James goes for Gold

On Thursday – our last parade night of 2022- Flight Sergeant James Munday was presented with his Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award badge.

James first joined the Squadron in October 2017 and has taken every opportunity available to him fully engaging across the whole breadth of the cadet experience.

Since joining, James threw himself into the Duke of Edinburgh Award gaining first his Blue Air Cadet Pre-DofE badge and then progressed to Bronze, Silver and now finally his Gold Award.

The Award Scheme consists of four sections: Skills/Interests, Physical Recreation, Voluntary Work, and an Expedition.

For the Gold Award an additional fifth section of a residential project is required where participants must spend at least a week away from home with others they don’t know taking part in activities together.

James took up the challenge for his Gold Award, joining an adventure week on the Jurrasic Coast on a week of watersport adventure that included canoeing, kayaking, paddle boarding, raft racing, climbing, coasteering, aeroball, powerboats, rifle shooting and archery.

For his Skills Section, James pushed his love of Aviation to new heights, qualifying as a solo glider pilot and attaining his freefall parachute licence at MOD Netheravon the home of the Army Parachute display team The Red Devils.

For his Physical Recreation Section, James continued with his Tae Kwon Doe. Having already achieved his black belt, James travelled the country competing in National Competition bouts finishing a highly credible second in the National Finals.

James achieved his black belt second Dan in October 2021 as part of his Gold DofE physical. He achieved Third place in The British Championships 2021 and came second in the English Championships in 2022 and he also completed his Tae Kwon Doe Umpires course.

For his Voluntary Work Section James took it upon himself to lead a group of young volunteer litter pickers meeting weekly for over a year come rain or shine to help keep his local community clean and tidy.

For his Expedition Section his practice expedition was in the Lake District in July 2022 and his qualifying expedition was in the Snowdonia National Park in August 2022. Both expeditions were 50 map mile wild country four-day self-sufficient expeditions as part of a team.

A trip to the Palace now awaits for both James and his parents as all new Gold Award Holders receive an invitation to either a Buckingham Palace Garden Party or a reception at St James Palace to meet Prince Edward, The Duke of Wessex who took over the award scheme from his Father the late Prince Philip Duke of Edinburgh.

Speaking of his pursuit of all three of his Duke of Edinburgh Awards, James said,

“I set out to challenge myself and take myself out of my comfort zone, gaining new skills for life and to find opportunities to develop myself, my initiative, confidence and planning skills. The Duke of Edinburgh Scheme has given me all this and much, much more. I would encourage every cadet and young person outside the cadets to pursue their own Duke of Edinburgh Award be it Bronze, Silver or Gold Awards, you won’t regret it.”

From 1094 Ely Squadron Royal Air Force Air Cadets