The West Midland RFCA Podcast
A monthly look at all the latest from West Midland Reserve Forces & Cadets Association.
The West Midland RFCA Podcast
Volunteers Week: Celebrating Cadet Force Adult Volunteers
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Our Volunteers Week special is a celebration of the incredible Cadet Force Adult Volunteers who give their time, energy and experience to support young people across the West Midlands.
In this episode, we hear four inspiring conversations with CFAVs from across the region: a Head of A-Level Chemistry supporting the Combined Cadet Force in his school; a Royal Air Force Air Cadets officer who gained so much from Cadets herself that she returned as a volunteer and became Officer Commanding; a serving member of the Armed Forces working on nuclear submarines who still gives up weekends to support the Sea Cadets; and a long-serving RAF Air Cadets volunteer with more than two decades of dedicated service.
Together, their stories show the extraordinary range, commitment and heart behind volunteering. From leadership and confidence-building to friendship, community and service, this episode shines a light on the people helping young people discover what they are capable of.
Timestamps
0:07 - Introduction
2:30 - What does a Cadet Force Adult Volunteer do?
5:23 - Flight Lieutenant Saffron Ferrera, Officer Commanding, 888 Oldbury Squadron
14:42 - What is a Combined Cadet Force?
16:53 - Acting Lieutenant Connor Scott, Royal Navy Section Commander, The Phoenix Collegiate
28:36 - Lieutenant Commander Andy Rose, Executive Officer, TS Sutton Coldfield
34:33 - Diana Edwards, Wing Staff Officer, RAFAC Birmingham & Warwickshire Wing
44:00 - Reflections and close
Links:
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Hosted & produced by Tom Kwei
Music by Alex Cottrell
Hello everyone, hello and welcome to the West Midland RFCA podcast. I am, as ever, your host, Tom Kui, Comms Officer here at West Midland Reserve Forces and Cadets Association. And first of all, genuinely thank you. Thank you to everyone who has listened, subscribed, shared the show, mentioned it to a colleague, sent it around a unit, posted it in the group chat, or just said a kind word in passing. As this is only episode four, so we're still very much in the early days of the podcast, but it already feels like it's starting to find its feet and crucially starting to cut through. I've had cadets, parents, association members, colleagues, and people from across the local community tell me that they've been enjoying it, which is lovely, because the whole point of this podcast is to give people a clearer, warmer, and more human window into this brilliant world that makes up WMRFCA. And this month's episode is a really special one as it's our Volunteers Week edition. Volunteers Week being a national campaign, a chance to recognize the millions of people across the UK who give their time, energy, and care to something bigger than themselves. And here at WMRFCA, few people better embody that than Cadet Force Adult Volunteers, or CFAVs for short. So across this episode, we'll be hearing from four amazing volunteers from across our region, each with their own routine, their own story, and their own reason for giving so much back to the cadet experience. We'll be speaking to a head of A-level chemistry, who helps support the combined cadet force at this school, a Royal Air Force Air Cadets Flight Lieutenant who gains so much from cadets herself that she came back as a volunteer and rose to officer commanding, a serving member of the armed forces working on nuclear submarines, who still gives up evenings and weekends to support the sea cadets, and an inspirational Royal Air Force Air Cadets volunteer with more than two decades of service to cadets across the West Midlands. So that's four different people, four different settings, four different stories. But the common thread is very simple. Without adult volunteers, the cadet experience simply does not happen. The activities, the confidence building, the leadership, the adventures, the camps, the friendships, the little breakthroughs, the big life-changing moments. All of that depends on people giving their time. And that's what really this episode is about. Not just what CFAVs do, but why they do it. What they get from it, what cadets get from them, and why, if you've ever thought maybe I could do something like this, the answer might very well be yes. So before we get into the interviews, let's answer the obvious question. What actually is a Cadet Force adult volunteer? Put simply, a CFAV is an adult volunteer who helps deliver the cadet experience. That might mean instructing and supporting cadets during weekly training nights. It might mean helping out on weekend activities, it might mean supporting camps, competitions, community events, expeditions, first aid training, sports, music. There's a lot going on. Aviation, leadership exercises. I mean, we're gonna get into this throughout the interviews. But perhaps the most important point to make here is that a CFAV is a trusted adult who helps young people feel seen, supported, and encouraged. Because when people hear cadets, they might immediately think of uniforms, drill, adventure training, and yes, you know, that's all part of the picture. But the heart of the cadet experience is really all about young people growing in confidence. It's about the quiet cadet who suddenly finds their voice, the teenager who discovers they can lead, the young person who learns teamwork, resilience, discipline, and service, not through a lecture, but by doing. And behind so many of those moments is a volunteer. Across the West Midlands region, the scale of the cadet experience is gigantic. Recent figures from 2026 show that we have more than 11,500 cadets across the region, and they themselves are supported by more than 2100 Cadet Force adult volunteers, which includes Sea Cadets, Army Cadets, Royal Air Force Air Cadets, and Combined Cadet Force contingents. So when we talk about volunteers, we're not just talking about something that's on the side. We are talking about the engine room, the people who make the whole thing move. And in this episode, we're going to hear from four of these incredible people. So into our chats now, and for our first interview, we're heading to Royal Air Force Air Cadets Triple Eight Albury Squadron. So I drove down to capture this interview a few weeks ago on a lovely sunny evening in the Black Country there. And it was first quite difficult to spot the building. It was a little inconspicuous. But when I got inside, everything was in full flow, and there was that unmistakable cadet unit energy, you know, busy, lively, slightly chaotic in the best possible way, with lots of people moving around, activities happening, cadets getting stuck in, and that sense that everyone knows where they need to be, even if to somewhat of an outsider like myself, it just looks like a joyous rabble. And Saffron's role, the role of an officer commanding, is a big one. It means leading the squadron, supporting the volunteer team, helping shape the experience for cadets, and carrying a lot of the responsibility behind the scenes. Because the public-facing bit of cadets is the uniforms, the activities, the photographs and the big events, of course. But behind all of that, there is a huge amount of planning, care, and leadership. There are young people to support, of course, parents to communicate with, programs to deliver, standards to maintain, volunteers to bring together, opportunities to create. And Saffron speaks brilliantly about what it means to be part of that. So from Triple A Aldbury Squadron, here is my conversation with Flight Lieutenant Saffron Ferrera. Alright, and we are live here from Tre888 Aldbury HQ on a very rowdy night. You can probably hear it outside, but that is a good sign. And who am I joined by?
