Cadets from 2nd (Northern Ireland) Battalion Army Cadet Force have been earning recognition at an awards ceremony hosted at Queen’s University Belfast.

Four teenagers, Cadet Regimental Sergeant Major Joanna Baker, Cadet Company Sergeant Major Dempsey Brown, Cadet Company Sergeant Major Joseph Armstrong and Cadet Company Sergeant Major David Spratt, were presented with the “Master Cadet” certificate, an award which reflects the highest levels of Cadet training and accomplishment.

Congratulating the four top cadets, Colonel Keith Dowell, Commandant of 2nd (Northern Ireland) Battalion Army Cadet Force, said, “The road to Master Cadet is a tough one. Cadets must first achieve 4 star accreditation and rise through the Cadet ranks before their leadership, instructional and administrative abilities are tested in the Master Cadet Course held annually at Frimley Park.  Even then nothing is guaranteed, for the end award of Master Cadet is at the discretion of the Commandant.  Given that background, Joanna, Dempsey, Joseph and David can be very proud of this latest achievement – and we are certainly very proud of them.

“These cadets exemplify what the Cadet movement is all about.  They have cheerfully tackled every challenge we have thrown at them over the years, acquiring a fantastic range of skills, and showing great personal discipline They are all popular and committed members of their detachments where they share their skills and enthusiasm with younger Cadets.”

Honoured at the same ceremony were 15 cadets who each received 4 Star Proficiency Certificates.  Congratulating them, Colonel Dowell said, “Great performances from highly motivated Cadets! It’s always a pleasure to recognise and reward success and, clearly, we have no shortage of up and coming talent in Northern Ireland.”

The cadets are pictured above and below, receiving their awards from Colonel Keith Dowell and Air Commodore Harvey Smyth, the Honorary Colonel of 2nd Battalion.

Main photo: Cadet Regimental Sergeant Major Joanna Baker; Cadet Sergeant Rhianna Lilburn; Cadet Sergeants Abbey Watson and Megan Ross, all from North Down Detachments.

Below left: Cadet Company Sergeant Major Dempsey Brown and Cadet Sergeants Courtney Quinn and Emma Jones, all from East Belfast.
Below right: Cadet Corporal Jack Crichton; Cadet Sergeant Lucy Martin; Cadet Corporal Alasdair Ross and Cadet Corporal Matthew Baird from South Down Detachments.