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IKALUKTUTIAK/CAMBRIDGE BAY - When it comes to charting a course for his future, Colin Crockatt is right on target.

Even at a young age, the 15-year-old from Cambridge Bay has had the drive to make his mark on the world.

Cambridge Bay's Colin Crockatt was top shot at the Regional Marksmanship Competition in Whitehorse, Yukon, April 11 and 12. - photo courtesy of Rick Gillis

"I've always had that sort of ambition," he said. "I was born a leader, I guess."

In two years' time, he knows exactly where he wants to be.

"The Royal Military College in Kingston. That's been the big dream for me," he said. "I'm heading for the big picture."

As a cadet, Crockatt said he thrives in an environment where he can be a guide for his peers and develop a strong sense self-discipline.

At April's Regional Marksmanship Competition for cadets in the Northern territories, he demonstrated his skill and confidence by taking home four gold medals as the top shot of the event.

"While you're shooting, it's not like other sports where you have to be a certain size or weight or have a certain strength," Crockatt said. "You just have to have a lot of self-control... (with) breathing, keeping the rifle steady. You have to be very relaxed."

"Some of the world's best shooters, they fire between heartbeats. That's how relaxed they are," he added, noting that he was still working on reaching this level of control.

Marksmanship in particular is an area where the Cambridge Bay cadets have excelled, as this will be the second year that their members will go on to represent the North at the national level.

"Our strength lies in the multi-year discipline of marksmanship within the training mandate of the Air Rifle Program," said Capt. Rick Gillis, coach of the Cambridge Bay cadet team.

In addition to Crockatt, several other cadets from the 3004 corps won top spots, including Audla Buchan, Ryan Gillis and Rolonda Niptanatiak, for a combined total of 20 medals.

While the corps' high standings are a source of pride, the overall strategy is to send a number of new recruits to such competitions "in order to allow as many cadets as possible to experience these trips out for competitions," added Gillis.

For Crockatt, who started cadets at the age of 12, it has become a main focus in his life. While his devotion has meant sacrificing family vacations and even a trip to Italy with his classmates, the young teen is unwavering in his goals, for which he receives support at home.

"With cadets, you have to have a lot of self-discipline," said Crockatt. "They (my parents) understand that it's all my choice."