When I think back to the experiences that shaped the person I became, my 4 years in the Royal Canadian Army Cadets (in the 1980s!) stand at the very top of the list. Like so many young people, I arrived a little unsure of myself. I left believing that I could take on the world.
Cadet summer camps were nothing short of life-changing. They were my first real taste of independence, adventure, leadership, and belonging. Two summers in Vernon and another in Valcartier and Edmonton for basic Parachutist course, brought new challenges, new friendships, and new opportunities to discover strengths I never knew I possessed. Whether it was learning new skills, working as part of a team, or taking on leadership roles, I grew a little more with each experience.
One of the greatest gifts Cadets gave me was the confidence to dream without limits. I never felt that being a girl meant there were doors closed to me. I was encouraged to participate fully, to lead, to excel, and to believe that my abilities, not my gender, would determine my future. Unknowingly, that belief became the foundation upon which I built my life.
The confidence, resilience, discipline, and sense of service I developed through Cadets gave me the courage to pursue what many thought was impossible, surrounded by mentors and friends who believed in me before I fully believed in myself. Those early experiences ultimately led me to become Canada’s first female infantry officer in the Royal 22ième Régiment, serve two tours in former-Yugoslavia, and eventually return to the CIC (COATS) program to pay it forward. I am now the Founder and Executive Director of the Pepper Pod, a retreat centre for women veterans in Chelsea, Quebec.
Cadets is far more than a youth program. It is a place where young people discover who they are, realize what they are capable of, and begin to imagine the extraordinary possibilities that lie ahead. I will always be grateful for the unforgettable summers, the lifelong friendships, and the confidence that changed the course of my life.
