The following is a very slapped together show notes. They'll be updated into a more readable format soon.

Welcome to yet another edition of Training Officer’s Message for the month of March hosted by yours truly 2Lt Bradley.

We started out last month with the biathlon team going to provincial competition in Canmore. Unfortunately, no one placed for Nationals, but the cadets put on a good showing and had fun. Cpl Lucas Crockett also received the Perseverance Award from LCol Leo Brodeur, the Commanding Officer of Regional Cadet Support Unit (Prairie).

That very same weekend was Superbowl Sunday. I’m not a big football fan, but I am a huge fan of commercials. I wasn’t disappointed this year, with the big winner being the Volkswagen Darth Vader commercial (youtube.com/adblitz). I’m also quite proud of the fact that I picked the winning football team based solely on the fact that their fans wear cheese on their heads. Go Packers!

The next weekend, coming up on Valentine’s Day, 145 Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corps put together a day of sports on the 12 and topped it off with a dance. The cadets enjoyed a day of fun playing floor hockey, and also participating in Cross Country Ski Races. The dance was also a lot of fun with a DJ who really knew his stuff.

NSCE candidates continue to study for the second part of their big exam coming up at the end of March. Capt Gerbrandt has been working with them on Mondays at the armouries for 2 hours at a time.

We continued our monthly Swim nights on the last Tuesday of every month. We’d like to see a better turnout. Next month.

No cadets during reading week. Hope you took the time to read a book, go for a run, spend time with family, watch Vampire Diaries, or whatever else.

Coming Up

Corps T-shirt with civilian pants. All other standards apply. Females,
hair must be up, males must be shaven, etc. Cadets from New Brunswick will be
arriving this evening. Red stars will be on the range.
 

Sponsoring Committee Meeting will be formally establishing the committee, and will be
filling available committee positions with volunteers.

The purpose of the 2313 RCACC SC is to
represent the Army Cadet League of Canada in the local community and provide
support to the cadet corps such as:

a. Ensuring that the corps has adequate facilities to carry out the training
program;

b. Providing that the corps has sufficient funds to support cadet activities
not funded by the DND and to enable the corps to conduct optional training;

c. Assisting commanding officers in recruiting cadets, officers and civilian
instructors when required;

d. Making known to the community the corps’ goals and activities; and

e. In cooperation with the Commanding Officer providing other assistance as
needed.

Who can apply:

1) Parents/Guardians of cadets
presently on strength with the 2313 corps,

2) Volunteers,

3) Parents/Guardians of cadets that have aged out of the corps and have an interest in volunteering,

4) Army Cadet League Rep,

5) Sponsorship Partners,

6) Affiliated Unit Rep,

7) Other persons, businesses, organizations or entities in the local community that may have been voted on, or appointed to “member status” by the 2313 RCACC SC Executive.

Benefits:

1) Access to current information and discussions of current and future activities with respect to the 2313 SALH RCACC (Kiwanis).

2) Ability to contribute to the discussions on more then a monthly basis.

3) Access information on the actions and activities of the SC.

4) Collaboration and input through chat feature between SC members.

5) Private forum for discussion of issues and concerns.

Friday 4 March 2011

Mess Dinner will be at the Medicine Hat Legion in the Ortona Room (back door of the legion).  We ask your son or daughter to be at the Legion at 1700 hrs (5 pm) in full dress uniform.  Dinner should be over by 2100 hrs (9 pm) and your son or daughter will need to be picked up from the Legion.

Weekend, ICE

Unfortunately we are only able to take 13 16 of our cadets, however next year we will all have the opportunity to visit somewhere else.

NSCE on Mondays 1900 hrs – 2100hrs in prep for the practical portion of the exam on 26-27 March.

Swim night on Tuesday, 29 Mar 1830-2100.

First FTX of new year first weekend of April. 1-3 April. Main Group Camp in Elkwater.

May try to get out with seniors for a recce on 19-20 of March.

FTU available for purchase at armycadetleague.com

Hopefully we’ll get running team back up and… running again in April.

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First and foremost, remember that this week is the final week to bring in your permission slips with your $5 if you want to attend Amazin' Race. Parents: if you want to volunteer but haven't made it to any meeting, and won't make it to the one on the meeting on 03 May, please write your name on your child's permission slip with your t-shirt size. There is no cost for volunteers.

 This week is the last parade night of the month, which of course means CO's parade. Please come in full dress with your PT gear in a bag. Recruits - If you don't have a uniform yet, please wear your black t-shirt.

I know everyone's been dying to do another Fitness Test, so we will do one this week following parade. I'm not one for typing a lot if someone else has done the work already, so I'm going to steal the ACFT details from 2293 N Sask R RCACC's facebook page.

