RANKIN INLET/WHITEHORSE - It's been one memorable year for Chris Ussak of Rankin Inlet.

The six-year cadet is currently at the Whitehorse Cadet Summer Training Camp in the Yukon, where he is a warrant officer working with courses involving physical education and recreation.

Rankin Inlet cadet warrant officer Chris Ussak, right, compares boot etiquette with officer cadet Kyle Backiney while in the bush earlier this month at the Whitehorse Cadet Summer Training Camp. - photo courtesy of Capt. Cheryl Major

He was recently named to the 2008 Cadet Expedition to the French and Spanish Pyrenees, scheduled to take place in August and September.

Ussak, 17, is a master warrant officer in his home corps and has passed his cadet National Star certification exams.

He will be graduating Grade 12 from Maani Ulujuk high school in Rankin on Aug. 23 and leaving for France just four days later.

Ussak said he's enjoying his time at the Whitehorse camp this summer and is eagerly anticipating his upcoming trip.

He said so far, he's helped teach a map and compass course, as well as working with drill classes.

"We went out in the bush to see how well we could assess other cadets and I found that challenging," said Ussak.

"This is my fourth time coming to the Whitehorse camp and I really enjoy it a lot.

"I found out I was accepted for the cadet expedition when my commanding officer (2nd Lieut. Dorothy Tootoo) sent me a paper with all the information.

"I'm very excited about getting an opportunity like this."

Ussak said he owes a great deal of his personal success to the time he's spent with the 3019 Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps in Rankin.

He said he would strongly encourage other youth in his community to join the cadet program.

"If you stick with it and work hard, you can accomplish just about anything you want to.

"Being a cadet is all about teamwork and it helped me grow as a person.

"Once I return from the expedition, I plan on working at the Meliadine mine site for a year and then I'm going to start studying to become a teacher."