Page 8 - Demo

The Wings and Prizes Ceremony THE AIR OFFICER COMMANDING IN CHIEF'S SPEECH AT THE PRESENTATION OF WINGS AND PRIZES ON 23rd JUNE, 1965 \here at Cranwell to witness the graduation ceremonies of No 87 Entry. The course which they have just completed is an arduous one. Indeed, were it not so, it would be ineffective. Many starters have failed to finish and those who have completed it successfully deserve considerable credit for so doing. I feel certain that supporters endorse the choice which their cadet has made, and are proud that he has successfully graduated. This success must in part be due to the support which you - parents, guardians and friends - have given him, and I congratulate you upon his success which is in part your own. Those cadets who have won trophies for prizes may be allowed an expression of modest satisfaction, because competition has been keen and performance meritorious. Conversely, those who have not won prizes need not be despondent, because the margin is paper-thin between winner and losers. Yet, narrow though the margin may be, it is marked by a handsome trophy for the winner, and often nothing at all for being close second. Ponder this fact objectively : it will repeat itself to you in analogous forms throughout your life. However, trophies and prizes are as nothing compared to the commission which you are now to hold. Before taking that commission to whatever fortune is in store for you - read it - and consider carefully the implications of its wording. It lays special emphasis on the personal trust which our Sovereign places in you ; it lays responsibility upon you, endows you with authority : and neither time, nor place, nor plain clothes nor leave can divest you of that responsibility, authority and trust. By its wording is made clear that integrity is the quality which an officer must possess, and without it he is no officer. You will not exist, primarily, for the value of your individual personal qualifications, though sound professional qualifications are essential, but for your ability to take charge and show the way. That ability is a compound of force of character, trained intelligence and articulacy, all solidly based on integrity. There are four qualities which contribute to force of character. The first, and most important, is good health. Without good health Page 145