Children at Gosport Royal Navy cadets say time with the group has been 'life-changing'
THEY train in military bases across the Portsmouth area and are veterans when it comes to major civic spectacles and parades through towns and cities.
And with the nation celebrating Britain’s armed forces community, The News is today turning a spotlight on the next generation of soldiers, sailors and airmen: the cadets.
Hundreds of children, with their eyes firmly fixed on a future career in the forces, swap their school uniforms for military fatigues each week.
And for many, the chance to get a taste of military life has been a ‘life-changing’ one, that’s cemented their ambitions to serve Queen and country as adults.
Dozens of children are part of the HMS Sultan Royal Naval Volunteer Cadet Corps and the Gosport Royal Marines Volunteer Cadet Corps division.
Naval cadet Sophia Beattie, 15, has been attending weekly nights with at Sultan for the past two years.
The Year 10 Bridgemary School pupil from Gosport has ambitions to join the Royal Navy as a mental health nurse – a subject incredibly close to her heart.
‘My dad is in the army and has experienced PTSD,’ said Sophia. ’It can be kind of scary but when you know things are going to get better, it’s not so bad.
‘With sadness there can’t be any happiness. I just really want to help people do their jobs while having mental health issues.’
Jessica Golding, 15, is a Petty Officer in the naval cadets having joined when she was nine and has a similar ambition to join the military to care for others.
The Year 10 Crofton School pupil from Stubbington is determined to train as a medical assistant with the navy and said her time with the cadets has given her an invaluable head start in life.
‘You get unique opportunities in the cadets that you just can’t get anywhere else,’ she said.’You can take the recruitment test early, you can make really important connections and you’re given help and advice from people who have been there and know what they’re talking about.’
HMS Sultan’s cadet unit was formed in 1979 and is based in the historic Fort Grange.
Children can join the group from the age of nine and can take part in everything from military-style exercises and drills, to team-building activities and competitions.
Many joining the cadets can be shy at the start but soon come out of the shell.
Eleven-year-old Royal Marine cadet George Harvey, of Lee-on-the-Solent, is one of the youngest in the team, joining when he was nine.
He is eager to follow in his grandfather, Nigel Elmsworth’s footsteps, who was a Commando for 32 years.
‘My grandad is really inspiring, He inspired me to join,’ said George, whose dad Petty Officer Stuart Harvey is a training officer at Sultan’s cadet unit.
‘I wanted to be part of the cadets so I could earn more self confidence. That’s definitely happened. The cadets has really helped me gain confidence.’
Although George said he still found public parades a nerve-wracking experience. ‘It’s terrifying,’ he added.
Wyatt Dudley, 14, is a Lance Corporal with the Royal Marines cadets and is also following in his family’s footsteps – his dad is currently a musician in the Royal Marines Band and his grandfather was a green beret.
Wyatt, of Gosport, said he loved being part of the squad and the responsibilities that come with it.
‘It felt amazing when I was promoted,’ he added. ‘There are only three Lance Corporals now so there’s a lot more responsibility on my shoulders now. I’m helping to train younger cadets.
‘I love it. I’ve become more outgoing since joining the cadets.’
Petty Officer Harvey, who sons George and Daniel are in the cadets, said watching the youngsters transform was hugely rewarding but could be an ‘emotional rollercoaster’.
He said: ‘It is often a bit of a cliché but it is a real honour to be a part of the team of volunteers teaching the Cadets.
‘Although I have only been doing it for a couple of years, since my son George started, it has been a real pleasure watching the cadets grow.’
The coronavirus crisis has temporarily suspended cadet training. However, Sophia said she was eager to get back to the parade square.
She added: ‘The cadets has been a life-changing experience for me. It’s like you’re part of a second family.’