Testimonials

Listed below are testimonials from those who's lives have been touched by the Cadet program. To have your testimonial added to the website please send your submission to webadmin@aircadetleague.com

When I was growing up in the small Saskatchewan town of Saltcoats, I joined the 563 Saltcoats Squadron of the Royal Canadian Air Cadets.  I had no idea what a huge impact Cadets would have on my life!  I learned about public speaking and leadership.  I learned to appreciate the importance of self-discipline, and to take pride in my uniform.  To this day, I take the time to polish my shoes because I learned in Cadets about the importance of personal presentation.  As Lieutenant Governor, I deliver hundreds of speeches each year.  I enjoy public speaking thanks, in part, to the early lessons I learned in Cadets.  Cadets gave me wonderful opportunities to travel.  I was able to attend 2 summer camps on Sea Island, as well as Senior Leaders training at Camp Borden in Ontario.  I even got to travel overseas to the Netherlands on an exchange.  I had my first experience flying in an airplane in Cadets.  Over the years, I have been required to fly a great deal for work, and I still love the experience!  Cadets taught me about the value of hard work, as well as the importance of daily physical fitness.  These are lessons that I have carried with me throughout my life.  Cadets also gave me helpful mentors and good friends.  My family didn’t have a lot of money, but thanks to the Cadet program, I was able to take part in all of these amazing opportunities.  During my time as Lieutenant Governor, it has been a great privilege to serve as Reviewing Officer for numerous Cadet Reviews.  I am deeply grateful to the Department of National Defence, the Army, Navy, and Air Cadet Leagues, and the committed instructors and leaders who make this life-changing program available to our promising youth. (563 Saltcoats Squadron – 1958-1963)

I dreamed of spaceflight. Watching the first humans leave our Earth to walk on another planet was a young boy’s dream, ignited. I thus clearly knew what I wanted to do, but had no idea how to get myself there. So I did some research. When I looked at what space explorers knew, I saw that they were aviators, engineers and test pilots. Growing up as a farm boy that looked great to me, but I needed to learn how airplanes worked, and how to fly. The Milton 820 RCAC Squadron had recently formed, so I joined and grew up with them from 1973-1977. The lessons I learned there I still draw upon daily: self-discipline, teamwork, technical competence, flying, and leadership. To be able to command the International Space Station in 2012/13, I know full well that it was the Air Cadet experience that allowed me to fly so high. Per Ardua ad Astra! (820 Chris Hadfield Squadron 1973-1977)
Col Chris Hadfield - Canadian Space Agency (First Canadian to walk in space)

Being part of 630 Beauport Squadron of the Royal Canadian Air Cadets as a teenager, provided me an excellent foundation for my career in aviation and with the Canadian Forces.  I had the chance to be initiated to flying, learn about leadership, discipline, and aviation.  Taking part in the various activities and participating in the summer camps gave me the opportunity to develop skills and personality traits that are required and used everyday in my present career: interpersonal skills, public speaking, reliability, discipline, and assertiveness.

I was positively influenced by the friends I made and the mentors I had early on with the Air Cadets.  The six years I spent with the organization certainly gave me the tools to attack life head on and work hard. (630 Beauport Squadron 1984-1990)

LCol Maryse Carmichael - Commanding Officer: Canadian Forces Snowbirds

The Air Cadet program played a significant role in the achievement of my life’s goals and dreams.  As a young boy I had a passion to fly and an interest in the military.  Thus, it seemed a natural fit that I should join 614 RCAC Squadron in London Ontario at the age of 12.  My time spent with Air Cadets was nothing short of tremendous.  It was filled with many challenges and fantastic rewards, and its focus was much broader than the flying and military experience I expected.  The program has something to offer for all of Canada’s youth.  The highlights for me were the flying scholarships and the friendships.  It would be many years later, upon further reflection, that I would truly come to realize the full extent of what the program had given to me.  The leadership experiences and the challenge of flying had given me a boost of self-confidence and the courage to set an ambitious course for my life.  I’ve never looked back.  There are few certainties in life, but one thing I am absolutely certain of is that I would not be where I am today, were it not for the Air Cadet program.  For that, I am most grateful.  I take a piece of the Air Cadet program with me everywhere I go, and I look forward to taking it to space one day in the future! (614 Forest City Squadron 1988-1994)

