In a touching display of national gratitude — and possibly disbelief — ten Cadet Force Adult Volunteers from across the Lowlands have been officially recognised for doing something many adults could never dream of: willingly guiding, educating, and supervising teenagers.
These heroes, known formally as CFAVs and informally as “people with bottomless patience”, were chosen by the cadets themselves for the Cadet Adult Recognition Awards (CARAs). Since 2020, the CARAs have existed to celebrate the adults who routinely give up their evenings and weekends so young people aged 12–18 can learn new skills, build resilience, and find out how heavy a bergen really is when you regret packing two bottles of Irn-Bru.
Nearly a hundred nominations poured in this year, suggesting that despite everything said about Gen Z, they do know how to appreciate the adults who keep them on track, in uniform, and vaguely pointed in the right direction.
The ceremony — broadcast online from the Royal Hospital Chelsea — featured National Army Cadet Ambassador and mental health activist Sally Orange MBE, who highlighted the Herculean effort of volunteers across the UK. In diplomatic military phrasing, she noted that without CFAVs, the entire Cadets system “simply could not continue”, which is polite code for “this would collapse faster than a wet-paper bivvy”.
Each winner received a prestigious CARAs certificate and a gift voucher donated by Forces-friendly businesses, presumably usable for things like coffee, tactical socks, or whatever keeps a volunteer functional after a weekend field exercise.
The full CARAs 2025 honour roll:
- Sea Cadets East: Petty Officer Victoria Lonie
- Sea Cadets West: Petty Officer Justin McGhee
- Air Cadets East: Civilian Instructor John Davies
- Air Cadets West: Civilian Instructor Aidan Warren
- Glasgow & Lanarkshire: Sergeant Fraser Martin
- Runner-up: Sergeant Michael McKeown
- West Lowland: Company Sergeant Major Frank Kennedy
- Runner-up: Sergeant Kane Marshall
- Lothian & Borders: Staff Sergeant Hirvonen
- Runner-up: Lieutenant Louise McCauley
Each delivered a heartfelt acceptance speech, which is impressive given the awards were streamed online — a medium where heartfelt speeches usually wither and die.
The message from the winners was clear: they’re grateful, they’re proud, and they’ll keep doing the work that shapes the next generation of adults who can tie knots, read maps, and actually turn up on time.
If you’re suddenly feeling inspired to join this elite club of patience-wielding superheroes, you can find your nearest cadet unit at www.lowlandrfca.org.uk.
