Ballykinlar and Ballygowan cadets pick up top awards

Ballykinlar and Ballygowan cadets pick up top awards

27 July 2016

ARMY Cadets from detachments in Ballykinlar and Ballygowan have been presented with major awards.

Ballygowan Sergeant Majors Joseph Armstrong and David Spratt have been honoured with the prestigious award of Master Cadet status, an accolade which recognises and rewards outstanding leadership, instructional and administrative capabilities, while Ballykinlar’s Adam Smith has been presented with the Army Cadet Force Badge for small bore shooting.

David joined the Cadets in 2011 and has become a stalwart of his Detachment and a role model for younger Cadets, leading a number of skills and sports teams in competition. Earlier this year, his commitment and successes within the Cadet movement was recognised when he was appointed Lord Lieutenant’s Cadet for the City of Belfast.

Joseph has also proved a high achiever, inspiring and leading others and rising to become Cadet Company Sergeant Major of Barrosa Company, the senior training Company in the Battalion.  

Joseph has a host of achievements to his credit including the BTEC Diploma in Public Services and the Cadet Signaller course.  He is currently working towards completion of his Duke of Edinburgh silver award.

Congratulating the pair, Colonel Keith Dowell, Commandant of 2nd (NI) Battalion Army Cadet Force, said the appointment as a Master Cadet is recognition of exceptional commitment, talents and skills — qualities which Joseph and David have in abundance.

“These two young people have risen steadily through the Cadet ranks, chalking up some incredible achievements and accolades en route.  For each of them, Master Cadet status is the culmination of their Cadet careers and, we hope, an indication that they will maintain their interest and enthusiasm with continued involvement as Instructors,” he said.

Colonel Dowell added: “My congratulations go to both these young people and to the Ballygowan Detachment which has so successfully nurtured their development over the years.”

Congratulating Adam, whose shooting talents have already earned him a place on the Great Britain Under 19 team, Colonel Dowell said: “Shooting is one of the most popular of all Cadet activities and, with so much interest and competition, standards are incredibly high. Even against that back, Adam has been extraordinarily successful.”