Volunteering with cadets - a way of life!
Written by the West Midland Reserve Forces' and Cadets' Association
West Midland Reserve Forces & Cadets Association (RFCA) spoke to Colonel Nigel Sarling, whose passion for the Army Cadet Force (ACF) has taken him on a 48-year adventure (so far) from Cadet to Cadet Force Adult Volunteer and most recently Regional Colonel Cadets for the West Midlands.
At West Midland RFCAs AGM earlier this year, they were lucky to be able to surprise Nigel with the presentation of his fifth clasp for long service with the Cadets.…
When and why did you join as a Cadet?
“I had been ‘Army barmy’ since I was about five years old as my father had served with the Royal Engineers during WW2.
“So, I joined my local Cadet detachment in Kidlington, Oxfordshire the week after my 13th birthday and I remained in the Cadets until I was 18.
“I ended up as the Senior Cadet in Oxfordshire ACF, where I passed my 4 star syllabus and completed all the available cadet leadership courses. I even had the chance to visit Germany in 1980 and had a really inspiring time.
“My intention had been to join the Army when I was 16, but I was encouraged by the recruiting officer to consider the commissioning route, which I did, and spectacularly failed the Regular Commissioning Board.
“That changed my career intentions and later that year I moved straight across to being an adult instructor in Oxfordshire ACF. I was commissioned and confirmed as a Lieutenant in November 1983.”
Can you run through your time with the Cadets, highlighting some of roles you have held?
“My first appointment was as Detachment Commander at Elsfield Way Detachment in Oxford for a couple of years before moving to Birmingham with my then employer, and transferring to Warwickshire ACF, where I held a number of Detachment Commander roles within Birmingham.
“In the mid-1990s I was appointed Company Training Officer for C Company Warwickshire ACF.
“During this time I was also selected to be Assistant Directing Staff at Frimley Park Cadet Training Centre and so spent one or two weeks a year, for about five years, helping to deliver courses to other adult volunteers.
“I was deployed to Kosovo with the police service in 1999, attached to the UN mission just after the NATO intervention. I remained active in Warwickshire ACF, attending camps while I was on leave.
“When I returned to the UK in 2003 I was, to my surprise, immediately appointed as Officer Commanding A company Warwickshire ACF covering north Birmingham and Warwickshire detachments.
“In 2008 I was appointed as County Training Major until 2010 when I had to step down due to a work commitment. I then spent three years leading on adult training in Warwickshire, during which time I was awarded a diploma in teaching in the lifelong learning sector.
“I applied for the post of Commandant Warwickshire ACF in 2013, in all honesty I expected to be considered for Deputy Commandant role as there were other very experienced applicants.
“However I was successful and took up the appointment as Commandant Warwickshire in August 2013, which I held until March 2019.
“In September 2019 I was appointed as Regional Colonel Cadets for the West Midlands, which is the Army Brigade Commanders’ senior advisor on all matters relating to the Army Cadets in the region.
“Alongside all of this I was also a Trustee for the Army Cadet Charitable Trust UK (ACCT) from 2017-2020 and I am currently a Trustee for Youth Organisations in Uniform (YOU) West Midlands and an external board adviser for West Midlands Police Cadet Scheme.”
What are your top five highlights?
“Being awarded Cadet of the year in Oxfordshire ACF (1980) and appointed as the Senior Cadet in the county as Cadet Sergeant Major and then Cadet Under Officer was an incredibly proud moment and a very enjoyable period.
“As County Training Major I feel I had the greatest direct impact on the largest number of Cadets; planning and delivering three annual camps and many weekend events was hard work, but ultimately extremely rewarding seeing Cadets enjoying themselves and making progress through the ACF syllabus.
“As an ACCT UK (ACFA) trustee in 2020 I was asked to be a member of the approval panel for the charities’ hardship fund which was put in place during the pandemic to support our adult volunteers who were struggling financially due to the impacts of restrictions.
“Many had suffered bereavement and other hardships as a result of family members being ill. The experience was extremely humbling, but I was proud of the work we achieved in distributing around £300,000 to several hundred applicants across two rounds of grant giving.
“Cadets excelling in a variety of skills over many years, individual and team successes in shooting, sports, music. I am proud of the ACF and believe it remains as relevant today as it did 40+ years ago when I was a Cadet.
“The opportunities on offer, the support from adult volunteers is incredible, and it all makes a real difference to the lives of young people, regardless of their background.
“Lastly, helping to deliver the celebration of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee at Birmingham University which involved Cadets from all three services including the Combined Cadet Force.
“The music performance by the Cadets was outstanding and we held the inaugural Cadet tri-service field gun competition which was a huge success, both of which demonstrated the positive impact of the Cadet Forces on young people in the West Midlands region.”
We understand you’re retiring from your role as Colonel Cadets soon, are you planning to continue your work with the Cadets?
“I have been lucky enough to be appointed as Deputy Commandant Shropshire ACF, this will give me the opportunity to have a direct input and impact upon Cadets and volunteers in the County for the next 3 to 5 years.
“I remain absolutely committed to the Cadet Forces. I believe it is a force for good, it certainly had a massive impact on my life as a teenager, developing me from a fairly shy youngster into a confident person who picked up good leadership and teamwork skills, which all stood me in good stead throughout my careers.”
What would you say to an adult who is thinking of volunteering with the Cadets?
“Come and join!
“You can make a positive difference to young people’s lives, you don’t have to have any military experience as we will give you skills to be an effective member of the team.
“You will gain personal skills, make new friends, enjoy new experiences and can also gain qualifications that will be of benefit outside of the Cadets. You will of course get to see young people grow and become confident, resilient and skilled individuals which I am sure will bring you lots of reward and satisfaction.”
What would you say to a young person thinking about joining the Cadets?
“Come and try something new, you don’t have to sign up to join the Army.
“We offer a huge range of experiences including military themed activities such as fieldcraft, drill, and shooting along with many opportunities to gain qualifications like Duke of Edinburgh Award, first aid, music and BTEC awards.
“You will have the chance to take part in events and expeditions across the UK and also overseas. You could gain confidence, build new skills, experience things that are not offered anywhere else, but above all you will make friends, have fun, and try new adventures!”
Pictured from left to right: Colonel Sarling and Major General Marc Overton, Assistant Chief of Defence Staff (Reserves and Cadets)