GENERAL
The Army Cadet Fitness Test (ACFT) is a four-section evaluation designed to give you knowledge about your own personal level of health and conditioning. Cadets Canada identifies the following objectives of the ACFT:
a. to identify a common standard of fitness;
b. to motivate cadets to participate in physical activities; c. to create interest in fitness through the provision of badges for proficiency;
d. to confirm the ability of a cadet to meet standards of performance for the National Star Certification Examination (NSCE); and
e. to encourage cadets to prepare to meet standards of fitness for Army Cadet Exchanges, Expeditions and Advanced Training Courses.
SECTIONS
The ACFT is divided into four sections:
1. Standing Long Jump
2. Sit Ups
3. Push Ups
4. 20m Shuttle Run (Beep Test)
There are three levels of proficiency:
1. Bronze
2. Silver
3. Gold
STANDARDS
To attain one of the levels of the ACFT, the cadet must meet the following standards: 1. meet or exceed the minimum in all 4 tests; and 2. meet or exceed the point value required based on the gender/age requirement.

The female ACFT standards.

The male ACFT standards.

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Feeling down about not sleeping in the mud this weekend? No worries! Would an FTX at Rocky Mountain National Army Cadet Summer Training Center help? Good, because that's exactly what I'm super-excited to announce today.

On 21 May 2010, we will be joining Army Cadet units from Edmonton, Vermillion, and Calgary on what's certain to be an excitiing adventure-based weekend filled with abseiling, mountain biking, hiking, marksmanship, and orienteering!

This is looking  to be an amazing opportunity, so please mark it on your calendars!

More information will be released in the coming weeks.

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Just want to let everyone know, please tell your parents that there is a meeting this Thursday night (15th) at 1845hrs (6:45pm) for everyone who wants to help and volunteer for the Amazing Race on MAY 15th.... Please be there, we need many volunteers to pull this off and it is already BETTER then last year! Capt. G

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Regular training this week. The dress for the week is parade boots, uniform pants, cadet corps t-shirt, and your beret; for seniors it is summer dress open collar (no ascots).

For those that are interested in attending Wilderness Challenge in October must attend the Wilderness Challenge Prep on Tuesday night at 1800hrs at the Kin Coulee band stand. This week we are just going for a walk without rucks but bringing a ruck is optional, the dress is PT gear.

Also for those interested, the military band will be starting up this Friday at 1900hrs at the Armouries. This is different than Pipes and Drums! Military band includes the same instruments as a concert band. For those interested see me on Thursday and I will hopefully be able to introduce you to our new band instructor.

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Platoon commanders and section commanders are being reminded to call their sections with the following information.

Although this email goes out to mostly parents it is important that both cadets and parents see/read/are told about it.

Dress this week is civilian attire.  ALL cadets are to bring in their combat pants and shirt on a hanger cleaned! Also you need to bring in your combat boots as well.  These items will be placed in supply for reissue as soon as we return in the fall.  Any cadets who forget these items will be told to make arrangements to have them brought in on Thursday night. Summer camp information and kit will be issued in Thursday.  ALL cadets attending summer training should have a parent present to address any questions. We will meet in the confrence room at 1900hrs.

I would like to personally congratulate all cadets for the job well done on Saturday.  As well as to all those who received awards.  Although I did not appreciate having to clean up after almost everyone went home, lesson learned and for the couple of cadets and staff that helped thank-you.

If there are any cadets who know they will NOT be returning in the fall, please bring in all parts of your uniforms on Thursday night and we will clear you out, hopefully there will not be any as we continue to grow and build the unit we need your expertise!

A special thanks to all the guests and parents who took the time to come out and support the unit and the cadets on Saturday, we look forward to seeing many of you in the fall when we organize a society that will benefit and raise funds for the cadet corps.  If we ever want to have a casino and get the benefits of gaming funds we need to start working on this is the fall.

Over the summer we will be taking time to renovate the new office and supply, if any parents have the skills, tools, or connections that may help us please let me know, and Carol Whaley I am sure that a lifetime supply of bandaids is only a phone call away with Pharmasave, so construction is a go!!!!!!

There will be an additional Administration night on June 25th at the Armoury in case more camp information comes in. 

Over the summer break, if need be, I can be reached the following ways, phone 403-581-9111 or 403-488-5468 or email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . If there are issues at summer camps please let me know as I have cadet staff and adult staff connections at all the camps that will be of assistance should one of our cadets need it.

