By SI James Hutton, Bury Detachment, No 1 (Minden) Company
Ben Bright, an ex-cadet recently took part in one of Bury Detachment’s twice weekly parade nights via Zoom. Ben spoke about his time in the cadets, leaving to join the army and then training to become a Registered Nurse. He has recently qualified from Bolton University and has started work at Bolton Hospital.
One of the most rewarding facets of being an Adult Instructor in the Army Cadet Force is being able to see young adults grow and gain confidence. It also gives great pleasure in seeing ex-cadets after they have left and seeing how they are pursuing their dreams.
Ben left Bury Detachment as a Cadet Colour Sergeant in 2012 and joined the Army, training to be a vehicle mechanic in the Royal Electrical Mechanical Engineers (REME). Sadly, a medical complaint cut short his promising Army career and he was discharged on medical grounds in 2014.
Undeterred he applied to Bolton University and did his degree in Nursing. He has qualified as a Registered Nurse this year and has started his first job as a Staff Nurse on one of Royal Bolton Hospital’s busy Medical Assessment Units.
During his training, Ben undertook a number of clinical placements in a variety of specialisms. I was lucky enough to be assigned as his clinical mentor on his Trauma placement. The opportunity to help him develop in this new phase of his life was a fantastic time for both of us – I am at the end of my nursing career – aiming to retire this year after over 35 years’ clinical practice, and Ben is at the beginning of an exciting career in very difficult times.
When Ben told me that he had recently qualified I was really pleased that I had played some part in his success. It also seemed a natural opportunity for him to talk with Bury’s cadets about how cadets had been a positive impact on him.
On Friday (12/02/2021) Ben gave a talk to the cadets, recounting his Cadet, Army and Nursing careers to date. The cadets were especially interested in how his cadet experience was a positive advantage in both his Army career and his Nursing career. He was asked many questions about Army life as well as Nursing careers.
Detachment Commander Mike Toner said “It is a pleasure to see how the army cadet force helps young adults to achieve great things. Everyone at Bury Detachment wish Ben all the very best in what we hope will be a very successful and worthwhile career.”
#KeepTheFlameAlive #CadetForceResilience #VirtualACF #GmanACFforceforgood
