August saw two notable individual achievements in the Physical Training branch of the Sea Cadet Corps.
Some 20 years ago, the organisation (which has always been justifiably proud of its PT qualified personnel and the very high standards they achieve on physical fitness, wellbeing, healthy lifestyle and general conduct) introduced the concept of appointing a single Corps Physical Training Instructor from among cadets UK wide, to be the lead subject matter expert for cadets and the example and role model to them all. After an initial appointment, the post has been gapped since 2014, the organisation feeling that no single cadet had achieved the high standards expected for the role.
Step forward Petty Officer Cadet Millie Walker from Cheshunt Unit (part of London Area Sea Cadets) who, in August 2024 attended a week long advanced PT Instructor course at HMS Temeraire, the Royal Navy’s physical training school. So impressed were the course instructors and the attending national PT Staff Officer with her abilities and performance that Millie was appointed Corps Physical Training Instructor (the first ever from London Area) making her the most senior PT qualified cadet in the UK.
Millie is a remarkable young person – a fact identified long before this, her latest achievement. Joining her local sea cadet unit as a ten-year-old in 2017 it was immediately obvious, even at such a young age, that this was an exceptional cadet. The speed at which she completed training syllabi, achieved promotions and devoured all available opportunities had already set her apart from her peers, resulting in her appointed as Lord Lieutenant of Hertfordshire’s Cadet in 2023, and then First Sea Lord’s Cadet for 2034, this latter role involving her representing the voice of cadets to the Admiralty and direct to the First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Ben Kay.
It really should come as no surprise to anyone who knows Millie and her passion for physical training and striving excellence that, if the SCC was going to appoint its first Corps PT Instructor cadet for ten years, it would be her!
PT in 2024 saw a wonderful double for London Area Sea Cadets. Anew appointment was created at the beginning of the year to recognise adults who have reached a level of personal achievement and excellence that deserves special reward. Warrant Office Physical Training is a much coveted appointment and London’s very own WO2 (SCC) Jo Murray RNR became one of the very first Warrant Officer PTs to be appointed, one of only two in the whole of the SCC.
Jo has been a sea cadet since she was a child, and like Millie has been dedicated and committed to physical training for many years, serving as the London subject matter expert (or Area Staff Officer) for almost ten years. She has been heavily involved in the delivery of PT courses, the organisation of the annual 40 cadet PT display for Trafalgar Day on Trafalgar Square, the national flag carrying before each Army-Navy rugby match at Twickenham and the annual sea cadet entry into the National Junior Leaders Field Gun competition. During the last ten years, is there was something physical training related going on either in or involving London, you can bet that Jo was involved!
Army-Navy rugby match at Twickenham and the annual sea cadet entry into the National Junior Leaders Field Gun competition. During the last ten years, is there was something physical training related going on either in or involving London, you can bet that Jo was involved!
Amongst all this, Jo has this year somehow found the time to add “just married” to her post nominal!
It’s interesting to note that the only other Warrant Officer PT in the SCC is Jo’s predecessor in her London Role, WO2 (SCC) David Thomas RNR, now serving in Southern Area Sea Cadets.
POC Millie Walker presented with her Corps PTI appointment by Captain Sea Cadets, Capt Neil Downing RN
WO2 Jo Murray with her Warrant Officer PTI award
