A great way to make friends, focus on your development and to find purpose.
Those were just a few of the reasons why learners at the ASI say they had joined up with Cadet organisations as the Air & Space Institute (ASI) Newark celebrated the end of Cadet Week last Friday.
National Cadets Week is an annual celebration of everything the cadet movement stands for, developing young people, building communities, and inspiring the next generation of citizens and volunteers.
Curriculum Director at the ASI, Jason Pimborough, himself a Squadron Leader for the Royal Air Force Air Cadets, said: "We thought it would be a really good idea to celebrate the successes and the great things that happen every day with our cadets and adult volunteers that are involved with cadet organisations. We arranged a lunch to bring all of our cadets together.
"I'm responsible for 8 squadrons across Derbyshire, it's a great thing to be involved with. I joined as a 13 year old lad and really enjoyed it, then rejoined as an adult volunteer years later to really get involved.
"We are a training organisation that helps develop young people. We offer specialist training such as shooting, adventure training, archery, cyber and space to name a few.
"For Air Cadets, we focus on air and cyber and the talent pipeline often leads to cadets joining the Royal Air Force or the armed forces in general. However, it's not just the armed forces benefiting. Being part of the cadets means you are a more well-rounded and prepared individual for the world of employment."
Luke Renfree, who studies Military and Defence Engineering at the ASI, said: "I'm part of Nottinghamshire ACF, which is the Army Cadet Force. I joined a few years ago and I was a shy kid who didn't want to speak with people. I'm now an open person and I've come really far. We've done field craft, camping and cooking outside it's really very exciting.
"We also go on camps, meet all kinds of interesting people and get to represent ourselves at events like Remembrance. In the future, I hope to join the RAF or BAE Systems and cadets has prepared me for that."
Libby Evans, who studies Civil Engineering at the ASI, said: "We do a lot of physical things in Army Cadets, we are currently completing our Duke of Edinburgh Award and so going on expeditions for that is fun.
"We do a lot with the Royal Artillery too. I study engineering and it helps me figure out what to do with my future. It might help me get into the royal artillery and help fix things like the chinooks. My advice to any young person thinking about joining is to go for it. You'll make a lot of friends and learn a lot of new things."
To learn more about Cadets, visit the website here:The Ministry of Defence cadet forces - GOV.UK
Find out more about our pathways here: https://asi-newark.co.uk/