Working hard through high school and university certainly was a major factor contributing to a successful Air Force and space support career but the five years and the four summer camps that I spent with the 728 La Vérendrye Air Cadet Squadron in Val d’Or, Québec (1966-1971) were an even greater catalyst that shaped my progress through ever increasing responsibilities. As a young Air Cadet having great fun while learning self-discipline, leadership, effective speaking, team work, flying and even diplomatic skills while visiting France, I never realized then how key those skills would be to securing great military assignments as a fighter pilot and commander of various military formations. Air Cadets also taught me to pursue dreams and I did so when joining the Canadian Space Agency to have the unique privilege of leading the team running Canadarm2 operations on the International Space Station. My COs at 728 Squadron were excellent role models and teachers; along with their staff, the sponsoring committee and the Air Cadet League of Canada, they truly helped me build solid foundations for an exciting and rewarding series of challenges in adult life. I am forever thankful for their dedication and support. (728 La Vérendyre Squadron 1966-1971)
Benoît Marcotte, Director General, Corporate Services Canadian Space Agency

I always wanted an aviation career and Air Cadets helped to kick-start it with my first flight experience and then a powered flying scholarship. I decided that I wanted to go to Royal Military College and fly in the military but I was up against thousands of applicants. My high school marks were OK but I was no shining star, so I crossed my fingers and hoped for the best. As it turned out, the military gives high marks to anyone who has Cadet experience. My seven years, including Senior Leaders, Overseas Exchange and WO1 status certainly helped me get the nod. And there was no looking back. After a flying career in the military, I went into civilian aviation in a variety of capacities and now run the largest aviation Association in Canada, where I am back to my roots, flying recreational aircraft for business travel and fun. I can definitely say that Air Cadets played a very important role in the career path that I chose. (80 Spitfire Squadron 1965-1971)
Kevin Psutka, President and CEO of Canadian Owners and Pilots Association

I spent six years (1967-72) as an Air Cadet and then returned as an officer for seven more years all with 650 Vanier Squadron. I have had a great career in aviation and this is mainly due to my years as a cadet. I learnt the basics at school but the skills and knowledge that I picked up as an Air Cadet were what I would use every day, both as an Inspector for Transport Canada or as the CEO of the Moncton Flight College. Teamwork, self-discipline, communications and leadership are but a few of the critical life skills that I got with the Air Cadets. I also received my glider and power pilot licenses as well as my instructor rating on gliders. What a way to jump start an aviation career and have an incredible amount of fun while doing it. To this day I still live by 650’s motto “Nil sin labore” – Nothing without work”. (650 Vanier Squadron 1967-1972)
Mike Doiron, President - Doiron Aviation Consulting (former Chairman of ATAC)

From a very early age, I had a strong interest in flying and learning everything I could about aviation. In 1984, with my family’s encouragement, I joined 132 Spitfire Squadron in Brampton and spent six excellent years as a cadet, followed by five years as an officer. I fondly remember all the camping trips, tours, summer camps, and parade nights that taught me the self discipline, leadership, and teamwork that have been vital to my success as an airline pilot and professor. I had so much fun learning the skills that I would eventually use every day in my career. I had no idea at the time how much my time with the Air Cadets would shape my future. I owe the Air Cadets a debt of gratitude because of all the opportunities I received: Summer camps where I learned to fly; an international exchange to Germany where I experienced a different culture; and the leadership skills that comes with progressing up the ranks as a cadet, to name a few. Most importantly, though, I think about the strong bonds and friendships that I formed. These memories and experiences will stay with me forever, and I encourage all young people to take advantage of all that Air Cadets has to offer. (132 Spitfire Squadron 1984-1990)
Gary Anderson, Air Canada Pilot/Flight Instructor and Professor - Seneca College Aviation Program

“The cadets played an important role in my life. When I joined 51 Air Cadet Squadron in Ottawa, and then 783 Air Cadet Squadron in Montreal, I had no idea how the adventure and experience would influence my career. I quickly realized the value of the activities and diverse programs that were offered. During the course of the six years that I spent as a cadet, their programs provided me with decision-making skills that I still use today. Moreover, the guidance and advice I received from mentors helped me develop my leadership skills and their influence guided me to structure my education with clear professional goals. In addition, the constant challenges that were placed in front of me prepared me for my future. But above all, it is as a cadet that I discovered the fascinating world of aviation for which I developed a profound passion that still drives me today.”