Air Cadet Program = Hitler Youth?

[wzuk1]

Not funny- treat the topic with some seriousness and decorum, otherwise, it will not be addressed properly not only to this sceptic but to the general public.

Bill

[Rotten Apple #1]

Yah perhaps you're right. Then again, the original letter was obviously written by a crackpot with an axe to grind. Not much of threat there to a great organization from which I garnered a lot of lifetime friends, and bunch of other stuff that the preceding posters have done a great job of describing.

If I get one smile, then I'm happy.

Cheers.

[wzuk1]

It's too easy to be dismissive, and assume that anyone with a contrary opinion of a fine youth organization such as the cadet program is a "crackpot." If you ask, many in the organization have had similar experiences with members of the public who see no farther than the uniform. The misconception that cadets are in training for a military career is fairly widespread. It takes some patience to explain what the cadet program involves and sometimes it is an "uphill climb" to convince a staunch doubter.

Bill

[2R]

I very much doubt that anyone involved in the Air Cadet programme will ever become a POPE
The Air cadets are voluntary,the Hitler youth movement was compulsory and the youth had no choice but to do their duty for the fatherland or their families would not be fed.

Pax Vobis

[BEFAN5]

Wish I had been told about the program when I was exploring the possibility to learn to fly.

My best option now for paying off all my training is a Liberal Learning Passport and volunteering when I am on duty rest from work.

[higherthenakite]

I was in Air Cadets for about 5 years and no offense the program is good for some but it sucked where I was and will never be a civilian instructor or become involved with it ever again. It wasn't the experience i was expecting when my sister's friend told me about it. I think where I was it very political. It seemed to be that if your parents took some part in the squadron then you got moved up in quicker. I personally didn't like being in air cadets getting passed over for entrance exams even though I had some of the highest marks in the squadron pre-testing because I went to High School worked a Job to save for college and wasn't able to make two shifts for tag days or worked weekends and was unable to make it fall-ex or winter-ex.

IT's to bad me and my CO didn't get along because I do think they do a good job with kids. In my squadron you had to suck up a little to much I think.

HTAK

[wzuk1]

Sorry to hear about your negative experiences but you may be describing an unusual or aberrant situation as the Regional Cadet Support Unit will usually set the standard for training and ensure that a professional level of conduct is maintained between all participants- cadets, instructors and officers. The Air Cadet League also provides support mainly directed to the Parents' and Sponsoring bodies.

Bill

[Brewguy]

... but you may be describing an unusual or aberrant situation...

I'm sorry to say, but such situations aren't that unusual Bill. When I was a CIC officer, I saw this type of thing happen in many corps and squadrons. The system is often far more political than people are willing to admit. It shouldn't be that way, but it often is.

[wzuk1]

"often far more political than people are willing to admit"

Thanks for the response; like every organization, there is undoubtably room for improvement and I will bring these concerns to others in the Forces and Air Cadet League that deal with the cadet program.

Bill

[flap10]

I was in Air Cadets for about 5 years and no offense the program is good for some but it sucked where I was and will never be a civilian instructor or become involved with it ever again. It wasn't the experience i was expecting when my sister's friend told me about it. I think where I was it very political. It seemed to be that if your parents took some part in the squadron then you got moved up in quicker. I personally didn't like being in air cadets getting passed over for entrance exams even though I had some of the highest marks in the squadron pre-testing because I went to High School worked a Job to save for college and wasn't able to make two shifts for tag days or worked weekends and was unable to make it fall-ex or winter-ex.

IT's to bad me and my CO didn't get along because I do think they do a good job with kids. In my squadron you had to suck up a little to much I think.

HTAK

HTAK, sorry you had such a bad experience in cadets, but thats life. You know the story, the bosses son got the job over you or the manager hired his buddies kid even though you were more qualified.

I've been a CI for the last 8yrs and I can honestly admit that I've never seen anything like you discribed at my unit. The only cadet that got a promotion or a course over any other cadet was the one that deserved it. It didn't matter whose parent was an instructor.

We also have cadets that work. When it came to entrance exams or extra courses, the cadet would get a shift changed or certain days off during the week to do the extra activities.

