06/10/2026
It's National Cadet Week branch are proud to support them. If you or someone you know is interested in joining the Sea Cadets or Royal Marine Cadets why not get in touch with them directly?
⚓ MEET THE TEAM – LT (SCC) DUNCAN MCKECHNIE RNR
As part of National Cadets Week, we're introducing some of the people behind Ayr Sea Cadets & Royal Marines Cadets.
I joined the Sea Cadets in May 2002, aged 10, as a Junior Cadet. A friend asked me to go along and I then had to convince my parents to let me join. I wanted to go out on boats and try something different. I didn't know at the time that I'd still be involved 24 years later!
I progressed through the cadet ranks and eventually became a Petty Officer Cadet.
In 2008, aged 16, I spent six weeks at Caledonia as a trainee instructor and achieved my dinghy instructor qualification. It was a great experience and gave me the opportunity to take on more responsibility and help other cadets.
In 2009 I went on the International Exchange to the USA, which was my favourite experience as a cadet and my final big experience before ageing out at 18. Visiting New York as part of the exchange was definitely one of the highlights.
At 20, I went on to train as a Marine Engineer with the Merchant Navy. My experience in the Sea Cadets gave me a strong foundation and helped me secure a place in what was a very competitive entry process.
Rather than leaving the Sea Cadets behind when I started my career, I stayed on as an adult volunteer.
I took over as Commanding Officer of Ayr Sea Cadets & Royal Marines Cadets in February 2019, and I'm now also Deputy District Officer for Clyde South District.
Since taking over as CO, one of the biggest projects I've led has been the acquisition and refurbishment of Foresters Hall. It's taken a lot of work from a lot of people, but we now have a home for the unit which we're able to use for the wider community as well.
My current area of interest is senior cadet and adult development. All areas of the organisation are important, but this is the area I particularly enjoy. I like seeing people take on more responsibility, develop their skills and progress within the organisation.
Being DDO also gives me the opportunity to do more of this across Clyde South District, working with senior cadets and adult volunteers from other units.
A lot of what I enjoy about being involved comes from my own experience as a cadet. I was given opportunities to develop, take on responsibility and experience things I wouldn't otherwise have had the chance to do. I now get to help provide those same opportunities to the next generation.
So, more than 24 years after a friend asked me to go along to Sea Cadets, I'm still here.
And I'm still getting to go out on boats!
⚓ 2002 → 2026
