Whilst attending the South and East Midlands Wing Camp at MOD Swynnerton Damien Simpson, undertook his Cadet Warrant Officer interview with Wing Commander Dickenson. The interview checked his understanding of Air Training Corp, as well as asking him about his cadet career and why he would like the role of Cadet Warrant Officer.
After his 45 minute interview, we are pleased to announce that he has succeeded and has now joined the Cadet Warrant Officer ‘crew’. He was presented his rank slides by Air Commodore MacCafferty and Honorary Ambassador Group Captain Carol Vorderman.
Cadet Warrant Officer Simpson started his career 12th August 2010, when he was just 13 years old like many of the cadets on our squadron. Since then he has achieved many things, such as his St John Youth first aid course, Silver Duke of Edinburgh, now working towards his Gold and he has completed his method of Instructors course.
Most recently he attended a Cadet Drill Instructors Course, where he learnt the basic skills to teach drill, and is currently working towards a BTEC level 2 in Teamwork and Personal Development. He has also just taken his banner drill team to the Wing competition and achieved second place, the Squadrons highest position ever.
His most notable achievement to date is the successful completion of the Air Cadet Junior Leaders Course, an eight month course testing him on his practical leadership skills.
On getting Cadet Warrant Officer, he now officially joins Cadet Warrant Officer Rebecca Parr in the running of the Cadet NCO team, something he has been doing as a Flight Sergeant while Cadet Warrant Officer Parr has been at university. He is also taking on a new role of running the Recruitment Flight. This is a role he has always wanted to do and is looking forward to the challenges it will bring. Cadet Warrant Officer Simpson hopes he can inspire the next group of Cadets much like he was inspired by his Recruit Flight Instructors, Cadet Flight Sergeant Grace Cousins and Cadet Sergeant Alex Tolson.
Flight Lieutenant Stepanian, officer in command of 2195 (Long Eaton) Squadron, said “This promotion to the highest cadet rank in the Air Training Corp (ATC) is a rare achievement which is bestowed on few cadets. This rank is the culmination of years of training and experiences within the ATC. Both I and the squadron are proud to see Damien reach Cadet Warrant Officer. Well done!”