Fall Biathlon 2023

Competition was in the air again at 3045 Army Cadet Corps on Saturday, October 28.  The time had come for the annual Fall Biathlon Competition.  Participation was voluntary.

Cadets, adult volunteers, & I arrived at the school gym in the morning for setup.  Quite a bit of equipment had to be brought out to run the all-day event.  We set up three shooting lanes and divided them using large wooden tables.  At the far ends were white metal plinker target boxes, the kind you see at biathlon competitions.  Large wooden backboards sat behind them to prevent lead pellets from hitting the gym walls.  Shooting mats & small bowls were placed at the other ends for cadets.  Tables & chairs were set up at the back for timekeepers, judges, cadets, a repair station, and air rifles.  Two red pylons were placed near the gym doors to act as the Start Line.  Thanks to the power of teamwork, everything was ready to go after 20 minutes!

Cadets selected their air rifles and practiced shooting for 45 minutes.  Having practice time enables competitors to “zero-in” their rifles, get used to shooting plinker targets, work on their breathing, and improve their aim.  Cadets had a short break thereafter.

I held a short briefing, reviewing how the competition would proceed for the day.  Cadets would be divided into three groups based on their training years.  The three groups were: Year 1, Year 2, and Year 3+.  Everyone would shoot 3 times, but only the Year 1 cadets would run 2 laps.  Year 2s & 3+ cadets had to run 3 laps.  The running course was a 1-kilometre loop around the school.  Cadets were warned to watch out for ice.  I know biathlon usually involves skiing, but the bay wasn’t frozen, and I didn’t want cadets skiing up & down the local roads.  The skis would get destroyed.  The goal of the competition was to complete your relay in shortest amount of time.  Time penalties would be given for each missed target.  The amount of time varied across the three groups.     

I didn’t mind the order the cadets completed their relays.  They just had to get them done that day.  There would only be 3 cadets completing their relays at a time.  This was because there were only 3 shooting lanes and I wanted to keep timekeeping simple.  Everyone’s timesheet would start at 00:00. 

I know in professional competitions, competitors start & finish at random times on the clock forcing timekeepers to do some crazy math to determine the final timestamps.  This gets even more confusing & tedious if there aren’t enough shooting lanes.  You must stop timing a cadet while they’re waiting for a shooting lane to become available and then start the clock again when they begin shooting.  I don’t have time for any of that.

The cadet sergeant-major did stretch exercise with the cadets to get them ready.  Cadets were then given a short break.  The first three volunteers came forward thereafter. 

The adult volunteers helped me with timekeeping, scoring, and replenishing the bowls with pellets.  The Year 1 cadets started their relays shooting and the other two groups began their relays with running.  We made sure the doors to the gym & outside were not blocked.  I assigned one senior cadet to boil water outside on a Coleman stove as we neared lunchtime.  We managed to get a few cadets through their relays before it was time for lunch.

A cadet corps is required to provide lunch for an all-day activity.  The menu consisted of American made Meals-Ready-to-Eat (MREs).  We ran out of the Canadian made Individual Meal Packages (IMPs).  Cadets selected their MREs and then placed the meal pouches in the boiling water to be cooked.  I chose my meal last because officers eat last in the Canadian military.  The meal pouches usually need 10 – 15 minutes of cooking time.  I had the cadets set up two tables with chairs & garbage bins in the middle of the gym.  We also washed our hands before eating because we were handling lead pellets.  Lunch lasted an hour.

The competition continued after the clean up.  We continued having up to three cadets completing their relays at a time.  There were only a few times when the pace felt intense for the judges.  The scoresheets were placed inside an envelope, and I would grade them later.  All the competing cadets were done by 3:15pm.  They looked tired.

We spent a good 15 minutes putting everything away, sweeping the gym floor, and washing our hands again.  The cadets were then formed up for a debriefing.  I thanked them for competing and the results would be announced on Wednesday.  I also thanked the adult volunteers for sacrificing their Saturday to help.  I let the cadets play sports until 4pm and then let them go home with any leftover MREs.          

Bonfire & Parade

The snow-that’s-here-to-stay arrived in early October.  The brown ground was no longer visible . . . unless you used a shovel.  The sounds of roaring skidoo engines came a day or two later.    (Snow had fallen a few times in September but instantly melted when it touched the ground).  I waited an extra week before using my skidoo.  People were still out boating but had to dress warmly because the temperature was dropping with each passing day.  I assumed ice would form in the bay at the end of the month.  October is also the month when the days become noticeably shorter.  There is night in September, but it’s not too noticeable.  The sun will disappear behind the mountains on November 11.

