AWESOME CADETS : Sailing Through Success - The Inspiring Cadet Journey of Jack King
December 3rd 2023
AWESOME CADETS - CPO1 JACK KING
Sailing Through Success: The Inspiring Cadet Journey of Jack King, Legion Sea Cadet of the Year
In the heart of the Navy League of Canada's Cadet program, a beacon of inspiration shines brightly—Jack King, the distinguished Legion Sea Cadet of the Year 2023, who has not only sailed through the ranks of the Navy League and Sea Cadets but has also left an indelible mark on the program.
As we embark on an exclusive interview with this exceptional young leader, the pages of Awesome Cadet Magazine open to reveal the story of resilience, dedication, and outstanding achievement that defines Jack's remarkable cadet journey.
Tell us the story of how you joined the Cadet Program. What motivated you to initially join and what has kept you engaged and involved in the program?
I originally joined the cadet program through the Navy League at the age of 9. My parents were both officers with Sea Cadets, and my cousin was a cadet, so I had a very strong familial tie to the program before I was even old enough to join. After I joined, I carried on to Sea Cadets, and the thing that has kept me going and kept me committed to the program for so long was knowing how much of a positive impact I can have on the next generation of youth through the cadet program. I want to make sure that every youth who joins the cadet program gets to have the same, if not better, opportunities than I did.
What have been your most memorable experiences or achievements during your time as a Sea Cadet?
One of my most memorable experiences was probably when I had the opportunity to meet Princess Anne in St. Johns when I was a member of the Navy League program. It was truly amazing to be able to tell my friends and family that I had the honor of meeting actual royalty. However, when it comes to my greatest and most memorable achievement, that would have to be winning the National Legion Sea Cadet of the Year Award. I worked very hard throughout my cadet career, and it is very nice to be able to have such a prestigious award to show for it.
How have you balanced your academic commitments with your responsibilities as a Cadet?
When I was in the Navy League, my academics were fairly easy to balance, but when I got to middle and high school, it became slightly more difficult. With the support of my family and my officers, I managed to find a way to balance them and ensure I stayed on top of them both.
What are your future goals, and how do you believe being named the Royal Canadian Legion Sea Cadet of the Year 2023 will contribute to achieving those goals?
My goals now that I am reaching the end of my time in the Cadet program consist of moving on to wear a different type of uniform. I am currently awaiting the opportunity to join my local fire hall as a volunteer firefighter to hopefully someday in the future become a full-time firefighter. I believe that after all my years as both a Navy League and a Sea cadet, I have gained not only physical knowledge that can aid me in this, such as knot tying and teamwork, but also a greater sense of discipline and respect for every uniform. Getting this award will just show my future employers in whatever field I enter the extent of discipline and work ethic I have.
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?
If I could say one thing to the people who run the program I have been in for the last 6 years, it would be to bring back the interactive parts of the program to the same caliber they used to be. During COVID's worst, one thing I missed the most was going sailing. Something as unique as sailing, something not many youth will get to experience, should happen more frequently. I fell in love with this program, and I also fell in love with the sport of sailing because of it. If sailing were to come back at full force, it would open up to the youth of today by giving them the chance to do something they might otherwise never get the chance to do. This goes for all elemental activities; I speak to sailing because it is my element, but it goes the same for gliding for the air cadets and expedition for the army cadets. Make these amazing and unique opportunities more available to every person who joins, and not only will you find a higher intake rate but also a higher retention rate.
Sailing Through Success: The Inspiring Cadet Journey of Jack King, Legion Sea Cadet of the Year
In the heart of the Navy League of Canada's Cadet program, a beacon of inspiration shines brightly—Jack King, the distinguished Legion Sea Cadet of the Year 2023, who has not only sailed through the ranks of the Navy League and Sea Cadets but has also left an indelible mark on the program.
As we embark on an exclusive interview with this exceptional young leader, the pages of Awesome Cadet Magazine open to reveal the story of resilience, dedication, and outstanding achievement that defines Jack's remarkable cadet journey.
Tell us the story of how you joined the Cadet Program. What motivated you to initially join and what has kept you engaged and involved in the program?
I originally joined the cadet program through the Navy League at the age of 9. My parents were both officers with Sea Cadets, and my cousin was a cadet, so I had a very strong familial tie to the program before I was even old enough to join. After I joined, I carried on to Sea Cadets, and the thing that has kept me going and kept me committed to the program for so long was knowing how much of a positive impact I can have on the next generation of youth through the cadet program. I want to make sure that every youth who joins the cadet program gets to have the same, if not better, opportunities than I did.
What have been your most memorable experiences or achievements during your time as a Sea Cadet?
One of my most memorable experiences was probably when I had the opportunity to meet Princess Anne in St. Johns when I was a member of the Navy League program. It was truly amazing to be able to tell my friends and family that I had the honor of meeting actual royalty. However, when it comes to my greatest and most memorable achievement, that would have to be winning the National Legion Sea Cadet of the Year Award. I worked very hard throughout my cadet career, and it is very nice to be able to have such a prestigious award to show for it.
How have you balanced your academic commitments with your responsibilities as a Cadet?
When I was in the Navy League, my academics were fairly easy to balance, but when I got to middle and high school, it became slightly more difficult. With the support of my family and my officers, I managed to find a way to balance them and ensure I stayed on top of them both.
What are your future goals, and how do you believe being named the Royal Canadian Legion Sea Cadet of the Year 2023 will contribute to achieving those goals?
My goals now that I am reaching the end of my time in the Cadet program consist of moving on to wear a different type of uniform. I am currently awaiting the opportunity to join my local fire hall as a volunteer firefighter to hopefully someday in the future become a full-time firefighter. I believe that after all my years as both a Navy League and a Sea cadet, I have gained not only physical knowledge that can aid me in this, such as knot tying and teamwork, but also a greater sense of discipline and respect for every uniform. Getting this award will just show my future employers in whatever field I enter the extent of discipline and work ethic I have.
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?
If I could say one thing to the people who run the program I have been in for the last 6 years, it would be to bring back the interactive parts of the program to the same caliber they used to be. During COVID's worst, one thing I missed the most was going sailing. Something as unique as sailing, something not many youth will get to experience, should happen more frequently. I fell in love with this program, and I also fell in love with the sport of sailing because of it. If sailing were to come back at full force, it would open up to the youth of today by giving them the chance to do something they might otherwise never get the chance to do. This goes for all elemental activities; I speak to sailing because it is my element, but it goes the same for gliding for the air cadets and expedition for the army cadets. Make these amazing and unique opportunities more available to every person who joins, and not only will you find a higher intake rate but also a higher retention rate.
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