Jake is a 16 year old Army Cadet from Nottinghamshire Army Cadet Force. Jake is blind in his left eye but this has not stopped him! Here Jake tells us what he has achieved with the Army Cadet Force and what a difference it has made to his life.
Jake's story
Developing new skills
I have served for four years at Nottinghamshire Army Cadet Force and have achieved my basic training 1 star and 2 star army proficiency certificates, 1st class shot, junior cadet instructors course, first aid and musicians qualifications.
My partial vision allows me to shoot slightly better and that is an added bonus. All the equipment we use is right handed including weapons. None of my superior officers or subordinates look differently at me because of my sight and it has not stopped me taking part in any of the training courses or activities they have to offer.
Reasons to join the Army Cadets
The Cadet Forces is a really fun and challenging experience for all those involved and enlisted in its ranks. Cadets can get a full range of training which looks good on their CV later in life or for promotion to higher ranks!
There are no restrictions to join as far as I know apart from being 12 and in year eight. I would recommend this to any child within the age limit to join. Its not just military training either as on camps you get free time sports like football, volley ball, hockey, rugby and adventurous sports such as climbing, canoeing, kayaking, and abseiling.
Army cadets allows young people to achieve their potential whether it be, like me, teaching the younger cadets or representing their county region or even country at events.
I have been on over 40 camps now and I am not seen differently to any of my comrades.
Plans for the future
I shall continue to serve as a musician for another two years before becoming an adult instructor to pass on my skills to the young cadets below me.
I am also doing a BTEC music and public services qualification with the ACF music division and participate at county and regional shooting events where I feel, my disability is turned into a positive thing. All in all, Army Cadets is a good thing to do as you get to serve your community, make people proud of what you do and get awards for doing it.
Find out more!
To find out more about Army Cadets visit the Army Cadets website.