Cadets’ Corner is a weekly column submitted by the 37 Orville Hand air cadets group. The following was written by Warrant Officer Second Class Charlotte Lotter.
From one female cadet to half a squadron of young women, 37 Orville Hand Air Cadet Squadron has grown over these last five years.
In honour of Women’s History Month, let us recognize the women in Bradford’s continuously growing cadet squadron.
37 Squadron has a woman commanding officer (CO), ensuring the cadets have all the resources necessary to succeed. Capt. Holowatyj is the second CO of the squadron. She has gone above and beyond in ensuring the cadets know where the standards are and how the squadron should be running. On many occasions, she has had conversations with cadets about themselves, keeping them from feeling she is a distant figure and making them feel accepted within the squadron.
Recently, the squadron appointed a female squadron warrant officer, Warrant Officer Second Class Charlotte Lotter, the squadron’s first female cadet. Five years later, she has progressed through the ranks, showing the opportunities open to women working toward high achievements in the squadron. Her responsibilities range from ensuring each training night runs smoothly to organizing activities for the squadron and making sure all the cadets are meeting their potential.
Another female in the squadron who is excelling is Flight Cpl. Choudhry, who is waiting to be informed if she has been selected to attend eight weeks of flight training to obtain her private pilot’s licence in July and August. She has completed a pre-qualifying course, taken a pre-qualifying exam, submitted her training record, submitted her school transcript, had an interview and been recommended by the CO, putting her one step closer to earning her licence.
To all the other women in the squadron, we as a squadron are so grateful for your hard work. We are glad to have such an equal split in genders and seeing all the cadets working together equally as a team, as a squadron.
