This weekday during half term saw a great day making use of the hot weather in half-term to do some river-based adventure training. Contrast with canoes in the afternoon worked well, very relaxing (until the water pumps came out and then it was like the Battle of Trafalgar).  Good fun though, and nice mix of first timers and previous, incl. help from one of our very own Paddlesport Instructor cadets. Looking getting Paddle UK Start Award certificates for those who've done multiple sessions or full day.

Last Friday saw four of our senior 1368 cadets and their guests attend the Royal Palace gardens to celebrate their Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award success in the 2025/26 season. They even got to speak with a few famous people, a goal keeper from the past, and bumped into the Commandant of RAFAC/Air Training Corps again.  The sun was shining on them, a great way to celebrate a great achievement. Like their expeditions, something they won't forget. Well done to CWO H, FS R, Sgt F, and Cdt P. The DofE Scheme remains a core pillar of 1368 Squadron, along with Community Duties, Sports, and Drill/Parades/Discipline. Many things cadets do within their two night a week activities can be counted towards the Award, including our focus on sports nights/athletics, leadership and instructional training (all cadets do blue leadership within first 6 months), classification training, marching band and volunteering and service to the community.  We run 7-8 expeditions a year from Initial Exp...

Cpl K became the first 1368 NCO to be awarded a 2nd night-hood for outstanding NCO-ness (gets to look after the Gnorman hat again). An outstanding job holding the fort with other NCOs away doing GCSEs/A Levels, a period which has seen great success with Review cadets stepping into acting JNCO roles.  Cpl K also took on 0426 intake mgmt and played a big part on regency run success. Only one step away from a coveted 1368 Millennium Falcon medal (not seen since 2024).

Handcuffs, batons, tasers, cars, police sirens/lights, and dressing up. What's not to like? 😉 Warwickshire Police's youth engagement team did a brilliant couple of nights for us last week to spice things up.  Quite educational (lots of tips for your future Nandos journey). We learnt loads.    Cdt M/Cdt B won the Quiz star prizes (Well done, 15/15 correct answers!).

All very similar to Enid Blyton but well done to 5 cadets from 1368 Sqn (Cdts P, Cdt B, Cdt G, Cdt B-R and Cdt S-M on their successful completion of stage 1 of the instructor cadet lanyard (Method-of-Instruction training). It's the most we've ever had through one course. Target now is to maintain momentum and support practice lesson planning/delivery before July. Staff can support/give lesson ideas (e.g. we need someone to deliver a lesson on map reading contours).

Cdt S-M was OC's COTM for last month. Intelligent leadership & thoughts for others, Great +ve feedback from Wing JNCO course.