Structure
There are currently three RMVCC units, known as 'Divisions': Portsmouth, Plymouth and Lympstone. The Portsmouth Division is based at HMS Excellent, Whale Island; the Plymouth Division is based at RM Stonehouse; and the Lympstone Division is based at the Commando Training Centre RM, near Exeter. Each Division is autonomous, there being no single RMVCC HQ. However, rules laid down by FOSNNI (see below) are followed by each Division. The RMVCC is staffed by civilian adult volunteers, some of who have previous military experience, and serving volunteers who provide support in addition to their existing duties. The Commanding Officer of each Division is usually a serving Royal Marines or Royal Navy officer from the parent establishment.
The RMVCC is sponsored by the MOD which provides some funding to each unit. The organisation is overseen by the Corps Colonel Royal Marines and the Youth Training team of Flag Officer Scotland, Northern England and Northern Ireland. The ceremonial head of the RMVCC is the Colonel Commandant Royal Marines Cadets (CCRMC), currently Colonel Paul Cautley CMG DL RMR. Additional funding is usually self-raised through events and display groups, plus donations and subscriptions/joining fees paid by the cadets.
Whilst there may be variations between each Division, in general the RMVCC will accept boys and girls between the ages of 10 and 17 who can serve until their 18th birthday.
Boys and girls enter as a Recruit, and having 'passed out' at the end of their basic training become a cadet. Command Courses allow the cadets to progress up through the ranks:
- Recruit (Rct).
- Marine Cadet (MC or Cdt).
- Marine Cadet 2nd Class (MC2) (not in use by the Portsmouth Division).
- Marine Cadet 1st Class (MC1) (not in use by the Portsmouth Division).
- Lance Corporal (LCpl).
- Corporal (Cpl).
- Cadet Sergeant (Cdt Sgt).
- Cadet Colour Sergeant (Cdt CSgt).
- Cadet Warrant Officer 2 (Cdt WO2).
- Cadet Warrant Officer 1 (Cdt WO1).
Ranks for uniformed adult volunteers are:
- Sergeant (Sgt).
- Colour Sergeant (CSgt).
- Warrant Officer 2 (WO2).
- Warrant Officer 1 (WO1).
All ranks for cadets are preceded by the word 'Cadet' (or 'Cdt') and uniformed staff have the post-nominals 'RMVCC' to ensure no confusion with serving personnel in HM Armed Forces. The most senior cadet in each Division can be appointed the Cadet Regimental Sergeant Major (Cdt RSM) if they meet and exceed minimum criteria of standards.
Read more about this topic: Royal Marines Volunteer Cadet Corps
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