LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON - Four cadets from Fort Simpson have tackled a challenging certification exam.

Sgt. Nikita Larter, right, from the 2860 Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps of Fort Simpson receives her National Star Certification from Maj. Deidre Peet, the commanding officer of the Northern Regional Cadet Support Unit. - photo courtesy of Capt. Trevor Henderson

Sgt. Nikita Larter, Sgt. Tyler Pilling, Sgt. Katelyn Harold and Warrant Officer Jennifer Gast of the 2860 Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps all chose to take the National Star Certification Exam. Taking the exam is an option for any cadet aged 12 to 19 who has successfully completed four years of the cadet program, said Lt. Steve Nicoll, the corps' commanding officer.

To explain the magnitude of the exam, Nicoll compares it to a university degree. If four years in cadets is like getting a bachelor's degree, the certification is like getting an master's degree, he said.

The exam is broken into two phases. On March 11, the cadets took a written multiple choice exam that tested them on everything a cadet should know by their fourth year including navigation, drill, Canadian government and symbols, field craft, and physical fitness. To prepare, the four cadets gathered in study session and made their way through a workbook.

All four passed and Harold scored 85 per cent, the third highest mark among the cadets who challenged the written exam this year in the three territories.

"That's the easy part," Nicoll said.

The cadets were in Yellowknife for the practical portion of the exam from March 24 to 27. During one day of testing the cadets had to teach two prepared lesson plans, one on drill and one in a classroom, pass a demanding physical fitness test, tie five different knots and take a test on map and compass skills.

"It was kind of nerve-racking," said Pilling.

All the instructors, however, were helpful and supportive and the cadets supported each other, he said.

"They made the experience not so bad," Pilling said.

Pilling, 17, finished sixth overall of the 15 cadets present from across the North. Teaching the drill class was the most challenging aspect of the exam, said Pilling, because it went against his nature.

"You have to tell everyone what to do in a really commanding way," he said.

Larter also found the drill lesson to be the hardest component of the exam. Larter said she got shy at the last moment but did OK in the end.

For Larter, the maps and compass portion of the exam and the knots and lashing were far easier thanks to weeks of preparation. Larter scored 84.7 per cent on the exam making her the top female cadet from the North and fifth overall.

"It was definitely worth it in the end. I did better than I thought I would," Larter said.

Both Gast and Harold will be retested in a month on one section of the exam to determine if they will pass.

Achieving National Star Certification opens up a number of opportunities to cadets. Pilling said he is looking forward to a possible promotion and going on national and international expeditions. This year's international expedition is sea kayaking in Alaska.

Cadets also have the opportunity to go on European exchanges and take advanced training including parachuting.

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