Repulse Bay (Aug 30/06) - Trevor James (T.J.) Kringayark of Repulse Bay has become the first Nunavut cadet to earn his paratrooper wings.

Kringayark, of the 3055 Repulse Bay Royal Canadian Army Cadets, recently completed a five-week course in Ontario to earn the distinction.

Trevor (T.J.) Kringayark became the first cadet in Nunavut to earn his paratrooper's wings. - photo courtesy of Leonie Aissaoui

The first two weeks were spent on fitness in Connaught, before moving on to Trenton for three weeks of parachute training.

Kringayark said the last week was spent jumping from a Hercules aircraft.

When finished, he had tallied seven jumps.

"The physical training was really tough on everyone," said Kringayark.

"You had to focus on one segment at a time and not look too far ahead in order to make it.

"I wanted this bad, and that helped me through."

Kringayark's course also had a touch of drama.

One cadet was often late for training and, when he was, the rest of his group paid for it by doing pushups.

It finally reached the point where some cadets took matters into their own hands.

"One night, six cadets thumped him around pretty good with their pillows.

"All six got sent home because we were in this together and we were supposed to help anyone struggling.

"Our instructors treated this like real military training."

Kringayark said his first jump was scary, and it took two more before the fear turned into fun.

Upon completing the course, Kringayark was stunned to be presented with a gold watch for finishing at the top of his class.

He said it's exciting to be the first cadet in Nunavut able to wear the wings.

"It's an unbelievable feeling that's hard to put into words.

"I started the course wanting to improve my physical fitness, become tougher mentally and make friends.

"I accomplished my three goals and finishing at the top of my class was just an extra bonus.

Kringayark is now off to Europe for three weeks to hike across mountains in France, Switzerland and Italy.

His next goal is to earn his Grade 12 diploma at Tusarvik school upon his return.

"I'm going to concentrate on Grade 12 and try not to look beyond that.

"Once I graduate I might try to become a wildlife biologist, but I haven't made my final decision yet."