SPEAKER_00Hi, uh, I'm Flight Lieutenant Saffron Ferreira and I'm the OC, so officer commanding of the squadron here.
SPEAKER_02And what what's your history with the cadets and your role now?
SPEAKER_00So I joined Cadets when I was 14, and I actually was really against it, and that was mostly because I had to wear a skirt and I really didn't want to do that. Um but my mum was adamant. She said that I quit everything. She said, you have to give this a go, give it six months, and if you still hate it after six months, then you can quit. So I came knowing that this was a six-month thing. That was 11 years ago, and I'm still here. But basically, I went on a camp three months in and it was absolutely incredible. It was at Swinnerton, which is somewhere that we use quite often as a wing, not even far, it's in stone. And it was just so great to bond with a mix of people from the squadron across the wing, do a range of activities that I'd never really had the opportunity to do before. And as soon as I went on that camp, I was like, Yeah, this is for me. I'm sticking it out. Uh and like I said, still here. So it will be 11 years at the end of May. Um, and I I love it. Every Tuesday and Thursday, this is what I did.
SPEAKER_02So, I mean, you're so dedicated and you've risen to this rank of squadron commander. Can you just explain what that actually means and what it involves week to week?
SPEAKER_00Yes, so um I described this as my second full-time job, and I think sometimes it's a little bit more full-time than my actual full-time job. Because with a like nine to five, you can switch off. It gets to the end of the day and you switch off. But with this, um, I don't switch off that often because there's always something happening, you know, there's things that run into the weekend. We're here in the evening, there's always an email coming through. But essentially, I made um the highest rank when I was a cadet, which is cadet warrant officer, and I had some fantastic opportunities, so it was a no-brainer to me to stay on as staff. Um, so once I had that opportunity, I knew I didn't really want to go to another squadron straight away. I wanted to stay at this one in Albury, and that's what I did. Um, and then last year the previous squadron commander stepped down for personal reasons, and I'd already gone through the process of commissioning, so I was um already an officer within the organisation. So it just made sense for me to step up and take the role. And I always saw myself being a squadron commander, not necessarily at this squadron, but I always knew it would happen one day. But I'm so happy that it's actually at the unit that I was a cadet and I'm still able to give back to something that gave me so much, really.
SPEAKER_02What keeps you coming back week on week for so long? It's admirable.
SPEAKER_00The cadets ask me this actually. I do this thing called uh OC's Ask Me Anything, and it's where there's no other staff, it's just me. And the cadets can ask me any question. As long as it's appropriate, I'll answer honestly. Um, and the reason I always say to them is it's for them, it's for the cadets. I was a cadet once and I got so much out of it. And for me, it's it's just them. They there's something special, I think, that happens when cadets get together and achieve great things, and it's wonderful to know that you're leading that and you're part of of that kind of environment and you contribute to it positively. So if it wasn't for them and their determination and their positivity, I don't think I'd feel the same about it. But I have a fantastic bunch of cadets here, and I think that makes all the difference.
SPEAKER_02What do people misunderstand about the cadet adult forces? Because a lot of people feel like you, you know, you serve or whatever, it's a junior army, etc. Like, what do you want to dispel?
SPEAKER_00I think people think you need to fully commit to it, and that's not necessarily true. There's a lot of roles, especially within within the Royal Air Force Air Cadet. Um if you've only got a little bit of time but you want to get involved, joining a squadron civilian committee is great. They meet sort of eight to ten times a year, so the pressure is less. You can be a civilian instructor, which means you don't have to wear the uniform, but you can still get involved and and really achieve almost as much as you could if you were in uniform. So I think the commitment seems quite a lot, but actually you can tailor it to what you need it to be for you. Um, and depending on the size of your unit, you might not be required to go in every night anyway. We're quite lucky here, we've got quite a lot of staff. So if staff members can't make it, that's fine. We have some who just do Tuesday, some who do, you know, every night or can't do set nights, and it just works, I think. So I think you have to kind of find a unit that will work for you. But I do think that you can tailor it and you can give as much as you want to give, which is fantastic.
SPEAKER_02And you mentioned the staff there, and you know, I've only been here five minutes and I came in and I met like six staff, and I'm sure there's way more. Like, how important is that wider team around a squadron? You know, not just uniformed volunteers, but civilian instructors, committee members, welfare sport?
SPEAKER_00Everything without them, it's I couldn't do what I do. Each role really needs to be filled, and I envy the squadrons and that can't do that or struggle to do that because of low staff. We're lucky here that all our key roles are full, and that's really important. Um, and it takes the pressure off me as a squadron commander. I know every night I'm going to come in, and the relevant admin will have been done by our adjudant. Our training officer is prepped the night and has got something in place for all of the cadets to do. And that means that I can come in and just do what I need to do, which is making sure all the cadets are happy, there's no major issues, there's nothing sort of concerning, safeguarding wise happening. Um, so having that full staff team is so important. It also gives the cadets better opportunities because everyone brings something slightly different. So that's great. And I am so lucky to have a fantastic civilian welfare committee. They are the most supportive bunch of people ever. And if I can justify what I'm asking for, they they won't.
