Biathlon & Parents Night

Three cadets represented Arctic Bay’s 3045 Army Cadet Corps at the Stage 3 Regional Biathlon competition in Winnipeg, Manitoba during the second week of February.  (This was one of several regional competitions organized across Canada).  I was hoping all seven members of the biathlon team would advance to Stage 3 but based on the scores they achieved at Stage 2, only three made the final cut.  I was unable to attend due to my civilian job.  A military officer was hired to escort the cadets down to Winnipeg.  The rest of the corps cheered for them from Arctic Bay.

The competition took place at Canadian Forces Base Winnipeg.  The cadets got to meet & compete with cadets from other corps in the Northwest Region.  My cadets were assigned a coach who was also an officer.  Unfortunately, there wasn’t enough snow on the ground, so the cadets would run instead of ski.  A large building that contained a gym was turned into an air rifle range, featuring mats, backboards, plinker targets, flags, tables, chairs, air rifles, and other necessary equipment.

The assigned officer coach kept me updated with my cadets’ progress via text and even provided photos.  Judging from the pictures, the cadets had fun and did their best to represent the corps, Arctic Bay, & Nunavut.  The cadets returned to Arctic Bay just in time for the Parents Night Parade where I announced their results from the competition.

Parents Night Parade was held on the evening of February 21.  The cadets and I arrived an hour early to set up the gym.  There’s plenty to do.  Tables, chairs, flags, awards, speakers, and refreshments all need to be ready to go before guests arrive.  Thankfully, the cadet program teaches & promotes teamwork.  I made things easier for myself by preparing the program, badges, and awards, two days in advance.  The cadets changed into their uniforms after setup.  Guests began arriving at 6:15pm and the parade began at 6:30pm.

I marched in and received the General Salute & the playing of O Canada.  The cadet sergeant-major escorted me through the ranks and I inspected the cadets on parade.  I returned to the front and permitted the sergeant-major to carry on with a March Past.  The March Past showcases the cadets’ drill to the audience and reviewing officer. 

I welcomed the audience to the parade and thanked them for supporting their local army cadet corps.  I also thanked the cadets for attending and putting on a great show.  I continued the parade with awards and presentations.

I began by awarding Level 2 & 4 marksmanship badges to two cadets.  (Level 1 is the lowest & Level 4 is the highest).  The marksmanship team were then called to the front to be publicly recognized for recently competing in the Stage 2 Postal Shoot.  I informed everyone that we’re waiting for the final results to be announced and hopefully the team will advance to Stage 3.

The three cadets who competed at Stage 3 Biathlon were the next group to be called to the front for public recognition.  I also announced their results.  One cadet achieved 1^st place in the senior category, another cadet achieved 2^nd place in the youth category, and the third cadet achieved 3^rd place in the junior category.  Additionally, the two male cadets earned a 1^st place team finish.  We all applauded their achievements.

The last presentation was promotions.  Two junior cadets were promoted from the rank of Lance Corporal to Corporal.

The cadet sergeant-major continued the parade with the Advance in Review Order and a final General Salute.  I marched out of the gym and the cadets were dismissed.  The parade had come to an end.  The cadets and I moved to the back of the gym and took a group photo under the Royal Regiment of Canada flag.  The cadets were then dismissed to the refreshments table.

Reception lasted around 30 minutes.  The cadets & I spent another 15 minutes cleaning the gym.  Once that was done, I had the sergeant-major form the cadets up for a quick debriefing.  I congratulated them again for a successful parade and dismissed them for the remainder of the night.