Sergeant Instructor Danielle Sumner, Moncktons Detachment, Maidstone
What motivated you to join the Army Cadets as a female volunteer, and how has your experience been so far?
As a cadet there was never many female instructors to look up to or to be able to relate with or understand certain aspects. I was never confident and then my Detachment Commander made me believe in myself and gave me the courage that I still have today.
In what ways do you believe the Army Cadets empower young women and promote gender equality within its ranks?
We help to build confidence in the young person amongst their peers, younger cadets and instructors.
We show the young women how much there is that they can do if they just persevere and have confidence in themselves. And we promote that that young women can do the same as the young men. We also like to encourage there experiences and make every step there own journey.
What advice would you give to young women considering joining the Army Cadets, but may be unsure or hesitant?
Just do it, you don’t know unless you try . The worst that can happen is that you don't like much and you can leave. But the best is that you will make new friends from around the county and go on weekends away.