SPEAKER_02So, what is that civilian welfare committee? Can you just break that down for our listeners?
SPEAKER_00So that's very important. It is very important. They basically are our trustees, they look after the money for the squadron, and they're made up of a group of people who have an interest in the squadron. So my mum's on the civilian committee. She joined about nine years ago, I think, after I started really getting into it as a cadet. Um, our chair person, his two sons were both cadets here, and he got involved that way. Um, and it's kind of everyone's sort of got a connection in that way. They're either ex-cadets or staff here, or their children or grandchildren were. It's that kind of thing. So they know how beneficial the squadron is and they know how important having access to money and fundraising is because we are a charity and that's what we rely on. So without a supportive civilian committee, it makes the staff members' jobs a lot harder. You know, I might see something when I'm out and think this is a fantastic opportunity for the cadets, like um a game or a bit of STEM equipment, something like that. And it's great to be able to just ask my civilian committee and say, I want to get this, is that okay? And for them to agree it and it not be a lengthy process. So it I say there's three pillars: there's the staff, the civilian committee, and the cadets, and we all have to come together to make this squadron work.
SPEAKER_02And what is happening on this very night? So just to give people a flavour here, because as I say, it came in, uh, drill was happening, everyone started folding out tables, lessons were given. What is going on tonight? Just out of interest.
SPEAKER_00So tonight's quite a varied night, we've got a lot happening. So our new cadets who joined just two months ago are going through their first class training. So they're doing the radio syllabus now and are learning about radio and communications and cyber, which is vital to starting this organisation, really. Our older cadets are doing like a coding taskmaster style kind of night upstairs, and then we've also got some of our senior cadets doing method of instructor. So that basically enables them to be able to teach um our junior cadets once they pass that, which is a very important skill. I'm doing this, which is unique. We've never had anyone doing this before. Uh, we've also got some of our cadets from not just this squadron, other squadrons as well, who are doing presentation skills, which is sort of the prerequisite to MOI, which I already mentioned. It just so happens we have both of those things going on tonight. Um, but we've got cadets from around the sector doing that. So um the sector, our sector sort of covers the black country area. A bit smaller than the black country, but that kind of rough area. So we've got a few cadets from outside of the squadron in tonight to do that training as well. So yeah, we're offering it's not just our cadets who benefit from our staff team, it's users as well.
SPEAKER_02So you deliver training here to cadets. Can you speak about that role of your volunteering?
SPEAKER_00Yeah, so um I do it cadets on this squadron as well, and also across my wing, which is Staffordshire Wing. So I'm on the cadet development team, which is where we train NCOs, so non-commissioned officers. And they're all cadets, but they've been given a particular level of responsibility and are going up the train of command. Um, I deliver leadership as well at multiple levels on squadron and um also at sector, which I mentioned previously, and wing. So they're kind of my two main things that I deliver. And then um I have been assisting with staff development too. So we do something called our adult volunteer induction package, um, and that basically gives every new member of staff the same introduction to the organization. So I've assisted on that and also mockboards for staff members who are hoping to go into uniform and kind of take that next step.
SPEAKER_02But finally, then, uh Saffron, for someone who lists who's listening, who likes the idea of volunteering, but worries they don't have a military background, enough time or the right experience, what what would you say to them?
SPEAKER_00I'd say you definitely don't need a military experience to join this. I'd say you need to be enthusiastic and you just need to be willing. That that's really my biggest piece of advice. Even if you don't think you've got any skills that could benefit the organization, believe me, you do. There is always something that somebody can bring to this organization, even if it's something they don't expect. So I would just say enthusiasm, willingness, those kinds of things are so important here. And you can offer so much to the young people that that join us. So definitely consider it if you're listening to this and thinking about it.
SPEAKER_02Saffron, thank you so much.
SPEAKER_00Thank you, thank you.
SPEAKER_02Huge thanks to Saffron there. Love that chat, and for everyone at AAA Albury Squadron for being so welcoming. Now, for our next interview, we move into a slightly different part of the cadet world, the Combined Cadet Force, often known as CCF. And this is probably worth a proper explanation here because the CCF is slightly different from community-based cadet units. So a CCF is a cadet force based within a school. It gives pupils a chance to take part in cadet activities as part of school life, usually through sections linked to the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Army, or Royal Air Force. And the route, again, we don't want to go too deep on the history here, we are going to do maybe a future episode on just the grand history of the cadets, but in brief, the roots of the school cadet units go back a long way. In the 19th century, the idea of cadet units in schools began to develop after the Secretary of State for War, Jonathan Peel, wrote to public schools and universities inviting them to form units of the Volunteer Corps. Some schools took up the idea quickly, and the first school cadet corps was formed at Russell School in Lancashire in 1860, with other schools following soon after. In those early days, the focus was much more directly linked to military training and home defense. Over time, and especially after the Second World War, school cadet units changed significantly. And in 1948 they became the Combined Cadet Force, bringing together sections from across the armed forces. But the modern CCF is very different, as you're about to hear, from those early school units. Today the emphasis is not on creating future soldiers, sailors, or aviators. It's on helping young people develop confidence, leadership, teamwork, resilience, and a sense of service through challenging, active, adventurous, and of course enjoyable activities. And the combined part matters there too as well, the CCF. So depending on the school, a combined cadet force might include Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Army, or RAF sections, giving young people different routes into the cadet experience while still being part of one school-based contingent. And our next guest, Connor Scott, is a great example of how this works in practice. Connor is head of sixth form chemistry at Phoenix Collegiate. And alongside that role, he gives his time as a volunteer within the school CCF. So let's dig now into my chat with Connor, which we recorded in the school during a free period towards the end of the day. Okay, so can you start by introducing yourself, please, and explaining your role at Phoenix Collegiate and your role with the Combined Cadet Force here?
