News
December 11th 2013
ACF OFFICER: “I’VE GAINED A WEALTH OF KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE”
An Army Cadet Force (ACF) Officer from Northampton has spoken about how her voluntary role has had a positive effect on her civilian career by building her confidence as well as her ability to lead and manage.
Second Lieutenant Maria Walding, aged 33 years, is a member of Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland’s (LNR) ACF and on a day-to-day basis works as a Bid Coordinator at Travis Perkins.
Maria said: “In my civilian job my main role is to coordinate tenders and bids for million pound contracts for the supply of repairs and maintenance materials for local Councils and Housing Associations. This involves identifying opportunities, coordinating responses and liaising with colleagues across all the Travis Perkins brands.
“I do feel being an adult volunteer in the Army Cadet Force has had a positive effect on my civilian life and career in that I am more confident, self-motivated and have a better ability to lead and manage projects I am involved in.”
Maria explained that her employer has been very supportive of her ACF role allowing her to take time off when required for cadet camps and adventurous training courses relating to canoeing and skiing.
Maria continued: “I have gained a wealth of knowledge and experience from my involvement with the ACF. This youth organisation has provided me with discipline as well as a real sense of achievement when cadets grow to become confident young adults.
“As an ACF Officer your role is to lead, manage and inspire cadets and other adult volunteers and I am proud to be a part of this. Without the ACF I would not be the person I am today.”
Maria was commissioned as an officer in October 2012 and is currently LNR ACF’s Cadet Vocational Qualification Organisation (CVQO) Officer and the county’s Duke of Edinburgh Award Officer. She originally joined the organisation as her father was in the ACF for over 30 years.
If you enjoy working with young people, would like to gain recognised qualifications in adventurous training activities as well as further your leadership and management skills LNR ACF would like to hear from you.
To find out more about becoming an ACF Officer in Leicestershire, Northamptonshire or Rutland call 0116 2779701 (please select option 2 for recruiting) or visit www.lnracf.co.uk for more information.
