The Cadet Experience: Young Voices & Leadership Stories

Volunteers Week: Celebrating Cadet Force Adult Volunteers

Our Volunteers Week special is a celebration of the incredible Cadet Force Adult Volunteers who give their time, energy and experience to support young people across the West Midlands. In this episode, we hear four inspiring conversations with CFAVs from across the region: a Head of A-Level Chemistry supporting the Combined Cadet Force in his school; a Royal Air Force Air Cadets officer who gained so much from Cadets herself that she returned as a volunteer and became Officer Commanding; a serving member of the Armed Forces working on nuclear submarines who still gives up weekends to support the Sea Cadets; and a long-serving RAF Air Cadets volunteer with more than two decades of dedicated service. Together, their stories show the extraordinary range, commitment and heart behind volunteering. From leadership and confidence-building to friendship, community and service, this episode shines a light on the people helping young people discover what they are capable of. Timestamps   0:07 - Introduction  2:30  - What does a Cadet Force Adult Volunteer do?  5:23 - Flight Lieutenant Saffron Ferrera, Officer Commanding, 888 Oldbury Squadron 14:42 - What is a Combined Cadet Force? 16:53 - Acting Lieutenant Connor Scott, Royal Navy Section Commander, The Phoenix Collegiate 28:36  - Lieutenant Commander Andy Rose, Executive Officer, TS Sutton Coldfield 34:33 - Diana Edwards, Wing Staff Officer, RAFAC Birmingham & Warwickshire Wing 44:00 - Reflections and close Links: * wmrfca.org [https://www.wmrfca.org/] * Cadets [https://www.wmrfca.org/cadets/]  * Cadet Force Adult Volunteers  [https://www.wmrfca.org/cadets/cadet-force-adult-volunteers/] * WMRFCA LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/west-midland-rfca/?viewAsMember=true] * WMRFCA Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/west_midland_rfca/] * WMRFCA Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/WMRFCA/] If you enjoy The West Midland RFCA Podcast, the best way to support the show is to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-west-midland-rfca-podcast/id1870819622  [https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-west-midland-rfca-podcast/id1870819622]

The Cadet Experience: Young Voices & Leadership Stories

In this episode, we explore the world of the Cadet Forces and the role they play in helping young people build confidence, skills, friendships and a sense of service.  Recorded across a parade night at Stafford's brand-new Joint Cadet Centre and Warwickshire's Lord-Lieutenant Cadet Investiture Ceremony, the podcast features nine voices from across the Cadet community, including Cadets, Cadet Force Adult Volunteers and outgoing Lord-Lieutenant Cadets. Together, they reflect on what Cadets means to them in the West Midlands, the opportunities it can create, and the vital role that volunteers play in making those experiences possible.  Timestamps   0:09 - Introduction  1:12 - What actually are Cadets and how does it all work?  5:02 - Sergeant Johnson & Corporal Frost, 395 (Stafford) Squadron  11:44 - Cadet Lester & Sergeant Ionete, 395 (Stafford) Squadron 16:48 - Sergeant Daz Valiz, Unit Security Officer for 395 (Stafford) Squadron + Acting Pilot Officer, Rhiannon Taylor  27:29 - What are Lord-Lieutenant Cadets?  30:19 - Interviews with Warwickshire’s outgoing Lord Lieutenant Cadets Links: * wmrfca.org [https://www.wmrfca.org/] * Cadets [https://www.wmrfca.org/cadets/]  * Cadet Force Adult Volunteers  [https://www.wmrfca.org/cadets/cadet-force-adult-volunteers/] * WMRFCA LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/west-midland-rfca/?viewAsMember=true] * WMRFCA Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/west_midland_rfca/] * WMRFCA Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/WMRFCA/] If you enjoy The West Midland RFCA Podcast, the best way to support the show is to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-west-midland-rfca-podcast/id1870819622  [https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-west-midland-rfca-podcast/id1870819622]

