An RAF Cadet Warrant Officer wins the top accolade at this year’s Women in Defence Awards 2022. The awards also saw two other RAF entries recognised in the high profile finals.
Cadet Warrant Officer Zoe won in the Emerging Talent category. Her drive and passion caught the eye of the judges.
I feel immensely proud to be in the position I am today and it was incredible when I found out I had won.
Cadet Warrant Officer Zoe
Zoe was also named as the top Air Training Corps Cadet earlier this year when she was a Cadet Warrant Officer with 1986 (Wymondham) Squadron in Norfolk. The 20 year-old was a cadet for seven years with the Squadron before transferring to 1070 Diss as a Civilian Instructor earlier this year.
Zoe has overcome a number of life challenges with considerable determination, demonstrating incredible resilience to live life independently after growing up with only a father figure. Talking about her experiences, Zoe has urged other Air Cadets to seize every opportunity they are offered.
As a cadet I never knew about any of these awards so my whole cadet career was me trying to get as many opportunities as possible, build my CV and enjoy some new experiences. You don’t have to be the best at a specific subject matter, or the best athlete, you just have to show up and give it your all day in day out.
Make mistakes and build yourself from them, learn from others, try things you never thought possible, just throw yourself into anything and who knows, it may work out for the best.
Cadet Warrant Officer Zoe
Zoe has excelled in a breadth of Air Cadet activities, including sport, leadership, aviation, adventure training, road marching and the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme. One of her most notable achievements was flying solo while participating in the Air Cadet Pilot Scheme, and she recently took two weeks off to complete the arduous Junior Leaders course, which she cites as her most rewarding personal challenge.
Despite juggling the demands of Air Cadets and a full-time job, Zoe still finds the time to study for vocational qualifications to better support Air Cadet activities as well as furthering her ambition to join the RAF as a Physical Training Instructor. These include gym, personal trainer and fieldcraft instructor qualifications, lifeguarding, leadership and management qualifications, and Mental Health Awareness, plus Lowland Leader and Mountain Leader qualifications.
The RAF Executive Committee Shadow Board was also a finalist in the Inclusive Teamwork award category. Their entry highlighted the group’s role in bringing together volunteers from across all ranks, grades and backgrounds, to share different perspectives when discussing key RAF issues.
We have demonstrated that it does not matter where you are from or what your background is. What you think, how you engage and being able to articulate your ideas to change an organisation for the better, is what’s important.
Squadron Leader Ross
We are all absolutely delighted to have been recognised as a finalist and are proud to represent the Royal Air Force at this year’s Women in Defence Awards.
Corporal Smith
Ex RAF Chief Technician, Tina Evans was the third RAF finalist, and recognised in the Innovation and Creativity category. Tina, who now works for Leonardo, was put forward for her work to review and analyse huge amounts of data within the Joint Electronic Warfare Operational Support Centre (JEWOSC).
Throughout this project, Tina tirelessly pushed to bridge the boundaries between the requirement and the latest industry technology that existed. Chief Technician Evans personal innovation, drive, ambition and dedication, shows the true character, value and strength of what women can bring to STEM whilst serving in the Armed Forces.
