Colchester Air Cadets hailed finest of the country

The 308 City of Colchester Squadron only counted eight cadets on its books in August 2021, but since then, a lot has changed. 

Post pandemic the squadron decided to launch a huge social media recruitment campaign. 

And it wasn't just potential recruits it targeted but parents, charities and businesses. 

Three years later the squadron counts more than 100 members and the group has not only grown in numbers. 

In May, it was identified as the best in the region and proceeded to the national finals of the military competition, with an inspection in June by Air Commodore Tony Keeling, the commandant of the Air Cadets. 

Cadets - Colchester's Air Cadets (Image: Elly Shipley)

Then later in the summer, it was officially announced that Colchester’s squadron was the finest there is in the country. 

Squadron Leader Elly Shipley, Officer Commanding 308 Squadron, said: “Social media played a huge part in our recruitment strategy, allowing us to promote our successes to parents, local charities and businesses, as well as senior officers within the Royal Air Force.  

“It has been amazing to have other squadrons throughout the Corps getting in touch with us asking for advice which resulted in a national write-up about the growth of the squadron on the Royal Air Force Air Cadets social media pages.  

“Since last year, we have put a huge effort in gaining qualifications to be able to deliver activities that we previously struggled to offer on top of ensuring we continued to deliver an outstanding range of opportunities to our cadets.” 

Cadets now have the opportunity to attend music training, with one of them successfully joining the National Music Camp.  

Other activities include fieldcraft training, visits to RAF stations and support for those with special educational needs. 

“Our aim has been to allow our cadets to achieve all of their goals and be the stepping stones they require to meet their full potential”, said Squadron Leader Shipley. 

Esports - The squadron welcomed the RAFAC Immersive Technologies team who ran a weekend of activities for our cadets and also the RAF Esports team hosting events with our cadets (Image: Elly Shipley)

“From experiencing these activities, some of our cadets have created work experience opportunities with places such as Boxted Airfield Museum and Earls Colne Airfield to broaden their knowledge and develop further links within the community.” 

The cadets’ exemplary achievements have earned them another invitation to Buckingham Palace for the Gold Award Celebrations. 

Squadron Leader Shipley added: “Our motto ‘endeavour to succeed’ is at the heart of everything we do and what we aim to do in the future.”