Cadets and volunteers from across the Cadet Forces headed to the heart of government as part of a special Whitehall Takeover during National Cadets Week 2026.
The RAF Air Cadets were represented by a nine-strong group of cadets and volunteers from squadrons and wings across London and the South East. Together, they joined cadets and Cadet Force Adult Volunteers from across the MOD-sponsored Cadet Forces, including the Sea Cadets and Army Cadet Force, to explore Whitehall, meet senior leaders and discuss the difference cadet experiences make to young people across the UK.
The group included Squadron Leader Cameron Wardrop from Kent Wing; Pilot Officer Mariam Moshin from 34F Balham and Tooting Squadron; Cadet Warrant Officer Bethan Holmes from 1015 Horsham Squadron; Cadet Warrant Officer Kiran Sangha from 1846 Southall Squadron; Cadet Warrant Officer Boaz Tambatamba from 1475 Dulwich Squadron; Cadet Warrant Officer Joshua Baldock from 354 Dover Squadron; Cadet Warrant Officer Josiah Wells from 267 Twickenham Squadron; and Cadet Flight Sergeants Jamie Manalo and Charlotte Baxendale from 1075 Camberley Squadron.
The participants spent the day at the Ministry of Defence Main Building, gaining an insight into the work taking place across Defence and government. Throughout the day, cadets and volunteers met senior Defence leaders including the Chief of the Defence Staff, the Chief of the General Staff and the Vice Chief of the Defence Staff. They also met ministers and senior officials including Calvin Bailey MP, Minister for Veterans and People, Luke Pollard MP, Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, and Wes Streeting MP, Secretary of State for Defence.
The programme included networking sessions, discussions and a question-and-answer event, giving participants the opportunity to ask questions, share their experiences and learn more about Defence and government.
Some participants also visited the Department for Education and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, where they discussed their own cadet journeys and the benefits that cadet experiences can bring to young people and communities across the country.
Throughout the day, participants spoke about the opportunities available through the RAF Air Cadets, from leadership development and adventure training to STEM, cyber and aviation activities. The visit also allowed ministers and senior officials to hear first-hand how the Cadet Forces help young people build confidence, develop skills and prepare for future careers.
Cadet Warrant Officer Bethan Holmes said:
"Meeting senior Defence leaders and ministers was a highlight of the visit. What stood out to me was how many people we met had started their own journeys as cadets and still spoke about the impact those experiences had on them.
It was a great opportunity to share what the RAF Air Cadets has given me, hear about different career paths and better understand how cadets fit within the wider Defence community.
Walking through the Ministry of Defence and speaking directly with people responsible for major decisions was something I never imagined when I first joined as a cadet. As cadets, we often see the impact of the organisation on our own squadrons and local communities, but this visit gave me a completely different perspective on how those experiences connect to the wider Defence community and the opportunities available beyond cadets.
It was reassuring to see how interested senior leaders and ministers were in hearing our views and experiences, and it showed that young people really can have a voice in conversations about the future.
The day showed how valuable the Cadet Forces are in helping young people build confidence, develop leadership skills and prepare for the future."
Pilot Officer Mohsin said:
"Being part of the first ever Whitehall Takeover during National Cadets Week was a real privilege. It was an excellent opportunity to see behind the scenes at the Ministry of Defence and gain an insight into how regular and reserve Service personnel work alongside civil servants.
It was inspiring to meet senior personnel, many of whom had started their own journeys as cadets, and to see where those experiences had taken them. Having conversations with ministers and Defence personnel about our own cadet journeys, the benefits of the Cadet Forces and its future was particularly meaningful.
Having progressed from a shy 13-year-old cadet to Cadet Warrant Officer and now a commissioned officer, I have seen first hand the opportunities the RAF Air Cadets can provide.
The day was a valuable reminder of the lasting impact the Cadet Forces can have on young people and the importance of ensuring future generations continue to have the same opportunities to learn, develop and achieve."
The Whitehall Takeover formed part of National Cadets Week 2026, the first national celebration of the UK's Cadet Forces. National Cadets Week shines a spotlight on the contributions of cadets and adult volunteers across the country, while highlighting the opportunities available through organisations such as the RAF Air Cadets. Throughout the week, cadet units are opening their doors to local communities, sharing the experiences, skills and qualifications that cadets can gain.
The initiative also supports the government's ambition to grow cadet participation in the years ahead, while strengthening the connection between the Armed Forces and the communities they serve. Activities taking place throughout the week showcase everything from leadership and adventure training to aviation, cyber, STEM, first aid and community service, demonstrating the positive impact the Cadet Forces have on young people across the UK.
For those who attended the Whitehall Takeover, the visit offered a unique opportunity to see how decisions are made at the highest levels of government while sharing first-hand the value of cadet experiences with ministers, officials and Defence leaders.