Cadets in Canada and Northern Ireland Collaborate Virtually

On February 28th and 29th, approximately 100 cadets from Canada and Northern Ireland came together virtually for a winter exercise. The international collaboration benefited the programs on both sides of the Atlantic.

In Canada, the cadets came from the Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps (RCACC) in Sudbury and Capreol, Ontario as well as in Whitehorse, Yukon. Cadets from Northern Ireland came from across the country. In these times of a global pandemic, the Canadian and United Kingdom Cadet Programs are facing the same challenges: keeping training active and reinventing themselves. And with virtual training, the world is open.

For Captain Tracy Lamirande, Exercise Coordinating Officer and Commanding Officer of 2912 Irish Sudbury RCACC, it was important to maintain a certain normality in cadet training. "We always have a winter exercise in February," she explains. "In June 2020, I had my first contact with Captain Gary Miniss of the Army Cadet Force (ACF) Northern Ireland. We were preparing a virtual celebration of D-Day. We kept in touch and of course the joint exercise came up.”

The two programs have similarities, including the fact that both countries endure low winter temperatures. In fact, the instructors were divided according to Canadian and Irish expertise. The schedule was busy and informative: shelter construction, protection from the cold, food, first aid kit, etc.

The cadets had the opportunity to discover the uniqueness of the participating communities. "I am impressed with the tactical training of the Irish Cadets. I enjoyed learning about their traditions and what their uniforms and badges look like," says Cadet Master Corporal Averlen Bacchuber of Whitehorse.

The Commanding Officer of the 1st Battalion Northern Ireland ACF, Colonel Adrian Donaldson, commented: "An incredible event, which saw many cadets make new friendships, while demonstrating the various skills they have developed as cadets. I was impressed with the enthusiasm of all and the quality of the lessons.”

A view shared by Colonel Adam Carlson, Deputy Commanding Officer of the Canadian Cadets and Junior Canadian Rangers: "Joint exercises, even virtual ones, bring out the best in our cadets. We are proud of the long and close collaboration we have had with the Army Cadets in the United Kingdom. “

"I loved talking to the cadets, I just wish I had more time!", Cadet Chief Warrant Officer Reeghan Wootton of RCACC 2912 Sudbury explained; "I had never been able to see the training of other units before this virtual one, and it was cool to see." And that's probably what all of this work is all about - allowing teens to build friendships, learn and take advantage of opportunities. Pandemic or not.