Three decades of officially teaching cadets life skills is coming to a close for Yellowknife鈥檚 Capt. Paul McKee of the Canadian Armed Forces, but he said his memories of helping youth thrive and grow are strong and far-reaching.
鈥淲e teach leadership, citizenship, healthy lifestyles, and an interest in the Canadian Forces. That鈥檚 our tagline, and it really is 鈥� it's about leadership; it's about being the best you can be; living a healthy lifestyle; learning how to be a leader,鈥� McKee said of the numerous experiences learned through the cadet program.
Those experiences have taken McKee and his cadet team to the German Cadet International Exchange in Europe, on paddling expeditions down the Yellowknife and Yukon rivers, to Pangnirtung, plus to other locations where cadets participated in everything from rock and glacier climbing, to learning how to sweep a floor, set place settings for a large crowd, or how to load a truck properly for a field training exercise.
Although there is no requirement to join the military, McKee said the multi-faceted cadet program teaches Canadian military history, and the youth also can participate in the Remembrance Day services and activities.
鈥淎nd you know what? They quite often don't know that they're being taught how to be a leader, time management, organizational skills, respect for the uniform, respect for each other, respect for time,鈥� said McKee, who was the commanding officer for the Yellowknife Air Cadets for seven years.
鈥淎nd they don't always remember every teaching, but they remember a little bit by osmosis.
鈥淵ou never know what impact you are going to make,鈥� he said of the influence the program might have on young people as they develop and enhance their skills.
Training the trainers
McKee said the cadet program begins for youth at age 12 and concludes before their 19th birthday. By that time, he said the older youth are able to pass skills on to the younger members.
鈥淎 good cadet leader will be able to teach other junior cadet leaders. We basically train the trainers,鈥� he said.
Although his career spanned 30 years, McKee said the teaching method remained the same during that time, although the way it was taught evolved.
鈥淭he hands-on (teaching) is becoming more and more prevalent, but we are getting... closer into being computerized 鈥� like it is all PowerPoint and videos.
鈥淲hen I first started to get a cadet to shine their boots, you physically had to show them how to do it 鈥� now that's online,鈥� he noted.
Honouring dedication
McKee, who received the Canadian Forces Decoration in 2007, was honoured in July at the Cadet Training Centre in Whitehorse for his 30 years of 鈥渦nwavering dedication鈥� to the cadet program.
Aside from his regular cadet unit in Yellowknife 鈥� the 2837 Princess Patricia鈥檚 Canadian Light Infantry, Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps, McKee served with cadet units in Ottawa, Toronto and Hay River. He also dedicated 18 summers to training centres in Yukon, Alberta, Manitoba and Ontario.
In a written acknowledgement, Warrant Officer Zaphod Cohrs from the 2444 King鈥檚 County Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps in Kentville, N.S., praised McKee for his tremendous influence.
鈥淗e always gave good advice, set a good example and was always approachable,鈥� Cohrs said.
Although he's retiring, McKee will continue to serve in the Canadian Cadet Program as a civilian instructor, sharing his experience and leadership with others.
