by Kaitlyn Edwards

Created on: September 15, 2010   Last Updated: November 30, 2011

I was a shy, quiet teenager. I could speak in assemblies, do drama plays and organise sports matches at school. But anything else, other social situations, and my friend had to repeat everything I said as I was so quiet.

And then, about nine years ago, I joined a cadet organisation. Slowly, I became much more confident.

I was able to gain so much from my time as a cadet. I gained in confidence, leadership, organsiational abilty, self respect, self discipline. I got promoted. I made achievements. I did some amazing things that I would never have had the chance to do had I not been a part of that organisation. I made some really good friends.

As I was approaching my 20th birthday, I realised that soon, I would be too old to be a cadet much longer.

I would miss the organisation, the opportunities, the people who, whilst not exactly close friends, were people I enjoyed talking to at events. I would miss the discipline, the routine. Hell, I would even miss the uniform. And that made me sad.

The organisation was run by volunteers. So, me and a friend, a fellow cadet also approaching his 20th talked and discussed how we could continue in the organisation. I decided that I would become a volunteer within that organisation. I've been there almost four years now.

Initially, I guess my motives were selfish. I didn't want to not be involved with that organisation. But now, I enjoy being able to help the cadets, encourage them to try new activities, to develop new skills, to gain confidence, to get promoted. I know I make a difference to their time with the organisation, to giving them something to do, something to enjoy, a way to help them grow up, to develop as people. There is one cadet there at the moment, and when he joined about 18 months ago, he was terribly shy, quiet and lacked so much confidence. He has just been awarded best cadet on squadron.

I know I have skills, developed both within the organisation and outside, too, which are useful to the cadets at my squadron and other cadets at other local squadrons. I gained so much from my time as a cadet in that fantastic organisation that I think it is only fair that I give something back to young cadets there at the moment.

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