Always wondered why we don’t use a former Air Cadet as an Ambassador.
Gives them the opportunity to be like “I was part of the ACO/RAFAC and look how much I’ve achieved” and also use their connections in their respective industry.
Doesn’t just need to be successful military sorts but other STEM fields could work eg. Senior Engineer at Rolls Royce, Consultant at Great Olmonds Street etc.
That’s what the Scouts seem to do.
That would include either Mandy Hickson or Liz McConerky.
Apparently Bear Grylls is about to become available.
That would make for an interesting “heat injuries prevention strategy” amendment under “remaining hydrated”…
Army have got Bear
https://www.army.mod.uk/news-and-events/news/2024/07/bear-grylls-joins-forces-with-british-army/
He probably fancies doing some flying/gliding/parachuting.
That uniform suits him better, to be fair.
well he was SAS - he should know how to wear the uniform!
And he’s wearing a sandy coloured beret to which he is entitled .
He was (or is?) an honorary RM colonel too
Solid creases on those sleeves.
Some of the blokes I know might have tailored their shirts so they are short sleeved
As they should have.
They’re welcome to him. Whilst he did much good work in his time as Chief Scout, it never sat well with me, that as soon as he arrived, adverts for ‘Bear Grilles’ branded versions of items appeared in the Scouting magazines. Needless to say, the item weren’t at discounted rates, and were more expensive than ‘standard’ unbranded items from the same manufacturers.
While watching Sprint on Netflix I was interested to hear about this chap Zharnel Hughes. He could be a good new ambassador: young, lots of achievements in sport, has over come challenges but most importantly is mad about aviation and a qualified pilot!
Was he an air cadet?
Moved from Anguilla as a teenager, so probably not
An aviator then? Otherwise, what’s the connection?
I think that, given the situation that RAFAC currently finds itself in, a new ambassador with the ability to influence change and turn things around would be a better candidate than a minor celebrity/sportsperson/rapper.
My suggestion would be Air Marshal Philip Sturley, CB, MBE, FRAeS.
I get that he’s not a ‘celebrity’ or widely known to the cadets, but he’s a big supporter of RAFAC, (ask anyone associated with, or graduate of QAIC), a thoroughly nice guy and a gliding instructor.
He also comes with friends in very high places, both in the MOD and the civilian world. His profile on the ‘Ambassador Partnership’ website reads;
Air Marshal Philip Sturley CB MBE is an adviser and problem solver in international defence and security issues. He has served as Secretary to NATO’s Military Committee in Brussels, Assistant in Chief of the Air Staff in London, and Chief of Staff at the Headquarters NATO Air Command in Germany. He also spent 8 years as Special Advisor to the House of Commons Defence Committee, and facilitates international conferences and events to provide solutions to defence and security problems.