Blog

Hello, I am Leading Cadet McKenzie T.

Last weekend I travelled to London to take part in Sea Cadets’ National Band competition at the Tower of London.

This was my last cadet competition before I start training for the Royal Navy and over my 6 years of life in Sea Cadets, I can by far say that this stands out as my best experience.

I took part to represent Southport Sea Cadets as a Bugler and bell lyre player in our unit band, as well as competing in the solo bugling competition.

Southport Sea Cadet’s unit band won the area competition, which meant we represented the North West Area. We were the smallest band in the competition against the other areas. Despite this, after months of hard work and commitment from every member, our band placed 4th overall which felt very rewarding and proved that hard work pays off.

The standard was very high, and watching the others bands perform was also an amazing experience because seeing the hard work and skill of so many other cadets in action made everyone feel proud to be part of such a special, talented organisation and prestigious event.

However, the best part for me was definitely seeing the support from our units staff and parents, We had a large group of them travelling down to watch us and after our display, seeing their reactions made a lot of our band overcome with emotion and that was the moment when we realised that we should all be extremely proud.

In the solo bugling event, I placed 3rd, therefore received a bronze medal which feels fantastic to come away from a national competition with.  However, looking aside from the competitive element of it all, I would recommend every sea cadet join a unit or massed band if possible.

It really doesn’t matter what musical capabilities you have, there is, in every band, a role for you.

Everyone has to start somewhere, and the majority of our band had no idea what they were capable of until they tried something new.

For example, my brother Leading Cadet McKenzie O only started to practice the role of being drum major a few weeks before we played at nationals, only to receive a silver medal for being the 2nd best drum major in the country.

So, you never know! Start practising and two years from now you could be at the Tower of London having so much fun! Because, in the end, no matter where anyone placed, the whole weekend was a rewarding, proud and exciting experience. And, the support, happiness and talent radiating from everyone there was the best I’ve ever seen at a Sea Cadet event.  

Well done everyone! 

- LC Mckenzie, Southport 

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 

Terence Evans, known as Buster, was a devote Sea Cadet.  In 1955 he won the National Sea Cadet Boxing Championships as Ordinary Sea Cadet Evans at the Royal Albert Hall in London and was presented with a trophy by The Duke of Edinburgh. 

There is a short clip on YouTube of the event and the presentation by Prince Phillip. where he is referred to as 'A plucky little tower of tomorrow'  -he was very short! 

In addition to my Uncle's commitment to the Corps, my eldest daughter Kaitlyn joined as soon as she could.

Kailyn suffers from Asperger's / Autism and was struggling with life in general until she found the cadets! She is now full of confidence, determination and strength just like her Uncle before her.  She transferred to the Royal Marines Cadets and continued to excel at all she does. She has taken part in offshore voyages on all the vessels, Summer/Easter camps, CATSEA, the London Trafalgar Parade, The Birmingham Tattoo to name a few, plus, led the Rugby detachment as Guard Commander to come 2nd in the National Drill and Piping Competition.

None of this we ever dreamed was possible for her before joining the cadets given her battles with Autism. 

To mark the connection between my uncle and daughter at his funeral, she was asked by the family to walk the hearse carrying my Uncle Buster into the crematorium. She did so with pride and saluted every attendee out of the crematorium as they left, and with one final salute to the coffin (with Uncle Busters Sea Cadet photo in pride of place above the coffin), she was the last to leave. So now over 60 years on from my uncle's triumph in the Royal Albert Hall for the Sea Cadets, she says goodbye and continues on his legacy. 

Thank you to Sea Cadets for giving them both these opportunities. Especially Kaitlyn who's life has been totally turned around. 

She wants to join the forces when she has gained her degree and she is 100% dedicated to cadets in the meantime.

- Lisa, A very proud Niece and Mum. 

Are you an ex-cadet with a story to share? Take part in our My LegaSea Survey or email legasea@ms-sc.org

I popped down to Worcester and took a walk from the town out to the bridge at Lower Wick and back along with the other side of the River, I didn’t know what to expect! 

I picked up way more than 13 pieces of plastic which included 2 bottles, 4 lollipop sticks, 3 traps, a couple of ice cream tub scoops, a couple of cigarette filter wrappers, straw wrappers, a broken plastic fork, a nappy bag (empty) and a big black meat container (yes I had gloves on). I also picked up several pieces of foil and a can.

I was surprised though how clean the riverside actually was. I just had one small bag for a 2-mile walk.

In contemplating my walk I wondered what would happen if everyone carried a bag and picked up rubbish when they were out for a walk. I decided it would just be better if no-one dropped any rubbish in the first place. It’s not hard! 

We are not going to eliminate plastic, it has its uses. I certainly learnt in this challenge that there were a few simple things I could do to reduce my plastic use.

Every little bit has got to help. #ScrapPlastic

-Alison Lockton, Worcestershire 

Alison is a full time working Mum. She has recently volunteered as an instructor in marine engineering at her local Sea Cadets. Her son is a sea cadet and her daughter now works in the RAF, having been an air cadet.

To join our #ScrapPlastic challenge this August visit:

www.sea-cadets.org/get-started/scrap-plastic 

It's not too late to make a difference! 

On Saturday 8th June I was invited down to the Royal Victoria docks boat station. It was a very important day as it was the launching of the RS21 keelboats.

The event didn't commence until the afternoon, this meant that the morning was free to take some juniors out that had never been sailing before to gain some experience on the water.  Fun was had by all and this helped to give the younger cadets confidence in sailing for the first time.

Before everyone arrived there was a lot of work to be done. The three new RS21 needed to be rigged and ready to go. It had finally come to the time where the guests had arrived, men turned up in shirts and ties and ladies in dresses and heels. However, what the didn't realise is that they were going to get the chance to sail our new RS21’s. Although unexpected everyone was happy to gear up in foul weather gear ready to sail. This was a thrilling experience as they all came off buzzing with the excitement of these shiny new boats.

Now was our chance. I had been waiting patiently all day to get the chance to sail. I have previous experience sailing keelboats as having been part of the keelboat academy at TS Rebel but this was a whole new experience.

I am very grateful for the generosity of Sir Stelios for providing the opportunity for many sea cadets like myself to experience and gain qualifications on these boats nationally.

- Leading Cadet Madeleine, Walton On The Naze