Emily Burrow is repaying the Army Cadets after it gave her confidence and life skills.
Emily, 24, of Workington, completed an Army Cadets leadership management course which means she can now run a cadet detachment as a volunteer.
Currently second in command at her detachment in Aspatria, she helps organise sessions for around 10 boys and girls who meet twice a week.
She said: “I was a cadet from age 12 to 18, and I went back three years ago as an adult instructor.
“Cadets gave me so much and I want to give something back. You can’t progress with cadets unless you do a course like this, so it was a big deal.”
Emily, who works as a finance analyst for Cumberland Building Society in Carlisle, spent a week in Surrey learning how to run a cadet detachment, which involves managing both the youngsters and adult volunteers.
She teaches a set syllabus which includes first aid, military knowledge and cyber security, plus fieldcraft which involves sleeping and cooking outside.
Emily said: “Kids from every walk of life come through the doors. I want to be a positive role model for young people – some lack a positive role model.
“I followed my brother into cadets, and I was very shy, but as time went on, I gained confidence.
“Even as an adult, cadets gives you confidence because if you can stand up in front of a class and teach the cadets, you can pretty much do anything!”
Emily, whose husband Stephen was a fellow cadet, said children loved the idea of firing rifles but only about one fifth want a career in the armed forces.
Weekly sessions are free and the only cost cadets must cover is for their weekend trips away.
Emily joined Cumberland Building Society’s Wigton branch in 2021 and became a finance analyst 18 months ago.
She said she used her cadets training, in areas such as problem solving and communication skills, in her day job, and added: “Cadets continue to pay me back.”
