Introducing your 2021 First Sea Lord’s Cadets

Becoming a First Sea Lord’s Cadet is a huge achievement and the cadets that represent the First Sea Lord are a credit to their unit and to Sea Cadets

South West area

Name: Leading Cadet Charlotte
Unit: Bridgwater

Sea Cadets backstory: Since joining as a junior, Charlotte has developed into a fine leader and role model. Her interest in joining was sparked by her mum telling her stories from her time with the Girl’s Nautical Training Corps, determined that Charlotte join right after her 10th birthday.

Top achievements:

• Seamanship
• British Canoeing 2 Star
• Offshore Watch Leader Sail
• National Guard Drill and Piping Competition

Future plans: At school Charlotte is Head Girl. She is currently studying for her A-levels in maths, chemistry and biology. After that, she hopes to study to become a vet.

Southern area

Name: Leading Cadet Erin
Unit: Salisbury

Sea Cadets backstory: Erin joined Salisbury Sea Cadets as a junior in 2015 and has made the most of every opportunity available. She has been instrumental in keeping virtual activities going during lockdown, and her contributions have helped younger cadets to stay engaged while there are no face-to-face activities.

Top achievements:

• National Combined Regatta
• British Rowing Sliding Seat
• Seamanship
• RYA Youth Sailing Scheme

Future plans: Erin is Head Girl, currently studying towards her GCSEs, and hopes to go on to study law at Cambridge after her A-levels.

North West area

Name: Leading Cadet Brandon
Unit: Ellesmere Port

Sea Cadets backstory: Brandon has been a cadet at Ellesmere Port Sea Cadets for over six years. He has worked hard to attend a wide range of camps and courses during that time.

Top achievements:

• RYA Level 2 Power Boating
• Pre-Cadet Drill Instructor
• CyberFirst Adventurers
• RYA Start Yachting

Future plans: Brandon is currently studying for A-levels in Spanish, psychology and RE, with the aim of going on to university to study law and becoming a barrister.

London area

Name: Petty Officer Cadet Brandon
Unit: Greenwich, Deptford and Rotherhithe

Sea Cadets backstory: Shaun joined in 2015. In 2019 he took on the role of District Senior Cadet for Easter Camp with responsibility for over 120 cadets. He’s the go-to cadet for all things ceremonial and drill.

Top achievements:

• 1st Class Communication Information Systems
• A range of afloat qualifications
• Institute of Leadership and Management Level 2 Young Leaders Award
• Lord Lieutenant’s Cadet 2020

Future plans: Shaun is studying towards a BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in business studies and he hopes to do a degree apprenticeship in Business Management.

Northern area

Name: Leading Cadet Maren
Unit: Peterhead

Sea Cadets backstory: Maren joined Peterhead Sea Cadets in 2014 and has developed into an inspirational cadet, not just in her unit but across Northern Area and the wider Corps.

Top achievements:

• SCC Master Coxswain badge
• RYA Dinghy Instructor
• RYA Powerboating Level 2
• Advanced Peer Education

Future plans: Maren has been accepted into a pre-university art and architecture course with Robert Gordons University and she hopes to go on to study architecture when she finishes her Advanced Highers.

Eastern area

Name: Cadet Sergeant Naomi
Unit: Sheffield

Sea Cadets backstory: Naomi joined Sheffield Sea Cadets as a junior when she 10 years old. It was clear from an early stage that she would go on to great things in the Corps. As a junior, she completed RYA sailing qualifications and earned her Commodore’s Broad Pennant award, representing a huge amount of commitment at a young age.

Top achievements:

• British Canoeing 3 Star
• SCC Rowing Coxswain qualification
• Institute of Leadership and Management Level 2 Young Leaders Award
• Sea Cadet Aviation course

Future plans: Naomi is currently studying for her A-levels in physics, maths, economics and politics and hopes to pursue a career in the Fleet Air Arm of the Royal Navy.