How have you changed since you left cadets?

[The Blue Tory]

How have you changed since you were a cadet? Do you still use things you have learned through the program?

[KarlSchultz]

lol I left for a month and then started volunteering. Now iam working at the Gliding Zone again. I don't think I've changed alot in 2 months

[tucker_david13]

Well, I quit cadets 2 months ago, and, just like Karl Schultz, I haven't changed much in 2 months. I do however have a lot more time on my hands for extra-curricular activities, work, homework, and stuff in between.

[frammy]

I have changed quite alot since i was in Cadets!

Life as a cadet was sweet with things to do and qualifications to earn, yet when i became adult staff things shocked me

In the UK SCC there is alot of polotics within the adult side of the corps, backstabbing etc which i did not like

I try to use that knowledge in everyday life to make things run smoothly and knowing where to curb conflict before it gets out of hand it the best thing i learned as an adult

Also i have used many skills i learned as a cadet in life or death situations and i can saflely say thanks to the SCC for giving me that knowledge to make a difference for the greater good

[JAdkinson]

Well I have not left Cadets all together as in 2002 I turned Senior Member (equiv to a C.I. but with Officer Rank) I left the cadet side of the Civil Air Patrol as a Cadet First Lieutenant and am currently a Flight Officer and will be a 1st Lt in Jan 2005.

I use things I learned almost every day. Though I still love working with the cadets as some know I am on the CAP National Honor Guard Academy Staff as the Deputy Public Affairs Officer but my specialty is Administration and Personnel. I have no clue why but I love the paper work side of the program.

Sure I miss not being as free as I used to be as a cadet but being an adult members still has its ups.

[The Blue Tory]

Now that I've experienced the outer life, I am not sure if I want to return to a cadet unit just yet...

However, I want to further my experience, by joining the Reg Force Military Police (my cadet AfU), after graduating Police Foundations (MP prerequisite).

Then after 20 or so years of being MP, I want to return to the cadet life as a CIC officer in my old corps, thus being able to have serious experience in the military and MP specifically, thus allowing me to give back more to the corps that has done so much for me, than I would be able to offer now.

[frammy]

[QUOTE=TaktikL Philosophy]Now that I've experienced the outer life, I am not sure if I want to return to a cadet unit just yet... QUOTE]


Trust me


Going back is hard to do, i resigned in Aug 2002 and rejoined in Feb 2003

I lasted 3 weeks before it all started again

Give yourself a big enough gap so people who you knew as a cadets are long gone.

Start fresh in the future with no looking back

[Medic_Marleau]

I can't see myself becoming a volunteer for another few years yet, at least until I'm out of university.

It's not that I don't like cadets. It's just a better life outside I find. More time to do the things I want to. More time for my studies, which I need to become an engineer.

[Llenlleawc]

Yep, maybe if you are going to take a break a longer rather than a shorter one is better but do come back as (certainly in the UK) the best source of staff is ex-cadets. In Bath we have just had an influx of ex-cadets which we really needed (we were down to 3 permanent staff - excluding myself as I only go there when at university). Although most inspections look at the number of cadets, you can't have these cadets without good staff. Ex-cadets are almost always the "right kind of people" to be staff and now we have good numbers of staff in Bath we are going from strength to strength. Just last month we had our annual inspection and received a Very Satisfactory (a grade up on last year and two up on the year before).

[sailor_baby]

I finished cadets at the end of last summer, and went to university, but I did become a CI in a support unit and I don't think I've changed that much since I was a cadet. I'm probably mre lazy now though. :D :p

[The Blue Tory]

I finished cadets at the end of last summer, and went to university, but I did become a CI in a support unit and I don't think I've changed that much since I was a cadet. I'm probably mre lazy now though. :D :p

definitely much lazier here... as well less fit... and I's got the gut to prove it lol

[Meathead]

Who in there right mine would want to me a MP.....Honestly.. :p

[K Piper]

Who in there right mine would want to me a MP.....Honestly.. :p

Nobody sane. jk. I'm guessing you're a redhead by your name?

[HammerOfHope]

I'd like to think I use skills I've learned in cadets all the time, though I probably couldn't name them all off the top of my head. Well, except for all that naval knowledge.

[Meathead]

Nobody sane. jk. I'm guessing you're a redhead by your name?


Someone give this man a medal :p I used to be known as "Sgt Lawrence" on the old school CW

[K Piper]

Someone give this man a medal :p I used to be known as "Sgt Lawrence" on the old school CW


Oh poop. I should have known.

Nice to see you are on the present day CW:D.

