Awards Evening Categories

Adult Staff The Staff Mess
1

Hi all,

We are looking at holding a sqn presentation evening which will give us a chance to catch up on making sure all the cadets’ badges and certificates are up to date and awarded as appropriate.

This will be a formal event with parents present.

As such we are thinking about adding some local squadron awards/ commmendations. Typically thinking something along the lines of best cadet, most improved etc… what are some awards categories that have worked well for your squadron that motivate the cadets, award those who consistently put effort in and positively encourage the slightly less confidence?

2

You’ve got the two big ones.

You can make a best cadet and best NCO category.

Best newcomer or recruit, motivate the new ones.

Sports award, cadet who’s achieved the most or done the most sport in the year.

I personally wouldn’t want too many awards though, cheapens them if lots are awarded.

3

We do annual awards evening so may potentially be too many for what your looking for but our ones are:

Attendance Award -This will be awarded on attendance between 01 Sep 23 – 01 Aug 24. No nomination required.

The Milestone Award - During the previous 12 months, this is the Cadet we have seen go from strength to strength. It can be a cadet or NCO of any experience; it can be a short time improvement or an overall
improvement.

Top NCO - This will be awarded on Flight Points to the top NCO. No nomination required

Top Cadet 1 This will be awarded on Flight Points, to the top Cadet. No nomination required

Top Drill Cadet - This is the cadet that you believe has the highest standard of drill and assists others with their drill.

Top Uniform - This year it is the cadet you believe has the highest consistent standard of uniform (Including hair, shaving, not wearing jewellery etc)

Sports Award - The sportiest cadet, or who has achieved the highest in sports. This could be representing the Wing/Region or Corps, or it could be how much they have helped during the Squadron sports nights, and how much they encourage others in their endeavours.

Community Cadet - The Community Cadet is the cadet who is always willing to do the outside events, the parades, the collection, the ceremonies. Always first to put their name down and works hard within the community.

Top New Recruit - A new recruit (Joined since 05 Sep 23) who has impressed you with their overall
demeanour, their determination and the cadet who you think will do well within the RAFAC.

Top Flight Award - This shield and medals are award to the Flight with the most points. No nomination Required

The Inner Growth Award - This award is to celebrate personal development, and self growth. It represents the journey of growth and transformation of them finding themselves. This award is for the person where progress is still being made, that they still have a lot of nights where work is needed but they have over come obstacles and have made progress in their personal journeys.

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The “cadet’s cadet” - voted for by the cadets, with explanation for nomination

Team work / self less cadet - always thinking about others

“The right stuff” - not necessarily the best achieving - but always cherry, positively minded,

5

Don’t forget about the staff too, voted for by the staff. Ours goes to the CivCom chair and they present it to the nominated staff member.

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This is what we do: https://2497.sqn.ac/presentation-evening-2024/

7

Keep it short and focused. Too many awards dilute the real achievements. When I was a Sector Commander, a Sqn gave every cadet an award from Best Cadet to Best Shoes, it got a bit boring after two hours!

Best Cadet, Best NCO, Notable achivement (such as going out of their way or doing something particually outstanding) and a nice one The Cadets Choice Award fo their opinion on who has done something outstanding.

Best attendance, best uniform etc are what all cadets should be doing anyway

8

Quite possibly, but something like best uniform (or similar) might be appropriate for cadets who might not ever be in the running for any other category. However, certainly not to the extent of some school mentality these days - you turned up for sports day so you need an award so you aren’t left out!

9

Well, apparantley badges are given these days for pretty much turning up reading some of the posts here …so you might as well give every Cadet something :wink:

10

We have a very old award called the Goodfellowship trophy. The cadets vote on the cadet who has helped them in the last year.
It also depends on your Squadron. If you are into say Adventure training or band, do that. We have memorial or ex staff nominated trophies. That way you can invite their family and maybe it will get them interested in helping you in some way. We are an old Squadron, so we also have proficiency - most badges etc, efficiency - ones who get things done. We have a few too many so sometimes we just miss them out! Hope that helps.