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My life as an Air Cadet

The Combined Cadet Force (CCF) which is made up of Navy, Army or RAF sections has a significant impact within a school but what kind of effect does it have on a pupil and how do the experiences they have in the CCF help them get a head-start in life?

Cadet Flight Sergeant Aaron Trevor is an RAF section cadet at The King’s School in Grantham, below he outlines why he joined the CCF, what it has taught him and where he hopes it will take him.

The RAF Section during a Remembrance Parade

“I joined the CCF as an over excitable year eight with few future aspirations. I joined the CCF as a way of being involved with the school’s extra-curricular life but soon realised that the CCF is more than ‘another extra-curricular activity’ because the camaraderie is unmatched, with the Army and RAF section working side by side.

“We help in the local community with the Royal British Legion Poppy appeal every November. Also we have recently helped with a Woodland Trust project to plant many hundreds of trees over the past four years to commemorate the centenary of the First World War. Camping is also a really big aspect; with summer camps, camps in school holidays, camps over weekends and exercises all through the year. Putting up a tent, learning to enjoy spending time outdoors and looking after yourself are skills for life that I would not have learnt without the CCF.

“It may seem like a novel thing, looking out the window of an aeroplane as you go on holiday, but to look out of the window and see your house all whilst you are in control of the aircraft is a surreal experience, especially for a 13-year-old. Flying is one of my favourite activities, the feeling of taking off and landing on the runway where so many past, present and future RAF pilots have taken off and landed is quite simply, great! For aspiring RAF pilots, such as myself, it is a small step in the right direction towards hopefully a long career as a pilot.

Aaron at the dining in night

“The Air Cadet Pilot Scholarship is awarded to very few cadets from all over the country every year. In the past four years, three cadets from The King’s School have been successful in applying for this scholarship, the third being myself. It feels so good to be one of a select few and having the opportunity to take the next step on a potential career, I am extremely grateful to have so many supportive staff who are always pushing to help us achieve more.   

“I have gained so much in terms of leadership from the CCF, from being a junior three years ago to being a Staff Cadet in the RAF Section at the present time. Leading parade every Thursday afternoon is surreal, helping a group with no previous experience and to develop them to become individuals with leadership and followership skills that are transferable through life.”