Amos
Cpl Stephen Amos
I joined
Rear Admiral Finch Noyes Navy League Cadets in 1980; because my sister had
been a member of the Jenny Bell Wrennettes and my mother thought it would
be a great opportunity for me. As it turned out it was. From 1983 to 1989
I was a member of RCSCC Amphion in Nanaimo, BC. Right from the get go I
was interested in being a member of the Guard and had a great appreciation
of the level of Dress and Deportment that was required. I spent my summers
away, participating in such courses as TWGT, White Sail, Bronze Sail,
Drill Instructor, and Practical Leadership. Later I spent 2 summers as a
Staff Cadet with the Parade Department at HMCS Quadra. I also had the
opportunity to attend a 2 month ship deployment on HMCS Huron. I obtained
the rank of CPO2 and received awards for Shooting, Proficiency, Top member
of the Guard, 5 years of perfect attendance and others. My most memorable
Cadet moment was in 1987, when I received the LCdr Klingle award for Top
Practical Leadership Cadet.
In the later years of Cadets, I grew more interested in a military career.
So while still active with Amphion, I joined the local Militia and served
for 2 ½ years with the Canadian Scottish Regiment. It was a great
opportunity to train, but also made me aware that I was not interested in
a career in the Infantry. After aging out of Cadets I still continued to
participate with Amphion as a Civilian Instructor teaching classes and
training the Guard. This came to an end when I was unable to continue due
to a conflict with work.
In 1993 I was asked if I was interested in returning to Cadets as an
Officer, later that training year I was enrolled as a member of the CIL
with RCSCC Amphion. I was involved with Amphion until 1996 when I moved
out of province for school, but later returned to the unit for the 1998/99
training year. I served in many capacities including Training Officer,
Admin Officer, Supply Officer as well as a Divisional Officer and
Instructor. I attended HMCS Quadra from 1994 - 1998 as a member of the
Practical Leadership Course and in 1999 as the Gunnery Trade Group Course
Officer. In 1996 while serving at HMCS Quadra as an A/ PLO I had the good
fortune of working with SLt Arlene Doyle of Bay de Verde NF, who would in
1998 become Quadra’s Resource Coordinator, but more importantly would
become my wife.
In 1999 we moved and I became the Commanding Officer of RCSCC Esquimalt in
Parksville, BC. With a very small staff and many long hours we where able
to offer an exciting and challenging program. We had the fortune of
hosting 2 Inter-Provincial Corps Exchanges, and attending one of our own
to Ottawa. These trips stand out in my mind because some of the
Cadets in our unit had never been off Vancouver Island, never mind having
the opportunity to fly. Another important memory while in Parksville was
the birth of my daughter Chloe in 2001. While the CO of Esquimalt I worked
as the North Vancouver Island Sail Centre Maintainer and continued to
return to HMCS Quadra as the PERO in 2000 and as the Lt-at-Arms in 2001
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In 2002 we were on the move again. This time we settled just outside of
Halifax, NS and I started working with RCSCC Magnificent as their Special
Projects and Range Officer. In 2003 I was selected as the Bermuda Exchange
Escort Officer. This trip stood out for 2 reasons: 1. It was Bermuda and
2. It was the last thing I did as a member of the CIC. I have very fond
memories of these years from the Officers I had the pleasure of working
with to the many Cadets I had the opportunity to meet and hopefully help
influence in a positive way. My most memorable moment as an Officer was my
last parade night as CO of Esquimalt. After 3 years of pouring my heart
and soul into this corps we were packing up and moving on. The thought
that ran though my mind was, “Did we do everything we could to make a
difference and give these Cadets every opportunity to succeed?” Only time
will tell.
In the fall of 2003, my wife gave me a push towards the Regular Forces. I
signed on as a Traffic Technician, was sent off to CFB St Jean then
CFB Borden for formal training and then posted to 8 Wing Trenton. After
being posted we had another wonderful addition to the family, my son
Keegan. Being a Traffic Tech is a very fulfilling career with many
opportunities to travel. I’ve been deployed to the Middle East 4 times including a recent 3
week trip to Afghanistan as the Escort for the CFPSA Show Tour featuring
The Fables from St John’s NFLD. I have been awarded the SWASM and GCS for
service in the Middle East. I have also received a Task Force Afghanistan
Commanding Officer’s Commendation for a tasking in that region. In April I
was fortunate enough to receive the Top Student award for my QL5 course,
and this summer I will be attending my pre-training requirements for my
Loadmasters course. I continue to stay involved with Cadets by being the CLO (Cadet Liaison Officer) between 2 Air Movements Squadron and RCSCC
Viking in Bancroft On.
If you’ve been keeping track, I have worked for the Regular Forces,
Primary Reserves and CIC. I have been a Cadet, Officer and now a NCM. As
well I’ve worn Green, Dark Blue and now Light Blue uniforms and therefore
I’m known to make comments about my “colourful past”. I contribute my
outgoing and adventuress lifestyle to my time as a Sea Cadets. Without the
skills afforded to me during these early developmental years, I would not
have developed the drive and ambition to set and achieve my many life
goals.
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