What makes a great volunteer?

Across the UK, the passion and enthusiasm of our unit volunteers are crucial to providing an amazing Sea Cadets Experience. And no role is more important than the Commanding Officers who are such inspirational leaders. We meet three COs to find out how they reached the top job and hear why everyone should consider becoming a volunteer. 

Sub Lieutenant (SCC) Ben McDonald RNR is the City of London Unit CO, and has been named best in the UK as the latest recipient of the Captain Roddie Casement Sword 

I loved my times as a cadet. I’m sure it has built in me a confidence, love for learning and strong work ethic that has made me who I am today. I’ve carried on as a Cadet Force Adult Volunteer (CFAV) on and off ever since. 

‘Cadetting’ is awesome but it’s intense, perhaps especially being a CO. Working for the NHS as a clinical scientist, the two roles often clash. Managing to restart the City of London Unit post-Covid was a challenge, but we’ve returned to success, getting cadets through Petty Officer Cadet boards and Gold DofEs. I’m also proud of POC Agnes for gaining the national Commander Brown Award as the cadet most active in leading unit adventure/sail training and DofE.

The proudest moments often pass in an instant – only much later do you realise they changed a cadet’s life. I do what I do to inspire and teach the younger generation, in the hope that one day they can do the same. I once taught a cadet how to ride a bike and he’s now a hugely successful volunteer.

If we want to grow as an organisation, recruiting and training volunteers is vital; and flexible volunteering is key, as even giving one weekend can help. It is hard work and can be emotional, but the benefits of volunteering outweigh the challenges, and it’s one small way of changing the world! 

---

PO (SCC) Jenny Harvey is CO of Boston Unit, which was thrilled to receive a Captain’s Certificate of Commendation in June 

Back in 2015, my son and daughter had joined Sea Cadets and were having a band practice when my daughter announced that I used to play the glockenspiel when I was a cadet. I was asked to help train some cadets up, but, before I knew it, I was signed up and we were doing our first band display. After becoming Training Officer then 1st Lieutenant at Norwich Unit, I helped train the team at a new unit in Wells-next-the-Sea before transferring to Newark Unit to help them grow. I was then asked to take on Boston Unit, which is now thriving and raising funds to purchase the boat station on the River Witham.

I’ve definitely grown in confidence through volunteering, which has helped with life and work. And receiving my Lord-Lieutenant’s Certificate for Meritorious Service was a really unexpected honour. It’s also fantastic to be part of the journey of the young volunteers who join us, gain new skills and find jobs due to the confidence they have gained from Sea Cadets.  

Being a CO means a lot of travel and time commitments. But the rewards of seeing your cadets and team achieving new qualifications and becoming part of a unit family definitely outweigh the tougher times.  

---

Sub Lieutenant (SCC) Paul Browning RNR is CO of Loughborough Unit and gained extensive BBC coverage (and several new volunteers) with a recent campaign 

I hadn’t been a sea cadet but was a St John Ambulance cadet, later becoming an adult instructor and founding a new St John unit in Hampshire. I had no boating experience before joining Sea Cadets – just a strong interest in supporting young people and learning new skills.

Volunteering with the unit is deeply rewarding; I see young people grow in confidence, resilience and character every week. It provides a complete change from my more desk-based career; something active, practical and community-focused. I’ve been fortunate to be supported by excellent mentors and a truly outstanding team. And my professional leadership, communication and mentoring skills are directly transferable to my role with Sea Cadets. 

It takes planning and discipline to fit it around the day job, but volunteering is important to me. A proud achievement was leading a recruitment strategy that has doubled our volunteer numbers; with more committed adults, we can offer richer programmes, better support for cadets and resilience in our operations. 

We look for potential volunteers with integrity, patience and a team mindset. You don’t need naval experience – just a desire to make a difference. The training and support are there, and there’s real satisfaction in seeing cadets achieve things they never thought possible and knowing you played a small part in their journey.

Photos: Sea Cadets