First parade night back is in summer dress (like they were on the ACR) and it is on September 3rd for returning cadets and September 10th for new cadets. There will be recruiting awards so bring your friends! Have a GREAT summer, watch the website for a monthly July and August update, as well as a tentative training calendar for next year, also there will be photos of construction on our Flickr page!!!!!!  www.salhcadets.org

C.Gerbrandt
Captain
CO

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Happy Monday everyone,

Sorry for the long email but there is a lot going on!

Congratulations to all cadets who received their star level badges and promotions last week, make sure they are sewn on for this weekend!

This is the start of busy week for everyone at the unit.  First off I will be sending this out in email and it will also be posted on the weekly blog as I still do not have email addresses for all the cadets and parents.

Thursday is corps photo night, please make sure you are there by 1830hrs and are wearing, beret, black corps T-shirt, new camo pants and combat boots.  Please make sure you have you belt as well.  For the ladies only one set of stud earrings in the centre of the ear lobe and no additional piercings are to be in.  Photos will be done first thing and will include a corps photo and individual shot for each cadet which can be ordered directly from me if you want enlargements or more photos for family.

Saturday is the Annual Ceremonial Review, ALL cadets and staff are to be at the Armoury at 0900hrs with their full dress uniforms and wearing PT gear.  Please make sure they/you eat a big hearty breakfast and bring a big healthy lunch with you. Also a reminder to bring a plate/tray of baked goods for refreshments after the parade.  Parents should come around 1415hrs (2:15 for seats). Most seats are on a first come first served basis.  Following the parade cadets will be required to clean up and they should be finished around 1630hrs.

Sunday we now have two decoration day parades to attend.  Please note that these are with the Royal Canadian Legion who are sponsors of our program.  Although I can not make them Mandatory I strongly suggest that all cadets attend these parades.  We will be meeting with members of the SALH Regiment for the Medicine Hat parade and all cadets will be required at 0700hrs Sunday at the Armoury.  We will be transported with the regiment to and from this parade.  We will require further arrangements to get to the Redcliff parade in the afternoon. Timings for the afternoon are to be determined.

Now, the final FTX set for next weekend.......June 19-21.  This is currently still not solidified.  It is however the opportunity of a lifetime for some parents.  The scoop is that we are unable to cover the cost of the bus for this activity.  Therefore I am looking for 5 or 6 parents that may be able to drive a group of 4 or more cadets out to our location and come and pick them up on Sunday.  It is a way of making sure we can do this exercise while still being able to start of next year on a good financial footing.  Please let me know by Thursday if you can help by email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

I would also like to commend those who were involved with the bottle drive, $1800 was raised.  A good job was done by all!  Awards and trophies this year were sponsored by different people and organizations.  Some of these awards are available for sponsorship, so if your family or business would like to sponsor an award we would ask for a three year commitment with $50 per year for maintenance, engraving and keeper awards.  If you are interested please let me know.  We do still have some awards open from this year, so please call if interested and we can get them modified this week.

All those cadets attending summer training are reminded that they require government issue photo identification.  This can be passport or drivers license, or Alberta identification card which is available at all registry or license places.  We will have a meeting for all cadets and their parents who are attending summer camps on June 18 at 1900hrs please be there.

Any further questions can be answered Thursday evening.

C. Gerbrandt, CD
Captain
CO
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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It is very important to show this to your parents see this email and know about the changes to the bottle drive this weekend.

Note that the bottle drive is mandatory meaning all cadets must attend.  Failure to attend can affect cadet promotions and positions at the unit and selection for special activities and summer camps.

Platoon commanders and section commanders are being reminded to call their sections with the following information.

Dress this week is beret, black corps shirt, belt, pants, and highly shone parade boots. Anyone with deficiencies from there uniforms must bring them in for exchanges on Thursday.  Supply will be open at 1900 for all exchanges.

Everyone who participated in activities this weekend seemed to have a great time. Silver Expedition was successful, and the Herc ride on Sunday was awesome, especially when they opened the back of the plane in flight and two SAR Techs parachuted out! Check out the pictures on our photo pages.

Only 3 weeks to the ACR and we all need to be present at cadets on Thursday nights.  We will need to pull together if we are going to put on a successful parade!

The new combats are in and we will be issuing them out soon, please be aware that you will be required to hand them in on our last night of the year. They will be held and reissued in September.

Also a reminder about the Bottle Drive this weekend.  In order to finish the year on a positive note we need to have this bottle drive with MAXIMUM participation.  If we do not have this then we will need to cancel our June field exercise.  Please make every effort to come out for the day and help out, from 0900 to 1600 meeting at the COOP in the north end of the city and we will be doing our bottle drive on the north side of town due to other bottle drives last weekend in the south.
If you will be helping out by driving or can help out at the coop then please email me back asap!  Thanks

C.Gerbrandt
Captain
CO

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