Alex’ first week has been so hectic that she’s deputised her Mother Pauline, The Royal Star & Garter Homes’ Director of Care – to update us on her progress. 

Wednesday 29 will be the first week of the 11-week basic training completed. There are 77 days until Alex’ Graduation Ceremony and to help her through the good, and the bad times, I have created a ‘Chuff Chart’ with motivation stickers to help her count down her progression through the days and weeks! This is now proudly displayed on the inside of her locker door, along with photographs of family, friends and pets! Alex had her first experience of the Sergeant undertaking inspections of kit this morning, checking whether the clothes are folded at precisely the right angles, and apparently she has a lot of work to do to get it up to standard!

The first week has seen lots of paper work to be completed, a fitness test (which she passed), vaccinations and routine blood tests and issue of the uniforms, which requires labelling and ironing to exacting standards.

Alex is sharing her Barrack Block with 13 other female recruits and is getting to know them all very well in a short space of time.  It is quite a culture shock for her but she is coping well and learning about communal living and being woken at 05.00am! She says that by 10.00am she feels that she has done a full day’s work!

The highlight of the week was the weekend, when she had Local Leave. On Saturday the recruits attended an Armed Forces Day event in Aylesbury, with a fly past of a WW2 Spitfire which made the recruits cheer and feel very proud of the Royal Air Force but also of all the men and women who have served their country in all three services.

Sunday, she spent the day with her proud Mum and family.  She was able to rest and gather her energies ready for the demands of the new week.