I’ve now had a bit of a new spark. I do go on holiday quite a bit which doesn’t help my position , especially over the summer but in some ways that shouldn’t really impact whether I’m seen as committed. It does ruin my attendance record though sadly to something like 60% at the end of summer holidays.
I haven’t been taught how to take a squad and get the impression that there’s not a convenient time to teach me properly and not just throw me in after some words being said to me about what to do!
The music startup which I have been seeing the OC a few times over the last few months should hopefully help my position but I don’t feel like I can do that until I can take a squad and therefore that’s a priority.
Another (pretty junior) cadet I feel is taking squads all the time and when I was falling in the other day literally humiliated me about how I was marching to fall in , by saying “I don’t know what on earth that was but never mind” when I feel I did it very well (but that is a biased opinion!!).
The competition just keeps getting tighter so I am really hoping that this music group in the winter months will get me somewhere. This part is a long way off but I’m hoping I can get us playing Christmas carols by December and hopefully we can get into a care home or somewhere similar to bring people joy and play (&sing) for them.
Anyway- I’m feeling good and it’s not all promotion but I’d like to do this music startup cause music is my passion
That all sounds really positive - well done!
If a fairly junior cadet made a comment like that to, it would probably have resulted in a tilted head and a bit of a stare… or if I wanted to be really menacing, a raised eyebrow… all the while probably trying to think of something witty to put them back in their box…
Alas… sounds like someone trying to be the big I AM and make out that they’re something special - you don’t mention if they hold rank, so I’m assuming they don’t…
Have you noticed that generally the more senior the SNCO, generally the less of a power trip they’re on…? While corporals and aspiring corporals (sorry, potentially including you here) “try” the hardest to be seen to make an impact?
It’s brilliant that you’re rolling with the music idea - best of luck!
I know you l’ve said that you’re not particularly confident about coming forward, but why not make a point of asking your SNCOs to teach you…? That’s one of their key roles, is to help train, coach and support junior cadets… and it is a duty they can carry out without involving staff…
Go for it! You’re doing really well!
Thanks once again for your advice! I am scared of making mistakes but I am at a stage where I just need to go in and do it, and I think I might have a chance.
The worry is that as I am only a couple of years off 18 and don’t want to leave the RAFAC having only achieved the cadet rank!
Anyway I am pushing forward with music stuff and hopefully my character will be noticed.
I’ll keep you posted!
Don’t be afraid of making mistakes; we all do. What sets you apart is what you learn from those mistakes. As long as you learn from them, you’re on the path to success.
“Experience is simply the name we give our mistakes.” Oscar Wilde
Holding a rank offers no real advantage once you leave the organization. As an employer, cadet experience of any type stands out to me on a CV. I’m not concerned if you timed out as a CWO or were only part of the organization for a couple of years and left as a cadet. Cadet NCOs vary from one unit to another; a Cpl in one unit could be handling roles and responsibilities equivalent to a FS in another. Therefore, from an employment perspective, it doesn’t provide a clear grading ability for a candidate.
What matters to me (and arguably the real world) is how you seized the opportunities the organization offered, how you maximized your experiences, and what you learned along the way.
Lastly, make the most of your time. We’re only teenagers for such a short period, and once we step into the ‘real world,’ life changes rapidly. Take all you can from the organization and immerse yourself in everything it offers. Try not to equate success solely with holding a rank.
FYI, I employ a couple of ex-air cadets, and they’ve been some of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
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I hope you don’t mind me giving you updates - but your support (even though I don’t know you) has gotten me to where I am going.
Last night a miracle happened . There were No JNCOs so I was asked to be the Duty NCO for the night (despite being a cadet!) . I took first and final for the first time and was busy throughout the night and I got told by the cadet sgt that it was all perfect 
(apart from losing my balance on first parade 
as our grounds are on an incline! That was embarassing but not the end of the world).
Looking forward to the next opportunity
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ik I’m new here but your story definitely stood out to me:-
This is a good sign, but also don’t take it too seriously. A version of this happened to me and one other cadet a month before my promotion, not enough NCOs so we were both asked to form up a flight for first parade. I thought ok we’re definitely both getting promoted next but what ended up happening is I got it but the other cadet didn’t. Every cadet and NCO in the sqn thought the other cadet should have got it but they didn’t, turns out it’s the staff who don’t think they were ready. So just make sure you make yourself noticed to staff as well as NCOs.
Absolutely , agree with you 100%, but in context for me that was an initial good sign and it makes me more hopeful, but not expectant.
Some advice I’d give is honestly be a role model good uni giving respect etc but honestly from what you have been doing you seem to be on the right path just do what you doing and keep it up!
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Key thing is to do the basics right.
When we look at promotions (cdt - cpl or higher) it is things like is their uniform good, kit squared away, do they follow instructions, are they punctual and is their attendance good.
That’s before we get into things like are they mature enough or are they ready, as these are measurable standards.
TL:DR be the best cadet you can be and promotion will come.
Thank you. My current concern is the fact that over the summer my attendance can drop to 60% because I go on holiday quite often (and throughout the year).
Privided your absence is notified through Cdt Portal this will not be an isdue
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Indeed, the first filter would be unauthorised absences.
There are plenty of legitimate reasons a cadet might have lower attendance than others. Communications is key.
