After successfully hosting Armed Forces Day National Event weekend in June, Rushmoor Borough Council is supporting the first National Cadet Week, in celebration of one of the most effective and valued youth organisations.
There are five Cadet Forces; the Sea Cadet Corps, Volunteer Cadet Corps, Army Cadet Force, Air Training Corps and the Combined Cadet Force, with Cadets ranging in age up to 20 years old.
There are eight local Cadet units in or close to Aldershot and Farnborough, with hundreds of members of the Cadet Forces meeting regularly and taking part in a diverse programme of activities, supported by Cadet Force Adult Volunteers.
Deputy Leader of Rushmoor Borough Council, Councillor Sophie Porter, said: "We are fully committed to advocating for Cadets and Adult Volunteers, as we recognise that they are an immense asset to our local area. We were so proud of all of the Cadets who took part in the Armed Forces Day National Event parade and demonstrations this summer, and we know that many people were inspired to join up as a Cadet or Adult Volunteer as a result of what they saw."
Councillor Porter added: "We are also proud to be creating a workplace where Cadet Force Adult Volunteers can thrive. We were honoured to have been recently awarded the Gold Covenant Award for our support of the Armed Forces, including our Cadet Forces."
Local Air Cadet Alexi Smyth has been an RAF Air Cadet with 413 (Aldershot) Squadron for around seven months.
Alexi, 14, joined the Cadets as a first step towards fulfilling an ambition to be an aircraft technician, but since joining, now aspires to be a pilot in the Royal Air Force.
The Alderwood Senior School pupil highlighted Armed Forces Day National Event in June as her favourite experience as a Cadet so far, after volunteering to help. She helped run the flight sims, learnt how to use drones, and obtained her blue wings badge. It was also the weekend when she decided to become a pilot.
She said: "Being a cadet can help with all sorts of qualifications and career paths. I would recommend trying out Air Cadets to any young person considering it, because if you do like it or even love it then it’s a great way to partake in lots of different and fun activities that aren’t necessarily available or thought of easily. Joining air cadets is also a really great way of making friends, especially since quite a few people there have common interests."
The local Cadet squadrons in or around Aldershot and Farnborough are:
Sea Cadets:
- Camberley (TS Diadem)
- Farnham (TS Swiftsure)
Air Cadets:
- 413 (Aldershot) Squadron
- 457 (Farnborough) Squadron
- 2407 (Yateley and Eversley) Squadron
Army Cadets:
- Aldershot Platoon; Farnborough Platoon
- Combined Cadet Force
- Ash Manor School
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