Questions for RAdm J. J. Bennett, Chief Reserves and Cadets – PART 2 In this, the second video, we raise questions about Cadet Identity. Again, our questions are asked directly to RAdm J. J. Bennett, Chief Reserves and Cadets, and done in a public forum for the benefit of all stakeholders. We ask that you respond in kind. Identity Many complaints to our Facebook page included the idea that the Cadet Program is drifting away from its military roots. Various examples were offered including: > replacing the .22 gauge range rifle with an air gun; > having fewer and fewer Reg Forces people working at the unit level > having more and more non-soldiers working at the unit level; > seemingly fewer opportunities to shoot assault rifles; > seemingly fewer opportunities to share experiences with Regs and Reserves; > reduced opportunities to parade in public with rifles; > cadets have been told by officers that they are no longer allowed to play capture the flag, paintball, laser quest, wear camouflage paint, or participate in any activity that might be misconstrued as war-craft (except for shooting rifles); > officers spending an inordinate amount of time and energy convincing new cadets and their parents that the cadet program is not a recruitment tool for the Canadian Forces, and; > perhaps most telling and most disconcerting of all, the Renewal Plan makes no provisions at all to inculcate in cadets any understanding of or appreciation for the Canadian Forces. In fact, the Renewal Plan has effectively removed the very idea of ‘Canadian Forces’ from the principals that are supposed to govern all future cadet programming decisions and actions. 9. Over the past 30 years, has the cadet program been intentionally remade so as to help ensure that cadets are not seen or thought of as ‘soldiers’? 10. What are the chief differences between a soldier and a cadet? 11. Can the air rifle be replaced with a proper Canadian Forces issue combat rifle? If not, please indicate the reason(s) why. 12. Can we participate in live-fire and other combat-readiness training exercises with Regs and/or Reserves to provide cadets with a better appreciation for and understanding of the CF? If not, please indicate the reason(s) why. >
Posted on: Mon, 06 Oct 2014 20:27:00 +0000
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