News
July 24th 2013
Swadlincote Air Cadets congratulate their latest Cadet Instructor
Recently, Cadets and staff at 1211 (Swadlincote) Squadron Air Training Corps (ATC), were able to congratulate Cadet Sergeant (Cdt Sgt) Chloe Sartain-Berry (17) in being presented her yellow instructor cadet lanyard by the Squadron Commander, Flight Lieutenant (Flt Lt) Alyn Thompson.
Being awarded a yellow lanyard signifies a cadet becoming an instructor cadet and therefore, is considered to be an important occasion. A cadet has to have successfully completed all of their academic training before becoming qualified to pass on their new skills and knowledge to younger cadets in the unit. Cdt Sgt Sartain-Berry is very instrumental within the Cadet Training Flight where she guides new cadets through their first class training programme. This programme includes teaching drill, introducing them to the rank structure of the Royal Air Force (RAF) and the ATC amongst many other basic subject areas. Now Cdt Sgt Sartain-Berry has successfully completed her academic training in the unit, she will now be awarded a BTEC First Diploma in Aviation Studies which is equivalent to 2 GCSE Grades A*- C.
Shortly after being presented with her Lanyard Cdt Sgt Sartain-Berry said: “It feels great to have achieved one of my ambitions within the ATC, I’ve always wanted to teach younger cadets knowledge I have gained over the four years I have been a part of the unit.”
There are four main stages within the academic training that the air cadets of Swadlincote take part in. These include First Class, Leading, Senior and Master Air Cadet. Each level is broken down into two parts, one of them being a short, multiple choice exam on the computer and the second part being 25 hours of project work taken part in on squadron parade evenings. The unit currently runs several different skills projects the cadets, like Cdt Sgt Sartain Berry can take part in, these currently include: criminology, aircraft recognition, aircraft modelling and sports. Cdt Sgt Sartain-Berry also accompanies new cadets to the local swimming pool to take part in their basic swimming tests in order for each cadet to pass their first class training programme and be issued with a certificate.
1211 (Swadlincote) Squadron opens its doors four times a year to prospective new cadets, male and female aged between 13 – 17. For more information on joining the air cadet organisation in your area, please contact the Squadron Commander, Flight Lieutenant Alyn Thompson at oc.1211@aircadets.org or by phone on (01283) 212629 or visit the Squadron website at http://www.1211sqn.org.uk/
