HMS Excellent Royal Naval Volunteer Cadet Corps

02/09/2026

THE CHALLENGE! IS BACK! 🎉

The new-look The Challenge! Magazine has landed!

Packed with stories, opportunities, achievements and adventures from across the Volunteer Cadet Corps, this edition showcases just some of the fantastic things our cadets and volunteers have been getting up to over the last six months.

And with VCC125 celebrations taking place throughout 2026, there’s no better time for the return of our VCC magazine. ⚓️🎉

🔥 Don’t just hear about what’s happening across the VCC, see it for yourself!

👉 READ THE CHALLENGE! NOW
https://www.volunteercadetcorps.org/the-challenge

📲 Read it, share it and show your friends and family what the VCC is all about!

Want to see your unit, cadets or activities featured in a future edition? Get involved! Send your stories, photos and ideas to [email protected] 📸📝

📚 The Challenge! A magazine for the whole VCC.

07/07/2026

125 Years. 125 Days. One Incredible Challenge.

To celebrate the Volunteer Cadet Corps’ 125th Anniversary this year, we’re inviting our entire VCC family to take on the Challenge!

🏃 Complete 125 exercise reps a day for 125 days during 2026.

Whether it’s push-ups, star jumps, walking, jogging or cycling, every rep counts. Take on the challenge in your own way, at your own pace, and help raise vital funds for:

⚓ Volunteer Cadet Corps
⚓ Royal Naval Association
⚓ The Royal Marines Charity

Everyone is welcome to get involved:
✅ Cadets
✅ Families
✅ Friends
✅ CFAVs
✅ Service Helpers
✅ Former Cadets
✅ Supporters

This is more than a fitness challenge - it’s a chance to celebrate 125 years of inspiring young people, support charities with strong links to our heritage, and show the strength of the VCC community.

📢 scan the QR code (or visit the link in the comments) for more details and unit fundraising pages.

Let’s get active, raise money for great causes and celebrate our anniversary together!

125 Years of Service. 125 Days of Challenge. One Incredible VCC Family.

12/06/2026

Cadet Fest 2026 is this Saturday at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard! ⚓

The weather forecast is looking fantastic, and we’re expecting a busy day as we celebrate the 125th Anniversary of the Volunteer Cadet Corps alongside our friends from the Sea Cadets and Army Cadet Force.

📍Portsmouth Historic Dockyard
🎟️ FREE Community Event

🚌 If you’re planning to drive, we encourage you to use the Park & Ride which stops at the Hard Interchange as parking at the Historic Dockyard is limited and expected to fill quickly. Portsmouth has great public transport links from buses and trains, which stop just outside the Historic Dockyard.

🍔 A variety of food and drink outlets will be available throughout the day, including cafés and catering facilities across the site.

🎤 Enjoy a full programme of displays throughout the day including:

🎺 Band of the RMVCC Performances
⚓ Unarmed & Continuity Drill Displays
🪖 Royal Marines Cadet Drill
🚑 First Aid & CASEVAC Demonstrations
💥 Field Gun Demonstrations
🎯 Tactical Demonstrations
🇬🇧 Colour Party Display

The day culminates with the VCC 125 Parade at 2:15pm.

☀️ The forecast is looking lovely, so don’t forget sunscreen or hats and plenty of water!

We look forward to welcoming you for what promises to be a fantastic day of cadet displays, music and celebration.

14/10/2025

Challenge Coin Contest

The Volunteer Cadet Corps is hosting a competition open to Cadets and Adult Volunteers across the organisation to design a challenge coin for to mark the 125th anniversary of our formation on 14 Feb 2026. Now is your time to get creative!

Coin details:
* Coins will be 2" in diameter
* Designs need to be one sided
* Full color
* Design must incorporate the 125th anniversary of VCC’s formation
* File submissions must be in PDF

Email designs to [email protected] by 15 December 2025!

Designs will be voted by the Selecting Committee, comprising of senior members of the Royal Navy, Commander VCC and members of the VCC125 Event Committee. The winning design will produced and awarded to every single cadet and adult volunteer in the organisation.

For questions, contact [email protected].

Happy designing!

08/06/2025

🚨 Volunteer Opportunity Alert! 🚨

We’re looking for a dedicated and driven individual to take on the role of Executive Officer (XO) at HMS Excellent Royal Naval Volunteer Cadet Corps!

As the XO, you’ll support the Commanding Officer, help lead the unit, and make a real impact in the lives of our cadets.

📅 Attend training nights and plan activities
🎖️ Support discipline & standards
🛡️ Prioritise safety & welfare
💼 Play a key role in unit leadership

This is your chance to give back, develop your leadership skills, and be part of a proud Naval tradition. ⚓

🔗 Get involved today – message us or email our Unit Commanding Officer, CPO (VCC) Paul Conway, at [email protected] for more info!

07/05/2025

14/03/2025

Exercise First Waves Update

Hurricane “Bob” made landfall last night with widespread destruction across “Longmoor”. HQ VCC has dispatched an advanced party to “sultana” to see if assistance is required. Meeting have now taken place with the Major & Chief of Police, fire are currently burning but being dealt with by locals. HMS VCC are now on standby to provide assistance.

Further updates to follow

09/03/2025

Today the Portsmouth joint Field Gun crew had their first days training.

The morning period was classroom based, we covered Field Gun history, safety on the track, personal fitness and maintenance of the equipment.

The afternoon period was practical training on the equipment.

We were all very impressed with the crews attitude towards safety and commitment. Let’s look forward to a challenging Field Gun season ahead.

12/02/2025

This Tuesday our cadets went on a ships tour of the Royal Navy’s flagship HMS Prince of Wales.
The cadets got to see the various compartments onboard the ship including the bridge and hanger. All the cadets had an amazing time onboard.

31/12/2024

Sir

On behalf of HMS Excellent RNVCC congratulations to you on your MBE

Former Commander VCC, Lt Col (VCC) Ret’d Chris Spratt has been recognised by His Majesty The King in the New Years Honours List and is awarded an MBE for Services to the Volunteer Cadet Corps.

Chris Spratt MBE’s retirement from his role as Commander VCC in March 2024 marked the end of an incredible 42-year journey filled with dedication and impactful service. His leadership and commitment have shaped the lives of countless young individuals, equipping them with the skills and confidence to of modern life. Chris’s influence has not only fostered personal growth in these young people but has also strengthened the community as a whole.

Chris continues to be an ambassador for volunteering within the Royal Navy Cadet Forces.

Congratulations Chris Spratt MBE!