AWESOME CADET: Beacon of Leadership: Exploring the journey of the Navy League Cadet of the Year - Cpo1, Misha Sharma

 
From the moment Misha began her journey as a Navy League Cadet, it became clear that she possessed a natural aptitude for leadership. With unwavering determination, she forged ahead fearlessly, taking on various roles within the program and inspiring her peers to strive for excellence. Her ability to lead by example, coupled with her firm dedication, made her a true beacon of leadership, for which she was honored as the Navy League Cadet of the Year.
 
As we delve into Misha's story, we discover a remarkable journey of personal growth and resilience. Facing obstacles with steely determination, Misha has become a symbol of strength and perseverance. Her commitment to self-improvement, both academically and physically, is testament to her relentless pursuit of excellence. Enjoy your reading
                                              

1. Tell us the story of how you joined the Cadet Organization. What motivated you to initially join and what has kept you engaged and involved in the program?

 
In 2020, when I was 9 years old, my parents introduced me to NLCC Vice Admiral Kingsmill. Growing up, I was surrounded by people who were passionate about giving back to their community, their country and the world. These people included my great-grandfather, my grandfather, my father and my uncle. I could go on and on about their stories, but I want to talk about why I have remained committed to this program, through thick and thin. In this program, I not only gained practical knowledge that I apply in my life, but I also learned the true power of camaraderie, of working as part of a ship's crew, and of ensuring that every cadet feels as motivated as I did. It's not just the skills and knowledge taught here that make the program extraordinary, it's how everything is taught. I also enjoyed seeing my progress improve, through the various challenges, rewards and more!
 

2. What have been your most memorable experiences or achievements as a Navy League Cadet?

 
I personally believe that as a Navy League Cadet, every moment of your life is memorable, whether it's a rough sea or a calm one, it's always an opportunity to forge unbreakable bonds and learn something new. However, among the moments I can't forget is the first day I set foot in this building (Covid slowed the excitement) where I vigorously trained, learned and, yes, made mistakes along the way. Although I described myself as rather shy at that time, I'd like to say that I'm proud of how far I've come. I gave my best shot at the Chief Boards, with my intimidating but useful page of notes on everything I'd learned, and then, after waiting a while, I landed the position of Coxswain to NLCC Vice Admiral Kingsmill (it was a real emotional rollercoaster). Finally, I'm over the moon to have been named Navy League Cadet of the Year for 2023, and to have been the first Cadet to receive this honor in my Corps, as it showed me how hard you have to work to make it pay off! I'd also like to mention, as I do to anyone who asks me about how I do it all, that approaching life with the mindset that every success opens a new door of responsibility really helps to push yourself to your best while maintaining discipline, punctuality and having a fun experience, which has been the case for me
 

3. How have you balanced your academic commitments with your responsibilities as a Cadet?

 
Honestly, it's hard! It takes a lot of dedication and energy to balance these two extremely important things. Previously, when I was a new Cadet, I wasn't the most punctual person, but over time, this program has taught me more than just the basics, whether it's training and counting Cadets for colors and sunset, or turning in my homework in my online classroom on time each week, I think I've gotten better at balancing the two. Even though I did all that, I always wanted to do something else. Not only was I a normal student at school, but I decided I wanted to educate children and have fun with them by peer tutoring, supervising meals, and so much more! Here again, the program helped me a lot, because every time I took a basic training course, I knew I'd already come out better. I took the different skills I learned in school and in extracurricular activities and applied them to this program and to who I am as a Cadet, just as I applied my Cadet knowledge to everyday life. I've also tried to plan each day, to see what activities I have, and this has helped me to be more organized, as well as to stay on top of everything.
 

4. What are your future goals, and how do you believe being named the Navy League Cadet of the Year 2023 will contribute to achieving those goals?

 
My goal is, and always will be, to serve my country and join the Navy in the medical field. This may sound very ambitious, but even the smallest things can help make this dream come true. I've always been inspired from when I learned how much my grandfather and great-grandfather served their country. Being named the Navy League Cadet of the Year doesn't just make me proud of myself, but also motivates me to challenge myself to see how far I can get. It also shows me the importance of putting in the necessary effort, which I intend to do to achieve my goals in life
 

5. If you were to address the national partners in the Leagues and DND/CAF, what advice and recommendations would you provide on how to make the Cadet Programs more attractive to young people and how to rebuild the program after the restrictions of the past two years?

 
In my opinion, the Cadet program is one of the best creations of all time! However, there are a few things that could be improved to getting back to normal after one of the scariest periods in many people's lives (Covid). Improving training techniques in particular should be based more on the principle of "practice", for example, we should have the chance to experiment with drill or learn to tie knots with our hands and not online tests. Also, more time should be spent outdoors (sailing, camps, parades, etc.) as this improves the mental and physical health we require more often.  We should also be advertising this program across multiple platforms to show the world, or at least our country, how amazing it is to be a part of the Cadet Program as it inspires and trains you to become a true future leader. Finally, we should embrace the diversity of people and give them equal respect to ensure that everyone feels safe to share their ideas. I hope some of these suggestions will be implemented to make the Cadet Program more accessible and attractive to people.