SPEAKER_04Of course, yeah, I'd love to. So my name's Connor Scott. I've been teaching at this school Phoenix for the last eight years now or so. Um, came as a teacher of science. And then about two years ago, I started taking on a lot more uh of a role in A-level chemistry. So currently I'm the head of A-level chemistry. Summed it out for the last two years, that's been really good. And then about the same time, really about two and a half years ago, I got involved in the CCF as a CFAV. I kind of milled around the three forces, Marines, RAF, and Navy for a couple of months, and then kind of got cemented in the Royal Navy section, and I've just kind of been building my way up from there. So currently I'm acting lieutenant of the Royal Navy Service and section commander of the Royal Navy, which I picked up about six to eight months ago now. Um and yeah, it's been kind of steadily growing from there.
SPEAKER_02Did did you have any past with the cadets when you were younger? I haven't actually no.
SPEAKER_04So I wasn't in the cadets when I was younger. I had a few brothers of mine that were in like beavers and scouts, things like that. But no, no, I've got no previous experience. All the experience I have cadets is what I've gained in the last two or three years, really. And was there a combined cadet force at your school growing up? Uh there wasn't thinking back to me. Not that I know of anyway. Um if it was, it wasn't very well advertised. Yeah, you normally notice the.
SPEAKER_02What made you want to get involved with it then?
SPEAKER_04Because it's a lot on top of teaching. Yeah. Yeah, it is a lot. Um basically I've been teaching for about five years, and it kind of started to get a little bit repetitive, I suppose, day to day. Kind of same thing, same thing out, whatever. So I needed to have another thing that I could kind of think about really. Not to get too big for my boots, but I kind of got good at the teaching bit. So I was like, right, well, let's try and do something else now. So it's kind of I knew CCF was here for the last eight years or so, they've been building it for, and they were asking for more stuff. And I said, Well, I'll come down and have a look at it. And as soon as I came down, I was just like, Oh yeah, definitely, I'll get involved in this. Like the first few weeks would have been, I don't know, a little bit of drill. I think there's a bit of field craft with the Marines. And I was just like, yeah, this is just something different. It's something else I can get my teeth into, and I can just build so much for myself on this. And how does it work day to day then with the teaching? It's tight, is what it is. So as a CCF, we meet or we parade once every week. So on a Thursday we parade for about two hours and we meet up. But that means that on the Tuesday we'll meet up as like a staff force and we'll kind of plan what we're gonna do for that week. I'll be teaching all the way through this as well, like do my normal job. And then on Thursday we'll meet up, we'll parade, we'll do all of our activities and whatever else we're gonna do. But then during the year, we'll have loads of different activities going on. Like this week we've got a staff out doing paddle week and the reservoir with some Lur Cadets. We do our going mountain biking, we do some yomps with the Marines, we'll do loads of random activities throughout the year as well. So it's week by week, it's just planning as much as you can between Tuesday and Wednesday, get it done Thursday, and then reset again.
SPEAKER_02So, this is the second time that the podcast has been to Phoenix Collegiate. In our first episode, uh, we spoke to Bernadette, go back and check out that episode. And, you know, I want to ask you the same question that I asked her. What do you feel like the CCF gives to cadets beyond the normal classroom experience?
SPEAKER_04You see a different side to cadets. I'm gonna keep using the word students and cadets kind of strange because they are both to me. But like you'll have students that I've taught previously in lessons which are very quiet, very shy, you don't really get a lot from them. They'll be very compliant in lesson and kind of go along with it, but that's about the stretch of it. And then you get them into gates and they give them a bit of responsibility, and they're suddenly like a different person. Yeah. They kind of come out of their shell a little bit, um, and you really get to see their personality evolve. So we had a girl, and I taught her, oh god, it must have been going back about five years now. Name's um Megan. She was in year 11, she was quite a shy kid, she was in a middle set, she came fine kids, she's very quiet, whatever. She was kind of lost in the crowd. She came to Cadet, she was in the Royal Navy before I joined this was. But she went through as a Royal Navy cadet, and her confidence has grew and grew and grew to the point where she's now gone into the Royal Navy. Wow. She's a weapons engineer in the Royal Navy, and she comes back to us quite regularly to come and visit and whatever else. But like her life has completely changed because of cadets, because she didn't really know what she wanted to do. She never really heard of the Royal Navy because she's a West Midlands kid, because you know what I mean? Not much Royal Navy around her. Isn't much no. So she's now from the coast and she's going around the world, and she's I think she's just been assigned to a vessel actually, um, a couple of months ago.
SPEAKER_02That's incredible, she's well done, Megan. We we love to hear that on the RSCA podcast. And I mean, we sort of touched upon how it affects your relationship from being a teacher. Like, how is that? Do the kids treat you differently as well?
SPEAKER_04Like, yeah, I suppose they do. I think I mean, as a teacher, the the hardest year is being a teacher the first two years, because no one knows who you are until they get word of mouth around who you are and wherever else. Right. But being then a cadet officer puts another layer on top of that because they see you in a different light, so they get to see a bit more of your personality outside the classroom, and that word spreads as well. So it kind of helps with a lot of the stuff we do as a teaching staff, anyway, with behaviour or relationship building, whatever. All of that is only helped by the cadets because they get to see more of it. Yes, yes in a different light, in different environments. And this is a big school.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, we're in it, we're in an absolutely massive school. You know, we came through, it took us about an hour to get to this classroom on the third floor. There's huge sports fields rolling outside the window. Um how many people are involved with the CCF here?
