ROUGHING IT
Blade Turner-maclean, Jolie Thibodeau among six cadets chosen for course that builds leadership and field skills
A number of local cadets took to the wild on the weekend near Debert as they trained to survive in less than hospitable surroundings with army reservists from the Nova Scotia Highlanders.
DEBERT, N.S. – Army cadets from New Glasgow and Truro braved the snows around Debert for a weekend-long introduction to cold-weather survival.
The six cadets, all non-commissioned officers, learned to construct shelters from branches and bushes, build ice blocks to shield against gunfire and to snowshoe across rough ground. Helping them were army reservists from the Nova Scotia Highlanders (North).
“I feel lucky to be in a position to learn things that others may not have the opportunity to, and use that to better our cadet careers,” said Cadet Warrant Officer Blade Turner-maclean, 16, from Bass River. “It will give me experience in different skill fields and expertise so I can help the younger cadets with problems, no matter what they are.”
Such endeavours may include making use of toboggans and erecting an army-style arctic tent to shield cadets from extreme cold. Building other makeshift shelters and lighting fires can mean the difference between life and death in the cold-weather environment.
Turner-maclean, a member of 2928 Truro Royal Canadian Army Cadets, said he appreciated the chance to work alongside older and more experienced members of the military reserves.
The winter training from Jan. 10-12 was also a chance for cadets to develop their soft skills, such as leadership and teamwork. In Truro, Turner-maclean is responsible for training 10 to 15 cadets.
While the training exercise was a chance to develop leadership skills, it also allowed Turner-maclean and his fellow cadets to learn in a setting where they were not responsible for others.
“There’s a little less responsibility of looking after and teaching cadets, so we can learn from the experiences,” said Turner-maclean.
After he leaves the cadets, Turner-maclean is considering university and a possible career in law enforcement.
But his New Glasgow colleague, Jolie Thibodeau, is sure she wants to join the Canadian Armed Forces after finishing school, likely as a member of the military police.
Thibodeau, a cadet warrant officer with 219 New Glasgow Legion Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps, says being on the annual winter exercise will teach her useful skills for any future military career.
“I’m really enjoying it,” said Thibodeau. “It’s my second year and I’ve learned a lot from the Highlanders. We don’t always get this in the army cadets, so it’s good to be with a different group of people.”
Captain Allan Day, based with the New Glasgow cadets, says all army cadet units in the province are affiliated to a parent military unit.
“All our cadets are Highlander cadets,” he said.
Such winter survival and warfare training aims to prepare regular Canadian Armed Forces members for domestic and international operations in cold environments.
For cadets, joining such exercises helps build their confidence and self-sufficiency in the field. There is no obligation for cadets to join the regular military, although some do choose a career in the armed services.
Day said the Nova Scotia Highlanders have held annual winter training exercises for several years and have always invited cadets to join them.
A total of six cadets took part in the training. Turner-maclean was the only one from the Truro corps, the rest were from New Glasgow.