The Diary of a CCF RAF Cadet

It has been a busy and exciting time for Cadet Warrant Officer Dedman, Brentwood School CCF. From recently being crowned the winner of the Sir John Thomson Memorial Sword (SJTMS) for the Most Outstanding CCF (RAF) cadet, to being a finalist for the Cadet Vocational College (CVC) Westminster Award (which included a visit to the House of Lords), Cadet Warrant Officer Dedman has had an eventful few months.

We shine the spotlight on Cadet Warrant Officer Dedman to find out more about what he has been up to and what the future holds for him now that his cadet journey has come to an end.

Pride, Fun and Friendships to Last a Lifetime

“This summer has truly been the culmination of my cadet career! From representing the organisation and the country internationally through the International Air Cadet Exchange (IACE), to reaching the finals of the CVC Westminster Award (as one of just 12 finalists) to staffing the National Air and Space Camp (NASC) as a Qualified Aerospace Instructor (QAI), and finally ending at the House of Lords for the CVC Westminster Award lunch, it has been action-packed from start to finish. Each opportunity has been filled with pride, fun, and friendships that will last a lifetime.

International Air Cadet Exchange (IACE)

The summer began in July with the International Air Cadet Exchange. I was fortunate enough to be selected to visit Belgium, alongside one other cadet from the UK. From the moment we arrived, we were warmly welcomed by our Belgian hosts and taken to the Royal Belgian Military Academy to meet the other cadets: two each from Australia, New Zealand, France, Germany, and the USA. Everyone was eager to get to know one another, and by the first afternoon we were already exploring Brussels and sampling waffles and fries!

The programme was packed with historical and aviation visits. Highlights included trips to the Bastogne and Passchendaele war museums, Commonwealth war graves, kayaking and getting to spend two days in Luxembourg. The standout experience, however, was an hour-long flight in a Belgian Air Force NH90 helicopter. With the doors and cargo ramp open, the views of the countryside were unforgettable.

A unique feature of the Belgian exchange was staying with host families who were parents of current Belgian cadets. They were incredibly welcoming and gave us the chance to experience local life. My first weekend included a trip to Antwerp and a family day at the Welde summer camp, where Belgian cadets can fly solo in under three weeks - an amazing feat. The second weekend was spent in Bruges, exploring its beautiful architecture, churches, and cafes. These stays allowed me to learn far more about Belgian culture, and of course, to enjoy even more delicious food.

The exchange ended back in Brussels during Belgian National Day. We witnessed a huge parade in front of the Royal Family, followed by a flypast, street activities, a music festival, and fireworks in Cinquantenaire Park, which was the perfect finale.

Before heading home, we also visited the European Parliament. IACE was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience and spending two weeks with cadets from across the world, all with the same interests and passions, is something I’ll always treasure.

Cadet Vocational College (CVC) Westminster Award Finals

Soon after returning from Belgium, I travelled to Calshot in Southampton for the final expedition of the CVC Westminster Award. This was the finals of the selection process, which had begun back at Easter. We were kept guessing throughout the ten days as to what activities we would be doing, but it started with a visit to the RNLI base at Calshot, followed by a ferry to the Isle of Wight for surfing and a boat tour of the famous Needles. The next few days brought more activities — from windsurfing and velodrome cycling to charity and environmental engagement, and even an alpaca walk!

Midway through, we headed to the Brecon Beacons, stopping at Stonehenge along the way and we were even greeted on arrival by an A400 flypast. In Brecon, we met Mountain Rescue, handled birds of prey, enjoyed a steam train ride, and finished with stargazing under the clear skies. The theme of the expedition, “Think Local, Act Global,” encouraged us to reflect on our impact on the world around us. To put this into practice, we each fundraised for the charities we had seen over the weeks, collectively raising over £2,000.

What made the expedition truly special was the group of 11 other finalists. Having bonded at selection, the finals were filled with constant laughter, fun and everlasting friendships.

The journey culminated on 11 September at the House of Lords.  Along with our families and guests, we all gathered for a formal lunch. After a delicious meal, we were presented with our ILM Level 3 certificates, which we earned as a part of the award and then the winner was announced: Army Cadet Charlotte Bedford, a hugely deserving recipient. We then enjoyed a private tour of the House of Lords by Lord Lingfield, Chairman of CVC, even catching a live amendment debate. It was a remarkable day and the perfect conclusion to a truly unforgettable award process.

National Air & Space Camp 2025 (NASC)

The very next day, after barely any sleep, I travelled to Prince William of Gloucester Barracks in Grantham for NASC 2025. This year marked the camp’s 10th anniversary, and I was one of 15 QAIs supporting the event. It was a busy but hugely rewarding week, teaching Blue Wings, Blue Space, and Air Ops, all great opportunities at putting our own training into practice.

The highlight of the week was Industry Day at RAF Syerston. Thousands of cadets from all three services gathered to meet over 75 industry partners and watch a spectacular airshow. The day opened with the Typhoon Display Team and closed with the Red Arrows. As QAIs, our role was to escort VIPs, and with over 100 of them, including the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, AOC 22 Group, DCAS, Commandant Air Cadets and many more senior military and civilian personnel, we were kept busy. Even so, we still found time to talk to all the partners and of course, enjoy the airshow.

The rest of the camp continued with teaching, lots of fun, and the famous 3MCS food, which is always a highlight among staff and cadets. Though exhausting, the week was everything I could have hoped for, and a fitting way to end my final camp as a cadet.

Reflection

This summer was long and demanding - I was only home for three nights during the entire summer, but it was also the most rewarding and enjoyable time of my cadet career. From international travel to national finals, and from teaching cadets to meeting senior leaders, every moment was filled with growth, enjoyment and opportunity.

As I move on to the next stage of my life, I can only look back with gratitude for everything the Air Cadets has given me: the experiences, the friendships, and the confidence to take on whatever comes next.

This summer has been the most incredible way to finish my cadet journey, and although my time in the cadets is ending, I know it won’t be long before I’m back in light blue again, as a member of Yorkshire Universities Air Squadron, which is the next step in my journey to becoming an officer in the Royal Air Force.”

Congratulations on all of your achievements, Cadet Warrant Officer Jonathan Dedman. We thank you for all of your hard work during your time at CCF and wish you all the very best for the future.