If it wasn't for the ATC instilling a sense of discipline in me, I know I would have ended up with a life of regret and dashed hopes.
Our CO was a member of the Pathfinders (he had the golden badge beneath his Nav wing) and was on Mosquitoes, a true gentleman and Officer who was in charge over a band of young men looking for leadership (Now at this stage in life I realize what he had done).
In our squadron one of our cadets went on to be a Nav on Buccaneers and my secondary school classmate (Yes we both failed our 11plus) went on to be Captains at Etihad and United Airlines today on the A-330 and 767 respectively after being given the chance to solo on gliders at Cosford.
Others went on to fruitful lives outside of aviation.
Without the Corps giving us chance, we would never have realized our potential.
Many grateful thanks to the ATC !
If only we could have the same sense of self control for our newer generations today , things would be so different !