Sailor_11
PO2 Ian Field I first heard about the Royal
Canadian Sea Cadets in the late ‘90s, from Andrew Turner, then of a Navy
League corps in the Lower Mainland (Vancouver BC area.) When I saw his
shiny boots and spiffy uniform, I knew I wanted to be a part of that
program. However, I failed to organize things and convince my parents, so
nothing really came of it.
In 2003 though, after I moved to Powell River, my parents started to think
of youth organizations to help me get to know more people. Cadets
came to mind. A relative of mine had graduated from the Air Cadets in
Northern BC a long time ago and, after hearing his tales of getting his
pilot’s license and flying all over, I found myself begging my parents to
let me try it out. They couldn’t believe the program was free, and after
some convincing, agreed to take me the next week. As fate would have it,
Sea Cadets have the first parade night of the week, so my father made me
to try it out too. Although I was certain the air element was for me, I
reluctantly agreed to waste my valuable evening that Tuesday (9 Sep 2003).
From the first I was hooked. That evening my parents brought the papers
home, and the very next week I was trying on uniform parts.
From then on, my utmost alone was acceptable to me (I can remember almost
crying when my uniform was criticized once!), and I prided myself in
answering, with the exception of one, every single Question of the Month
that year. After receiving my White Sail 1 from the North Vancouver Island
Sail Center (NVISC), I applied for TWGT at HMCS QUADRA. I was
heartbroken when I found out that my application didn’t go through.
However, thanks to my corps Officers, who pushed hard for my summer
course, I was offered a place on Gunnery TGI. Wow, my first time seriously
away from home, and I was gone for three weeks!
I didn’t really know what to expect when I walked off the ferry and jumped
in a mini-van with an air Officer who took me to the base. In fact, the
entire first day on base was a complete blur. There were so many (scary
looking) people, I didn’t quite know what to do with myself. I quickly got
used to it though, and after making friends with my bunk partners, found
myself immersed in the wonderful world of gunnery. Those next weeks were
heaven, high expectations, amazing discipline, so many professional staff
members, hours of drill, all the disappointments and rewards that went
along with being a member of a 30 person team each of whom wanted to
accomplish exactly what I did. I arrived back at my home unit fairly
brimming with pride at what I’d accomplished, but when I found out that an
AC wasn’t going to be appointed Corps Gunner, Training PO, and everything
else I wanted to be, it was fairly despairing. Inconsolable as I was, a
new love had entered my life, that of sailing.
Although I detested the stereotypical sailor, I could hardly denounce that
I enjoyed the sport immensely. I remember how happy I was when the Sail
Center Officer stated off-hand, “That cadet is a gunner? He’s good, why
isn’t he a sailor?” Wind and sea must have affected my brain, because that
winter the three things that showed up on my CF-51 were, Sail TGII, Sail
TGI, and Sail TGIII. I thought that even if gunnery was my third choice,
I’d get it. Somebody fought for me once again, and I ended up heading off
to Sail TGII at HMCS QUADRA equipped with my WSI, a dress and deportment
award, and the best OC award. Again, I was completely lost, and only knew
two people in my entire block, Russell Grandison, and Chris Morris.
Despite this, I soon found my niche, and happily found myself on the water
every single day for the 6 weeks. I was ecstatic.
In the spring of 2006, I entered my first regatta and was stunned by my
lucky 3rd place finish. I joined NVISC as a VIP (volunteer instructor)
soon after that, and spent my weekends sailing and teaching. What a life.
At the regional regatta in May, I ended up a happy 8th out of 13 even
though I used neither spin or trap. That summer I took TGIII Sail, again
at HMCS QUADRA, and came home with my BSV and my LTS Coaching Level 1. I
am now a Petty Officer 2nd Class at my home unit, 64 MALASPINA, and
still volunteer every weekend I can at NVI.
My most memorable moments so far would probably be receiving the best OC
award, graduating from Gunnery TGI, placing at my first regatta, being
handed the RCLCME, being cenotaph guard on Remembrance Day, sleeping
aboard the HMCS VANCOUVER, and every awesome weekend at NVI.
Although I’ve had many great influences over the past three years, there
are a couple individuals that stand out (arranged in chronological order.)
First of all, Lt(N) Glen McCallum, my XO, has always been there to show me
the correct way, chide me when I’m wrong, and congratulate me when I
deserve it. Next was CPO2 Jonathan Kadak who was my DPO in Gunnery, I
learned a lot from him. The next training year I met my present boss Lt(N)
Robert Kuhr, the head instructor at NVISC. What a guy, he’s always
professional, incredibly fun, hugely intelligent, and can always make
anyone laugh. My DivO the next summer, ASLt Gravengard was also an
influence; our division had a lot of fun. The next spring I met for the
first time with Lt(N) Jean Cyr (she seems to influence everyone), and one
weekend, one swimming lesson, and one bright red hat later, she had
convinced me that I was a decent sailor (when I’m wearing the hat that
is). On TGIII all of my instructors were great influences. Each one of
them knew exactly what needed to be done and I enjoyed learning from them.
I hope to age out of the CCM as a Chief and perhaps even the Coxswain of
my unit. After that, I’m going to try out for RMC and hope to make the
Navy my career. Who knows? Maybe my involvement in the movement will
change my entire future…
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