For over 36 years Lt. Col. Andy Garrett has been an Army Cadet Force (ACF) volunteer, during which time he has positively impacted the lives of literally thousands of young people.

He is an inspiring leader, who is not afraid of dealing with difficult issues, managing to do so whilst retaining his popularity and respect within the whole volunteer community of the ACF.

Andy is credited with the large increase in cadet and volunteer adult recruits in Dorset. Despite the pandemic, Andy has completed the training of twenty three new instructors as well as having another twenty one in various stages of induction training, with a further thirty five expressions of interest. Andy has also led the county’s PR efforts, which led to Dorset being widely recognised as having one of the most capable and professional PR systems in the UK.

Andy’s insistence and perseverance on making all aspects of the ACF available to the cadets, means that engagement in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and CVQO/BTEC qualifications is well above the national average. He has stood in at short notice to deputise for his commandant, including planning and executing a very successful annual summer camp for over three hundred cadets, making him the consummate volunteer.

To see Andy’s entry in the official programme click here.