My view of cadets, in Canada and Australia.
First off, my Army Unit sponsors the Australian School Cadet (Army) 233 RCU (Regional Cadet Unit)located out of Kogarah, Sydney.
They get much assistance thru our Q Store, and we often help them out. Even their drill is better than ours!
This RCU is very good, with great attendance, bringing 13-18yr old young ‘potential‘ soldiers for the Army.
It keeps them busy, out of trouble, and gives them something to look forward to on Friday nights, when they parade.
Here, youth are taught personal discipline, leadership, national pride, and team work. They do community service, and volunteer for many things.
They go on their camps, where they are taught feidcraft, Australian survival subjects, and other typical cadet lessons, etc.
233 RCU had sent a contingent to Gallipoli in 2002 to see where the our first ANZACs fought, and gave birth to the legend.
I have respect for ther cadre staff, and them in whole. We even take some out bush with us from time to time, putting them on the gun line, and they endure daily life with the Gunners.
I have a lot of time for them, and I know they do get in the way at times, but they are worth the effort.
As for the RCACC back in Canada, I remember so well the old battledress of 2350 RCACC (10 Fd), and the 155 RRR RCACC, back at the Regina Armouries, and the Militia soldiers it bred, followed by many making life long careers in the CF regular force.
Like any organisation, they have their ‘loosers and theives‘ but I know many of the same here in the Army, and back in the CF, who were nothing but a waste of rat packs too. So you‘ll find sub-calibre people anywhere you go, but overall from what I have seen and experienced, they were okay.
So, give the Cadet movement a break, the are worth the investment.
BTW, I never was in the Cadets.
Cheers,
Wes