Women’s History Month: In Conversation with Emma Taylor

Emma serves as the Cadet Expansion Programme Royal Air Force Engagement Officer at HQ RAF Air Cadets, where she plays a key role in supporting Combined Cadet Force (CCF) RAF sections across the UK. Before joining HQ RAF Air Cadets, Emma spent more than a decade working within a Local Authority, supporting schools with Special Educational Needs provision. We spoke to Emma about all things CCF RAF, her passion for expanding opportunities for young people, and the vital importance of female leadership within the cadet forces.

  “I wear many different hats; outside of my civilian role I serve in the Royal Air Force Reserves where I have recently celebrated 10 years of service. I am also a Service Instructor at Priory Ruskin CCF in Grantham, where I’ve supported the contingent for 2 years, and 204 (Lincoln) Squadron ATC where I’ve been involved for 3 years. I am actively involved in delivering the Royal Air Force Air Cadets (RAFAC) syllabus to our cadets, with Leadership and First Aid being my favourite subjects to teach (but I’ll give anything a go!)

One of the highlights of my career has been getting to take control of a Grob Prefect and performing aerobatics in the skies above Lincolnshire. I’ve also been able to go gliding, sailing, shooting on live ranges, taken part in water sports, climbing walls, abseiling, archery and so many more things. There really are so many opportunities within the Reserves and Cadets organisations.   

I chose to start volunteering at a CCF because I could see the huge benefits it brings in terms of developing young people and I wanted to be involved with that. There has been a recent University of Northampton study that evidences the positive impact having a CCF in school has on improving behaviour, increasing attendance and developing the resilience of young people, among many other things. I continue to devote my time to volunteering because I see the impact it has on every single cadet I work with. I have even received thank you cards from my female cadets who have said they have more confidence now thanks to me. It feels good to know I’m making a difference, but it feels even better to watch the cadets grow and aspire to achieve more. 

Although it is certainly moving in the right direction, I think it’s fair to say the military can sometimes still be a male-dominated environment. I often find myself in meetings where I am the only female; however, this has never once held me back. In fact, I see it as an advantage as I can bring something completely different to the table and see things in a different light. In the cadet world, our female Cadet Force Adult Volunteers (CFAVs) are incredibly important as they act as role models for our next generation, and whether you have military experience or not – you are a valued member of the cadet community and you really do make a difference. I would love to see more females getting involved generally, but I would love to see females taking on senior leadership roles as it will provide stronger representation for our cadets. When girls and young women see female leaders in uniform, it helps them to visualise themselves in positions of responsibility and encourages ambition.

To anyone who is considering volunteering: please don’t let anything, especially your own self-doubts, hold you back. Sometimes we are our own worst enemy and talk ourselves out of things because we don’t feel good enough, we don’t feel we know enough, or we don’t want to get something wrong and look silly. I know how that feels because I’ve been there. But I’m here now to tell you that you are good enough. If you still don’t believe me, then the cadets organisation is a fantastic opportunity to learn and develop skills yourself and hopefully one day you’ll realise just how amazing you are! The CCF is a great place for women and girls to develop their self-confidence and allows them the chance to believe in themselves more.  

When I was 16, one of the female teachers that I looked up to at school told me ‘Emma, you can do anything in life that you want to do.’ This hugely shaped my outlook on life growing up and has always remained with me. I want to ensure that our next generation of females know they can also achieve anything they set their minds to!”  

Thank you so much, Emma! It is wonderful to learn about your inspiring story so far.

If you would like to find out more about becoming a Cadet Force Adult Volunteer, please click here to find out more information.