By Josee Woodford – Deputy Executive Director – The Air Cadet League of Canada Omoniyi Babalola National Communications Coordinator – The Navy League of Canada Maxime Corneau, National Communications Officer, The Army Cadet League of Canada

IF YOU ARE at all familiar with the cadet program, it is a well-known fact that this outstanding leadership program, is inclusive to all youth between the ages of 12 and 18 allowing them to prosper in a positive, well-mannered and structured environment. Not only does it provide them a multitude of life skills they can apply throughout their lives, it also develops their confidence, helps them set their sights on a bright future, regardless of the field they chose to pursue. This has always been what the program was meant to be for our young Canadians since the Cadet Program began more than 100 years ago.

Past cadets/JCR of the year (2019): Army cadet Evelyn Wrobel, left, past Sea Cadet Maggie Lewis, centre & past Air Cadet Samantha Keow, right, Zoe Stevens at the National War Memorial. (CJCR IMAGERY)

Considering that the Cadet Program, encompassing all the elements, Sea, Army, and Air is one of the oldest youth programs in Canada, dating back to 1862, it took more than 100 years before women were permitted to join. It was only in 1975 that girls could finally join their local Cadet Corps or Squadrons. From that day forward, all the young women who joined benefitted from the same opportunities offered to the boys; all while giving them hope and helping them set their sights on higher goals and careers that were not necessarily open or known to them before. Many of these young women, and those moving forward have set the course for success in a more inclusive, fair and equal world that we, as a society, are looking to build.

The program has opened the door to a number of trailblazers who have had great success, broken down barriers, and continue to positively influence members of their communities. Some have done this as they moved forward towards a career with the Canadian Armed Forces. To name a few: LCol (Ret’d) Maryse Carmichael CD, a former Air Cadet from Quebec and current Honorary President of the Air Cadet League of Canada. She pursued a career in the CAF, she was the first women to join the ranks of the CF Snowbird Acrobatic Team and moved on to become the first woman to command this elite team of pilots. LCol (ret’d) Carmichael was also just recently inducted into Canada’s Aviation Hall of Fame.

A young female Air Cadet learning the trade of plane maintenance (PHOTO CJCR)

Major (Ret’d) Sandra Perron, is another one. As a past Army Cadet back in 1979-1984, she joined the CAF as soon as she was of age to become the first female infantry officer in the Canadian Army. Although she overcame her own set of challenges, she was the one who opened the door to many more female joining the ranks as infantry soldiers and officers.

On the Navy side of the house, Commodore Josée Kurtz, a past Sea Cadet, pursued her career in the Royal Canadian Navy. Having joined when the Navy was just opening its doors to women, she was the first to do many things including becoming the first woman to command a standing NATO Naval Group. She was also the first woman to Command the Cadet & Junior Canadian Rangers (CJCR) division of DND and is now Commadant of Royal Military College. It is important to note that many women who have gone through the program have also found success and beaten down their own paths in their civilian careers as well.

Let’s also take a look at the history of the Cadet Leagues. Considering that The Air Cadet League was founded in the 1940’s, The Navy League in the late 1800’s & the Army Cadet League being the youngest was founded in 1971. However, back in the 50’s, the Navy League, did introduce what was called the Navy League Wrenettes. Girls could learn about seamanship skills however, this program ceased once the girls were permitted to join the ranks of the Sea Cadets alongside the Army & Air elements in 1975.

Interestingly, it is a team of women that are at the helm of the leadership positions of the three Leagues & the CJCR organizations: As leading the organization on the DND side, LGen Frances Allen is the first woman in the position of Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff, and BGen Jamie Speiser-Blanchet is the current Commander of CJCR. Leading the Leagues, are Hille Viita, CD, a past Air Cadet retired CIC officer, and current president of the Air Cadet League. Mrs. Cathy Bach, successful in her civilian career with the Hudson’s Bay Company, and mother of a past Army Cadet, is in her 2nd term as president of the Army Cadet League of Canada. Mrs. Brenda Pinto, president of the Navy League of Canada was part of the Wrenettes and speaks highly of the opportunities that were offered to her. Retiring from a successful career with the Newfoundland and Labrador School Boards Association, Mrs. Pinto remained engaged with the organization that opened the doors for her as a Navy League Officer and now sits in the Navy League’s National President’s chair.

Throughout the years, young women have continued to demonstrate how these barriers have been broken down by their predecessors. More and more young female cadets are becoming recipients of highly coveted scholarships and applying towards degrees in the various STEM programs at universities across the country. Many of these young women are also recipients of the prestigious awards the League’s offer. In 2019, three exceptional young women were named Top Cadets for each of their element by the Cadet Leagues. Each of them represented Cadets nationally at the Remembrance Day parade in Ottawa in 2019; Past Army Cadet Evelyn Wrobel was named Most Outstanding Canadian Army Cadet, Maggie Lewis named Royal Canadian Legion’s (RCL) Sea Cadet of the year and Samantha Keow, the Air cadet of the year. While the doors to these opportunities were already open by many trailblazers of the past, we are seeing more young women that are bound to achieve great things.

The cadet program is designed to benefit all youth in Canada equally. The youth involved with the Cadet Program lives are enriched with important values, life lessons, building friendships, self-confidence and experiences one could never imagine. It is a wonderful thing that for years now, girls and boys alike have been given the opportunity to learn these valuable life lessons together and equally to build a brighter future. These are our leaders of tomorrow.

A young female Army Cadet leading the cadet parade during a ceremony. (PHOTO CJCR)

As we consider all of the challenges young women have had in history, beating down the paths towards success for themselves, they have, unbeknownst to them at the time, paved the way towards the hope that women could choose their own path, without prejudice & without the doubt that they are being treated fairly & equally.

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canadian military magazine