The three members of the Cadet Youth Advisory team at Vernon Cadet Training Centre (VCTC) bring a wide range of experience and skills to the office, but they have a common goal.
“We want every single person to have the skills and resources to be successful,” said Captain Chris Smith, who brings nine years of experience at cadet training centres in Victoria and Cold Lake, Alta. A child and youth care worker in civilian life, his most recent publication explores the changes in rates of youth suicide.
Kim Rowe is the Youth and Family Counsellor at Oak Bay Secondary School and admits that she has no previous military experience. She takes a 360 degree view of teenagers and their families.
“The biology, psychology and social aspects all have an impact on everyone’s well being,” she said.
The third member of the team, Jack Greenhalgh, has been the Padre at VCTC since 1998. A retired Anglican priest, Greenhalgh has adapted and used programs for character development and life skills.
“We employ a harm-reduction strategy,” said Smith. “And we use a combination of reactive and proactive approaches.”
Some cadets suffer from homesickness, so one of the goals of the team is to reduce anxiety.
“Our door is always open,” said Smith. “And the process is to have a casual conversation with the cadets, to be welcoming.”
“Cadets can also book appointments,” adds Rowe, but she prefers a simple open door, drop in policy. “I’m really quite anti-procedural.”
Smith says it is a personal mission to also go where the cadets are, whether it’s in the cadet canteen where the team has arranged for new furniture or to the top end of the centre where the marksmanship cadets are housed. They will also make visits to the locations away from the main centre where cadets are undertaking field training exercises.
Greenhalgh makes frequent visits to the medical inspection room to check on cadets who might be ill or suffering minor injuries. He also conducts weekly services in the centre’s chapel.
All three are invested in the quality of life for the cadets and Smith says that projecting a happy image, a smile, is essential.
“We’re all cadets.”