[Meathead]

Oh poop. I should have known.

Nice to see you are on the present day CW:D.

I was gonna try and stay away but your cheque bounced :D

[Planetofjenn]

I don't think I've changed much, all the skills I've learnt have come in handy. I've had to alter some things however and am now learning what it's like to be apart of the adult staff.

Spending a year away from cadets was helpful before returning too.

[grass_roots]

Let me count the ways, haha

It's been a crazy 2 years since cadets, I've had some very intensive life changing experiences so in most regards I'm a totally different person, but by the same token I think those 5 years of my life will allways be tagged on to who I am and what I do.

[The Blue Tory]

Let me count the ways, haha

It's been a crazy 2 years since cadets, I've had some very intensive life changing experiences so in most regards I'm a totally different person, but by the same token I think those 5 years of my life will allways be tagged on to who I am and what I do.

Well of course, you've done more stuff in that time than most people do in a decade...

[sgt4life]

I've changed wuite a bit since I left cadets. I started taking on more adult responsabilities, mostly. Although, how much of that is because I finished cadets, and how much is because of other things, like university (particularly my psych courses) and becoming a CI, I don't know. :)

[grass_roots]

Well of course, you've done more stuff in that time than most people do in a decade...

well I wouldn't go that far, but ya, it's been a little busy

time for a nice long holiday :D

[angelpilot]

It has been 7 years since I aged out of cadets. For a year I was a CI. Then I left completely. Cadets did wonders for me. The social skills I learned as well as the flying information have come in handy.

I may go back, I may not. I have changed quite a bit since leaving cadets. I am more aware of what is happening in the world, how my actions can affect those around me. How I thought I was this wonderful cadet and I actually was not all that good.

I will always recommend cadets to people. Tell them to try it out first and to join which ever section. If they like the sea join Sea Cadets if they like the air join Air Cadets.

[lord_rupert]

It helped me grow up a lot - I mean lets face it teenage boys can be downright annoying! Aged 21 I can look back and see how the challenges made me into a better person, I have taken those skills onto to University Officer Training Corps and built on the foundation of cadets to become I hope a topping chap with leadership skills, teamwork skills and a 'can do' attitude which should do me proud in my future civilian endeavours.

ROO :)

[sailrox]

I've changed so much since I left. But then again, unlike most of you guys I didn't look back..and join cadets as an officer. I seriously considered it but decided not to. I think my corps needs a generational gap to get rid of everybody and revamp before it would be good for me to go back.

But I got out into the non-cadet world, and went Whoa. All these things that are big deals in cadets meant nothing out in the real world. It was like a total restart.

I htought I'd never get out of the habit of going to cadets every Monday night.. I still haven't actually. I still feel a LITTLE bit guilty.

I dove into a poly sci degree. I learned African History.
I joined a Model United Nations Club. I went to Harvard and won an award for it. I got elected to its' executive.
I'm leaving for Africa in 13 days.. 4 months there, maybe working with their cadets (I have to decide if I want to go back or not, they've offered) and a month in a refugee camp.
I'm looking into becoming a United Nations Election Observer next year.

It's definitely a different perspective when you leave cadets. I think you get a little more socialist.... but I suppose that's different for everybody.

But I wouldn't trade my experience in cadets for anything. It gave me the cadet perspective, it taught me what our military's like and what it needs and why.. great if I'm ever a politician. And I donate to any and all little Tag Day-ers I see :D

[grass_roots]

I'm leaving for Africa in 13 days.. 4 months there, maybe working with their cadets (I have to decide if I want to go back or not, they've offered) and a month in a refugee camp.

Woa, that's amazing, what are you going to be doing there? DETAILS, DETAILS!!!

...sorry, I'm going through African withdrawl right now, I've been home for under a month now and all I want to do is get back on a plane and go back :D

[hartley_2.0]

sniff, In my 2 years since I"ve left cadets I guess I've matured, growing in knowlage, tastes in music, and culture. I've retained my love for flying and teaching (lol T.A.-ing classes that i'm in) and if not even florished because of the things I've learned and taken with me.

BUT I HAVE SHAGGY HAIR AH HA HA HA HA!!!!!!! TAKE THAT!!!
(should post a picture eventually)

[wb256]

Oh god...so much has happened since cadets came to an untimely demise for me a few years ago. I've also chosen a "don't look back" approach to leaving cadets. I didn't really miss it one bit after I was forced to move

Let's start with the most obvious (appearances). I started dying my hair when I left, then I grew it out. It's almost down to my shoulders now. I have my eyebrow pierced (along with both of my nipples). I'm also way bigger than I used to be, and generally have a lot more stubble than I would have ever let grow before.