I just don't think its fair to put down all cadet units just because things didn't go the way you expected at your unit.

Have a nice day.

[Woxof38]

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatche ... -1105.html

This news article reminded me of this topic

[North Shore]

^ A street gang...in Meadow Lake? Wow, bingo at the Legion Hall must have ended early, and Aunt Ethel had nothing better to do than peer through her windows on a saturday night...

[deakc]

This is such a great resource that you are providing and it's really easy for me to SEE what you were talking about

[Beefitarian]

We had a run in with them at Banff. I gave each of my kids a loony to buy stickers. They could have got stickers free at Safeway.





These ones said, "I support air cadets"

[Greg87]

Sorry, I realize this topic seems to have run it's course, just wanted to add my $.02. I was in Navy League cadets for several years, from about age 10-13, then joined air cadets and was only involved for 1 year. By the time my first year was finished I had a job, had prior commitments volunteering at a museum in Hamilton, and I'd had a bad experience at my first summer camp. Aside from one rather lousy officer (every group has it's undesirables) it was not the fault of the Air Cadets, just wasn't my cup of tea, 2 weeks away from home was just too much for me. Over the years I did get my ppl, and I think I've done well for myself, and I am proud to have been a cadet, who knows, maybe someday I'll think about getting involved as an adult.

My brother was in Navy League and Sea Cadets, and he excelled in both, reaching top ranks in both groups. He ended up going to college for marine navigation, and being hired straight out of college. He worked at the summer camps (and yes, it is work, not just fun and games) and made some good money for just working the summer. However, consider this, how many part time employers would be willing to give you the summer off when working as a student? This is when they get the most availability out of you! So, while it seems like they're making so much money, it becomes difficult to have a job during the majority of the year. I don't recall my brother working any other part time job during the time he was in cadets (I'm sure many cadets do, and all the power to them), while I worked from age 14 until I went to college, juggling work and school (and not getting the benefits of cadets, getting my ppl through cadets would have been a better choice than paying for it!).

I am proud to support cadets and would love to have a conversation with the person who wrote this article, though I don't feel it would be possible to have an intelligent conversation with someone so narrow minded. Sure, many people in the air force were cadets, but it's probably safe to say that statisticly not many cadets go into the air force, when you look at how many people are in cadets compared to how many are in the air force. Correct me if I'm wrong.

[wzuk1]

Since I added this article and participated in the forum, I have been heartened by the number of people who have added their positive observations and comments about their personal cadets' experience. In the main, the time I and others spent as a teen in the cadet corps, was a rewarding one, with so much given back. Although I can understand the myopic view that the original individual saw as he encountered a group of air cadets, he saw the uniform only and didn't look past to see the young person behind it. As many have already noted, the cadet program is one of the country's greatest youth training program, not turning out recruits for a military career but for shaping exemplary future citizens.

Bill Zuk

[Beefitarian]

I think this is a good topic. I honestly don't understand how anyone could live in Canada and be Totally anti military. Of course warfare is horrible and in theory if you didn't have a military you would not have war.

I may not agree with things our military participates in but the fault lies in the direction of the government not those taking an order.

The jr John Lennon that wrote that letter to the news paper complaining about a program that helps kids learn what the air cadets does seems out of touch with his country. I would recommend he starts his own program to train future ultra peaceful citizens.

My opinion is that he's fortunate to live in a safe place where we can sit back and criticize those that helped keep it that way.

[wzuk1]

See article at: http://www.nxtbook.com/dawson/marketzone/csc_t0211/#/26 for a perspective on cadet programs.

Bill Zuk

[Beefitarian]

So, you're saying I'm off topic expressing my being puzzled by John Bury or that you want to seperate the air cadets from the CF.

[wzuk1]

All the comments that relate to Air Cadets are equally representative of some of the public perception of any young person in a cadet organization. Those with a negative preconception of cadets, equate all cadets as involved in a strictly militaristic program. The article that was submitted provides an overview of all the cadet units and most importantly, shows kids having fun in a variety of interesting activities.

Bill Zuk

[Beefitarian]

Ok, but I don't know if he cares. What I'm wondering is how so many people in Canada have become like him, Anti Military and proud about it?