Fall Biathlon 2024

Physical training (PT) is an important component of the Canadian cadet program.  It’s part of the healthy living training module and cadets can earn badges by achieving high grades on physical training tests.  The physical training program is currently under review and new standards are being written.  The current badges are no longer applicable, but cadets are still allowed to do the “old” physical training test for fun.

The army cadets of 3045 Arctic Bay usually do a PT test on the first Saturday of the month.  However, November of this year was different.  The cadets competed in the annual Fall Biathlon competition on November 2.  The day-long competition is voluntary and sees cadets shoot metal plinker targets indoors & run outside, all while completing the relays in the shortest time.  So, I guess the cadets did get to do PT.

The cadets & I arrived at the school gym at 9am to turn it into a temporary air rifle range.  We achieved this with tables, chairs, backboards, plinker targets, shooting mats, and pylons.  All working air rifles were brought out, paper bowls were filled with lead pellets, spotting scopes were set up, and three clipboards & stop watches were set on the main table.  I prepared individual scorecards & name labels for the stop watches the week before.  The gym was ready by 10am.  The air rifle range had three shooting lanes, divided by two lines of wooden tables acting as walls.

A short briefing was held at 10am.  I welcomed the cadets & explained the plan for the day.  They would be given time to select their rifles and practice before completing their relays.  Cadets would shoot three times, but the Year 1 cadets only had to run 2 laps.  Everyone else had to run 3 laps.  The 1 kilometre running course goes around the school and surrounding neighbourhood.  The cadets & I walked the course a week before for familiarization.  There was no set order, so competitors were free to volunteer when ready to complete their relays.  A max of three cadets would compete at a time, making it easier for judges to keep track of time, and the number of targets hit.  Senior cadets & I would be judges.

To ensure fairness, cadets were placed into three groups according to their years of training: Year 1, Years 2 & 3, and Years 4+. 

Three practice relays were held.  Cadets also stretched to prepare for running.  Biathlon usually includes skiing, but the water in the bay only begins to freeze in early November.

A few cadets completed their relays before noon.  A senior cadet boiled water in a large pot on a Coleman stove outside in preparation for lunch.  The menu was meals-ready-to-eat (MREs).

The competition was paused at noon for lunch.  Cadets lined up to choose their MREs.  Junior cadets went first, and the only officer present (me) went last.  It’s how it goes.  MRE meals usually take about 15 minutes to cook.  Juice boxes were also available.  Lunch lasted an hour.

The competition continued at 1:00pm after cleanup.  It took about 2 hours for the remaining cadets to complete their relays.  Thankfully the temperature wasn’t too cold outside.  The scorecards were placed inside a large envelope for me to correct later. 

The cadets & I spent about 30 minutes putting everything away and cleaning the gym.  Teamwork.  A lot of lead pellets were used.  The cadets formed up for a debriefing.  I congratulated them for completing their relays and the final results would be announced at the next Wednesday training night.  There was still time left in the day, so I let the cadets play sports in the gym before sending them home.