Hailing from Gordon’s School CCF (Army), Cadet Sergeant Jess Fowler has been in the school’s contingent for three years. The Combined Cadet Force recently sat down with her to find out more about her time in the CCF and see what she has planned next.
“I joined the CCF after being given the opportunity to attend a training week in Dartmoor, where I had the best time! I found pushing myself and stepping out of my comfort zone to be really rewarding and I loved seeing how much of a community the CCF was. It was something I wanted to be a part of.
There have been so many highlights over the past few years, but the summer camps always remain a constant highlight! My first camp as a Junior Cadet is a particular favourite memory too as I really enjoyed taking part in all of the activities and giving everything a go. I also had the opportunity to meet with Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal, after she was told about an event where I was playing the Last Post and it was an incredible honour.
As well as amazing experiences, the CCF has benefitted me in many ways personally. It has given me so much confidence, helped me to develop my leadership skills and has allowed me to be a part of an amazing community full of people that I am so glad to have met.
If there is anyone reading this who is on the fence about joining their school’s CCF contingent, then I would say ‘just do it.’ You never know who you might meet or the opportunities you will be given. Everyone there wants to help you and see you succeed, helping to make sure that you get the most out of your time in the CCF.
Outside of cadets, my main hobby is music. I absolutely love music and I play the trumpet. I hold the ceremonial rank of Trumpet Sergeant and lead the school’s ‘Under the Arches’ Band during school parades. I have had the incredible opportunity of playing the Last Post for many Remembrance events including the opening to a Premiership Women’s Rugby match at the Harlequin’s Stadium which was also broadcast on TV.
I’ll be continuing with the CCF until I leave school and then I aim to join the Reserves.”
Read the full article on the Combined Cadet Force’s website here.
Gordon’s School is a non-selective boarding school based near Woking. It is a school where students are encouraged not just to discover their talents and interests, but to better themselves to better help others.
They are not the standard education model, and they do not want Gordonians to be standard citizens, they want them to earn their success through hard work and champion a future based not on privilege or advantage, but on how hard people work for themselves and others.
The Combined Cadet Force forms an important part of the School’s Co-Curriculum programme, with all students joining the CCF in Year 10. The role of the CCF at Gordon’s School is to provide students with the opportunity to develop their powers of leadership, self reliance and resourcefulness.
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