I have been at Sea Cadets for four years. I started at the age of 10 and at age 14 I’m still here and still enjoying it!

I have done some really amazing things with Sea Cadets. In 2018, I escorted the mayor of Maidstone to France with 3 other cadets. We had to parade around a little area showing the French what we do.

Another great thing I love about Sea Cadets is that we go to some really cool events, like Combined Military Ops at Headcorn Airfield.

It’s also taught me so many different skills like first aid and because of this I now want to become a paramedic.

When I put my uniform on I feel free and feel I can do whatever I put my mind to, it’s a sense of pride I feel where I don’t get anywhere else.

As sea cadets, we try to get as much time in the water as possible like kayaking, sailing and rowing.

I have been on BCU kayaking course and loved it I know go kayaking with my cousin as much as I can. I have also entered kayaking competitions and came first in the 500m sprint. I was put through to the Area competition. This is another great opportunity to make more friends on the way, as courses are available to all cadets.

All the staff are very friendly and most have lots of stories to tell from when they were cadets them self or from when they were in the navy. The officers we meet are some of the kindest and most interesting people and great to talk to.

I would recommend Sea Cadets to anyone.

We are not just cadets that see each other twice a week we are family and we stick together.

-Holly, Maidstone Sea Cadets