Corps showcase: supporting cadets on their journey

S/Lt (SCC) Simon Hardie RNR is best known to cadets as the marine engineer on TS John Jerwood, with his skill recently earning him a rare MSSC Employee Award

Before I joined Sea Cadets in 1983, aged 12, I had very little idea of where life might lead me. Cadets gave me focus, discipline and a strong sense of belonging. Rising through the ranks to Petty Officer Cadet helped build my confidence and gave me valuable experience of teamwork and leadership – teaching me the responsibility, communication and cooperation that continue to influence my life today.

In summer 1989, I had the opportunity to take part in a cadet exchange programme, spending three weeks travelling across Canada. This included five days at the HMCS Quadra – a cadet training centre just off the Pacific coast where I had my first unforgettable experience of sailing on a brigantine, TS Playfair (a training vessel launched by Queen Elizabeth II in 1973). I also sailed on the Great Lakes; their sheer scale was astonishing to me – so vast that they felt more like inland seas.

That October, I joined the Royal Navy and served for five years as a chef, before rejoining Sea Cadets as an adult volunteer and seamanship, cook steward and piping instructor. Over the years with TS Blackcap, I’ve also tried to help with repairs and maintenance – teaching practical skills whenever possible. Other special memories have come from supporting the annual District Camps and being part of the Battle of the Atlantic 60th anniversary parade in Liverpool in 2003.

I became an MSSC employee in 2017 as a cook coxswain on TS Jack Petchey, before becoming the engineer on TS John Jerwood in 2020. Keeping the vessel operating safely at sea is very much a team effort, but the responsibility for ensuring the machinery is running and reliable ultimately falls to me. I try to involve the cadets by showing them how things work and giving them simple tasks. It introduces them to practical engineering and helps them develop the confidence that problems can be solved with knowledge, effort and teamwork.

Having fun with cadets offshore in July 2025

I was part of the offshore fleet’s voyage taking 48 cadets over to France for the D-Day 80 celebrations in 2024. Marching with those cadets over Pegasus Bridge was such a memorable experience. They showed a professional and personable attitude to all the veterans, showcasing all the hard work put in by their offshore and unit volunteers. TS John Jerwood also escorted the Little Ships back across the Channel for the 85th anniversary of Dunkirk. Once again, I was in awe of the commitment the cadets put into this activity.

I still parade with TS Blackcap whenever I can, and am very grateful to the staff for their understanding, given my work commitments. The cadets have given me direction and opportunities that shaped my life – so I always look forward to encouraging them to prepare for their own careers. Watching them develop and gain in confidence is one of the main reasons I’m proud to volunteer.