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Activities undertaken by the 899 Squadron

Vanderhoof air cadet’s held their first monthly commanding officer parade of the new training year on Sept. 24
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Anita Wlasitz has joined as a Cadet Instructor Cadre Officer with the 899 Vanderhoof Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron. Captain Brad McRobert (R) presents Anita Wlasitz with her Oath of Attestation certificate, officially welcoming her into the Canadian Armed Forces. (Photo a courtesy of Brad McRoberts)

The 899 Vanderhoof Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron held their first monthly commanding officer parade recently and during the parade two senior cadets were promoted.

Horatio Kostuch of Fort St. James was promoted to the rank of Sergeant and Rachel Pagdin was promoted to the rank of Flight Corporal.

“Sergeants and Flight Corporals are the backbone of any Air Cadet Squadron responsible for leading teams of junior cadets and managing tasks and activities to ensure they are conducted safely and effectively,” said Capt. Brad McRoberts who is the commanding officer of the 899 Air Cadet Squadron.

He said they are also responsible for instruction of classroom and drill lessons and for mentoring junior cadets. The cadet program involves senior cadets leading junior cadets to promote leadership and problem solving, he said.

In other news, the Squadron has also welcomed a new staff member.

Anita Wlasitz has joined as a Cadet Instructor Cadre Officer, as per an Oct. 9 media release.

Wlasitz will be responsible for the supervision and welfare of a flight of 15-20 cadets within the Squadron as well as class instruction, planning activities and supporting cadets’ development in the program.

Wlasitz has been involved with the 899 Squadron in the past as a volunteer, McRoberts said, adding she was a contract instructor for the last two years.

She has additionally worked with summer training programs and in 2019 spent a month working as a staff member at the Vernon Cadet Training Centre, he noted.

Wlasitz is a certified canoe instructor and has led a number of canoe training weekends and activities with the cadet program.

Cadet Instructor Cadre Officers are members of the Canadian Armed Forces reserve, responsible for administering and leading Cadet Corps and Squadrons across Canada.

Officers provide management and instruction for senior cadets and perform a variety of reserve military service ranging from one night a week, to weeks or months-long contracts, and full-time service, stated McRoberts.

The Air Cadet program is open to any Canadian youth age 12 - 18, he said.

Uniforms, instruction and training activities are provided free of charge and cadets have the opportunity to participate in weekly, weekend and summer training courses and activities.

“The cadet program aims to instill in youth the qualities of citizenship, leadership, community service, physical fitness and an appreciation of the activities of the Canadian Armed Forces,” McRoberts stated.