Cadet Force holds 1st inspection parade

The Service Support Company in the St Vincent and the Grenadines Cadet Force held the first Inspection Parade on Saturday, February 7, 2009, at the Georgetown Secondary School Hard Court.{{more}}

There were three units of the Service Support Company (SS Coy) on Parade, the Band, the Marine Unit and the Georgetown Unit. The SS Company is one of the three Companies in the St Vincent and the Grenadines Cadet Force, the others are Alpha Company and Bravo Company.

The parade was inspected by the Company Commander Capt Idelia Ferdinand, who gave opening remarks. In her remarks, she stated that the Cadet Force provides a unique opportunity for young people throughout the length and breath of SVG to become involved in a wide range of activities with both military and civilian orientation.

A message from the Commandant of the SVG Cadet Force, Lt Col Dwight Lewis, was read by Capt. Vulon Peterson. In his speech, the Commandant highlighted his vision that the Georgetown area will soon become a major bastion for cadetting in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. He looks forward to the day when there can be a full-fledged North East Cadet Company, with its headquarters located in Georgetown.

The feature address was presented by Kenroy Johnson, Principal of the Georgetown Secondary School.

His timely address was centred on the Motto of the SVG Cadet Force; Patriotism, Discipline, Honour.

He urged the cadets to uphold their motto and become true patriots, to become part of the solution and not part of the problem; to say not to violence, no to drug use and no to prostitution and promiscuity and other ills in society.

He challenged them to transfer the same discipline they display in the wearing of the uniform, attending training on time, and in cadetting to other areas of their life, like school and the wearing of school uniforms.

In relation to honour, Johnson said this connotes high respect and that this is reciprocal, “To be respected you must first show respect”.

To sumarise, his speech, he challenged the cadets to uphold their powerful motto and they will soar like an eagle without limits to what they can achieve in life.

The SS Company hopes to make this parade an annual feature on their calendar of activities and will endeavour to have the parade in a rural community every other year.

The following awards were presented at the parade:

Band Proficiency Award – Cpl Serrano Hunte

Band’s Man of the Year – Cpl Serrano Hunte

Marine Unit Proficiency Award – Cpl James Campbell

Most Outstanding Marine Cadet – Sgt McKay Oneil

Most Promising Junior Cadet, Georgetown Unit – Pte Kerichia Fraser

Most Improved Cadet, Georgetown Unit – L/Cpl Johnny Noel

Coy Commander Award of Excellence – Sgt Brian Maloney