In the excitement of creating the new Sqn website, several cadets expressed an interest in having their views aired on the site, as a means of communicating the realities of becoming an air cadet. They appear here in a variety of grammatical styles, completely unedited.

Cdt Shahid - "ATC Life"

There are so many options open to any average person who joins the Air Training Corps. You will be able to participate in activities such as combat and skill exercises, leadership, drill, camps, Duke of Edinburgh Awards, flying opportunities and gliding and parades and all of these and more options are and can be available in the ATC. One of the initial benefits from the corps is absolute discipline and fitness!

Cdt Dobson - "First Impressions"

My first night that I came here I was quite shy. When I was put into a flight I was quite at home. When I learnt how to march (which I'm not very familiar with) I found a whole new experience. There was quite a warm welcome. People introduced themselves and were quite polite. I began to learn new things such as SMEAC briefs. The speakers were confident. In the beginning I was quite alarmed by the way the CWO (Cadet Warrant Officer) gave commands. I soon found out that that was just to make sure you were aware of the commands. The ATC as a first impression was quite successful, I think. I think this is a great way for people to get experiences to help your life.

Cdt Young - "First Impressions of the ATC"

My first impression of the ATC was how welcoming they were. If you get something wrong they will talk you through it simply to begin with. They do interesting activities on almost all nights. On greens nights you do tasks, which not only test your fitness but also your intelligence. On blues nights you are always improving your drill.

Cdt Nurse - "Flying"

The first time I flew in an Air Cadet Grob Tutor, I had an experience I will never forget. I was strapped in and my heart was pumping. It was a moderate Saturday and I really didn't know what to expect. We went up in the air and did some amazing aerobatics - you could see for miles. When I was in the middle of looping the loop, I realised - this was why I had joined the ATC - and I'm still lovin' every minute of it.

Cdt Bowen - "Gliding at RAF Wattisham"

Last Summer I went on a summer camp to RAF Wattisham. In that summer camp, I went on a winch glider. At first I saw how the glider went up by the winch and I did not want to go up. But on the second day of gliding I finally went up and it was amazing.

Cdt Edmund Darroch - "Radio Course"

One of the exciting things I learnt in the ATC was to communicate in Phonetics. I learnt this on a radio course at RAF Strike Command High Wycombe. This consisted of many enduring PowerPoint presentations but after we had done this, we did a large night ex. It involved glow sticks of many colours, which we were allowed to keep afterwards. All in all it was a great experience.

Cdt Taylor-Gates, C - "Radio Course"

In December I went on a radio course which is specialised in using radios on a course at night while trying to get as many glow sticks as you can, which I thought was rather hard but it's well worth it and I would recommend it to any one. It was at RAF High Wycombe and the course lasted for about three days.

Cdt Green - "Uniform"

The beret is a great way to help us maintain our appearance having to adjust it all the time so it looks good. The light blue uniform forces us to be neat, take care of our uniform on inspection nights and also teaches us to sew badges onto our brassard. Dark blues evenings consist of marching drill. It is fairly boring but you improve a lot. When we wear greens we go outside and do contact and non - contact exercises.

Cdt Roper - "Polishing Shoes"

To polish shoes you get wet cotton wool and put some parade gloss on it, then rub it onto your shoes in little circles until they are shiny.

(Ed: sound advice...if not slightly random!)

Cdt Poursaedi S - "ATC"

Only a year or so long ago, many can hardly remember it, the glorious unit of Britain's finest youths were founded, and they were the Air Cadets! For years these elites of the British 13-19 year old population have trained themselves to the full physical, mental and spiritual potential achievable by the human race. The discipline these cadets have is so great they block out pain.

These hand picked boys and girls have to survive the gruelling test that stretch all elements of the human body to breaking point and beyond. Men and women are made in the Air Cadets, destined to protect Britain and make history.
AIR CADETS
Venture Adventure
(Blood and Glory)

(Ed: We have received notice that Poursaedi S may have been sectioned under the Mental Health Act 1964, is sedated on smarties and unable to receive visitors (as it only encourages him to write more of the above)).