K
King Arthur
Guest
Hi everyone, I have just spent 2 hours reading through very interesting comments posted here, but also through some that need to be addressed. This is why I joined this forum. I used to be a member of CadetWorld and stopped because too many people were more interested in getting into arguments rather than looking at the facts. I simply grew tired of immature members and their rantings about the good old times... So far, this forum gives me hope! ;D
Let me introduce myself. This year, I celebrate 30 years with the Cadet Organisations, including 22 as a CIC. I just finished my second term as a CO, this first with Air Cadets and the latest with Army Cadets.
The two topics that get me the most fired-up are about the weakness of the Army Cadet Program and the comments about the CIC.
To me, the CIC is one of the most efficient and most imaginative Branch of the CF. No we are not trained to the same level than the RegF and it is OK this way, we have an expertise that is unique. Instead of looking at the CIC as the weakest branch of the CF, I would ask people to look at us as the most dynamic and most professional Youth Leader Branch in the World. My colleagues of the RegF and the ResF should take pride in having us acclaimed throughout the country as we provide a service that is unique. OK, not all CIC members possess the same level of professionalism, but the same can certainly be said of the rest of the CF. I am extremely proud of my uniform and my badge becasue I know that what I, and all my colleagues, do impacts directly and foreer on the lives of thousands of youth and their communities
Many of the comments I read about the CIC are ill-informed and cast a shadow on a group because of the acts of a few. The fact that you might have had a bad experience with a CIC should not allow you to pass judgement on the rest of us. I am from Quebec and the same applies to people outside Quebec making general statements about the entire population of Quebec when they pass judgements about the separatists.
As for the Army Cadet Program and the fact that it is not enough Army, or that it used ot be more Army oriented... I suggest that people stop living in the past because it prevents you from enjoying what is there just before your eyes. The Army cadet LHQ program is but a small portion of what constitutes the Cadet Experience. People should not focus on what they can not do, but rather be looking at the program for the enormous potential it offers. I took a corps back in 1999 and left it with 130 cadets 2 months ago despite using the same program that so many people claim to be so boring... It is not the program that makes it interesting, programs are just words on paper. It is how you implement the program that makes a difference.
The difference between a very good corps and less efficient lies in the imagination of its staff and its willingness to push the envelope. You know, I have been teaching leadership for 20 years now and the one statement that can define a good leader is that LEADERSHIP is not delegated, it must be taken. The difference between a good Corps CO and another one is the desire to LEAD and make a difference. The CCo is full of imaginative and extraordinary CO and CIC. Their willingness to take the programs and make it fun for the cadets is what setes them apart. The Army Cadet Program is only as good as the implementation that is put inplace LOCALLY by the LHQ staff. This is why you have corps that keep struggling and other that are striving. Instead of blaming the changes in the programs I would suggest that youo look at this from another angle. The mandatory program only represents a portion of what can be taught locally, the rest is left to the LHQ staff to decide. The fact that patrolling is no longer in the mandated program does not prevent the local corps from adding it as a locally directed topic.
Sorry for this long message, I will be back occasionally when I have 15 minutes. In the mean time, I wish you all a joyful and sunny summer.
Let me introduce myself. This year, I celebrate 30 years with the Cadet Organisations, including 22 as a CIC. I just finished my second term as a CO, this first with Air Cadets and the latest with Army Cadets.
The two topics that get me the most fired-up are about the weakness of the Army Cadet Program and the comments about the CIC.
To me, the CIC is one of the most efficient and most imaginative Branch of the CF. No we are not trained to the same level than the RegF and it is OK this way, we have an expertise that is unique. Instead of looking at the CIC as the weakest branch of the CF, I would ask people to look at us as the most dynamic and most professional Youth Leader Branch in the World. My colleagues of the RegF and the ResF should take pride in having us acclaimed throughout the country as we provide a service that is unique. OK, not all CIC members possess the same level of professionalism, but the same can certainly be said of the rest of the CF. I am extremely proud of my uniform and my badge becasue I know that what I, and all my colleagues, do impacts directly and foreer on the lives of thousands of youth and their communities
Many of the comments I read about the CIC are ill-informed and cast a shadow on a group because of the acts of a few. The fact that you might have had a bad experience with a CIC should not allow you to pass judgement on the rest of us. I am from Quebec and the same applies to people outside Quebec making general statements about the entire population of Quebec when they pass judgements about the separatists.
As for the Army Cadet Program and the fact that it is not enough Army, or that it used ot be more Army oriented... I suggest that people stop living in the past because it prevents you from enjoying what is there just before your eyes. The Army cadet LHQ program is but a small portion of what constitutes the Cadet Experience. People should not focus on what they can not do, but rather be looking at the program for the enormous potential it offers. I took a corps back in 1999 and left it with 130 cadets 2 months ago despite using the same program that so many people claim to be so boring... It is not the program that makes it interesting, programs are just words on paper. It is how you implement the program that makes a difference.
The difference between a very good corps and less efficient lies in the imagination of its staff and its willingness to push the envelope. You know, I have been teaching leadership for 20 years now and the one statement that can define a good leader is that LEADERSHIP is not delegated, it must be taken. The difference between a good Corps CO and another one is the desire to LEAD and make a difference. The CCo is full of imaginative and extraordinary CO and CIC. Their willingness to take the programs and make it fun for the cadets is what setes them apart. The Army Cadet Program is only as good as the implementation that is put inplace LOCALLY by the LHQ staff. This is why you have corps that keep struggling and other that are striving. Instead of blaming the changes in the programs I would suggest that youo look at this from another angle. The mandatory program only represents a portion of what can be taught locally, the rest is left to the LHQ staff to decide. The fact that patrolling is no longer in the mandated program does not prevent the local corps from adding it as a locally directed topic.
Sorry for this long message, I will be back occasionally when I have 15 minutes. In the mean time, I wish you all a joyful and sunny summer.