Hi there - I think you’ve received an enormous amount of really helpful advice already, but I thought I’d throw in a couple of points from someone who was a cadet and (much) later a CFAV…
Trying to be as pragmatic as possible… for a start, the amount of activity being delivered has been slashed since Covid, but this in my mind had already been wound back from my youth.
This isn’t your fault, your Sqn’s fault or even your Wing’s fault necessarily - I think it’s reflective on the stresses of everyone’s workloads - their availability and to an extent enthusiasm to deliver.
Admin burden is sucking up a LOT of volunteers’ time.
All in all, where there may have been multiple opportunities for certain activities, this may be wound back to just one occasion - and naturally demand is exceeding supply.
As for “recognition” - is it that you you’re looking for a bit of praise, along the lines of “well done for achieving XYZ” or “look cadets - this person is who you should be looking up to…” - or, is it form the point of view that you want to feel “noticed”, that you’re doing all the activities etc and trying to get on, and demonstrating this at every opportunity - but that you’re not “known” about on Wing - which is why you fret abojt being overlooked…?
If it’s the latter, then I’d certainly share some concerns - as undoubtedly you always see certain cadets that seem to “always” be the “anointed one”… and frankly, there can occasionally be some unfair reasoning behind this - but at the same time, it is often because the individual has been quite proactive about getting themselves out there.
As for being selected for key activities such as IACE, QAIC or JL - because of the exclusivity of all these events, I would have the light that it was likely you’d only get a crack at going on one of them… but that certainly wouldn’t stop me from bidding for all three!
What has heartened me the most in your initial post was that you recognised the positive impact on your OWN personal growth and development.
THIS to me is what staff always hope for… and often only really comes home to individuals long after they’ve left.
As with everything in life - enjoy the journey - do the courses / activities that inspire and interest you, or which you can see could have a very positive effect on your future education and career. If along the way, or at the end of the journey there’s an extra treat, then so be it.
To help with raising your profile and enhancing your chances of being selected for those big ticket activities - perhaps try to engineer an opportunity to speak to them, and ask how did they get there (without asking “what’s so special abojt you then?)
Being as well qualified and experienced as you are, I suspect you ARE already on the staff’s radar.
Is there a member of staff that you can speak freely with, to raise your concerns?
As has been mentioned above - ultimately all staff want to see their cadets excellent and exceed their own expectations - there’s an immense sense of “m/paternal pride” of your cadets shining above others - so maybe ask them, if there’s something you found be doing better…?
If this was work, and you felt that you were being overlooked - your best move would be to discuss it with your line manager - to share your concerns and to ask for pointers SAS to how you could make yourself “promotion ready” or given the plum jobs etc.
If you don’t give the bosses the chance to help you - then change os likely to be harder to come by, if at all.
Often, candidates that I’ve encountered that have been on either IACE or QAIC, or who have been given once in a lifetime back seat rides in Hawks etc, it has often been as recognition for over and above commitment, in terms of laying back into the Corps - typically instructing / leading / supporting etc.
Could you possibly try and carve out your own little world at delivering something that is under catered…?