MINI BIATHLON COMPETITION

Are YOU up for the challenge?

638 Algonquin Squadron will be conducting a mini biathlon competition with 653 Champlain Squadron from Renfrew on February 11th. The cadets will be skiing a course and will also be firing the Anschutz 0.22 rifle. The competition will take place at the Beachburg and Ottawa River Sportsman’s Club which is located at 770 Beachburg Rd. The event will be outdoors therefore the cadets should dress appropriately for the weather. Wear layers and bring an extra set of gloves, and an extra sweater. Please bring water and perhaps a warm beverage. Lunch will be provided.

The club requires the parent/guardian of each participating cadet to sign a waiver. The waiver must be submitted by February 8th or accompany the cadet to the range. An electronic copy of the waiver can be viewed and printed by clicking on "Waiver" at the end of this post.

Cadets wishing to participate in this fun day must signup with Lt Frampton. Questions can be addressed to Lt. Frampton.

"Waiver"

SPORTS NIGHT THIS COMING WEEK

Wednesday, January 25, 2012 is a scheduled sports night.

Cadets are required to wear their issued physical training (PT) gear.  Cadets are permitted to wear their red squadron t-shirt if they wish.  If you haven't been issued PT gear or it no longer fits you must see the Supply Officer (Lt Gerrard) immediately.

Squadron t-shirts are on sale for $15.00.  For more information please see Mr. Garneau at the canteen.

First Colonel Commandant For Air Cadets

News Release

Minister MacKay Announces First Colonel Commandant for Air Cadets

NR – 11.155 - December 23, 2011

OTTAWA – The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence, today announced that George Canyon, former Honorary Colonel of 14 Wing Greenwood and well-known Canadian country music singer and songwriter, has been appointed as the first-ever Colonel Commandant of the Royal Canadian Air Cadets.

“We are absolutely thrilled that George is the first Colonel Commandant of the Royal Canadian Air Cadets,” said Minister MacKay. “Being a former Air Cadet himself, he has always exuded a keen interest in aviation and has made several positive contributions on military matters. He will be an exceptional role model and mentor, motivating Canada’s youth to reach their full potential.”

Canyon joined Air Cadets as a young boy with the full intention of becoming a Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) pilot. When a diagnosis of type 1 diabetes prevented him from pursuing his dreams of becoming a pilot, he simply switched gears. His big break came in 2003 when he came in second place during the talent contest Nashville Star, which launched his music career.

After learning to manage his diabetes through diet, lifestyle and the effective use of insulin pump technology, and passing a series of medical tests, Canyon has been able to obtain his pilot's license. With his own plane, his personal story of perseverance, and a project he named “The Sky’s Not The Limit,” Canyon organized several speaking engagements and concerts to inspire youngsters afflicted with type 1 diabetes and urged them to take ownership of their disease, pursue their dreams and achieve any goals that they set for themselves.

"Being a kid is hard enough without having a disease that limits your choices. If I can tell my story and change a life or two, that’s the kind of imprint I want to leave,” says Canyon.

His personal values, keen interest in aviation, and inspirational messages make him an ideal spokesperson for the Royal Canadian Air Cadets, and their first-ever Colonel Commandant. His personal story complements the mission of the Cadet Program, which is to contribute to the development and preparation of youth for the transition to adulthood and enable them to meet the challenges of modern society through a dynamic, community-based program.

As Colonel Commandant, Canyon will have the responsibilities of developing, promoting and sustaining strong community ties, fostering esprit de corps, and acting as a spokesperson and role model. For the Royal Canadian Air Cadets, Canyon is certainly living up to the title of his Canadian Gold album: “One Good Friend.”

For more information and updates related to this Honorary Appointment, please visit http://www.cadets.ca/.

MEDAL APPLICATIONS NOW BEING ACCEPTED

Applications are now being accepted for the Lord Strathcona medal and the Royal Canadian Legion Medal of Excellence.

Deadline is 27 March 2013.

Royal Canadian Legion Cadet Medal of Excellence

This medal is wholly sponsored by the Royal Canadian Legion and is awarded in recognition of individual endeavours in citizenship that meet or enhance the aims and objectives of the cadet movement. Each squadron may award one medal per training year and the Sqn CO is the approving authority; the medal may only be awarded once to any one cadet.

The primary objective of the RCL Cadet Medal of Excellence is to emphasize the citizenship aspects of the cadet program so the main selection criterion is that the cadet has participated in a minimum of three community service event, in addition to those supported by the sqn. Additionally, the cadet must meet all annual training requirements, be regarded by peers and superiors as a model cadet, and have enhanced the sqn through co-operation, comradeship, promotion of goodwill and morale, development of sqn/flight/team identity and cohesiveness, teamwork and community service.

If you would like to be considered as a candidate for this award, please write a short description (1-2 pages maximum) of how you meet these criteria, with emphasis on how you are involved in the community. Please pass this to OCdt Ashworth before 27 March 2013 (or email him at andrew.ashworth@cadets.gc.ca).

Lord Strathcona Medal


This medal is awarded by the Lord Strathcona trust and is the highest cadet award in recognition of exemplary performance in physical and military training. Each squadron may award one medal per training year with the Squadron CO nominating one cadet to the Lord Strathcona Trust Provincial Committee for their approval; the medal may only be awarded once to any one cadet.

The objectives of the Lord Strathcona Medal are to encourage the improvement of the physical and intellectual capabilities of the cadets and to foster patriotism in cadets through the acquisition of a good knowledge of military matters. The selected cadet will have a high level of physical fitness, will have qualified at Level 3, have met all requirements of the squadron training program and attended 75% of training parades in the year of nomination, will have met all requirements of the squadrons support program and participated in at least 50% of scheduled activities in the year of nomination, and have completed three years as a cadet.
If you would like to be considered as a candidate for this award, please write a short description (1-2 pages maximum) of how you meet these criteria, with emphasis on your fitness and knowledge of military matters. Please pass this to OCdt Ashworth before 27 March 2013 (or email him at andrew.ashworth@cadets.gc.ca).

The Commanding Officer, Staff, and Sponsoring Committee of 638 Squadron would like to wish all cadets a very happy new year!  Lots of new and exciting activities are planned for 2012.

Reminder that regular parade nights resume on Wednesday, January 11, 2012.