Cadets host final recruitment opportunity for youth

by Hailey Trealout

Storm clouds that rumbled in the distance were ignored by each smiling face as Windsorites young and old entered the doors of the HMCS Hunter building Sept. 11.

Members of the Royal Canadian Sea Cadet corps program worked throughout the evening, to show newcomers and their families some of the unique opportunities they proudly learned through the corps.

The corps has worked recruiting booths at events like the Tall Ships, Blues Festival and the Military Muster. This was the Navy League Windsor Branch held their final recruiting drive and BBQ of the summer.

One of the display areas in the Drill Hall of the building had the sheerleg, a traditional element of the program. It is a crane made of two large wooden spars and very specific rope work.

During the event Kyle Tazzman, 18, worked as the captain of the sheerleg team with a handful of other cadets. He said the cadet program has more to it than what meets the eye.

“The sheerleg is one of the more interesting things that we get to do to try to show that it’s not just a bunch of marching to music. There are other more interesting things you can get involved with,” said Tazzman as he kept a close eye on his team. “I joined because I was always interested in the military, found out about this program, thought it would be something I liked, and it turned out I did. I try to teach my cadets how to be better citizens and how to work as a unit. That will help them out in the future and in their non-military or military careers if that’s what they choose to pursue.”

One of the organizers of the BBQ was former cadet and president of the Navy League Windsor Branch Gary Paquin.

He said the cadet program is one of Windsor’s best kept secrets and they’re working hard to promote it among youth.

“I think it’s great for everybody and if they could give back to the community, that’s all I ask. Make good citizens out of them, that’s what our goal is,” said Paquin.

“The cadets that are here really enjoy themselves. A lot of them get to go away to camp every year and we also have bursaries for the cadets to help with their education.” said Paquin. “There’s no end to what could happen here, they start out as cadets, they could be a commanding officer of an HMCS vessel one of these days. A lot of our cadets have done that, believe me.”

Former cadet, Lt. Brayden Uttley said the reason he came back to cadets was because he felt he got a lot out of it.

“Without cadets I don’t think I’d be as sociable or the same type of person that I actually am now.” said Uttley. “We take people who are followers and we turn them into leaders. So by the time they age out, they finish the program, they’re now leading other people and they get into the work force and instead of being just a general labourer at the bottom, they can actually be put in a leadership position.”

For more information on the cadet corps, visit www.windsorseacadets.com