Captain Ryan Sammons connection to Rutlish School CCF spans nearly more than half his life after joining the school in 1994 as a student and continuing to be a part of the school’s CCF community throughout his Army career, up to the present day where he is now Contingent Commander of the school’s CCF (Army) section. From cadet to commander, Captain Sammons’ volunteer story is one of dedication, service and giving back.
“I’m a very proud ex-Rutlish School CCF cadet, having reached the rank of Cadet Regiment Sergeant Major and then an Under Officer in 2001. After I left school, I joined the British Army where I served in The Corps of Royal Engineers from 2002 – 2010 as part of the 16th Air Assault Brigade and 20th Armoured Division. I was deployed on two operational tours to the Middle East, and I also qualified as a Class 1 Combat Engineer, Class 1 Electrician and Physical Training Instructor.
I continued to support Rutlish School CCF throughout my time serving in the British Army, where I’d come back to help the contingent with parade evenings, weekend camps and central camps when I was able to. At one point, I drove back from Paderborn, Germany to help run a Non-Commissioned Office (NCO) Cadre on a weekend exercise at Longmoor. In a really good way, it feels like I have not left Rutlish since I joined in 1994!
The main reason for returning as an adult volunteer is because the CCF helped to guide, challenge and motivate me during my teenage years. It helped to shape my core values and standards, paved the way for me joining the British Army and gave me the foundations, skills and confidence in succeeding professionally. During my time as a CCF cadet, the adult volunteers became positive role models in my life – they motivated intellectually and physically to push myself and step out of my comfort zone and it has been extremely important to me to give back to the next generation. I feel privileged to serve as Contingent Commander, helping to shape young people, prepare them for life beyond school, and create the kind of unforgettable experiences that only the CCF can offer.
There are lots of rewarding moments when you’re a CCF adult volunteer, but seeing young cadets grown and develop into confident, courageous and interesting young people who are ready to take on the next stages of adulthood after school is incredibly rewarding. Over the past 16 years, I have been privileged to be the ‘caretaker’ of this 105-year-old contingent, which has seen generations of cadets go on to colleges, universities, employment and into adult life in such a strong positive way because of their time in the CCF. Some of the most meaningful moments each year come during our Remembrance Sunday Parades. It’s always a privilege to take part and especially moving to see former cadets return - smartly dressed, often with partners or young families - to stand alongside the contingent once again. Their presence makes the occasion deeply special, and a powerful reminder of the lasting bonds created within the CCF.
Volunteering doesn’t come without its challenges though – the paperwork and the very necessary (but very lengthy) hoops we must jump through when organising events, camps or exercises are important yet time consuming! Qualification courses are brilliant but can be challenging to get one due to oversubscriptions and limited availability, which in turn limits what cadets can do and when. Being an adult volunteer and Contingent Commander is like having a job on top of your career. Be under no illusion that the commitment required is hard work and it can be challenging to balance work and life. But, I would caveat this with the positives and benefits completely outweigh the negatives. Being a part of the CCF is unmeasurable and it’s unrivalled to anything else! The cadet’s smiles at final weekly parades make the hard work worthwhile.
Personal Highlights and Reflections
Through my work with The Veterans Chairty (where I’ve participated in events such as Run to Pegasus, The Forces March and The Falklands Challenges), I was humbled to be made a Veterans Chairty Ambassador in 2025. This is an incredible charity and one which the contingent supports, with cadets recently completing the very arduous Veterans Charity Cadet Challenge, which saw them taking a 57 mile hike across 2 days.
I am extremely fortunate to be in a mid-management career position and work for an employer who supports my adult volunteering. I can work from home each week which allows me to arrange my cadet parade afternoons. My employer also values veterans and the cadet forces and is a member of The Armed Forces Covenant so the support from my work is incredible.
Volunteering with the CCF is an incredible opportunity, and I’d recommend it to anyone. It’s a chance to make a real difference in young people’s lives while giving yourself a positive break from the pressures of everyday life. When you’re out on parade, at camp or on an exercise, nothing else matters - you’re fully present, sharing unforgettable experiences with the cadets. The CCF brings together people from every walk of life, and that diversity is one of its greatest strengths. None of my staff are teachers, which means the relationships we build with our cadets are uniquely positive and quite different from those in many other contingents.
Give volunteering a try - if it’s not for you, at least you’ll know. But chances are, like so many others, you’ll love the experience and find yourself completely hooked. As the saying goes, “It’s better to try and fail than fail to try.”
Outside of volunteering, I am a keen fitness fanatic, and my hobbies include the gym and supporting Men & Mountains, which is an organisation close to my heart.
The CCF is an organisation that is filled with purpose, it’s awesome and it’s full of laughter!”
Thank you so much to Captain Sammons for sharing his story and for the unwavering dedication and support you have given to the CCF over the years!