Page 19 - Cadet Review Spring 2025

THE CADET REVIEW AT
20 YEARS
By The Editor and contributors from 2005 onwards
At the time of inception of the magazine the
Editor was also working closely with the National
ACF Public Relations Unit; their expertise and
encouragement assisted greatly in the idea from
“flash to bang”. Captain Mark Overland, of the
PR Unit was extremely helpful as he edited a
magazine for the ACF in 49 Brigade and the original
concept was to offer this to the five counties in the
Northeast of England. However, the three northern
counties opted not to join in with this and, after
much discussion, with Lieutenant Colonel Macolm
McCartney, the Deputy Secretary (at the time Dep
Chief Executive was not used) gave his support to
float the idea of trying the first Tri Service Cadet
Magazine.
Fortunately, both the Sea and Air Cadets came on
board together with both ACF counties in Yorkshire
and the Humber, and the idea became reality with
the first magazine coming off the press in the Spring
of 2005.
Since then, with the continued support of the RFCA
team and the many contributors we have reached
the 20th anniversary edition. There will be many
individuals featured in the copies over the last 20
years and, who knows, some of them could have
featured in the 2005 editions and continue in 2025,
along with family members too, as the cadet forces
are one big family.
Following the appeal for stories some of those
who have featured in the first and later editions have
contributed their stories. Read on for several “blasts
from the past”!
Paul, leading the Himalaya 12 Tri Service Expedition to Everest
Base Camp demonstrating his support for the Cadet Review!
Flight Lieutenant Paul Smith (Retd) wrote that
it is often said that the ATC is a bit like that line from
the song by The Eagles – Hotel California – “you can
check out, but you can never leave!”
After a bit of a rest, having previously served at
110 (City of York) Squadron, and as Wing Adventure
Training Officer (double-hatted as ever), it’s now
December 2005, and I rejoin Central and East Yorks
Wing as a member of the re-established Civilian
Committee at 2487 (Easingwold) Squadron.
Three years later, I moved onto the Wing Civilian
Committee (and eventually the North Regional
Council), giving me a chance to make new
acquaintances, and especially to remake old ones,
including Wing Commander Steve Wiggins, from
when he had been a Cadet Flight Sergeant and a
valued member of my Wing Adventure Training team.
Always with the best interests and welfare of
cadets at the forefront of the job, I’ve had some
wonderful experiences over the last 20 years,
including trekking in Nepal, assessing DofE Gold
Expedition teams in Bavaria, a week at a US AirForce
base in Germany, and of course an annual day trip to
Hag Dyke in the Yorkshire Dales!
I formally “checked out” from the Wing two years
ago, but I still can’t leave – I remain connected to all
three cadet services as a Trustee with the Yorkshire
Cadet Trust and an Associate Member of the Reserve
Forces and Cadets Association for Yorkshire and the
Humber.
Venture Adventure!
CADET REVIEW SPRING 2025 19