Colin Coulter
48-year-old Police Officer, Colin joined the ACF six years ago with no previous military or cadet experience.
How did you become an Adult Instructor?
The local detachment had advertised in the newspaper that they needed volunteers to come and help them out or the detachment was going to close. At that stage I didn't go ahead with it because I was working shifts and I didn't think it would be suitable. However, I gave it a bit of thought and the following year I applied through the local Battalion headquarters. You 
can juggle your day job with the ACF; they're quite willing to accept that not everybody can commit exactly the same amount.
What do you like most about being a volunteer?
I really like working with the younger cadets. Seeing them develop from having no confidence, then integrating them with other cadets and gaining confidence from being in a cadet enviroment. Pushing them until they are really taking control - that's the greatest part of it.
How do you cope with the responsibility?
I'm able to take the people skills that I have from my day job. I've learnt through policing to be able to work with young people and relate to some of the things they come to you with.
Have you gained any new skills?
There are lots of opportunities to gain qualifications that you wouldn't gain anywhere else, like range management qualifications.
Any advice to potential volunteers?
You will absolutely not regret it, the things you'll get out of it, the experiences. Come along and just give it a go.
"There are lots of opportunities to gain qualifications that you wouldn't gain anywhere else."