BTEC Firsts for 1066!

BY CI JAMES VEY
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Months of hard work has paid off and four cadets from 1066 (Hitchin) Sqn are celebrating after achieving their BTEC First Diploma in Public Services. These are the first BTEC diplomas achieved at the squadron and they will assist the cadets when applying for jobs and course places in the future. The diploma is equivalent to four GCSEs A - C grade.

Cadet Warrant Officer Kenji Kemp, eighteen and Cpl Michael Page, seventeen, both achieved their diplomas with a merit. Flt Sgt Christopher Moore and Cpl Samuel James, both seventeen passed with distinctions. Cpl James explains "I found the BTEC First Diploma in Public Services very interesting and it helped me to broaden my knowledge of what it takes to join the Armed Forces. The course has given me something my civilian counterparts do not have and for that I am very grateful".

The awards were presented at the squadron by Sqn Ldr Mimpress of Herts and Bucks Wing and Flt Lt Crichton, the Wing's BTEC Officer. Cpl Page was completing his silver Duke of Edinburgh's Award expedition when the presentation took place so he will receive his award in due course. Our thanks go to Flt Lt Crichton and Sqn Commanding Officer Flt Lt Vey for their assistance in helping the cadets to achieve their awards.

[From Right -> Left: Sqn Ldr Mimpress. FS Moore, CWO Kemp and Cpl James with their BTEC First Diplomas]

Sweet Silver Success

BY CDT DUMAL WELIKALA
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On Monday 13th August, five cadets from 1066 (Hitchin) Squadron travelled to North Wales to complete their Duke of Edinburgh's Award silver qualifying expedition.

Cdt Welikala explains: On the first day of the expedition we managed to get lost twice during the day and the heavy rain didn't help either! Once back on track, we continued and eventually got to our first campsite.

The second day was slightly better and we set off eagerly to get to the next campsite. This was the hardest part of the journey as Cdt Cpl Michael Page had estimated it to be around 20km, over hills and rivers. With this mammoth task in mind we continued the walk and got to the second campsite in an impressive time. The third and final day of the expedition started well as we had covered over 5km in less than three and a half hours! With only one more hill to climb until the end we paced up the hill to the finishing line. Finally we had all completed this challenging expedition and our silver awards. Once back at base camp we were welcomed by CI David Dewbery who had planned the expedition and was one of the assessors. Later that evening we were treated to dinner in Barmouth.

Cpl Benjamin Reed explains "This has been probably the toughest challenge during this year for me, but I have enjoyed every minute of it". Our thanks also go to CI Al Cox who assisted with the expedition. We are all now ready to tackle our gold awards.