Success Story - Liam Gray

Liam Gray: From Cadet to Commissioning Engineer and Volunteer Leader

We are proud to share the story of Captain Liam Gray, a remarkable example of how the Army Cadets shape futures. A former cadet and now an Area Training Officer for A Company of Nottinghamshire ACF, Liam has also built an impressive civilian career as a Nuclear Facilities Commissioning Engineer for Rolls-Royce Submarines in Derby.

Liam’s journey is one of growth, resilience and purpose. His time in the cadets not only gave him the tools to succeed professionally but also a lifelong connection to service and leadership. We sat down with Liam to find out more about how the cadet experience has shaped his life.

What skills do you have that you’ve gained as a cadet?

The skills I gained as a cadet many years ago include leadership, communication, and teamwork. I also learned, quite often, what chan eil to do in certain situations—it was a time of trial and error during the early stages of my professional development.

A standout memory for me was attending a course with the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers at Arborfield. We gained insight into the life of an apprentice artificer and worked with helicopters, tanks, and simulators. It was a fantastic week and gave me direct experience that I could use in a CV and interview pack when applying for an apprenticeship with Rolls-Royce—where I’ve now worked for nearly 13 years.

In adult life, cadets taught me crucial soft skills, including time management and relationship management. The cadets expose you to a very diverse and open community, and I’d say one of its greatest assets is the variety of people you meet from all walks of life. That continues when you become an instructor, as you interact with people from a wide range of careers, perspectives and backgrounds.

What experiences did you have as a cadet that fuelled further passions into adulthood?

Training played a mòr part. Having passed the Junior Cadet Instructors Cadre (JCIC) as a cadet and then going on to lead others through the syllabus helped me embrace continuous improvement—both personally and professionally. Learning to take feedback, apply it, and use it to grow has been incredibly valuable.

The ability to take criticism and detach from it emotionally—focusing instead on the message and how to improve—was something I developed as a cadet and refined as I took on more senior instructor roles.

I also had exposure to adventurous training and experiences that took me out of my comfort zone—activities at heights, open-water challenges, and frequent travel away from home. I was fortunate to take full advantage of the opportunities available, and through that, I developed one of the greatest skills a young person can gain: independence.

What advice would you give to a young person thinking about becoming a cadet?

Do it.

Have an open mind and enjoy the opportunity to meet people you might never cross paths with in everyday life. To a young adult thinking about becoming an instructor, I’d say the same—go in with an open mind and recognise that people communicate in different ways. Be receptive to lessons and feedback because they’re there to help you grow not just in your role but as a person.