I'm done.

[Lil Lightnin]

Alright, I'll keep this brief.
After 6 years and 10 months, I've finally retired from the Royal Canadian Air Cadet program. I just want to thank everyone I've worked with over the past 7 years, and to say what an amazing time I've had.
I've definitely met a lot of outstanding people (including a bunch from CW) and had the opportunity to do things that would've been well beyond me had it not been for cadets.
Once again to everyone I've worked with on staff, been a course cadet with, met at various events and the past and present members of 12 RCACS as well as my first unit 396 RCACS, it's been an absolute pleasure.

Signing out,

WO1 Mike Williams
12 RCACS Edmonton

Basic 1999 - AHACSTC
Introduction to Leadership 2000 - PACSTC
Senior Leaders Course 2002 - CLACSTC
Staff 2003/2004 - PACSTC

[sgt4life]

Congratulations on a job well done, cupcake. :)

[Lil Lightnin]

cupcake

THat's a new one.


...If Tannis was a baked good, I wonder what she'd be?

[tomboy]

Congratulations on a job well done, cupcake. :)
wheres the cupcake!!! where??? :confused:

[KarlSchultz]

Congrats Mike,

It had been good working with you.

BZ!

:air:

[Dick]

Congrats tall white guy.

whoopp whoop

No balance.
No coordination.

[sgt4life]

THat's a new one.


...If Tannis was a baked good, I wonder what she'd be?
I'm a scone. With Chocolate Chips.

[DMCorrigan]

Lightning, congratulations on a cadet career well finished.

Howsit feel to be OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOLD? :)

[Lil Lightnin]

I'm a scone. With Chocolate Chips.

I was thinking along the lines of a danish.

[Pilot]

Alright, I'll keep this brief.
After 6 years and 10 months, I've finally retired from the Royal Canadian Air Cadet program. I just want to thank everyone I've worked with over the past 7 years, and to say what an amazing time I've had.
I've definitely met a lot of outstanding people (including a bunch from CW) and had the opportunity to do things that would've been well beyond me had it not been for cadets.
Once again to everyone I've worked with on staff, been a course cadet with, met at various events and the past and present members of 12 RCACS as well as my first unit 396 RCACS, it's been an absolute pleasure.

Signing out,

WO1 Mike Williams
12 RCACS Edmonton

Basic 1999 - AHACSTC
Introduction to Leadership 2000 - PACSTC
Senior Leaders Course 2002 - CLACSTC
Staff 2003/2004 - PACSTC
wow.. he has a name {!} :D

[Lil Lightnin]

wow.. he has a name {!} :D

...contrary to popular belief

[sgt4life]

wow.. he has a name {!} :D
... Mikey?

[Bright Eyes]

If Tannis was a baked good, I wonder what she'd be?
Obviously, she would be a bagel. :rolleyes:

[smynkey]

... Mikey?
ah ahahahaha.... Great work Mike, now get your butt to winnipeg for a trip :D

[Dick]

ah ahahahaha.... Great work Mike, now get your butt to winnipeg for a trip :D
nonnononoooo ... We're going to MIKES for a trip this winter... To see some mountains!!

[smynkey]

Sounds good... Mike, richard and I are going on any trip you go on this winter...

[F/Sgt. Steele]

i would have to offer a diffrent position on retirement. As far as i'm concerned, my career ended this past summer after staff. I no longer have any motivation besides a pewter mug with my name on it and maybe a tudor crown with some leaves around it(if it happens). i find no reason to stay within the program, for i am tired of dealing with cadets and wish to deal with individuals of higher standards and attention spans.

i would classify this post as a rant, idenifying what i didn't get and yadda yadda yadda. my question is, what can a squadron do to retain it's seniors who are in the same mindset?

[Lil Lightnin]

In my opinion...nothing. Once they're over it, they're pretty much gone for good.
Sure, a promotion would be a nice thing to get, but thats only a temporary solution. If you aren't enjoying cadets anymore, and not giving anything back to it, it's time to pack up. That's what I did.


...and I won't be home. Don't bother :p

[F/Sgt. Steele]

or it's no longer rewarding to the individual.

[Cenk]

Well isn't it rewarding to go and help ppl, who you were once, grow up and become someone like you?? Maybe a WOI? SWO? Isn't it rewarding enough to see the smiles on their faces when they get promoted? When they get an award or the camp they wanted?? These cadets hanging out with each other in an environment where its safe? Where they can make friends without worrying about them? Where they are all seen as equals? Isn't that rewarding? IF YOU ASK ME THATS PLEANTY REWARDING!! Without CIs and Officers, this cadet program will go down the drain! You of all should know that! You are the ones that are asking for help, learning valuable life skills!

I'm sorry but coming back and joining your squadron is plenty rewarding! You already know how things run. You were there, now you just have to pass the information on to the younger ones. SO what if they complain? You were there once! You got through it so will they!

Just coming back and helping is quite rewarding! You just need to find what's important!

[F/Sgt. Steele]

smiles can only go so far. i'm sure i'm not the only one to say that they got into cadets for self-improvement. i've done my time, done most of what i've wanted to do, but become slightly cynical and apathetic through the proccess. i've never been so wrapped up in this decision before, never so involved in my thoughts over the subject. For now i'm in the position of looking back and trying to find motivation from past acomplishments but coming up with empty hands. No comendations from generals, awards or promotions could sway me from my current position.

the end of the year. that is the time i have left. So, for as far i'm concered, i have not failed the system. i've made a mistake or two, but i have not failed it. the system in my view, has failed me. it has failed because it has found little to keep my position relavant(or perhaps the otherway around). i put the pros and cons on a scale and see the latter out-weigh the first. But, this whole train of thought could be a phase, i'm going to have to sleep on it and talk to some people.

[sgt4life]

I know certain cadets that really should have left a long time ago. They don't want to be there any more and it shows in their performance. It does NOT help to motivate the other cadets; it does the opposite.

[etowncadet]

Hey Mike were you the tall white guy MCpl Wright picked for "A"SWO during the B of B this year? If so I was the really confused and very perterbed (sp?) WWO!

[Ching]

Well isn't it rewarding to go and help ppl, who you were once, grow up and become someone like you?? Maybe a WOI? SWO? Isn't it rewarding enough to see the smiles on their faces when they get promoted? When they get an award or the camp they wanted??Just coming back and helping is quite rewarding! You just need to find what's important!
I find it very rewarding... The program wouldn't be Awesome without seniors and officers... I feel obligated to my squadron, because I want my followers to have the awesome times and opportunities that I have had... and that won't happen without leadership.

But that's me :D

[F/Sgt. Steele]

i did make that point. i have served my obligation but at this point i'm finding few reasons to continue it.

[Lil Lightnin]

Hey Mike were you the tall white guy MCpl Wright picked for "A"SWO during the B of B this year? If so I was the really confused and very perterbed (sp?) WWO!

Yes CA, that was me.

[etowncadet]

HEY!!! I met you and I didn't even know it!!! Wow! Congrats on the cadet career!

[<Pilot_in_Command>]

Hey Mike were you the tall white guy MCpl Wright picked for "A"SWO during the B of B this year? If so I was the really confused and very perterbed (sp?) WWO!

I thought MCpl Wright was a gliding instructor, now I'm confused :confused:

[Lil Lightnin]

...he also was also running the Battle of Britain parade.