Close call of duty
Canadian Coast Guard grad grew up near college
Throughout its history, the Canadian Coast Guard College has welcomed cadets from around the country.
But one graduating officer only had to travel a few hundred metres.
Kendall McNeil grew up just down the road from the college on Midgley Drive. As a child, he had become quite familiar with the Westmount-based marine training facility.
“I used to come here and play in the pool or play soccer on the field outside,” said McNeil prior to his Saturday graduation.
“And sometimes we used to sneak in and play basketball.”
McNeil admits as a youngster he didn’t understand much about the college or its programs.
A graduate of Riverview Rural High in Coxheath, McNeil’s mother was the one who encouraged him to look into the school. His guidance counsellors would help in figuring out course requirements for admission.
“It was challenging at times,” said McNeil, who graduated from the marine engineering program. “Some of academics were pretty intense and you’d have a very heavy course load. You could have six or 10 courses in one semester and there’s work to do for all them. And then there’s extra-curriculars that you have to do. As a cadet we have extra duties.”
McNeil has spent the last four years living on the Westmount campus. A benefit to living so close to home, he said, is being invited for his mother’s turkey dinners.
McNeil was the only Cape Breton cadet at the college in recent years. For that reason, he often served as an unofficial tour guide for his peers and their families.
A few more cadets have since enrolled from the local area.
“People were coming to me (asking) what’s a good fishing spot, or hiking spot, or hunting spot,” he said. “People were always coming to me asking me where to go and what is there is to see in Sydney.”
As part of their coursework, cadets are considered government employees who earn contributions toward a pension.
They not only have their tuition paid for but also have a guaranteed job upon graduation. For McNeil, he will be join a Dartmouth-based ship in the Atlantic region in the coming
days.
This year’s graduating class consisted of 29 people, including 16 navigation officers and 13 marine engineers. Among them were four women.
College executive director Brian LeBlanc is among the college’s list of former Cape Breton graduates. The Sydney Mines native completed his officer
training in 1986.
LeBlanc said in an effort to connect with the wider community, a open house was recently held that drew about 700 people.
“The coast guard college and our officer cadets, and our other trainees, have always been an integral part of the life and activities in Cape Breton,” LeBlanc said.
“We try to make sure that people know we’re out there. It’s just good community relations.”
For the first time, this year’s college graduation featured a performance by an officer cadet band.