62 SQN Presentation Night

On the 6th of December 2012, the cadets from 62 (2nd Glasgow) squadron hosted and award presentation night at the TA Centre on Crow Rd. Cadets and parents attended the event where the squadron Chaplain had come down to welcome some of our newest cadets into the squadron as well as to award some of the more senior cadets for their efforts and hard work. The night was slightly hectic at the beginning as a layer of ice had built up outside the buildings where we would be retrieving our guests. Cadets who had volunteered to come early therefore had a lot of work to do in preparation to retrieve the guests. Luckily a number of cadets had showed up early so we divided the tasks required to be done amongst ourselves, so whilst some of us catered for the arriving guests, others laid grit and did the best they could to remove the ice outside the buildings and a number of cadets had to set up the hall where the presentation would be taking place.

Once everything was in position and the presentation was ready to commence, the cadets formed up inside the main hall and the guests took their seats. The cadets had been informed that this would be an enrollment and graduation night where the newest cadets as well as the 2nd class cadets would be officially enrolled into the squadron. The 2nd class cadets were also going to receive their first class badge for having completed the course which consisted of sections such as basic navigation, airmanship principles and basic radio communication. From here the cadets would then be able to go on and further study these subjects where they would hopefully go on to achieve a leading, senior or even master cadet badge. The first few cadets to get enrolled did a good job of falling out of the squadron and marching for the first time in front of an audience to the front of the squad where they said their cadet promises and greeted the squadron Chaplain and Flt Lt Wardle (commanding officer of 62 sqn). As the night progressed more cadets where called out to get enrolled and also to receive their first class badge if they had completed the course. By the end, 10 cadets had been enrolled into the squadron and 9 cadets had graduated.

The rest of the night was a surprise to the cadets as other awards that the cadets had achieved were also handed out. These included a senior cadet badge to Cadet Dunbar, a communicators badge to Corporal Thomson and one squadron marksman badge to cadet Colvin and 3 wing marksman badges to Cadet Saikat W, Corporal McCulloch and Corporal Thomson for their performance in recent shooting practices. The night brought further surprises as we were informed that it was time for some of the cadets to be promoted. Cadets who have showed the most initiative, discipline and leadership are always recognised for their efforts and the staff then decide on whether it is time for them to be promoted. On the presentation night, this moment had come for 5 of the cadets. Cadet Dunbar, Thomson G and Cadet Wilson were all promoted to the rank of Corporal. Corporal Thomson was promoted to the rank of Sergeant, and 1 existing Sergeant Lindsay Ferguson was promoted to the rank of Flight Sergeant.

Once the presentation was over the guests and Cadets all made their way back to the squadron where tea and coffee were served and the parents got a chance to congratulate the Cadets for their achievements. All in all it was a very good and rewarding night for all who attended.


By Cdt Saikat W and Cpl McCulloch K.