I've done so many new things since I left as well. I began seriously playing guitar when I left (due to the free time), and now I'm FINALLY starting to get almost descent at jazz guitar (I've been playing with a big band ensemble here at UofM). I've also been playing in some little folk and blues and punk things...on and off.

I started going to university last year, intending to study history. After constantly changing my mind about my major (poli sci - sociology - anthropology), I've finally decided upon geography. This may seem boring and silly to most, but I find it quite interesting. Rather than concentrating on one type of social science, human geography covers a really wide range of topics...and looks at them from a perspective that I like. Also, since they force us to take some physical geography coarses and tech coarses, I get to play with GPS's and other types of fun gear (I think cadets is what got me interested in stuff like that).

I've been living in res since I got here, good old Room 420...:p

Since there's been no camps, I've spent my summers working, and doing some travelling around canada. This summer I'm going treeplanting.

I think the biggest change that I've undergone is that my outlook on life has completely changed. My political views are far more libertarian and leftist than they were before. I'm also less materialistic, and appreciate art and culture more than before.

[hartley_2.0]

I started going to university last year, intending to study history. After constantly changing my mind about my major (poli sci - sociology - anthropology), I've finally decided upon geography. This may seem boring and silly to most, but I find it quite interesting. Rather than concentrating on one type of social science, human geography covers a really wide range of topics...and looks at them from a perspective that I like. Also, since they force us to take some physical geography coarses and tech coarses, I get to play with GPS's and other types of fun gear (I think cadets is what got me interested in stuff like that).

My political views are far more libertarian and leftist than they were before. I'm also less materialistic, and appreciate art and culture more than before.


what the.... poli sci then GEO ah ha ha that's exactly what i did and am doing at the u of w !!!! and became more liberal and cultured, are you listening to massive attack while drinking ricards red by any chance? quick what number am i thinking ?

[wb256]

what the.... poli sci then GEO ah ha ha that's exactly what i did and am doing at the u of w !!!! and became more liberal and cultured, are you listening to massive attack while drinking ricards red by any chance? quick what number am i thinking ?


No, but I was listening to a portishead/massive attack mixed cd I made while I was on the bus today.

[hartley_2.0]

No, but I was listening to a portishead/massive attack mixed cd I made while I was on the bus today.



.....i'm listening to trip hop right now.....weird

[Flyguy]

No Keith...that's just you. Of course, it's really not hard to imagine you with shaggier hair...you always were kinda scruffy.

[F/Sgt_Wolfey_19]

Since I have left cadets I am working with a Cub pack and the information I learned from cadets

[Brookay]

I waited about two weeks after I aged out and then went to another town to join with a different corps as a CI. I'm really liking it but I do miss my old corps alot. Apperence wise Ive gotten about four more peircings and I can finally wear nail polish again! :D

[canoe instructor]

when i aged out 2 years i took a summer off and than when i started college i got on slate with a local sea cadet corps..ive been there for the past two years..thoroughly enjoying myself as i get to teach and mentor the senior staff cadets, and outdoor adventure training....as far as changing..id say since i started college(Sir Sandford Fleming College; school of environmental and natural resource sciences..parks and forest recreation and foresty :D :D ), and working as i CI...ive think finally come into my own....ive grown maturity wise(but who doesn't) and my view on the world and on life has been greatly broadened but meh im me (the only thing that has changed is my ever growing collection of tatoo's and hair colours, and my social scene lol)
Cheers
CI Meg Harris
ORCA Flatwater Instructor/Canoe Tripper I
HMCS Ontario Athletics Staff 2003 and 2004

[Squanto]

When I aged out a little more than 2 years ago, I thought that my world was never going to be the same .. and I was right .. it hasn't .. I've been able to do a lot of different things that I wasn't able to do in cadets .. like be an actual person with a life outside of cadets (because my teenage life WAS cadets .. 7 days a week .. I was a geek) I helped out with a NL corps, but I didn't get the same feeling of accomplishment .. which sadened me .. so I've taken some more time off to find out who I am outside of cadets, and now I'm on the hunt for a good sea cadet corps in the Lower Mainland of B.C. to get on slate with .. so that I can share the knowledge that I have learned throughout the years spent as a cadet .. I owe the CCM and myself that much .. :)

[jgoguen]

So lazy you couldn't even finish the post, eh :D :p

[The Blue Tory]

So lazy you couldn't even finish the post, eh :D :p
na he's just procrastinating it