Keoni promoted to top spot

September 21, 2021
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An Army Cadet from Caithness has been appointed as the most senior ranking cadet of their unit.

Keoni Jones (17), from 1st Battalion The Highlanders’ Castletown Detachment, has been promoted to Caithness Company’s new Cadet Company Sergeant Major.

CSM Jones has been in the ACF since September 2015. During his time in the ACF the Caithness Company Cadet has climbed through the ranks and taken advantage of everything being an Army cadet can offer, from representing the Battalion in shooting competitions to taking part in Adventure Training courses.

Cadet receiving certificate from Commandant.
CSM Jones (right) receiving his 4 Star Certificate from Battalion Commandant Colonel Mike MacDonald.

The Company Sergeant Major is the most senior ranking cadet within the company and part of Keoni’s responsibility as the senior cadet of Caithness is mentoring his fellow cadets.

CSM Jones is not the first member of his family to have held this position. Keoni followed in the footsteps of his older sister Lani Jones – who is now an Adult Volunteer with the Army Cadets – who held the rank in 2018.

Keoni was officially appointed to his new role during a Caithness Company Training Weekend, held in Halkirk at the start of the month by the Battalion’s Commandant Colonel Mike MacDonald.

Two cadets build a shelter.
Caithness Company cadets learning how to build a shelter as part of their Company Training Weekend in Halkirk.

Following the presentation of his Sergeant Major promotion, CSM Jones was also awarded his 4 Star Certificate by Col MacDonald – the highest star level that a cadet can achieve within the Army Cadets. This builds upon the skills he has been taught over his six years with the ACF.

Main image show CSM Jones receiving his Sergeant Major pacestick from Battalion Commandant, Colonel Mike MacDonald.