Sgt H got his Master cadet badge thus reaching the expanding top-tier of 1368 classification badge holders (who also have Instructor lanyard). Cdt K, Cdt F, Cdt A, Cdt B, and Cdt C all got their Senior badges (one down from top) and Cdt S got his foot on the ladder with his First Class badge (joins those eligible for camps). Also, congrats to Cdt R who got his Blue Aviation badge wings for flying a Tutor and passing Flight Sim/ground training elements. Thumbs up from 1368 staff on great progression and getting their exams sorted.

Last Monday saw teams compete in building some STEM rubber band flying planes with unexpectedly variable success with flying them. Bonus is that they didn't fall apart, hence we can hopefully re-use. Fun night though, made a bit of a change.

We finally got 3 cadets airborne on Air Experience Flying (AEF) on Saturday. They got to take control of a Tutor T1 training aircraft. They also did their Part Task Trainer (PTT) ground school element needed for blue aviation badge and an ex-RAF Pilot showed them around some of the aircraft in the hangar and tested their ability to do on the fly time-distance-speed maths. Also saw some familiar 1368 Sqn faces along the road doing Road Marching.

Well done to Cpl R and Cdt B, who joined Cdt G in getting their DofE levels signed off before end of DofE season 2025/26 this month.  Still quite a lot of cadets (at least 10) being chased to get assessor reports done. https://help.edofe.org/hc/en-gb/articles/360021224973-Different-ways-to-submit-an-Assessor-s-Report  

New training segment well underway on Wednesdays with new marching band cohort being trained up, and the newbies doing assessed leadership command tasks.  Often one of the most engaging periods in training calendar, we also expanded out to reform rock/pop ensembled. Chilli Peppers sounded hot, and some expansion in cadets' Beatles knowledge underway. More to come, hopefully (a bass player perhaps?), while we still have classrooms before building is given back (and it gets harder).  We continue to leave things behind for the English teachers though, accruing the list of things we have to thank Aylesford School, in light of our building closure. We did have cake for Sgt B's 16th though (more to come, hopefully). Cuthbert the Caterpillar made another appearance, lit up the room for a brief moment, and was swiftly devoured. 

Monday saw Cdt R promoted to Cpl and Cpl H promoted to Sgt, to close off the last round of promotion interviews and assessments. Cpl R will help sharpen uniform/drill standards, and Sgt H will continue to bring his positive mental attitude. Promotions carried out now to have a bigger NCO pool as many will end up being in and out at various times as they are in final exam years (which is fine).  The new 0226 intake's also been receiving help from cadet, who've volunteered to mentor and help them (actually, seems to be going well but also great for DofE Volunteering coaching, teaching and leadership sign-off).