Joining the Royal Canadian Air Cadet program can be an exciting moment for many youth. Getting to fly an aircraft, explore the wilderness and become a good citizen are some of the routine challenges faced by cadets across the country.
This month, 952 WestJet Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron out of Springbank, will be opening its doors to a new group of young people, ready to face challenges and become future leaders. The squadron is hosting a public information night Nov. 13 at Springbank Middle School at 7 p.m.
“The meeting on Nov. 13 is a welcome briefing for any potential new cadets,” said Commanding Officer Captain Kris Van Apeldoorn. “We teach them at that presentation about the program and what are the expectations of membership are in terms of time commitments.”
The information night will also be a chance for prospective members to view their options for summer training, scholarships, and potential employment opportunities.
The normal season for cadets runs from September through June, according to Bill Malanchuk, chairperson of the parents committee.
He said at the recruitment night, parents would be able to ask questions or sign their children up for cadets. Interested teens, ages 12 to 18, will be able to see uniformed cadets at the event and find out what it means to be part of the cadet community.
“They do biathlon training, we had familiarization flights, so the cadets were up in a small aircraft at the Springbank Airport,” Malanchuk speaking to some of the activities cadets do.
Along with the corps cadet programming on drill, leadership courses and outdoor familiarization exercises, staff at the squadron try to run as many programs that appeal to the cadets interests, according to Malanchuk.
Adventurous cadets can join optional programs like aviation, aviation technology and aerospace, survival, leadership, marksmanship or the biathlon program where teens have the chance to compete in local, territorial or national competitions.
Cadets from Springbank also perform highway cleanup and have volunteered to monitor for safety and help out at the kids’ activity area at the Springbank Park For All Seasons.
The cadets hold parade or training nights Thursdays from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., with extracurricular programs held Mondays at Springbank Middle School.
Youth who have passed through the cadet program have earned life skills that put them a step ahead of others, according to Van Apeldoorn.
“I am a human resources manager in my day job,” he said. “It is obvious when I am interviewing people, who has been through the cadet program.”
Van Apeldoorn explained how people who have been through the cadet program differ from others in an interview situation, for example the differences from the way interviewees present themselves, their resume, how they handle questions and pressure from an interview panel.
“Certainly they are going to gain a lot of skills and confidence when it comes to being a leader, but also in the classroom when it comes to making presentations they are going to have skills that go far beyond those of their peers,” he said.
On Nov. 11, 952 WestJet cadets will be participating in Remembrance Day ceremonies in Cochrane, as they are affiliated with the Cochrane Royal Canadian Legion branch number 15, as well members will be taking part in ceremonies at Mewata Armoury in Calgary.