What Is An RFCA? Inside West Midland RFCA

In this episode, we explore the work of West Midland RFCA and the role our organisation plays in supporting Reserves, Cadets, employers and communities across the region. Through interviews with our Head of Estates, Deputy Chief Executive, Head of Engagement and one of our Defence Relationship Managers, the episode looks at the three core pillars at the heart of RFCA work across the United Kingdom: estates, cadet support and employer/community engagement. Whether you are familiar with the world of Defence or completely new to it, this episode offers an introduction to the people, partnerships and practical support that help make that work possible across the West Midlands. Timestamps: * 0:50 - Introduction: What does an RFCA actually do?  * 2:45 - Head of Estates, James Bellamy, discusses WMRFCA's Estate Portfolio * 12:01 - Deputy Chief Executive, Lesa Horton, chats Cadets * 24:11 - Head of Engagement, Siamha Butt + Defence Relationship Manager, Phil Sinclair, reflect on what Engagement means @ WMRFCA * 36:06 - Outro Links: * wmrfca.org [https://www.wmrfca.org/] * Reserves  [https://www.wmrfca.org/reserve-forces/] * Cadets [https://www.wmrfca.org/cadets/]  * Cadet Force Adult Volunteers  [https://www.wmrfca.org/cadets/cadet-force-adult-volunteers/] * WMRFCA LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/west-midland-rfca/?viewAsMember=true] * WMRFCA Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/west_midland_rfca/] * WMRFCA Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/WMRFCA/] If you enjoy The West Midland RFCA Podcast, the best way to support the show is to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-west-midland-rfca-podcast/id1870819622  [https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-west-midland-rfca-podcast/id1870819622]

Give To Gain: An International Women's Day Special - The West Midland RFCA Podcast

Our first episode! And to launch the series we’re celebrating International Women’s Day by spotlighting five remarkable women from across the West Midlands. Recorded throughout the region, these conversations with a Cadet, a Cadet Force Adult Volunteer (CFAV), two Reservists and a Veteran explore the many ways women contribute to the Armed Forces Community. This episode is released to mark International Women's Day 2026: https://www.internationalwomensday.com/ [https://www.internationalwomensday.com/] #GiveToGain  Timestamps: * 0:50 - Introduction: What is an RFCA and why does it have a podcast? * 3:01 - Elena, Flight Sergeant @ The Phoenix Collegiate, Combined Cadet Force (CCF) * 6:30 - Hayley, Staff Sergeant @ 237 West Bromwich Supply Squadron  * 9:03 - Rebecca, Reservist @ 237 West Bromwich Supply Squadron * 20:21 - Bernadette, CFAV @ The Phoenix Collegiate, CCF  * 24:06 - Stacy, Retired British Army Veteran * 31:30 - Outro  Links: * wmrfca.org [https://www.wmrfca.org/] * Reserves  [https://www.wmrfca.org/reserve-forces/] * Cadets [https://www.wmrfca.org/cadets/]  * Cadet Force Adult Volunteers  [https://www.wmrfca.org/cadets/cadet-force-adult-volunteers/] * WMRFCA LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/west-midland-rfca/?viewAsMember=true] * WMRFCA Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/west_midland_rfca/] * WMRFCA Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/WMRFCA/] If you enjoy The West Midland RFCA Podcast, the best way to support the show is to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-west-midland-rfca-podcast/id1870819622  [https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-west-midland-rfca-podcast/id1870819622]

Trailer - The West Midland RFCA Podcast

Welcome to the official podcast of the West Midland Reserve Forces' & Cadets' Association. Join RFCA Comms Officer, Tom Kwei, for a monthly deep-dive into our unique network, covering everything from the dedication of Cadets and Reservists to the vital support of Employers and Estates. Each episode is packed full of insightful conversations with the incredible people who drive our community forward. https://www.wmrfca.org/ [https://www.wmrfca.org/]