Yesterday, 26 men and women in the Québec City area were welcomed as officer-cadets in the Canadian Armed Forces during an enrollment ceremony that took place at the Canadian Forces Base Valcartier’s Officers’ Mess. Brigadier-General Louis Meloche, Commander of the Canadian Forces Recruiting Group presided over the ceremony as a guest of honour.
The new naval and officer cadets, who enrolled as part of the Regular Force Officer Training Plan and the Aboriginal Leadership Opportunity Year, will dedicate the next four to five years to completing their university studies. They will also learn the basic principles of leadership and will undertake military training during the summer.
“The oath taken today represents an important step in the lives of these individuals and of their families”, said Brigadier-General Meloche. “Through a rigorous selection process, these officer-cadets were selected because of their leadership potential, their academic experience and their accomplishments in sports. These young officer-cadets have many reasons to be proud of their commitment as they become ready to serve Canada.”
The 26 new naval and officer cadets, who represent the Royal Canadian Navy, the Canadian Army and the Royal Canadian Air Force, will undergo initial training before beginning their studies. During the summer of 2014, they will take the Basic Military Officer Training in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec.
The Regular Officer Training Plan offers first class university studies and the opportunity to take on new personal and physical challenges, as well as to develop leadership skills. Furthermore, this program offers a career as a commissioned officer in the Canadian Armed Forces. The selected naval and officer cadets will attend the Royal Military College of Canada in Kingston, the Royal Military College in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu or a civilian Canadian university.
[mappress] Press Release, July 12, 2013