Where Are They Now - Lt(n) David H. Dollis, CD
July 23rd 2026
From cadet to mentor, former Navy League Cadet and Sea Cadet at NLCC 2 Duke of Edinburgh and RCSCC 6 Victory, Lieutenant(N) Dollis is now a history teacher and a Cadet Instructor Cadre (CIC) officer.
What did you like the most about your experience as a Navy League/Sea cadet?
Summer camps at HMCS Acadia in Cornwallis.
Could you share with us a pleasant memory or an anecdote about your time with cadets?
When on my TG1 Gunnery course at HMCS Acadia in 2003, I won cadet of the week, and a special meal was laid on for us with the guest of honour for that week's graduation parade, VAdm Ron Buck who was Chief of the Maritime Staff. I got to sit next to him and have a very pleasant conversation with him over supper, which for a boy of 14 was quite something.
How did the cadet program influence you throughout your life?
It has absolutely made me the person I am today; my character, my work ethic, my attitude and so on, have all been greatly influenced by my time as a Navy League Cadet and Sea Cadet.
How did you decide what you wanted to do with your life? Did the cadet program play a role in this decision?
I had decided from a very young age I wanted to join the Navy as Regular Force or Primary Reserve. However, when that was not possible for medical reasons, it led me back to the cadet program as a CIC officer due to my love of the RCSC and all the amazing experiences I had. And when choosing my full time civilian employment, my experience with the Sea Cadets, especially as an instructor, led me to teaching.
What skills did you gained as a cadet that you're still using today?
Leadership, instructional technique, time management, conflict resolution, and excellent power of command which has come very useful sometimes in the classroom.
Could you paint us a small picture of your life since leaving the cadet program?
I joined as a CIC officer while completing university, then did my teaching degree and spent three years in England as a teacher. While there, I was able to volunteer with the ACF program. Then returning to Canada, I have since gotten a permanent spot as a teacher here, married, and am raising a family. I'm still a CIC officer today, and am now working on researching and writing a history of the Sea cadets in Canada.
What personal achievements are you most proud of?
Receiving the Lord Strathcona Trust Fund Medal in 2006, under extremely adverse circumstances. Even today, of all the accolades I have been awarded, it is still the thing I am most proud of.
What did you like the most about your experience as a Navy League/Sea cadet?
Summer camps at HMCS Acadia in Cornwallis.
Could you share with us a pleasant memory or an anecdote about your time with cadets?
When on my TG1 Gunnery course at HMCS Acadia in 2003, I won cadet of the week, and a special meal was laid on for us with the guest of honour for that week's graduation parade, VAdm Ron Buck who was Chief of the Maritime Staff. I got to sit next to him and have a very pleasant conversation with him over supper, which for a boy of 14 was quite something.
How did the cadet program influence you throughout your life?
It has absolutely made me the person I am today; my character, my work ethic, my attitude and so on, have all been greatly influenced by my time as a Navy League Cadet and Sea Cadet.
How did you decide what you wanted to do with your life? Did the cadet program play a role in this decision?
I had decided from a very young age I wanted to join the Navy as Regular Force or Primary Reserve. However, when that was not possible for medical reasons, it led me back to the cadet program as a CIC officer due to my love of the RCSC and all the amazing experiences I had. And when choosing my full time civilian employment, my experience with the Sea Cadets, especially as an instructor, led me to teaching.
What skills did you gained as a cadet that you're still using today?
Leadership, instructional technique, time management, conflict resolution, and excellent power of command which has come very useful sometimes in the classroom.
Could you paint us a small picture of your life since leaving the cadet program?
I joined as a CIC officer while completing university, then did my teaching degree and spent three years in England as a teacher. While there, I was able to volunteer with the ACF program. Then returning to Canada, I have since gotten a permanent spot as a teacher here, married, and am raising a family. I'm still a CIC officer today, and am now working on researching and writing a history of the Sea cadets in Canada.
What personal achievements are you most proud of?
Receiving the Lord Strathcona Trust Fund Medal in 2006, under extremely adverse circumstances. Even today, of all the accolades I have been awarded, it is still the thing I am most proud of.
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