Navy cadets stow replica rifles
Navy cadets across the country will be packing away their replica rifles because of concerns about perceptions of kids carrying guns.
The cadets, aged between nine and 12 years, had been using the non-firing replicas for drills and ceremonial duties.
But the Navy League of Canada has now ordered those removed in a “policy change that reflects international norms with respect to children being perceived as carrying arms,” according to a letter obtained by the Citizen.
The decision affects 3,400 kids in 110 communities, including Ottawa.
“Drill with arms throughout the Navy League Cadet programme is to cease immediately,” Lynn Hawkeye, national vice president of Navy League cadets, wrote in a March 15 letter sent to staff. “Navy League cadets are not authorised to carry arms on parade under any circumstances, both publicly and within the confines of the local training establishment.”
Hawkeye acknowledged in the letter that not all would agree with the change. “I realize this policy change will be considered by some as regressive, or be seen as bowing to ‘political correctness’,” she added.
The Navy League’s cadet program has as its goals the development of a sense of citizenship, duty, selfdiscipline and respect for others.
“Despite some misconceptions, it is not a para-military organization, and is wholly independent of the Department of National Defence, unlike the Royal Canadian Sea Cadet programme, which is not nationally affected by this decision,” Hawkeye added in the letter.
The Sea Cadet program is for older kids and teens.
The drill rifles used by the Navy League cadets are white. But in some cases, cadet units had started using more realistic-looking rifle replicas. The rifle issue came to the attention of Navy League officials two years ago after an instructor in Oshawa travelled on public transit with a bag of drill rifles. A member of the public saw a barrel sticking out of the bag and called police.
Hawkeye said arms training will be replaced with other naval instruction.
“There can still be a guard — just with no rifles,” she added. “There can still be a colour party — just with no armed sentries.” Hawkeye pointed out that a marksmanship program, using pellet guns, would continue to be offered to cadets. That program is a highly supervised activity.
She acknowledged that decision might seem hypocritical but added that there are many marksmanship programs throughout society as a whole.
“However, having nine-to-12year-old children parading with arms as if they are part of the armed forces is something very different,” Hawkeye explained in the letter.
Navy League spokesman Andrew Warden said that the decision to remove the drill rifles from the cadet program was made at the organization’s annual meeting last year. League volunteers and cadet officers were consulted on the move.
“We are always looking at ways of improving the cadet experience and maintaining youth interests,” he added.
The Quebec division of the Navy League cadets had already removed the drill rifle training from their routine and there were no negative repercussions, Hawkeye stated.