DONNA Greaves, a retired Major in the British Army who comes from Brecon, has taken up the role of Senior Staff Instructor in Hereford Cathedral School’s Combined Cadet Force – the first woman to hold the role in its 123-year history.

At age 37, Donna is also one of the youngest SSIs in Britain, having completed her officer training at The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and a full 16-year career with the Royal Logistic Corps.

Donna, who went to Welbeck College (the Defence Sixth Form College) when she was 16, says she hopes the teamwork and leadership skills she learned in the British Army will benefit the young cadets of Hereford Cathedral School as they prepare for their future careers.

She said: “Even students who are not looking towards a military career will benefit from the leadership skills you acquire in the cadets.

“At age 16 when I joined the cadets, I could see early on the opportunities for training and development, both personally and professionally, and this was something I aspired to benefit from.

“The cadets at Hereford Cathedral School are going through exactly the same experience I did 20 years ago, and I hope I can help inspire these young people as they prepare for promotion, leadership and positions of responsibility later in life.”

During her career, Donna was sponsored by the British Army to complete coaching and mentoring qualifications, a degree in Management Logistics and a Masters in Business Administration.

By the time she had finished her MBA course three years later she had also had two children.

Just prior to taking up her role as Senior Staff Instructor at Hereford Cathedral School, Donna had been the officer commanding a large training Squadron at Princess Royal Barracks in Surrey. Here, she was responsible for 120 new Army trainees and 30 permanent staff, which included officers, warrant officers and Army instructors.

Paul Smith, headmaster at Hereford Cathedral School, said: “We’ve been delighted to provide the opportunities, which the CCF provides to our pupils and students at (partner school) Whitecross too, and I’m sure that Major Greaves’ diverse experience will be a great asset to all the young cadets in the CCF.”

As part of her new role, Donna will ensure that the cadet syllabus is delivered in a way that fits with pupils’ other school commitments. An experienced mountain leader – she is trained as a Mountain Leader, Day Skipper (Sailing) and Swimming Instructor – she will accompany cadets on regular training camps in the UK and Europe, preparing them for camps as well as inspections and annual parades.

Donna will also assume overall responsibility for cadet uniforms and equipment, as well as the maintenance and security of the armoury and ammunition store.

Donna grew up in The Watton in Brecon town centre and attended Brecon High School. During her time in the Army she became a joint services Instructor in Nordic Skiing a sport in which she competed at Regimental level for the Royal Logistic Corps. She also competed at Corps level in swimming and is an accomplished biathlete.

With a career that once took her to all corners of the globe, Donna says she is now looking forward to putting down her roots closer to her family in Brecon and to engaging fully in all aspects of the school community, events and activities.