
The remainder of the ship’s company mustered on the parade ground for Colours and paid the necessary respects to the national flag and naval ensign.
Thereafter we received parade instruction.
An opportunity was provided to visit the Noon Gun on Signal Hill and observe the firing at precisely noon.
The instructor shared the history behind the daily firing and routine associated with each firing.
During our raft building class, we received a surprise visit from Rear Admiral Koos Louw (Ret), chairman of the Board of Sea Cadets.
This provided an opportunity to show him what we were learning, as well as our appreciation for the opportunity.
The division had made use of the material provided (usually what would be found on a sinking ship), used a variety of knots and lashed the items together in a raft.
The timber hitch, clove hitch, square lashing and round lashing which we were taught in seamanship class were all useful.
During the various exercises and divisional competitions, we learnt the importance of teamwork as well as the ability to work as a larger camp ship’s company.
In the second last evening class, a few cadets from different divisions competed in class competition to build the tallest tower using Lego blocks, paper, straws and Sellotape.
This was a great team-building event as it enhanced the communication skills within the divisions, as well as patience, as each cadet is different from the next. Our division had great fun participating and won the event.
Each day, several cadets were detailed off as the duty watch and their role was to fulfil the Colours and Sunset ceremonial tasks, as well as acting as dishwashers in the galley.
This team also made our popcorn and the galley staff were appreciative of the assistance provided.
The ship’s company participated in various class outings and activities. The naval instructors facilitated the day activities, whereas the sea cadet and reserve instructors ensured we were kept busy in the evenings with fun activities.
Highlights for me were visits to naval ships in harbour, outings on the tugs and lima boats, the Fittest Sailor Challenge, building a sand replica of the SAN barracks and, on the last evening, the camp concert.
Each duty watch had to perform a skit based on a naval topic presented to them. SAS Spioenkop performed a skit on “ubuntu” (respect for humankind).
Time spent with fellow sea cadets during the annual SA Navy Sea Cadet Camp was educational. It gave us a sense of belonging, especially on the open water – through God everything is possible and we can only stand in awe of God for blessing our country with brave men and women who serve in the SA Navy. We salute you.