Saturday, October 14, was a perfect day for the army cadets of 3045 Corps to head out to the large woodpile behind the airport and have a bonfire.  The large woodpile is next to the shoreline and started in 2013 when cadets began cleaning the area of unwanted garbage and debris.  The discarded pieces of wood float from the community during the brief summer months.  Holding a bonfire in October is a nice way to bid farewell to summer, welcome winter, and spend some time out on the land.

The cadets assembled outside the school gym at 6pm for roll call.  Then they loaded a pickup truck with everything we set aside for the bonfire: food, juice, foldout chairs, matches, Firestarter sticks, flashlights, garbage bags, roasting sticks, shovel, bucket, first aid kit, and toilet paper.  I drove the borrowed pickup truck and I assigned a senior cadet to drive an ATV and pull a trailer.  A local RCMP officer volunteered to assist with transportation and polar bear protection.  He also brought an extra ATV.

We arrived at the airport at around 6:45pm.  The cadet disembarked and transferred the supplies over to the trailer.  The cadets then got into the trailer and were driven down to the shoreline.  I rode on the RCMP’s ATV.  We left the pickup trucks at the airport.

The cadets built a bonfire while I organized the food table.  A large round wooden table sits next to the woodpile and has been there for a very long time.  Once the fire was going, I gave the cadets permission to indulge in hotdogs, marshmallows, and juice boxes.  They used roasting sticks to cook their food.  The RCMP officer & I did the same.

The bonfire lasted for an hour & 15 minutes.  We extinguished the fire by dumping snow and pouring water.  Following the rules of No Trace Camping, we packed the leftovers and bonfire supplies into the trailer.  The cadets were driven back to the airport.  I left last after inspecting the area.  Everyone safely returned home.

3045 Army Cadet Corps held its first Parents Night Parade of the 2023-24 Training Year on October 18.  Awards, badges, & promotions are handed out in the presence of parents, guardians, and community members.  I also make announcements on future cadet events.  This parade was extra special by the presence of the Northwest Command Team.  More on them coming up.

The cadets & I arrived an hour early to set up the gym.  We put out tables, chairs, flags, snacks, and awards.  The cadets then changed into their green dress uniforms.  I was already wearing mine.  Doors opened at 6:15pm and people started coming in to find seats.  I stood in the lobby, anxiously waiting for the arrival of the Command Team.  They’re officers in charge of looking after all the cadet corps in the northwest region, like a boss of bosses.  They arrived several minutes before the start of the parade.  A sergeant-major, a major, and a lieutenant-colonel.  Lieutenant-Colonel Diduck is the Commanding Officer of Northwest Region.

The parade started at 6:30pm.  I marched into the gym, escorting the Command Team to the front.  Lt. Col. Diduck received the General Salute & playing of the national anthem.  The cadet parade commander and second-in-command escorted Diduck and the sergeant-major through the ranks for inspection.  I kept the audience entertained by reading a brief biography about the lieutenant-colonel.  He & the sergeant-major returned to the front to observe the March Past.

Lt. Col. Diduck gave a brief speech to the cadets & audience.  He thanked & congratulated the cadets for looking their best and showing off their drill.  He thanked the audience for supporting the cadet corps and encouraged parents/guardians to help whenever they could.  He added that this was his first time visiting the community.

The parade moved on to awards & presentations.  I started with marksmanship badges.  We had quite a few to hand out across all four levels.  I called out the names and the cadets had their pictures taken with the Lt. Col.  Next, I announced the winners of Stage 1 Biathlon and instructed them to come to the front to be recognized.  The chosen cadets already knew they made the team.  I announced it again because it was Parents Night.

The next batch of awards were from the Annual Ceremonial Review (ACR) Parade in May.  The nameplates arrived in the mail a few days ago and I wanted to give the winning cadets the opportunity to past their nameplate onto the corresponding trophy and/or plaque.  The awards were: Most Improved Cadet, Best Boots & Deportment, Top Female / Male Athletes, and Top Cadet.  The cadets were also honoured to have their pictures taken with the Lt. Col.

