Colonel Cathy Bradshaw pictured with Suffolk ACF colleague SSgt Andy Cook
We’re shining the spotlight on some of the region’s inspirational women in the Defence community, to mark International Women’s Day. Here we hear from the inspirational Commandant of Suffolk Army Cadet Force (ACF), Colonel Cathy Bradshaw.
Could you tell us a little about yourself and your journey? What inspired you to join the ACF, and what led you to become Commandant in Suffolk?
I joined Suffolk ACF from a school-based Combined Cadet Force. I quickly became Commissioned at Suffolk and then a Detachment Commander—the role that’s most fun, with direct impact on cadets, in the ACF!
I then progressed to Company Training Officer and after that Company Commander. I also joined the Territorial Army, as it was then called—now the Army Reserves—which included being a Squadron Commander and being mobilised to Main Building in London for Op ELLAMY and shortly after that Op OLYMPICS, working from the impressive Horse Guards Parade and Wellington Barracks.
I rejoined Suffolk ACF just under two years ago as Commandant. Throughout my time in uniform I’ve enjoyed the sense of service, challenging myself, taking on responsibility and meeting a diverse range of people—being part of a team with them at all times. It’s a privilege to lead diverse teams of committed and inspirational individuals. But most of all it has been fun! The ACF’s strapline: “Fun, Friendship, Belonging,” sums it up well.
What does International Women’s Day mean to you personally, and why do you think it’s important to mark it within organisations like the ACF?
For me personally, it’s a time to celebrate what female Officers, SNCOs and cadets bring to the ACF and, I hope, allows my journey to demonstrate to a young 12 year old girl thinking about what club to join that the ACF is a place she can have fun, make friends, belong, challenge herself and get qualifications.
I think if girls can see there are female leaders in the ACF—adults and cadets—they will recognise a bit of themselves in us and come and join the ACF. About 40 per cent of the ACF are female adults and cadets, which is a pretty impressive figure and which I hope will encourage female teenagers to join as cadets and female adults join us a leaders.
In your experience, how does the Army Cadet Force help empower young women and build their confidence and leadership skills?
I could spend all day answering this one! I stress that the ACF does this for everyone, female and male cadets, female and male officers and SNCOs. But to answer for empowering, confidence building and leadership skills for young women specifically: about 35% of our adult leaders are females and here in Suffolk ACF, two of the most senior officers are female.
We also have a lot of female leaders within our cadets and last summer annual camp, two of the three cadet Company Sergeant Majors were female cadets, so we have very visible evidence of female high achievers.
We have such a wide range of subjects so everyone can find something they really enjoy and excel in. We are very physically active, whether that be drill, sports or adventure training, so everyone again has a wide array of ways to keep active. Everyone can find an area they enjoy and excel in physically.
The ACF also supports the “This Girl Can” campaign. When a cadet or adult starts with us they begin as a part of a team and gain confidence in themselves and others by the supportive environment. As a cadet or adult progresses and are ready they can then take on responsibilities and leadership roles, again with support. So this builds confidence and resilience.
Cadets and adult leaders also have the opportunities to gain recognised qualifications and transferable skills, helping them at school, getting into college or university, gaining that first apprenticeship or first job, getting a promotion at work of changing career paths. We also have a great STEM (science, technology, maths and engineering) syllabus in the ACF and opportunities to attend events and STEM camps. The take-up of these courses and camps are 50/50 gender split among Suffolk cadets.
I could keep going but all I can say is come along at take a look at your local Detachment as that will show you in the flesh what great females adult leader and cadets we have here in Suffolk ACF. They are inspirational people and well as great fun to be around.
Have you had any female role models — within the military, ACF, or elsewhere — who have inspired your leadership journey? What impact did they have on you?
I wouldn’t say there has been a single female role model, apart form my amazing, determined and supportive mum! I have been very fortunate at school, in my civilian career and my time in uniform to have had females in places of authority and leadership roles. These females gave me the belief and evidence that as a girl and young female I could achieve in all aspects of life.
It also allowed me to work out what had encouraged, supported and inspired me and I’ve used that in my leaderships ‘toolkit’ to, I hope, inspire all young people in the ACF, both female and male cadets. I’m taking the bits from them that worked for me.
I should also say there have been a lot of supportive males on my journey, too, which is equally important. I think that males show belief and support that females are equals and can achieve in their lives.
Throughout your career, have you faced any barriers or challenges as a woman in a leadership role? How did you navigate and overcome them?
I think everyone at times faces barriers and hurdles and not just women—this can be for a wide range of perceived factors.
I think there have been times, especially when starting in my civilian career and as a Junior Officer in the Army Reserves, being a young female has made a minority of people question my ability of the value I add. I do believe that minority is even smaller now than is was 20 or 30 years ago. The fact that 40 per cent of the ACF are female goes a long way to making the ACF an inclusive and diverse organisation where these barriers and challenges really are the exception.
I was very fortunate that at times when I did feel barriers were being placed in my way, I could talk to and turn to those more senior around me, both female and male. This meant I had a safe space to seek advice, learn from his they faced similar situations, sound off and very much to their credit a number would step in and help me change the situation
What message would you like to share with young women this International Women’s Day?
We need you and you need us! Come along and take a look at your local Detachment I am sure you will want to join us.
Find out more about Suffolk Army Cadet Force on their website.
