Local air cadet squadron struggling for survival

With declining interest in Sackville's air cadet program, local squadron officials are working hard to keep the 681 Tantramar Air Cadets alive.

Capt. Chris Cutten-ChassÉ, commanding officer of the local cadet squadron, said not only is the local unit having a hard time encouraging more youth to come on board with the program but it is also having difficulty attracting adults from the area to join the staff.

"Unfortunately, there are no Sackville residents on staff," she said.

Cutten-ChassÉ said although the squadron currently has dedicated and skilled officers on staff, they are all from outside the area or are Mount Allison University students who are only here for a short time.

"Our unit functions well. But to better ensure continuity of the squadron, the unit needs officer staff from here to keep things going year-round."

Cutten-ChassÉ said the squadron has also seen cadet numbers dwindling over the past few years but admitted the same thing is happening across the country.

"That is not unique to Sackville; that is universal," she said. "It's going on everywhere."

The reasons, she said, are varied.

"Times change, it's a different generation," said Cutten-ChassÉ. "There's a wealth of activities out there for them to do . . . and sometimes it's hard to choose between one or the other."

She said the cadet program is being renewed to attract more of today's youth but it is a work in progress.

The 681 Tantramar Air Cadet Squadron currently boasts 19 cadets but, in a town the size of Sackville, should ideally have a unit with at least 25 to 30 cadets.

"We need to get our numbers up."

Major David Boudreau, detachment commander for New Brunswick and PEI, was in Sackville last week to endorse the local cadet movement and said the squadron needs help from the community to help recruit and promote the program.

"They need to be more visible; that will certainly help the program," Boudreau told members of town council during their monthly meeting last Monday.

He said the cadet program offers numerous benefits and opportunities, free of charge, to boys and girls aged 12 to 18.

"The program is open to all parts of the community, regardless of economic status."

From teamwork and leadership skills to increased self-confidence and improved physical fitness, cadets develop valuable life and work skills that will last a lifetime, said Boudreau.

He emphasized the cadet program is not strictly a military program but he admitted it can provide a good basis for anyone who wishes to pursue a career in the Canadian forces.

Cutten-ChassÉ said the opportunities for cadets are endless - from marksmanship to band, to drill and biathlon, to summer camps and aviation, there are plenty of possibilities to develop a variety of skills. Over the past 52 years of the program, cadets have earned scholarships, won speaking competitions, traveled all over the world, earned their pilot license, developed life-long friendships and more.

And, she pointed out, the best part is that all these activities are free.

"There's literally no cost and that's a big factor for many families."