Wg Cdr Singh & Capt Ashman-Jones on Inspiring the Next Generation

To mark the conclusion of National Cadets Week, two of Brentwood School’s Combined Cadet Forces (CCF) leaders look back on where their journeys began.

Contingent Commander Wg Cdr Sarb Singh RAFAC and OC Army Section Capt. Andrew Ashman-Jones share their personal stories of transitioning from 13-year-old cadets to Cadet Forces Adult Volunteers (CFAVs).

From gliding scholarships and national band competitions to building lifelong resilience, confidence and camaraderie, read their stories below on how the CCF shaped their lives and continues to inspire nearly 500 cadets at Brentwood School today.

Contingent Commander Wg Cdr Sarb Singh RAFAC:

I still clearly remember being issued with my RAF Air Cadets uniform at the age of 13 at Brentwood School; the SSI at the time, RSM White, was a retired Warrant Officer in the Parachute Regiment.

The opportunities provided to me as a cadet, particularly by RSM White and the RAF Section Officers at the time, helped shape me and the many who had the privilege of being under their care into who we are today.  I enjoyed completing my gliding scholarship at the age of 16, racking up 12 hours of AEF, shooting, RAF Camps at RAF Sealand and RAF Kinloss, and Army Detachment camp in Sennelager, Germany, to name but a few.

When I came back to Brentwood as a member of staff, I quickly found myself volunteering with the CCF. We often talk about how the CCF develops cadets, but the same is also true for staff. I have had the privilege of working with some great people (many of whom I consider my closest friends) from across the cadet force organisation, from CFAVs to regulars and reservists, with one aim in view: to ensure we can provide the best possible opportunities for our cadets and volunteers.

Being Camp Commandant for camps in the UK and in Cyprus pushed and challenged me in more ways than one, as did being Course Commander for a cadet leadership course in the South of England, working with an amazing team of adults on the Air Cadet Leadership Course and being selected to be the UK Escorting Officer for the International Air Cadet Exchange to New Zealand. Each of these opportunities has helped shape me as an individual.

The core principles of the CCF: Courage, Discipline, Respect, Integrity, Loyalty and Selfless Commitment were instilled in me as a cadet, and now as Contingent Commander of just under 500 tri-service cadets, I hope to inspire each of them to push themselves out of their comfort zone, to treat each experience as a learning opportunity and to be better versions of themselves.

If you are an adult reading this and have some spare time to volunteer with the cadet forces, please do approach your nearest unit. You will not regret it.

Army Section Capt. Andrew Ashman-Jones:

My cadet experience started when I first took an interest in aviation at school in Year 9, and I soon developed the dream of becoming a pilot in the Royal Air Force. I visited the Southend-on-Sea 1312 Air Training Corps Squadron and took some friends with me to meet other cadets there. I was inspired by the camaraderie, the smart uniforms, impressive drill and excited about sharing similar interests with the cadets already in uniform. It seemed the perfect way of learning more about the Armed Forces, but I was surprised to find out just how many other opportunities there were to get involved with.

I never expected to have gained so much from the experience of joining the Air Training Corps at 13 years old. I remained in the cadets until going to university, and in just 4 years I had numerous flying hours under my belt, attended the National ATC Camp 2000, became a cadet musician where we won the National Marching Band Competition twice (pictured below), performed with the RAF Regiment Band (and Kate Winslet!) on three band camps, went shooting, completed the RAF swim survival course, went on various adventure training exercises and so much more.

Now, many years later as a Cadet Forces Adult Volunteer, I look back and realise it was not only the opportunities that were afforded to me but the less seen aspects that had truly developed my character. My social skills, sense of community, my confidence, my courage, my self-discipline. All through the way the cadet curriculum is designed and delivered.

I look back, and I am reminded of so many fond memories, experiences and above all, a lot of fun! This is exactly the reason for me wanting to enable cadets today to be able to enjoy such opportunities, develop themselves by pushing them out of their comfort zone and to make memories that will last a lifetime.

Read more about the Combined Cadet Force at Brentwood School here.