Cadet Annual Review

This past weekend our two older boys Colt and Dane, had their Annual Review for Cadets. This is when they have an officer from another Corp come and inspect them. There are dignitaries that visit - the Mayor, and other important people, and the Cadets have a chance to show some of their Drill and Ceremony.

This is also the day that the awards are given out for the year. I was going to be on the Road Trip during this Annual Review, but a call from the Captain made it sure that I would be home in time for the big day. She told me that the boys were going to get some pretty big awards and could I be there. Of course!

If you recall from our Road Trip, I showed how at the RCMP Academy, the guy in charge of all the troops was the position Colt was hoping to hold. At the time of my writing, there were three Warrants working hard for the position of RSM. This person is in charge of all the Cadets, including the CSM. The CSM is in charge of the troop, and the other Warrant is a backup.

If there were 5 or 10 troops the RSM is in charge of all of those troops, including their leaders (CSM's). So you can see that it is a position to be striven for! Colt worked very hard, and from what I could see it was a given that he would earn it. He did not once show that he felt he had the promotion - he always showed amazing character and did everything he could to more than meet the expectations of his Officers.

The Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corp

Waiting For the Reviewing Officer (RO) to Come On the Parade Square

March Past - Eyes Right Respecting the Reviewing Officer (A Major)

When they began calling out the awards for the day I was so surprised to hear the awards our boys received!! They have worked hard for three years, but there is so much competition for each award that it is very hard to be the recipient of one of the trophies.

Top Silver Star

To receive any of the Top Star Awards the cadets have to meet the following criteria:

Individual cadet that shows a high level of achievement in all aspects of star level training, and continually demonstrates an above average consistency in deportment and dress. He also shows a willingness and ability to work with others, and demonstrates some leadership ability.

Dane was fortunate to tie for this award with his best friend, Ian.

Top Gold Star

Saluting Before Receiving His Award

Most Improved NCM (Non Commissioned Member)

This award is to provide recognition for individual endeavors in the areas of citizenship in meeting and enhancing the aims and objectives of the Cadet organization.

Royal Canadian Legion Cadet Medal of Excellence (Cadet Medal)

Lord Strathcona Medal (Military Medal)

The Strathcona Medal is granted in recognition of a high performance in physical and military training. One medal and a Certificate of Merit are awarded by the Strathcona Trust Provincial Committee to one deserving cadet in each Corps annually.

Commanding Officers Award of Merit

The CO's Award of Merit is given to a cadet that has striven to better the world around him and the cadet corps he belongs to.

General Salute

Warrant Officer Lafreniere Leaving the Parade (RSM: Regimental Seargant Major)

He has now left the CSM (Company Seargent Major) in charge of the parade.

Proud Dane Leading the Parade

After the parade the cadets had a competition. The four senior cadets (including Colt) had to put up a 10 man tent, while the eleven junior cadets (including Dane) had to put up a 5 man tent. The race was on and they had a very close race! When it was all said and done the Reviewing Officer inspected the tents. The Junior Cadets finished first (by a minute or so), but the Senior Cadets had their tent perfect. There was only *one* small difference between the two set of cadets - one small string was not put away on the Junior's tent. Overall, both teams did fantastic!

After that was done 2nd Left Tenant Bacchmeier explained to interested adults about the IMP's. These are meals, ready to eat, that the Cadets get when they go on exercises. I have always been very *suspicious* of these, not wanting the boys to eat their left over packages when they come home from their weekends away. I was sure these foods were packaged in some kind of nasty preservatives. I mean, after all, these food containers are the same ones the military use, and they are stored for a long time!!!

My boys *love* this stuff. I will come in their rooms and they will be sitting there eating beef stew out of a tinfoil ziploc baggie!! *laugh* Each of these meals comes with coffee, tea, chocolate, cookies, main course, dessert, drink, bread etc! And it all fits in a 6"x7"x2" box!!

Well, the Left Tenant had us try this suspicious food. I have to confess it was really quite good! And it seems that they are not loaded with preservatives - it is the packaging that makes them store well! (Even my dad had a try of them!) The little boys cleaned up at the end of the demonstration - do you think any adults wanted to take the leftovers home? Well, those little boys finally had their own IMP's!! *grin*

Proud Grandparents with the Boys

The Corp

Briton and 2nd Left Tenant Bacchmeier

I have a similar picture to this of Colt when he was six weeks old! He was in Vernon, at the Cadet Camp where he will be teaching this coming summer. He was wearing a cadet beret and being held by the Chaplain, who just happened to be his cousin from Winnipeg!

Warrant Lafreniere and Corporal Lafreniere

Buddies (but still in competition)

Dane and His Friend, Ian

I am very proud of Dane and Colt. This post will show you why it will be such a hard decision for Colt if our trip to Africa crosses the 2 months that he is to be teaching in Vernon! Vernon is so important to him, as the RSM: it is part of the package of being chosen as RSM of his own Corp. We can only pray that it will all fall into place where it is supposed to.

December 4, 2008, just happens to be a Thursday night. That is the day that Cassidy turns 12 years old. He has great intentions on attending his very first Cadet night with his brothers on his birthday. He is very excited to join the ranks!!