Written by PO2 G. Yates
MY NAME IS Grayson Yates, a 12-year-old boy from Southern Ontario who comes from a family of five. I’m a kind, compassion- ate, dedicated young man with a love for the military. I enjoy Star Wars, Lego and video games but my real passion is all things military, Navy, Air and Army. This passion is what drew me to the Navy League Cadet program.
PO2 Yates supporting the Royal Canadian Legion Annual Poppy Campaign in the community.
I joined the Cadet Program in September 2019, eager to learn all I could about the Navy League. As a newly joined cadet, I was actively involved in all of the activities offered, including the Poppy Campaign, Santa Claus Parade, and competition training nights. I have participated in drill, seamanship and first aid nights, hoping to earn a spot on the first aid team. My dream is to one day become a helicopter pilot for the Coast Guard. I participated in the drill and seamanship teams and was fortunate enough to compete in the regional squadron competition in 2020. At this competition, our seamanship team won a medal. This competition experience excited me and really showed me that hard work and dedication pays off and that working with other cadets on a team that supports each other can really make great things happen. I also learned that winning is not the only goal and that being able to participate and be a part of a team is also an amazing adventure.
In January 2020, I was promoted to Ordinary Cadet and was eager to learn more about the roles and responsibilities of the other Cadet positions. Unfortunately, COVID hit and we had to go online. It was disappointing not being able to attend in-person and see the other Cadets and the Commanding Officers, but I continued to learn and completed my first year as an Able Cadet in June 2020. This experience taught me to never give up and to be persistent in achieving my goals. Never missing a night earned me the Attendance Award for 2019-2020.
PO2 Yates reading the poem, In Flanders Field as part of the Navy League Cadet Corps Remembrance Day Service.
The summer canoeing program was also halted due to COVID restrictions, which was disappointing, but I understood. This taught me to be patient while understanding that all the restrictions were for our safety. I never lost interest in the Cadet Program, and I was excited to always come back no matter what. Returning in September 2020 as an Able Cadet, I quickly worked towards becoming a Leading Cadet and achieved that rank in December 2020. Being online was hard and not as much fun, but I kept going because I knew that at some point things would get better and back to normal. I also wanted to learn the leadership, rope tying, and signal flag skills that the Cadet Program had to offer. I was able to complete my second year in the cadet program in May 2021 as a Petty Officer 2nd Class, and I received the Best Intermediate Cadet Award for 2020-21. This award meant a lot to me. My second year in the Cadet Program really taught me the importance of resilience and how to adapt to new ways of learning, as most of the Cadet Program is online.
PO2 Yates receiving a the Cadet of the Year Trophy from Commanding Officer, Lt(NL) Lori Oldfield, NLCC Achilles in June 2022.
PO2 Yates receiving the Navy League Medal of Excellence and Division Cadet of the Year Award from the Reviewing Officer in June 2022.
Coming back in the fall of 2021 as a Petty Officer was very exciting, as we were returning to a mix of in-person and online classes. Being a third-year cadet, I really wanted to show the officers how I could lead the new and younger cadets. When I heard that the position of Coxswain was available, I immediately expressed interest in the position and made it my goal to become the Corps Coxswain. I took it upon myself to send an email to my Commanding Officer expressing my desire to take on this role. I did research at home to learn how to use the boatswain call. I also demonstrated my leadership skills during in-person classes by explaining the schedule and showing the young cadets to be patient. During the poppy campaign, in the weeks leading up to Remembrance Day, I volunteered for every available shift.
One of the most important things the Cadet Program taught me was the importance of remembering and respecting our veterans, and understanding all the sacrifices they endured so that we could live freely in our wonderful country. At the end of 2021, I was appointed Coxswain and I was so happy. Getting this position really showed me how hard work, dedication, and setting goals for yourself pays off.
I want to let you know that as passionate as I am about the Cadet Program, I have other interests outside of the Navy League. I am a Scout and have been involved in scouting for six years. We learn outdoor skills, go hiking, camping, learn first aid and environmental conservation. I started as a Beaver and worked my way up through Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts, earning many personal achievement patches and Cub car awards for workmanship.
On a family trip to England, we visited Brownsea Island, where Robert Baden-Powell started the scouting movement. On this trip we visited an amazing warship in London, the HMS Belfast, which was the highlight of my time in London. Another group I was involved in is a Church youth group where we met weekly to decide how to help our community. Some of the activities we did as a group were park cleanups, food drives and a bake sale that raised over $200 for the Guelph General Hospital.
One of my most recent activities has been participating in my school’s safety patrol. The school safety patrol reminds all students how to cross the street safely and prevents them from crossing when it is not safe. The responsibilities of the Safety Patrol are to look, act and stay alert, show up on time, follow the patrol schedule carefully, set a good example for others, be reliable and trustworthy, courteous and polite. I don’t think I would have had the courage or confidence to join the Safety Patrol if I hadn’t spent time in the Navy League Program
Many of the leadership skills and activities I learned in the Corps prepared me to be committed to the Safety Patrol program. I even won the MVP Term 1 Patrol award for 2021! Other school activities include Classroom Help, where we go to younger classes to help with food breaks, and Eco Club, where we participate in the recycling program.
The Navy League program has had a tremendous impact on my life. I have developed a strong sense of self-confidence and responsibility, and I have improved my leadership skills by often taking the lead in a group. I find that I am more focused and disciplined when completing tasks. My parents have also noticed that I am more respectful and courteous to them and other adults.
How do I see the Cadet Program helping me in the future?
I can use all the skills and traits I have developed over the past three years at NLCC Achilles and do my best in my future life experiences in school, career and family. But most importantly to one day become a helicopter pilot for the Coast Guard.
The Navy League Cadet Program provides leadership and youth development opportunities for youth between the ages of 9 – 12 years old. For additional information, please go to http://navyleague.ca/join or call 1.800.375.6289.