'Savage' work leads to cadet promotion
By Llora McTeer
Local Sea Cadet Naomi Savage was promoted to the rank of Chief Petty Officer First Class on Tuesday, February 5th, 2019. CPO1 is the highest rank a Sea Cadet in Canada can achieve.
CPO1 Savage is a cadet with 131 Kootenay Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corps, and is attending Selkirk College in Castlegar in the Social Work Program. Savage has been a cadet for the past six years, joining the program when she was just 13 years old because she her grandfather was a Sea Cadet and told her how much fun it was. It turns out, her grandfather’s advice to join did not disappoint.
“I love cadets,” Says Savage, “Some of my favourite aspects have been summer training, learning intricate rope work, and the introduction to a future career.”
During her time as a cadet, Savage has attended several summer training camps, including spending a summer as a Staff Cadet at Quadra Summer Training Centre on Vancouver Island where she worked as Seamanship Tent Staff. She has also received several awards and nominations from the Legion Medal of Excellence to being nominated on two separate occasions for the Navy League Medal of Excellence.
When asked why she continues with cadets after finishing High School – a point when many youth leave the program – she responded “I’ve felt challenged to succeed, and dreamed of achieving this position I am in now,” adding, “I’ve stayed because of the life skills the program has given me, and I don’t want to leave – there are so many potential opportunities.”
The Trail Sea Cadets meet every Tuesday night from September through May at the Trail Armoury from 6 – 9pm. For more information, please contact Lieutenant Navy David Cherrington, Commanding Officer at 250-231-1016 or visit us on facebook at www.facebook.com/kootenayseacadets.
The Cadet program, which include Sea, Army and Air Cadets, is the largest government funded youth program in Canada with over 50,000 participants across Canada. The cadet program accepts youth between the ages of 12-18 who have a desire to learn more about the air element of the Canadian Forces, wish to develop the attributes of leadership and good citizenship and who wish to promote physical fitness. While the program is military based, there is no obligation for a cadet to join the Canadian Armed Forces.
Associated Links
www.navyleague.ca
www.facebook.com/kootenayseacadets
