A Cadet is making the ok sign touching her fingers together, whilst scuba diving underwater in her wetsuit and breathing apparatus. It is the hand signal used by divers to communicate that all is ok, or asking another diver if they are ok.

Cadets and Cadet Force Adult Volunteers (CFAVs) from Staffordshire & West Midlands (North Sector) Army Cadet Force swapped their boots for flippers during an unforgettable trip to Malta over the May half-term.

The group took part in Exercise Malta Splash, a week-long adventure that saw them earn their PADI Open Water Diver qualification – an internationally recognised scuba diving certification.

Training was based at the Deep Blue Dive Centre, where their group completed both theoretical lessons and practical sessions in a controlled environment before heading into open water.

Diving into history and wildlife

Once the essential scuba skills had been mastered, the Cadets and CFAVs took to Malta’s crystal-clear waters, diving among a variety of marine life including starfish, octopi, sea bream, trumpet fish, and even flying gurnard.

The trip wasn’t just about seeing the local wildlife as it also offered a unique chance to explore historic shipwrecks.

Four divers made up of Cadets, volunteers and dive centre staff, are scuba diving underwater next to a vertical rock face. The water is a crystal clear blue.

In Marsamxett Harbour, the group visited the X127 water carrier, a vessel that served during both World Wars before being sunk in 1942 after an intensified aerial bombardment.

Another memorable dive brought them face-to-face with the HMS Maori, a WWII Tribal-class destroyer which was also bombed and sunk by aircraft.  Here, they explored the wreck and even took part in a local tradition by turning a tap in the ship’s bow for ‘good luck’.

By their final dive at the stunning Blue Grotto, the group had clocked over 300 minutes of underwater exploration, which is an impressive achievement!

A cultural visit in Valletta

The group of Army Cadets are pictured in front of a tall stone and metal monument in Valletta, learning about the capital's culture and military history. It is a sunny day with blue skies, and warm weather as their Cadets are wearing hats, shorts and t-shirts.

To round off the week, the group explored Malta’s historic capital, Valletta. Highlights included a visit to Fort St Elmo and the Battery Salute overlooking the Grand Harbour. The city’s rich military history, paired with extensive museum collections of wartime artefacts, provided a valuable educational and cultural experience to end the adventure.

Want to see their Cadets in action? Catch up with their videos from Exercise Malta Splash here: Day 1, Day 2, Day 3 and Day 4.

Adventurous training is key part of the Cadet Force experience. It helps to build confidence and resilience by pushing young people out of their comfort zone, and also helps to develop key skills such as leadership, teamwork and promotes physical and mental wellbeing. Find out more about what the Cadet Forces can offer young people.

 

Published 27/06/2025