06/10/2026
NATIONAL CADETS WEEK | DAY 1
Today marks the beginning of National Cadets Week — a chance to celebrate the opportunities, experiences and achievements of young people across the UK’s Cadet Forces.
To launch the week, we caught up with Officer Commanding Staffordshire Wing, Wing Commander Richard Vahter, to hear what National Cadets Week means to him, what makes him proud of our cadets, and his message to the cadets and adult volunteers of Staffordshire Wing.
💬 WHAT IS NATIONAL CADETS WEEK, AND WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO STAFFORDSHIRE WING?
“National Cadets Week is an opportunity to shine a light on what the Cadet Forces do for young people across the country, and to recognise the incredible contribution made by the thousands of adult volunteers and supporters who make it possible.
For Staffordshire Wing, it is a chance to showcase and celebrate what happens every week in our squadrons. Being a cadet is about so much more than learning about the RAF. It is about developing confidence, resilience, leadership, teamwork and life skills, while giving young people opportunities and experiences they may never otherwise have had.
It is also a chance to say thank you. Behind every cadet achievement is a team of adult volunteers, parents, civilian committees and other supporters who give their time, experience and encouragement. National Cadets Week gives us an opportunity to recognise and celebrate all of them.”
🏆 WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF WHEN YOU SEE WHAT OUR CADETS ARE ACHIEVING?
“I think what makes me most proud is the sheer breadth of what our cadets are achieving. We have cadets taking part in camps, expeditions, flying, shooting, fieldcraft, STEM, cyber, sport, music, aviation and countless other activities — but the achievements that really stand out are often the personal ones.
I see young people who perhaps lacked confidence when they first joined, standing in front of others and leading a team. I see cadets taking on responsibility, supporting younger members, overcoming challenges and discovering abilities they didn't know they had.
Of course, we are proud when Staffordshire Wing cadets perform well in competitions or achieve wider recognition, and we should celebrate those successes. But ultimately, I am most proud when I see a cadet becoming a more confident, capable and well-rounded young person because of their time with us.
That’s what the Cadet Forces are really about.”
📣 WHAT MESSAGE WOULD YOU GIVE TO OUR CADETS, ADULT VOLUNTEERS AND SUPPORTERS?
“My message would simply be: ‘be proud of what you are part of.’
To our cadets, be proud of yourselves and of what you achieve. Take every opportunity that comes your way, challenge yourself, and don’t be afraid to try something you’ve never done before. You never know where it might lead.
To our adult volunteers, be proud of your units, your cadets and your teams. The time you give, often alongside demanding jobs and family commitments, makes an enormous difference to young people’s lives. You don’t always get to see the long-term impact of what you do, but it is there.
And to our parents, families, civilian committees and other supporters, be proud of the part you play. Thank you for standing behind our cadets and our volunteers. The Cadet Forces are a team effort.
National Cadets Week is a reminder that we should celebrate that whole team — and I am incredibly proud to be part of it.”
✨ COMING UP THIS WEEK...
Throughout National Cadets Week, we’ll be showcasing the people, activities and achievements that make Staffordshire Wing RAF Air Cadets such a fantastic organisation to be part of.
Follow along throughout the week as we celebrate our cadets, our volunteers and our communities. 💙
