On Monday 29th February, students, teachers, government officials and parents gathered at the Albena Lake Hodge Comprehensive School, Campus B, to witness the re-launch of the Anguilla Cadet Corps.
The re-launched Anguilla Cadet Corps is a Government-funded program that involves para-military activities such as military, adventurous and community activities. Its administrative body comprises: Mr. Neville Hamilton, Commanding Officer; Mr. Kerry Sylvester, Deputy Commanding Officer; Mr. Henderson Burgess, Instructor; Mr. Paul Trim, Instructor; Ms. Joy Bryan, Instructor; and Ms. Rebecca Haskins, Secretary.
The proceedings were chaired by Second Lieutenant Neville Hamiltion who told the gathering “our presence here today represents a unique but profound circumstance – one that when realized stimulates every fibre of our being ‘Growth comes from within.’ The beauty about these [Cadet] principles is that they can be applied in all walks of life – any profession – and the results are the same. Qualities such as leadership, consistency, endurance, respect, teamwork, proper communication skills, just to name a few, were all visible amongst each and every individual. These qualities are still around. They are ready to germinate and spring up, so I remind all of us today ‘Growth comes from within’.
The Cadet Corps aims to inspire young people to achieve success in life with a spirit of service to the authorities of their country, their local community and to develop the qualities required of a good citizen. Key stakeholders include the Ministry and Department of Education, Department of Youth and Culture and the Royal Anguilla Police Force. Minister of Social Development,
Evans McNiel Rogers, commended the re-launch of the auspicious Corps: “I would want to admonish the young children here that, laying a foundation through the Cadet Corps, all goes well for your future development not only in your education but whatever you decide to do later on in life as well”. Other speakers who commended the initiative and offered support were: Mrs. Joyce Stuart, Principal of the Albena Lake Hodge Comprehensive School; Joleyne Robin, Department of Youth & Culture; and Paul Morrison, Commissioner of Police. A former cadet, Dorla Hodge recounted her experience as a young cadet when she told the students, “what you put into this organisation is what you are going to get out”. Dorla then presented an award on behalf of the new Anguilla Cadet Corps, to Mr. Vernon Fleming, the pioneer of the Cadet Corps in Anguilla. Mr. Fleming told the new recruits that respect is one of the key issues of life, and they must be diligent and live up to their training and standards of life so that they can be good citizens of Anguilla.
The Cadet’s program will involve training in various drills, map and compass, field craft, First Aid, Duke of Edinburgh Scheme, Skill at Arms, Method of Instructions, Local Knowledge, Expedition Training, facts of life and knots and their uses.
The program aims to provide:
a. Progressive Cadet training, often of a challenging and exciting nature, to foster confidence, self-reliance, initiative, loyalty and sense of service to people.
b. Development of personal powers of practical leadership and the ability to work successfully as a member of a team.
c. Interest in the law enforcement agencies, their achievements, skills and values and;
d. A foundation to prepare young people for their respective career.
The Cadet Corps’ Motto is “TO ASPIRE, TO ACHIEVE”. But the Anguilla Cadet Corps’ Motto is “ASK NOT WHAT YOUR COUNTRY CAN DO FOR YOU BUT WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR YOUR COUNTRY.”
