CADETS SOAR: As Acton Cadets Rebecca Burtney and Christopher Gallinger each received their Private Pilot and Glider Pilot training respectively. Burtney, now at university, is an Air Force CIC officer in the Air Cadet Program and Gallinger is in his second year at Royal Military College, training as an Air Force Pilot. – Submitted photo
Air Cadets a well kept secret:
What a deal – a program with no fees, dues or uniform costs that builds leaders, teaches teamwork, leadership, citizenship, self-confidence and physical fitness. No wonder officials with the Canadian Cadet Program think it’s possibly the best-kept secret in Canada.
Cadets is a federally sponsored program for 12 to 19-year-olds with three elements including Air, Army and Sea. Acton is served by the 197 Royal Canadian Air Cadets Typhoon Squadron, based for the last 25 years at the Acton Legion.Cadets are not part of the Canadian Forces and there’s no expectation for Cadets to join the military.
Acton has between 40 and 45 Cadets in Acton, half girls and half boys who attend a weekly parade at the Legion. The Cadet band meets weekly on Mondays at the Legion.
Along with a lot of fun, the program provides discipline, teaches self-reliance, survival skills and the opportunity to learn how to fly – all on an annual operating budget between $5,000 and $8,000 – most of that for a flight scholarship program and a program that enables Cadets to earn their pilot’s licence.
Cadets offers 28 cadet summer training centres across Canada including music, leadership, aviation, physical education, survival training.
Acton Air Cadets have earned scholarships sponsored by the Air Cadet League to both Glider and Power Pilot courses which result in the Cadets earning their wings as licensed private and glider pilots.
All of the programming – on the parade square, during a familiarization flight, while teaching younger Cadets or participating in a sporting event – is done with a commitment to the core values of loyalty, professionalism, mutual respect and integrity.Acton Cadets show they are responsible and caring citizens with their on-going involvement in Poppy Day, the Remembrance Day Parade, Santa Claus Parade, Veteran’s Day and Cadets Caring for Canada activities. They also attend “Prop Wash” at CFB Borden’s Blackdown Cadet Training Centre every Victoria Day weekend, numerous inter-squadron sporting competitions, gliding and power flying and an optional March Break trip.
Details of this year’s March Break trip to the Canadian Ecology Centre will be on display when the Squadron wraps up its year on Sunday, June 18.
The public is invited to help the Royal Canadian Air Cadet Typhoon Squadron celebrate at its 22nd annual review on Sunday June 18, at 1:30 p.m. at the Acton arena/community centre.
Article:
By FRANCES NIBLOCK, The New Tanner