Darrell Greer
Northern News Services

Rankin Inlet (Nov 09/05) - A special parade was held in Rankin Inlet this past month to acknowledge the new commanding officer for the 3019 Royal Canadian Cadet Corps.

Capt. Tom Rogers accepted the post from former commanding officer Capt. Tim Hinds during a signing ceremony witnessed by Mayor Lorne Kusugak and a large gathering of cadet friends and family members.

Rogers, who moved to Rankin in 1999, has been a cadet instructor for the past 13 years.

He says a proper rotation of officers would see a change in the top position every three years.

"While being commanding officer is not an overly difficult responsibility, it is time consuming and you can burn out if you're doing a proper job of it," says Rogers. "So, it's best to have fresh ideas from a fresh person at the helm every three years."

Rogers says Hinds is highly regarded for his involvement in the community and the local cadet movement is lucky to have him.

He says the cadet movement goes in cycles across Canada, and is enjoying an upswing in popularity in Rankin this year.

The 3019 has 46 registered cadets, with an average of 35 on parade each week.

"We have a group of kids right now who are really interested in the movement.

"And, just as importantly, we have new local volunteers helping out this year and that's really special.

"It's shaping up to be one of our better years because of their involvement, especially those who are former cadets."

Rogers says the cadet movement has always been more interested in building good citizens than being a pre-recruitment vehicle for the regular Armed Forces.

He says the core values of the movement revolve around young people who are interested in their community, country and the world in general.

"Good citizenship is everything to the cadet movement.

"During my time with the cadets, I've seen this organization help many young people become better citizens and, as such, better people.

"The biggest reward I get out of the program is taking a 12-year-old child into the program at one end, and then graduating a pretty neat 18- or 19-year-old adult at the other.

"That's a very special reward in itself."