One of my roles in my new school is to help with the Royal Naval section of the CCF. This is rather ironic, since I steered well clear of the cadets when I was at school myself as I didn't believe in mindless submission to authority. I am rather less concerned with this now that I am on the 'other side', which is perhaps not too surprising: power corrupts, after all.

 

I hadn't realised quite what 'helping' with the CCF involved however - I have just signed commissioning papers which will give me the rank of Sub Lieutenant in Her Majesty's Navy, and a commitment to attend training in Dartmouth. I was relieved to discover that I won't be called up for active service though, but do get a nice shiny uniform to play with.