During the summer, Cadet Corporal Owen Davies was promoted to Sergeant (Sgt), a position that comes with a higher level of responsibility.

Owen was promoted to sergeant after five years of dedicated service to 1284 (Tenby) Squadron and the Air Cadet Organisation (ACO) as a whole.

During his time as a cadet, Owen has carried the standard for the squadron on several occasions, representing the squadron on many different parades with diligence and respect. He has also completed the Nijmegen marches, a gruelling 100-mile march in the city of Nijmegen, Holland.

Owen has personally been responsible for raising hundreds of pounds for different causes within the ACO.

The rank of sergeant will see Owen taking command of a larger group of people and being able to effectively lead them towards a common goal; he will also be given the responsibility of planning activates, thinking about health and safety, team and individual welfare and working under time constraints.

“I’m very happy to have been promoted to sergeant,” he remarked.

When asked what he will do with his responsibility, Owen said: “I will be taking command of a group of people, instructing them, and helping them wherever necessary. I plan to use it to best serve my squadron and the ACO.”

Through the ACO, Owen has almost completed a BTEC in Aviation studies, equivalent to four GCSEs. The ACO also offers more BTECs in music, public services and the Institute in Leadership and Management.

He has also completed the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award to bronze level, and is trying for his silver award.

However, the ACO also offers a range of sports from athletics, rugby, hockey, football and netball, to name but a few. These can be done at a squadron level, all the way to a national level, where cadets are able to represent the entire UK ACO in their chosen field.

If you’re interested in joining and aged between 12 and 17, contact Sgt. (ATC) Alex Beckett on [email protected] or CWO David Folder on 01646 651 635.

You can also contact them if you are an adult and would like to help out.

The Tenby squadron parades on Wednesdays from 7 - 9.30 pm.

You could also follow them on Facebook at http://facebook.com/1284.ATC to see what they are achieving.

Owen, meanwhile, is planning on joining the army next year.

“The skills that cadets have taught me will help in all aspects of life, including the army,” he said.

All members of 1284 (Tenby) Squadron wish him the best of luck. Well done Owen!