SPEAKER_04So uh so school first, we've got 1,800 enrolled. No way, students wise, yeah, it's quite a few. And then we've got uh forgive the numbers, they're gonna be pretty rough here, but to be fair. But about the CCF, we've got around. About 120 to 130-ish, I think. And they're spread quite evenly between the three services we have here of Marines, RAF. It's about 10% ish, right? This is what we're aiming for, actually. So a few years back, they had kind of set us a task of getting 10% of the school in CCF, and we're trying to build towards that. And I think we might be close, we might be further away, but you have to forgive the numbers. So yes, so that's our students staff-wise. Um I'd have to figure out by blocks really. So Navy, we've got uh myself and Bernie, who you oh yes before. Then we've got Marines, where we've got about three members of staff, top of my head. And then the RAF has got around about three as well, ish. And then we've got a couple senior cadets who like went to university and they've kind of come back and they help us out a little bit. So we've got a few of them that come back. We've got a SSI who kind of floats around between a couple of the ones as well. So that's Luke, right? No, no. So the SSI is Josh, and then Luke is the contingent commander.
SPEAKER_02There's so many people involved.
SPEAKER_04There's a lot of moving cogs in this.
SPEAKER_02Um, all in all, there's probably like, I don't know, maybe like 10 people in the team. And this is a volunteers week episode. Uh, we're celebrating volunteers, and volunteering in a school environment obviously means giving a lot of extra time outside normal duties. What makes that commitment worthwhile for you?
SPEAKER_04There's lots that makes it worthwhile. I mean, just for the sheer the crack of it, is just it's just fun. It's just a really good time to have, and it gives you something different to do rather than the teaching day in and day out. So that's part of Kind Towards Power already. For me, I've gotten a lot of like personal stuff from it. So personal qualifications is one of them. I was in Windermere uh two weeks ago with the Rafak doing some paddle stuff. I was doing kayaking and paddling and all the rest of it. So I've got a lot out of that um for the future, which will hopefully help me out with it. And I think again, just like just having more opportunity with the students and just seeing the exercise. So I know I keep saying it, but that's kind of what it always is the most important bit, is seeing them kind of progress individually and as a whole group, and then you get to the points where you start giving out awards and giving them ranks and all the rest of it, and they just start to keep growing and growing. It's just it's just really fulfilling, I suppose. It seems it, I get it, you know, it really it really does.
SPEAKER_02And what would you say to of us teachers or schools who might be curious about the CCF but they're unsure where to start?
SPEAKER_04Yeah, I think that's a tough one, really, because it's such a big like you say, it's a big commitment and it's quite a lot to get your head around, especially for someone who's never been in the cadets before. Like there's so many acronyms, there's so many systems, and all this stuff, and like you've got to have some way to kind of hold your hand through at the start. So I suppose at the currently, if I use an example from our place, we've got another school who's kind of joined onto our Royal Navy section. Okay, it's not a feeder school, but it's kind of like they've they're trying to set their own CCF, but they haven't got enough to do it yet, so they've joined onto ours. So currently they're bringing down 20 students a week and they're kind of getting involved in our stuff. So I think my recommendation would be to find another school that's local, it has a cadet force, ask if you can even just come down for an evening, just see what it's all about, because then they can at least guide you with how they started, and then you can start little and just kind of start building up from there. But once you get a few names and a few contacts, everyone's so sharing in the community that everyone will just pull together for it, depending on what you want. So it's just finding a start point, I feel is the hardest bit, but it's just talking, I suppose.
SPEAKER_02No, no, and I agree with what you're saying. I mean, that's what I found. I haven't been in this role too long, but everyone says yes, everyone is happy, especially like yourself, for example. But like everyone is happy to get on that vibe, and that's fantastic. So I guess finally, um, just for yourself, when you see cadets representing their school, their community, or themselves at events, what does that mean to you personally?
SPEAKER_04I mean, yeah, it's just a massive amount of pride, really. I mean, we've been lucky to have cadets in loads of quite prestigious positions. Um, Lord Left Tenant Cadets. Oh, from here, really. Oh, yeah. So we've had, I think, three in the last four years. That's fantastic. We've had uh sea sea lords of uh cadet sea lords and things like that. We're loads of great positions and make you feel just so proud about kind of where they've come from, like and the background that they're on. Like the community is quite deprived community and socially. So to see these kids like go above like what's expected of them socially, it's just it's really, really impressive to see. So that's really good, and then just more grateful, I suppose, for myself to be part of that journey of being like, Well, yeah, I knew that person when they were, you know, X, Y, and Z. Yeah, yeah, yeah. And they've kind of come through and you can see where they've got to me. It's just really nice having that feeling that you've helped them a little bit on that journey to get where they are, where have they ended up? Well, I said last question, one more final question.
SPEAKER_02Uh, what's coming up for the CCF?
SPEAKER_04Well, what is correct? Well, that's in the future. Too much, to be honest with you. Where do I start? Um, so we've got a tri-service camp, which is happening in June, which is basically where we're taking kids from all three sections to Windermere to do five days of adventure training. So that's gonna be great, we're looking forward to that one. We've got uh what we call a dining in night at our place. So we'd like to get a formal event in each year. Oh, great, kind of give out rewards and we can give out new ranks and all the rest of it. So that's happening end of June sometime, but that's like a three uh three-course sit-down meal, all the cadets coming with their parents, all the little white shirts, all the bows, all the ties, all whatever. So that's really good. Um, there's gonna be loads more trips I'm gonna figure out about it. That's a lot, that's a lot coming up for it. There's way too much to say, to be honest with you. Well, Connor, thank you for coming on the podcast. That's been a pleasure, thank you.
