News
April 26th 2019
Graduating with pride
The graduation ceremony at RAF Halton
An RAF Reserve has spoken about how graduating from basic training was his proudest day.
Aircraftman Mick Quainton from Lincolnshire completed his basic training last year and jumped at the opportunity to take part in a graduation ceremony in front of his friends and family at RAF Halton in January.
Mick Quainton on his graduation day
Mick explained: “I felt immense pride and I was very thankful to be allowed to take part in the Regulars’ graduation. It gave me the chance to enter my RAF reserve career with a feeling of acceptance into the RAF family.
“The sense of pride I felt and feel whenever I put on the uniform will always be emphasised because I was lucky enough to take part in my RAF graduation.”
The graduation ceremony was for Regular Aircraftmen but several Reserves were able to take part and spent a few days integrating with their regular colleagues, before the ceremony.
Mick added: “I was a bit worried about being accommodated with the regulars as they are much younger but they could not have been more accepting of us and helpful.”
“The sense of pride I felt and feel whenever I put on the uniform will always be emphasised because I was lucky enough to take part in my RAF graduation.”
