Sussex Cadet achieves Top Student at Master Cadet Course

A clear ambition from the start

Cdt SSgt Benjamin Martin of Cadets de l'armée du Sussex did not join by accident. From the beginning, he had a clear goal in mind.

“I’ve always wanted to join the Army,” he says. “Cadets felt like the best way to get stuck in, see if it’s right for me, and build up the skills that’ll make me a good soldier.”

That mindset shaped his entire experience. Rather than just turning up each week, Benjamin approached cadets as a stepping stone to something bigger, using every opportunity to learn, improve and test himself.

Looking back, he is also clear on what he would tell his younger self on day one.

“Listen to senior NCOs (non-commissioned officers) and watch them. They know how everything runs. Think about what they’re doing and why, then apply it yourself.”

It is a simple bit of advice, but one that reflects a more mature approach to leadership. Learn first, then lead.

Challenge, confidence and that unforgettable Twix

Like most cadets who complete the Cours de maître-cadet, Benjamin faced his fair share of challenges. Some were expected. Others, not so much.

“I think the toughest bit was probably a lack of food and sleep,” he admits. “I didn’t bring any snacks. I had an Easter egg and one Twix. It might have been the best Twix I’ve ever eaten.”

It is a funny moment, but it also sums up the reality of the course. You are pushed out of your comfort zone, and sometimes it is the small things that test you the most. Despite that, Benjamin kept going, showing the kind of resilience the course is designed to build.

Some of his favourite memories came from the intensity of field exercises.

“Just attacking enemy positions, reacting to stuff, taking control and cracking on. You just put everything into it and leave it all out there.”

Those experiences did more than test him physically. They helped build confidence that carries into everyday life. Benjamin says one of the biggest changes has been his ability to speak in front of others and take charge of a group.

“I’m a lot more confident now. Teaching lessons and getting a grip of a group has been massive for me.”

He also highlights how quickly strong friendships can form in cadets.

“You meet people and within five or six days they’re really good mates. You just turn up, have a laugh and get through it together.”

Leadership, balance and looking ahead

When it comes to leadership, Benjamin keeps things straightforward.

“Stay calm under pressure. People get flustered, but you’ve just got to put that to the back of your mind and crack on.”

He also believes attitude makes a huge difference.

“Stay cheerful. At the end of the day, nothing’s actually that bad. Just get on with it and enjoy it.”

That positive mindset has helped him balance cadet life with school and everything else. Rather than seeing it as a challenge, he treats it as part of his routine. The structure of cadet life has actually helped him stay more productive, giving him clear tasks to complete before moving on to other things.

Benjamin also takes inspiration from people who push themselves beyond what seems possible.

“Seeing people do things where you think ‘there’s no way I could do that’ and then just going for it anyway. That’s what inspires me.”

If he had the chance to design a new challenge for cadets doing the Master Cadet Course, he would make it both mentally and physically demanding.

“Something like a big casualty simulation. Loads going on at once, testing command and control, premiers secours and teamwork. It would really push people.”

Looking ahead, his goals are already set. He plans to go to university to study History and Politics before heading to the Académie militaire royale de Sandhurst, where he already has a place lined up.

From there, it is straight into Army life.

For Benjamin, the Army Cadets has never just been an activity. It has been the starting point for a future career, built on challenge, teamwork and the confidence to push beyond what seems possible.