SPEAKER_02Great to hear from Connor there. And I think the CCF is such a fascinating part of the cadet picture because it shows how cadet life can sit directly alongside education. You know, you have the classroom on one side and this completely different type of learning on the other. And that's massive because not every young person shines in the same environment. Some come alive through sport, some through practical tasks, some through responsibility, being trusted. And that to me is one of the really powerful things about the cadet forces. They give young people more than one way to find themselves. Right, next up is the Sea Cadets and Raw Marine Cadets. This is my chat with Lieutenant Commander Andy Rose, executive officer of TS Sutton Coalfield. And the Sea Cadets are interesting, they have their own very distinct flavour within the cadet family. Whereas the Air Cadets obviously have their aviation focus and the army cadets have their own field craft and expedition identity. The Sea Cadets are rooted in nautical adventure and the customs and traditions of the Royal Navy. So that can mean sailing, kayaking, seamanship, water-based adventures, and a whole range of skills and experiences that many young people might never otherwise get close to. So anyone that might be familiar with Sutton Sea Cadets, you may have just passed it going down Boldmere Gate into main Sutton park, and you can see the whole cadet unit, and they have this giant boat that actually inside is where a lot of the training happens. So I've always wanted to go into that boat pretty much my entire life. I've always lived in this Sutton park, always seen that boat. So it was great to go out there and visit the unit and capture loads of material and also get the chance to speak to Andy Rose here. So yeah, here's that chat. Okay, and we're back here, West Midland RFCA podcasts.
SPEAKER_03Can you please introduce yourself? Hi, uh good afternoon. I'm Lieutenant Commander Andy Rose, uh the executive officer of training ships at Coalfield, Sea Cadets and Royal Marine Cadets. And what does that role entail? Uh so it's the second in command, the obvious one being the commanding officer's deputy, so running the show when he's not here. I also have direct responsibility for the sea cadets, so what we call the blue side of things, as opposed to my opposite number that looks after the Royal Marine Cadets and the green side of things. So making sure they're all smart, disciplined, well turned out, having fun and all that good stuff, really. And how long have you been doing this? I started as a cadet myself. I joined quite late at maybe 15, turned 18, became a member of staff for a couple of years, disappeared off to university, uh, and then went off to join the Royal Navy. Uh so I'm serving armed forces, I'm a I work on nuclear submarines and have done for nine years. Well, I'm currently not assigned to a submarine, so I thought I'd give back some weekends. So I I've sort of come back and I've been in this position now for about 12 months. That's incredible that you are actually part of the Royal Navy yourself. Is that a rare thing within the cadets? Um, I think the cadets massively helped, and especially in the Midlands, you don't get a lot of Navy presence. Yes, that's true. But as I'm sure you may have already or will already hear from a lot of our cadets, and a lot of them go want to go on and join the the Navy, and it's this is one of the few links to the Navy in the Midlands. And it's what inspired me to join. I wouldn't have thought of the Navy without the cadets. Um and I've you know I've had a relatively successful career because of it. Yeah, yeah, yeah. And we're here on a really busy Friday. So how much of your time are you giving up? Uh loads. Um, I love it. So obviously the bit that's seen by the cadets themselves is is what we call the parade nights, the the the evening training. So that's that's Friday, 7 till 9, and then uh for us Sunday, 10 till half one. But near enough, every night of the week there's something extra on. So we do Duke of Edinburgh training, uh race training. Um, and for me and Ryan, the CEO, there's all the administration behind the scenes, getting them booked on courses, doing all the administration insurances, so on and so forth. I would say I'm putting it up you know at least 15 hours a week.
SPEAKER_02So that's yeah, no, it's really admirable. And excuse the sound, sorry going in the background, but we are on a very busy night or it's a very busy ship, yeah. So this is a whole volunteers week episode, basically. We're focusing on the power of volunteers and you know, you being a CFAV, can you just speak to what people give, really, what people sacrifice? Like, you know, it is a lot, isn't it?
SPEAKER_03Yeah, and the main one is time. Um, and we're we're so grateful for all the volunteers out there that give that time. Um, because that's what we need is boost on the ground. We we can teach anyone the skills they need to be able to sort of pass on to those young people, but it it soaks up a lot of hours. Um, and obviously what comes with that is the enthusiasm. We do have a lot of people come from different backgrounds, so yes, I'm military, but the cadets isn't just a military feed in. There's loads of people, you know, we've got a paramedic down here, uh, a couple of mechanics that work for AA. We've got a wide breadth of experience, yeah, and we try and use all those different skills when we can. So, yeah, if I were to summarize it, say we're we're grateful for the volunteers' time and and their skills from outside the cadets that they can bring in. And what's happening tonight? What's going on tonight? Just to give people a picture of We've actually got it a little bit backward tonight because we've got our Royal Marine Cadets on the water. Now that's not normal. We have our Sea Cadets out most parades, but we like to give our Royal Marine Cadets a bit of a change of scenery occasionally, because what normally they're up to is out in the field doing infantry tactics, stalks, camouflage concealment, that sort of stuff. The Marine Cadets have stolen the water tonight, so we're gonna do some shoreside training with our sea cadets. Got a number of different classes going on. I believe we've got a bit of first aid, a little bit of seamanship. I'm doing some uh promotion like mock interviews with some of the older cadets. Okay. And then we've got our junior sea cadet section, aged 10 to 12, um, which are doing a little bit of arts and crafts. Oh wow. Arts and crafts in the uh in the sea cadets. Yeah, so our junior section, say um makes us a bit different to our sort of uh sister organizations, the 10 to 12 year olds, they get a bit of a taster really, but it's it's a little more tailored towards the age group, keeping them engaged. So, yeah, a lot more arts and crafts, baking, uh making stuff for the unit. But they still have the same standards, they still do the drill and ceremonial, they can get on the water, do a bit of sailing, a bit of rowing. And that means by the time they hit 12, they've already got that bit of background and they can progress through that rank, the ranks that a little bit faster.
