Témoignages

Vous trouverez ci-dessous les témoignages de ceux et celles dont la vie a changé grâce au Programme des cadets de l'Air. Pour ajouter votre témoignage à ce site web, veuillez nous faire parvenir votre demande à : 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)
Maj Jeremy Hansen - Canadian Space Agency (Canada's newest astronaut)

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

J'ai fait partie des cadets de l’Air durant six années (1967-72) et j’y suis ensuite retourné à titre d'officier durant sept autres années, toujours avec l’escadron 650 de Vanier. J'ai bénéficié d’une longue carrière dans l'Aviation, ceci grâce à mes années auprès des cadets de l’Air. J'ai appris certaines bases à l'école, mais d’autres compétences  et connaissances acquises comme cadet de l'Air représentent ce que j’utiliserais durant ma carrière, à la fois comme un inspecteur de Transports Canada et à titre de chef de la direction du Moncton Flight College. Le travail d'équipe, l'autodiscipline, la communication et le « leadership » représentent certaines des compétences de première importance acquises auprès des Cadets de l'Air utilisées tout au long de ma vie. J'y ai aussi obtenu mon permis de vol à voile et celui de pilote de puissance, sans compter ma qualification comme instructeur de vol sur planeur. Quelle belle façon de relancer une carrière dans l'aviation et quels plaisirs à en retirer. À ce jour, je continue d’observer la devise du 650 le « Nil sin labore - Rien sans efforts ».

(Escadron 650, Vanier, 1967-1972)

Dès mon très jeune âge, j'ai ressenti un vif intérêt pour le vol et pour tout apprendre de l’univers de l'aviation. En 1984, avec les encouragements de ma famille, j'ai rejoint l'escadron 132 Spitfire de Brampton, et j’y ai passé d'excellentes années, six  comme cadet et cinq autres à titre d'officier. Je garde un excellent souvenir des sorties en camping, des excursions, des camps d'été et des soirées d’exercices qui m'ont permis de me d’apprivoiser l'autodiscipline, le « leadership », de même que le travail d'équipe, soit des acquis essentiels à mon succès à titre de futur pilote de ligne et professeur. J'ai beaucoup apprécié accumuler ces compétences qui se sont avérées tellement utiles tout au cours de ma carrière. À l'époque, j’ignorais à quel point le temps passé en compagnie des cadets de l'Air allait façonner mon avenir. J’ai une dette envers les cadets de l'Air pour tout ce que j'ai reçu : les camps d'été où j'ai appris à voler, l’échange international en Allemagne où j'ai fait l’expérience d’une culture différente, de même que les compétences en « leadership » qui s’accumulent dans les rangs comme cadet, pour n'en nommer que quelques-uns. Plus important cependant, je pense aux amitiés et aux liens solides qui se sont formés au fil des années. Ces souvenirs et ces expériences demeurent gravés en moi pour toujours, et j'encourage tous les jeunes à profiter de tout ce que  les cadets de l'Air ont à offrir. (Escadron 132 Spitfire 1984-1990)

« Les cadets de l'Air ont joué un rôle important dans ma vie. Lorsque j’ai joint le 51^e escadron des cadets de l’Air à Ottawa, et par la suite le 783^e escadron à Montréal, je ne savais pas à quel point cette expérience influencerait ma carrière. J’ai rapidement reconnu la valeur des activités et des divers programmes offerts. Les six années passées au sein des cadets de l'Air m’ont permis d’acquérir des compétences qui me servent encore aujourd’hui, comme la capacité à prendre des décisions. De plus, les conseils que j’ai reçus de la part de mentors m’ont aidé à développer mes qualités de leadership, et leur influence m’a permis de structurer ma formation en ayant des objectifs professionnels clairs. De plus, les défis que j’ai dû relever m’ont préparé pour l’avenir. Mais surtout, les cadets m’ont permis de découvrir le monde fascinant de l’aviation pour lequel j’ai développé une passion profonde qui me motive encore aujourd’hui. »