An Old Colfeian and Ex-Cadet has been commissioned into the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (RAF VRT) and will serve with the Combined Cadet Force (CCF) Squadron at Colfe’s, making her the squadron’s first female officer.
Pilot Officer, Mandy Tappin, who joined Colfe’s as a student in 2002, came top of her class on her Commissioning Course at the Royal Air Force College in Cranwell. She says it was hard work.
“The course was very intensive and was a little daunting at first. I was the youngest there and on the first day I was put in charge. There was lots of theory, drills and classroom work. They checked our uniform and made sure we would be good role models for the Cadets that we would be leading. At the end of the training though I was awarded ‘Top Student’ which was really fantastic”
The 22 year old has now been commissioned into the RAF and when she finishes her University course in Gloucestershire, where she is studying for a degree in Marketing, Mandy will become a permanent member of Colfe’s CCF Squadron. Mandy hopes she will be a positive role model for other girls
“It is really good because I’ve worked my way up through the CCF at Colfe’s and know it well. I joined as soon as I could when I was in Year 9 and I still know some of the students. The CCF team has always been really encouraging and supportive to me and in turn I was able to encourage girls to join the CCF. When I’ve finished my degree and am back down here, I envisage part of my role at Colfe’s will be to continue that and encourage more girls to join the squadron. Being in the CCF is fun and you get so much from it.”