A Century of Service: Trinity's CCF Today - By Anthony Muirhead (Class of 2004), Contingent Commander

When I was recently appointed Contingent Commander of Trinity’s Combined Cadet Force (CCF), it marked a somewhat unexpected but welcome return to my roots. It certainly wasn’t something I’d anticipated when I first met the then-SSI, Major Mel Thompson, back when I joined Trinity as a 13-year-old straight from prep school. Major Mel was not quite the sort of chap I was used to – but under his inspiring leadership, I found purpose and challenge in the CCF. That experience undoubtedly helped shape what has become a fulfilling career from what began as an enjoyable school activity.

Today’s CCF is both completely different and exactly the same. While uniforms, equipment, and opportunities have evolved, the core purpose remains unchanged: to offer cadets unique experiences for personal growth, leadership, and resilience within a military-themed youth organisation. It is, without doubt, one of the most varied and distinctive environments in which Trinity pupils can develop.

The Corps currently has around 140 cadets across our three sections and is enjoying renewed momentum following a dip in numbers after the COVID-19 pandemic. Parade nights still take place every Monday, providing a weekly structure for training, leadership development, and camaraderie. From regular sessions on campus to immersive field exercises, cadets continue to rise to challenges that few other school activities can replicate. Recent highlights reflect the ambition and scale of what’s on offer. Our cadets visited the Firefighting and Damage Repair Instructional Unit (DRIU) at HMS Excellent – a naval simulator used to train Royal Navy personnel in emergency shipboard procedures. Cadets were tasked with plugging leaks as water flooded in, all while the simulator pitched and rolled to mimic real conditions at sea.

Meanwhile, summer training took us abroad. At Bloodhound Camp in Cyprus, the Army Section carried out joint exercises with the Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment, while the RAF Section was hosted at RAF Akrotiri. These opportunities not only test physical stamina but also develop teamwork, problem solving, and self-belief in a very real-world context.

The year ahead promises to be an exciting one. In 2025–26, we mark the official centenary of Trinity’s CCF – although the Corps actually predates this by ten years. Celebrations will include a centenary banquet at the Cavalry and Guards Club on Saturday 18 October, and we warmly invite all former cadets and members of the Trinity community to join us. Partners are very welcome.

Soon after, Trinity will host the YOU London Leadership Conference over the weekend of 1–2 November, welcoming cadets from across London’s uniformed youth organisations for a weekend of skills-building, confidence training, and, we hope, genuinely inspiring talks from experienced leaders. If any member of the Trinity community would be willing to speak about leadership from their own professional journey, I would be delighted to hear from you.

We’ll round off our centenary year with a Biennial General Inspection in Spring 2026 – more details on that to follow.

Whether you’re a former cadet, a supporter of youth development, or simply interested in reconnecting with this part of Trinity life, this is a moment to celebrate over a century of service, challenge, and opportunity. I look forward to seeing many of you during the year ahead.