During December, the Aircrew SERE Training Centre at RAF Cranwell was privileged to welcome Wing Commander Wilkinson as Guest of Honour.
Wg Cdr Wilkinson, a serving RAF Logistics Officer, shared her extraordinary story of resilience, post-traumatic growth, and overcoming childhood trauma and complex PTSD, inspiring aircrew students from across Defence, including international students from Qatar.
Wg Cdr Wilkinson spoke openly about her experiences, offering a candid and moving account of her journey through adversity, including her battle with mental health challenges and her path to recovery. She shared invaluable techniques for managing stress, building resilience, and embracing emotional vulnerability as a strength, encouraging students to see failure as an opportunity for growth. Her guided meditations and advice on self-awareness, gratitude, and overcoming the inner critic left a profound and lasting impact on all present.
Wg Cdr Wilkinson’s book, Turning the Tables on Trauma, provides a powerful and graphic account of her experiences and the tools she developed to overcome them. Proceeds from the book are donated to Axis Counselling, a charity supporting survivors of child sexual abuse.
A true inspiration, of courage, humility, and dedication to helping others embody the RAF motto, Animus Invictus. We are deeply grateful for her guidance and support.
