Each year there are opportunities for cadets to attend 3-4 Wing annual camps. 2 cadets from 1368 Sqn recently attended RAF Leeming camp along with staff members from the Sqn. They did brilliantly and word on street is that one of them almost got best cadet. Apparently, they made new friends.  Annual camps give a great opportunity to experience what is it like on an RAF Station with section visits and camp-related activities as well as off-camp social activities.

On what's turning out to be an annual coach trip with 2286 Sqn, 13 cadets from 1368 Sqn got to experience chatting to groundcrews/pilots on the massive gird walk that is the Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford. Lot's of low-level fast-jet air displays so plenty of chance to experience the roar and power of low-level fighter jets and areas packed with STEM-displays. Also bumped into Sqn CWO who has been on RIAT camp doing important duties for the long weekend.

Squadron has been parading 38-40 over the last two weeks despite older cadets aging out. It is a process of continuous renewal though and last few weeks has seen 3-4 visits a week by prospective cadets as we start to formally form places for Sept 0924 intake. Prospective cadet parents are encouraged to submit interest via official website form here so that we can arrange visits: https://www.raf.mod.uk/aircadets/interested-in-joining-as-a-cadet/?squadronno=1368 . The process of joining is not selective but involves submitting an interest form, you will then be contacted to arrange a preplanned visit to Sqn for a tour/chat. If you decide to join then it's a case of filling in forms electronically and emailing them back to be added to the new intake list. Places in intake will be allocated based on return of forms, rather than initial interest date. Intakes are roughly aligned to start of new terms. The next intake after Sept 2024 is likely to be 0125 (i.e. January 2025). 

Well done to Cdt H and Cdt B who became latest to achieve their Instructor cadet lanyards this week with assessments on 15 Jul 2024 with visitor from Wing team assessing their lessons. Also started planning for Bronze expeditions in Sep/Aug, did JNCO interviews, and 3 cadets did Silver DofE exped presentation to finish their DofE Silver. Began switch to Wing Competition day subjects with Radio and Drill training.

July saw a small group 1368 Squadron expedition to N. Wales. It was minimum Gold practice (2n/2d) focused on giving senior and able cadets who've already experienced unescorted 3 day expeditions at Silver level, experience of wild country navigation/mountain terrain plus a bit of history/ideas for expedition purpose for an actual. Excellent nav. skills and fitness shown. 2 mountains in 2 days. In the UK, a mountain is generally defined as a height above 2,000 ft, or more latterly 610 m, is considered necessary to be classified as a mountain – as opposed to a hill – in the British Isles.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lists_of_mountains_and_hills_in_the_British_Isles . A ‘Quality Mountain Day’ for the Mountain Leader should take place in mountainous terrain in the UK or Ireland. All the following criteria should be fulfilled for a QMD for Mountain Leader (Summer) qualification hence they all did QMD days as defined by the Mountain Training qualification organisation: The individual...

Well done to Cpl R who was promoted to rank of Cadet Sergeant on 10 July 2024 as we look to build next generation Senior Cadet NCO (SNCO) team as older cadets age out.  With a strong showing on a recent Wing-organised SNCO course, he has consistently set high standards with his uniform, dress and discipline on the Sqn. He was been an excellent role-model who has earnt the respect of others by being conscientious, displaying strong personal values and embodying the core values of the of Corps. Of course, the work starts here as we look to promote some of our excellent cadets into a Corporal role over the coming weeks and months.

Sqn has been focused on Bronze Cyber with juniors, exam returner's/older cadet leavers night run with marshmallow/spaghetti bridge inter-flight competition and 'fun' NCO-organised 1368 quiz, well done to 6 cadets who got their Blue Leadership badges (finally collected remaining badges from Wing) - sew em on! Also some great dry-runs for upcoming method of instruction assessments for Instructor cadet lanyard.

Well done to Cdt E who was cadet of month for June. This time it was decided to award to an older cadet partly in recognition of the value the senior boys brought to the Sqn in the wing Athletics training and competition (they were instrumental in enabling Sqn to retain the best in wing trophy for a 3rd year in a row). Also very impressed and encouraged by Blue Band training and peer learning that happened, resulting in successful blue badge badges for himself and peers, showing that rewards go to those that focus their efforts. OC's cadet of the month is awarded to a cadet who stands out from others, usually by their positive impact on others.

Well done to the staff and cadets that supported the 2024 Warwick Armed Forces Day at Warwick St. Nicks Park. Great opportunity to fulfill British Legion's desire to put young people alongside diversity and the commonwealth. Great Sikh free food, we won the team building race we invented and OC beat cadets at Batak, what's not to like? 

Another great performance by juniors in their expedition learning with an overnight camp. Both groups very solid with great comradery and fine weather. We started doing this shortened day expedition format for IET after the DofE scheme removed the need for a practice expedition for Bronze. More fundamentally, by shortening days either side of the camp it makes it easier to get Year 8's to get engaged because it means they need to carry less kit for less time. What we found is that building up the training really helped to hone our cadets knowledge and skills. Our year 8's (and 9's) are especially hungry for it. It's a fantastic way of building friendships and teamwork. Experience tells us that that having done an IET and practice walks, when we drop them into Bronze DofE actual expeditions in Sept, they will perform at a high level and are more likely to enjoy it. You never know what will happen. This year there was a bit of STEM thrown in, as they stumbled into the Avo...

Well done to 1368 cadets who passed method-of-instruction (MOI) assessment on 17 Jun 2024, Sgt F and Cdt G. Both achieved their Instructor cadet lanyard having done both presentation skills at Sqn, attended a Wing MOI course, and then successfully delivered a Wing assessed lesson on Sqn. Thanks to Flt Lt L from 496 Sqn for his, who's first comment to me on how cadet G's lesson went was "he was amazing".  As an instructor cadet, they will be able to formally deliver training to junior cadets. This can really help the squadron, especially with things like Blue badge radio and Induction and First Class training. The notion of cadets taking leadership and training roles is one of the strengths of the corps. Cadets have the passion and energy and closeness to the material and gain a lot of confidence and leadership experience from it. It's sad that we are losing senior NCOs this year to Uni and world travel, but it does give encouragement that the next generation have ...

We did a smaller intake of slightly later joiners in June (0624) but September represents the main intake for 1368 Sqn each year, as it's when many become first eligible to join. As such we are now offering tours to prospective new cadets and their parents.  Currently we have 58 cadets on the books with 35 as average parade attendance in last 12 month period including holidays. We will lose some who time out and hence would like to bring another 12 on to the books in September. If you miss this intake then next likely intake will be Jan 2025. If you are interested fill in this form:  Interested in joining as a Cadet | Royal Air Force Air Cadets (mod.uk) . To be an Air Cadet you must be 13 years old, or 12 years old if you're already in year 8 in school. The latest you can join is before your 17th birthday. Staff cadets leave when they're 20 years old and some stay involved as an adult volunteer.