From the 24th to the 26th of April, I attended the RAF 2-Day March, more commonly known as RAF WARMA. This event takes place at RAF Cosford, near Wolverhampton, with the goal of completing two consecutive days of 40-kilometer marches.
We didn’t just turn up and walk; our preparation started back in November. Training involved walking across entire weekends, starting with a 25km and a 20km split. Over the following months, we held three more training weekends, increasing the distance by 5km each time. By the end of our preparation, we had covered 258km. Including the event itself—where the two routes are actually 42km long—I covered a total of 342km.
While many see this as a physical feat, it is an even greater mental challenge. I will admit that I found it incredibly taxing, and it will likely remain my biggest challenge for a long time. For finishing, I received a medal and my Silver Road Marching Badge. I am currently one of only 32 cadets across Durham and Northumberland to attain Silver status. This is one of my greatest personal achievements, especially as I completed it at 15—the minimum age allowed for the event.
This experience has made a lasting impact on me. It hasn’t just changed me as a Corporal in the Air Cadets; it has changed the way I approach challenges in general. My journey began in January 2025 with my Blue badge, followed by Bronze in September and October. Completing Silver is definitely my biggest life achievement so far.
I was also honored to meet Air Commodore Al Lewis, the head of the RAFAC (Royal Air Force Air Cadets). This event has opened a door for me to see the world and the challenges within it, and I am so glad I took part.
