Veterans make a huge contribution to the cadet movement as Cadet Force Adult Volunteers (CFAVs) and many help run cadet expeditions, but what’s in it for them?
Veterans play a crucial role in the running of many cadet units and The Ulysses Trust recognises how important veterans are in running expeditions too. We are hugely grateful for the support from our donors such as the Veterans’ Foundation, who enable us to provide grants to cadet expeditions involving veterans.
This year we supported 22 (mostly cadet) expeditions involving veterans, with a total of 61 veterans taking part. Our grants help reduce the personal costs for both cadet and adult participants. Around half of all the cadet expeditions we support involve veterans. Their skills and experience provide a unique contribution to many cadet expeditions and are perhaps a key factor in whether or not a cadet unit runs an expedition.However, there is currently a shortage of adult volunteers in the Cadet Forces – fewer adults ultimately means fewer expeditions. We believe that cadets benefit hugely from veteran involvement and we are keen to support this. Many others share our view and are just as keen to encourage veterans to volunteer.
BAE Systems, for example, is also encouraging its veteran staff to volunteer for the Cadet Forces. Many veterans work in the defence industry so it is potentially a rich vein. One way to attract new blood is to hear from veterans who are already volunteering to find out why they do it. Here’s a slice of feedback from some veterans we have recently supported, highlighting the impact Cadets and cadet expeditions has had on them.
“Running Exercise ‘Red Dragon’ was challenging and rewarding, the challenge of organising the training and then actually seeing the cadets taking part in the various activities. As a military veteran I feel it is still important to look the part and actually be able to take part/instruct the activities. November 2022 saw my 40th anniversary since joining the Royal Marines, I can certainly say that I am still as keen as the 17-year-old who was recruited back in ’82. I look forward to running many more AT camps in the future.”
C/Sgt Ian Wooldridge | City of Liverpool Royal Marines Cadets.
“I’m a veteran and CFAV with SE London ACF and was instructing paddle sports to cadets on Exercise Cockney Venture. As [a] Complex PTSD sufferer as well, teaching cadets paddle sports takes my mind off the noise that normally exists within my head. Green space, doing something that you enjoy and helping to form youth into well rounded young adults is a great opportunity for a veteran.” Lt Nick Lindsay | SE London ACF.
“As a veteran it gave me immense personal satisfaction and a sense of purpose and reward to be able to lead cadets on this expedition to the United States. Going from the regular army to being a Cadet Force Adult Volunteer has also enabled me to maintain my ties with the Army and, in fact, go back to my own roots as a cadet – in my case starting my time in uniform 40 years ago in SW London ACF. I think this has been really important to my sense of personal identity and self worth.” Maj Neil Mackintosh | Tile Cross Academy/Solihull CCFOur conclusion is that ‘Veterans are Vital’ and we will continue to support them in the years ahead. We have also created a new page on our website that features many more veteran testimonials and for more details about becoming a Cadet Force Adult Volunteer, visit adultvolunteer.org