SPEAKER_02I see, I see. And finally, I mean, cadets get so much from being here, but what do you get as a volunteer being here?
SPEAKER_03Oh, just the warm fuzzy feeling of seeing them do better from it. There's no point just having a million good kids that come through the door that are, you know, all straight ahead students um in every sports club and going out to get fantastic jobs anyway. What I love are the ones that are maybe maybe struggling elsewhere, and to see them grow into roles here and then go and have successful careers in the navy or otherwise is is it's just it's a fantastic feeling. So for me is it's the feeling of seeing these these children grow into young adults, really. Um I'm dead proud of all of them because I dove so well done it. Thank you so much for your time. This has been great. Thank you.
SPEAKER_02Great to speak to Andy there. And finally, we have Diana Edwards, who has been involved with the Royal Air Force Air Cadets for 22 years, which is a staggering commitment when you stop and think about it. That is 22 years of parade nights, training, supporting young people, giving up evenings, giving up weekends, helping cadets grow, and being part of that brilliant rhythm of cadet life where one generation comes through, develops, moves on, and then another arrives. And one of the really lovely things about Diana's story is that she's actually recently joined us here at WMRFCA as our school cadet engagement officer. So her connection to cadets is not only long-standing but still evolving. And this felt like a perfect place to close the episode with the final interview because Diana brings that long view. She has seen the impact of volunteering over years, not just weeks or months. She understands what cadets can do for young people and what volunteering can do for adults who step into that world as well. So here is my chat with wing staff officer of Royal Air Force Air Cadets, Diana Edwards. So, Diana, you've been involved with the Royal Air Force Air Cadets for around 22 years now. Can you take us back to the beginning? What first drew you into volunteering?
SPEAKER_01So it was really the opportunity to pay back. I'd been a cadet for five years prior to becoming an adult volunteer. And I'd um had the opportunity to partake in so many amazing, unique opportunities that it was time for me to make sure that that happened for the next generation of cadet. And I think as the older you get as a cadet, you come to realise that it's the volunteers that make those opportunities happen. So yeah, it was my turn to pick up that baton and make sure that those opportunities were there for the next generation.
SPEAKER_02So it was fascinating. I mean, you've just joined here at uh RFCA. So we just get into know each other and had a little bit of a snoop on your LinkedIn, and I was just very impressed by the vast range of stuff that you've done, including 12 years as a squadron commanding officer. Can you just explain what that role involves beyond what people might see on parade night?
SPEAKER_01So, yeah, a commanding officer, you're responsible for people. So the cadets, the young people that are the lifeblood of the organization. You're also responsible for the adult volunteers, uh, making sure that they're fully trained and you know competent to deliver the cadet experience. Um, but in addition to that, it's ensuring that that cadet experience is being delivered, looking after and being the caretaker of the buildings that you that you use and linking in with colleagues here at the Reserve Force and Cadet Association to make sure they're fit for purpose, vehicles, health and safety. Uh I akin it to uh the role of a business manager with with young people as well. So, yeah, so quite a quite an in-depth role, but enjoyable because it it facilitates the cadet experience.
SPEAKER_02And this is a volunteers week episode. We're celebrating volunteers here. So when you think about your time with cadets, are there any moments where you really saw the impact that volunteering can have on a young person?
SPEAKER_01Um every day, Tom. Yeah, about every day. There's a quote that I saw um with a picture of a a child with a World War II leather heads like aviators headdress on and a little wooden airplane, and it says, What if I fall, but then what if I fly? And that really kind of struck a chord with me. I was already a volunteer in the organisation, but that's absolutely it. You know, instilling confidence, self-discipline, um, leadership, teamwork, commitment, resilience, communication skills within these young people, and actually really seeing them fly is, you know, just amazing.
SPEAKER_02I I mean, yeah, it's you know, I'm fairly new to the organisation myself a couple of months, about five months, and I've been going to a lot of these squadrons and on the visits, and I am amazed by how mature these young people are, how confident they are. It it's wild what gets given to them through cadets, isn't it?
SPEAKER_01It is, and you know, hand on heart, I can honestly say that I am where I am today because of being a cadet. I I look at the opportunities I had, the things that I did, and they've given me the skill to be able to perform in every aspect of my career that I have done.
SPEAKER_02So, again, you've had a lot of time volunteering, very impressive amount of commitment that you've done. And, you know, a lot of your recent work has focused on the volunteer life cycle, recruitment, onboarding, induction and development. In your opinion, what makes someone take that first step into volunteering and also what makes them stay?
SPEAKER_01I think genuinely when you speak to people, it's a desire to give something back um or to be part of something, um, that belong, you know, that feeling of belonging. Um and I think the reason people stay is because of the outcomes they see being achieved by the young people. And you know, there are times when you think I'm done, I've done my dues, I'm gonna hang up my hat, and then you have an interaction with a group of cadets, and you're like, no, this is why I do it. And it gives you that momentum to keep going.
SPEAKER_02So you've also, Diana, you've also delivered first aid training to both adults and cadets. How important is it for cadets to gain practical skills like that and what does it do for their confidence?
