From cadet to Royal Garden Party invitee

Story and photo from Warrant Officer Green.

For over three decades, Warrant Officer Green has been a familiar and respected figure within the Royal Air Force Air Cadets, dedicating countless hours to developing young people and supporting fellow volunteers across Dorset, Wiltshire and beyond.

His Air Cadets’ journey began in 1989 when he joined 130 (Bournemouth) Squadron as a cadet. From the outset, he embraced every opportunity available, quickly developing a passion for all aspects of cadet life. However, it was drill and ceremonial that captured his imagination most strongly.

As a cadet, he rose through the ranks to become a Cadet Warrant Officer, the highest cadet rank attainable within the organisation. During this time, he was a key member of the squadron drill team, helping 130 Squadron achieve success at both Wing and Regional level competitions. The discipline, teamwork and pride associated with drill would become a defining feature of his RAF Air Cadets career.

On reaching the age limit as a cadet, he chose not to leave the organisation behind. Instead, driven by a desire to give something back to the organisation that had helped shape him, he returned as a Cadet Forces Adult Volunteer.

Over the years, he held numerous appointments and his dedication and leadership eventually led to his appointment as Officer Commanding 130 Squadron, a position he held for nine years.

Under Warrant Officer Green’s leadership, 130 Squadron continued to flourish. One of the squadron’s most notable achievements was its continued dominance in drill competitions, winning the Dorset & Wiltshire Wing Drill Competition on ten occasions during his time with the unit. His commitment to maintaining high standards of drill and discipline became a hallmark of the squadron’s success.

In 2019, after many years of service to 130 Squadron, Warrant Officer Green handed over command and moved into a wider leadership role as the Dorset & Wiltshire Wing Warrant Officer. The appointment allowed him to influence standards, development and training across the entire Wing, supporting and mentoring both staff and cadets alike.

Alongside his duties as Wing Warrant Officer, he also serves as the Wing Sports Officer and Deputy Regional Warrant Officer, continuing to make a significant contribution across multiple areas of the organisation.

As a qualified Drill Instructor, Warrant Officer Green has been instrumental in the delivery of Dorset & Wiltshire Wing NCO Courses for over fifteen years. During this time, he has mentored and trained thousands of cadets, helping to develop future leaders and instil the values of discipline, professionalism and teamwork.

His passion for ceremonial excellence also extended to the Wing Rifle Display Team, which he led to the National Rifle Display Competition on two occasions, achieving an impressive second-place finish both times.

His commitment and dedication have not gone unnoticed. Among his proudest achievements was receiving the Lord-Lieutenant’s Award for Meritorious Service in 2019, recognising his outstanding contribution to the RAF Air Cadets and the wider community. In 2025, he was further honoured with an invitation to attend a Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace, a prestigious recognition of his many years of voluntary service.

Away from uniform, Warrant Officer Green is a proud father of five and values family time above all else. He says, “I am very lucky to have supporting family and wouldn’t be where I am without them.”

Despite the demands of his various RAF Air Cadets roles, he has always maintained that supporting young people and spending time with family are the two greatest privileges in his life.

Reflecting on his journey, Jamie remains humble about his achievements, saying:

“Awards, appointments and competition successes are all special, but seeing what the cadets achieve, watching them develop into confident young adults, and seeing where life takes them afterwards is what makes it all worthwhile.

To learn more about becoming a CFAV visit Become an Adult Volunteer with Wessex Reserve Forces

To learn about the benefits of becoming a CFAV visit Inspiring the Next Generation – Wessex Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association

To join the cadets visit Wessex Reserve Forces & Cadets: Strengthening Future Leaders

To learn about the benefits of becoming a cadet visit The benefits of becoming a cadet – Wessex Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association