Former 3045 commanding officer Lt. May briefly took over the parade to hand out Long Service Medals to 4^th & 5^th year cadets.  He is one of the liaisons for the Army Cadet League.  He also awarded Certificates of Appreciation to two civilian volunteers who frequently help at the corps.

A senior cadet was recognized for completing a regional expedition trip in Manitoba in early October.  She participated in hiking, canoeing, camping, and map & compass.

Lt.-Col. Diduck & Lt. (ret). May. 

The Command Team continued the parade with a Commander’s coin presentation.  Lt. Col. Diduck awarded coins to four individuals, one cadet & three adults.  A senior cadet received a coin for being the first cadet in 3045’s history to successfully complete the Canadian Forces Basic Parachuting Course this past summer in Trenton, Ontario.  It is the most physically & emotionally demanding course of the cadet program.  Successful cadets complete five static line jumps from a height of 1,250 feet.  Four jumps during the day & one at night.  The vice-principal of Inuujaq School received a coin for supervising several cadets at the Ottawa Airport returning from summer camp.  Lt. May & I received coins for our hard work promoting the cadet program & running Canada’s most northern army cadet corps.

The last presentation was promotions.  Nine cadets received promotions.  Three were promoted to the rank of Corporal, three were promoted to Master Corporal, one to Sergeant, one to Warrant Officer, and one to the second highest rank of Master Warrant Officer. 

I did the Closing Remarks & made a few announcements on what cadets could expect until December.  The Command Team observed the Advance In Review Order, General Salute, and the playing of God Save The King.  I then escorted them out of the gym.  The parade was done.

The cadets & I posed for a group photo with the Command Team before heading to the reception table.  I thanked the Command Team for visiting Arctic Bay.  Lieutenant Colonel Diduck and his staff mingled with the cadets & visitors.  Reception lasted 25 minutes.

I held a short debriefing with the cadets after reception.  The Lieutenant-Colonel once again congratulated the cadets on a job well done and encouraged them to continue attending cadets and encourage their friends to join.  The cadets were dismissed to help me clean up the gym.  Everyone was done by 8:30pm.

 

Stage 1 Biathlon & Orange Shirt Day

Competition was in the air on the evening of September 27.  The army cadets of 3045 Corps participated in an indoor shooting competition for a chance to be selected for this year’s biathlon team.  Participation was voluntary.  This year's biathlon team would consist of 8 cadets. Corps are allowed to have more than one team, but this depends on the total number of enrolled cadets.   

Biathlon, also known as “Norwegian Drive-by” by the late great Robin Williams, “is a winter sport that combines cross country skiing and rifle shooting.”  It’s one of many activities in the Canadian Cadet Program.  The competition took place in the school gym.  The cadets weren’t required to ski because there was no snow outside.  I could have included a running component, but September 27 was a Wednesday, and I didn’t have access to the gym until evening.

The cadets & I transformed the gym into an air rifle range, using tables, chairs, backstops, mats, spotting scopes, and range flags.  Cadets selected their air rifles and were given two practice relays to “zero them in”.  I gave the cadets a short break after the practice relays before announcing the start of the competition. 

The top five shooters would make the team.  Cadets who came in 6^th & 7^th place would be the backups.  Cadets shot three competition target papers: two in the prone position & one standing.  A perfect score was 300 points.  Five cadets shot at a time.  I collected the targets at the end of each relay and placed them inside a large envelope.  I would grade them the next day. 

The competition lasted 3 hours.  The cadets assisted me in putting everything away.  I held a short debriefing, thanking them for coming out to the team selection competition.  I told them I would announce the results and selected team members over the weekend.

Inuujaq School students & staff observed Orange Shirt Day, also known as National Day For Truth & Reconciliation, on September 29, by wearing orange shirts, observing a Minute of Silence, and taking class photographs in the gym.  Orange Shirt Day occurs on September 30, but we observed it the day before because September 30 happened on a Saturday this year. 

Orange Shirt Day was created in 2013 to recognize the legacy of Canada’s Residential Schools.  The colour orange was chosen based on the personal account(s) of former residential school student Phyllis Jack Webstad.  She wore a new orange shirt on her first day at residential school.  The shirt, along with other personal clothing, were taken from her and never returned.  “The orange shirt […] is a symbol of the forced assimilation of Indigenous children that the residential school system enforced.”

The army cadets of 3045 Corps also observed Orange Shirt Day by wearing orange shirts on September 30.  We took a group photo at the end of afternoon sports.

Every Child Matters.