SPEAKER_01I mean, first aid is absolutely a life skill, and and everybody should know how to deliver first aid. And at the start of all of my courses, whether it be the basic introduction to first aid to our recruits and younger cadets, or whether it be the the youth first aid, which is our kind of most advanced for four cadets, I ask the question who's given first aid? And I get a room full of blank faces, but then I say, Well, who's put a plaster on a cut? And the whole room's hands goes up, and I'm like, So you you give you given first aid, you know, without knowing it and without putting the label on it, you've given first aid. But first aid, you know, as well as giving into the cadets the knowledge to help in a life or death situation, and and some of the situations that cadets have out to out in have really been life and death. You know, I've had cadets tell me how they've given CPR to grandparents and and things like that, which is really, you know, it kind of strikes a chord every time. But it it develops their skills, their communication skills, being able to make that call to the emergency services, you know, working with other people in the situation to to manage the situation and deliver aid, using their initiative. Sometimes they don't have a first aid kit. What do we use instead? And also leadership, you know, if there's nobody else there more qualified, taking control of the situation and managing it. So, you know, the skill is is crucial. It's an absolute life skill and everybody should have it. But the skills that the young people develop, you know, are just reinforce what we do as cadets.
SPEAKER_02And we touched on this a little bit earlier, you know, how rewarding volunteering can be, but how it also takes time, energy, commitment, just for you personally, what has kept you coming back for so long?
SPEAKER_01The young people, the cadets, you know, whether it be delivering a first aid course and at the end of them them saying thank you, it was really interesting, they learned something new. Whether it's, you know, a young cadet coming to the squadron at the age of 13 and then going off and joining the Air Force and becoming a typhoon pilot at the age of 18, that's what keeps you doing it. And and sometimes the reality check of, you know, I am here because of my experience and you know that that real peace around making sure that they have the opportunities that I did.
SPEAKER_02Now, for someone listening who thinks I'd like to help, but I'm not military or I don't know if I'd fit in, what would you say to them?
SPEAKER_01Yes, you can. Anybody can be a volunteer. Obviously, there's a a selection process and an onboarding process that goes through to check that they're suitable for working with young people. Um, but you don't have to have military experience. The organisation, all of the cadet forces will give you the skills to deliver the cadet experience. So it's an opportunity for you to give something back, to be part of something, but also it's around your own personal self-development, uh, qualifications, adventure training, field craft, first aid, you know, what have a look at what the cadets offers, and there's opportunities there as an adult volunteer to become trained and to then deliver it to the cadets, but it's skills that you develop along the way, and also now there's the ability to gain qualifications. It's not only just something that you want to do, but it's also actually helping you in your professional life as well, perhaps.
SPEAKER_02That's came up a lot with me speaking to a lot of CFAVs and cadets themselves, that they just, you know, the cadets are very eager to tell you all the amazing qualifications they can get from it. And even just on Friday, myself and my colleague were at Sutton Sea Cadets, and so many of them want to go in the Navy or want to become engineers, and they had no idea of that before they joined the Sea Cadets, but there was some course or something that happened, and suddenly they realized that that could be a path, you know.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, I think you know it's important to kind of recognise that none of the cadet forces are there as a recruitment vehicle for the armed forces. However, because of the opportunities and the insights that the cadets gain into the single services, it does, you know, light a fire of passion within them that that's what they want to do, you know. And that I've had, although I I'm at Royal Air Force Air Cadets, I've had cadets join the army, the Marines, the Air Force, you know, it's about the traditions and ethos that we follow of our single service parents um that encaptures their their imagination and and drives their passion. That that's what they want to go and do.
SPEAKER_02And and finally, then we'll just wrap up, Diana. Looking back across all the roles and years of service for yourself, is there anything you're most proud of?
SPEAKER_01And that's probably a tough question, but um, I think it's being a squadron commander, and that's because you are still at the grassroots, you are still day in, day out, interacting with the young people that make the organisation so wonderful. It's sharing their achievements with them. Um they achieve them, not me. But it's being part of that and sharing in those. And, you know, also the areas for improvement, it's working through those, you know, kind of coaching them through it. You know, it's not it's not all about the winning, you know. There's a lesson in everything that we do, whether we succeed or we don't. So, yeah, being a squadron commander, I think, is is probably my most favourite time.
SPEAKER_02Diana, thank you so much for coming on the podcast.
SPEAKER_01Thank you, Tom.
SPEAKER_02Huge thanks to Diana there, and a massive thank you to all. Four of our guests this episode. Four brilliant voices from across the cadet world and four reminders that volunteering is not one single thing. It can look like decades of service, it can look like supporting cadets in a school, it can look like leading a busy squadron, it can look like helping young people get out on the water, build confidence, learn new skills, and discover what they're capable of. And that is really the message that I want to leave you with for this Volunteers Week episode. Cadet Force Adult Volunteers are absolutely central to the cadet experience. They are the instructors, mentors, organizers, leaders, problem solvers, confidence builders, and very often the people that young cadets remember years later as having made a difference. And if you're listening to this and thinking, I could never do that, I think you should think again, because you don't need to have all the answers on day one, you don't need to be ex-military, you don't need to be an expert in every activity. You just need to be willing to get involved, to learn, to support young people, and to give some of your time. Because whether it's the Sea Cadets, Army Cadets, RAF Air Cadets, or Combined Cadet Force, there is a place for different kinds of adults with different skills and different experiences. And across the West Midlands region with more than 11,500 cadets, that support really matters. So this Volunteers Week, from all of us here at WMRFCA, I just want to say a heartfelt thanks to every CFAV across the region. Thank you for your evenings, thank you for your weekends, thank you for the camps, the training nights, the admin, the safeguarding, the lifts, the planning, the patience, the humor, and the care. Thank you for helping young people do things that they did not think that they could do. And thank you for making the Cadet experience possible. So this has been the West Midland RSCA podcast. I've been Tom Quee. If you've enjoyed this episode, please do share it with someone who might enjoy it too, and especially with anyone who has ever thought about volunteering with the Cadet Forces. We have a huge slate coming up. Very excited about our next episode, which is an Armed Forces Week special. We've got some great interviews there coming, loads of good content, and then we're going into the ERS Awards and annual. It's all going on on the podcast. So we'll be back in about a month's time. Until then, I've been Tom Quee. Bye.