FORT SIMPSON - In a ceremony filled with military traditions, leadership of the 2860 Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps Fort Simpson changed hands on Feb. 4.

The corps said goodbye to their long time commanding officer Lieut. John Hazenberg. Second Lieut. Diane Porter formally took over his position.

During the ceremony, Hazenberg was applauded for the work he did with the group.

"To you we owe a great debt of gratitude for the leadership, professionalism and dedication you displayed during your tenure as commanding officer," said Col. Chris Whitecross, the commander of Joint Task Force North who travelled to the village for the occasion.

The commanding officer is a real focal point for a unit, said Whitecross. Hazenberg increased the unit size almost 200 per cent, she said.

After officially becoming the new commanding officer, 2nd Lieut. Diane Porter also praised Hazenberg's work.

"You've worked tirelessly to promote the program," she said.

It was thanks to Hazenberg that Porter first joined the program. They started talking about the cadet program approximately five years ago at a hockey tournament in Edmonton and Hazenberg encouraged her to volunteer.

Hazenberg also encouraged many of the cadets.

"He inspired me for about five years to stay in cadets," said Sgt. Jordan Snider.

"I'm going to miss that guy."

Cdt. Elissa Hazenberg said he taught her discipline and not to give up. He was good at drill and at organizing winter camping trips, she said.

"It's going to make me cry to say goodbye," said Elissa.

Hazenberg's association with the cadets started when he moved to the village in 1991.

His son Darren had been a cadet in Yellowknife and joined the corps in Fort Simpson. Hazenberg spent two years as a civilian instructor with the unit before becoming the commanding officer in 1993. Except for a short break, Hazenberg has held the position for 14 years.

"It's been a privilege to see so many cadets develop themselves," he said.

Some of the current cadets weren't even born when he started with the program, noted Hazenberg.

Hazenberg left the position as commanding officer because he's now working as the chief financial officer for the Tlicho government and working in Behchoko. He's in the process of moving to Yellowknife where his family will join him.

Although he's left the community, Hazenberg said he'll still be involved in cadets in other respects to provide support and give encouragement.

He's also confident that the program will continue to flourish.

"I've never been so optimistic about the future of cadets in Fort Simpson as I am now," said Hazenberg.