An Excellent Air Cadet

Tom Tait MBE. Tom, the Air Training Corps Chaplain Emeritus, has been awarded an MBE for his services to the Air Training Corps and it couldn't be a more deserved recognition of the man, the ATC and those who engage in chaplain's roles within it.

For me, Tom is a legend, an Air cadet through and through having been part of the ATC for some thirty-six years and has attended some fifty-two ATC camps during that time. He's been a cadet, the Commanding Officer of 2519 Squadron (Strathmore), Squadron, Wing and Regional Chaplain before becoming Corps Chaplain in 2002.

Being a Chaplain to any of the uniformed youth organisations is a great privilege and a wonderful opportunity to stimulate the thinking of our young people. It's not about pushing religion down throats but rather about getting them to stop, look at what's going on around them and then, having formed an impression to respond, intelligently, to it.

I would hate to see this used to proselytise, this is not the purpose, or subject the cadets, scouts, or whatever to sermons or brain-washing (which oddly I find is actually more the province of those who have 'no faith' - perhaps this is born out of a fear?). It's a great opportunity to stimulate thinking and to be challenged as much as we are challenging.

So, if you'd like to follow the most excellent example of Tom Tait then get yourselves down to your local Air Cadets, Sea cadets, Army cadet, Scouts, Guides or any other youth organisation and volunteer.

If you're ordained and you fancy being a Chaplain, then contact them (or mail me and I'll provide you a contact).

If you're not ordained, no need to worry - there are adult volunteer roles out there and there is a great need for people to support our young people.

And by the way - it's not about war, military or anything to do with recruiting for the forces, ATC, SCC and ACF are there to create an intelligent, civic-minded and active youth.

So what are you waiting for?

Congratulations to Tom for making, and being, the difference in the lives of so many young people (and the adult volunteers) - a well deserved recognition of him and affirmation of the organisation.

Pax