Celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, the Cayman Islands Cadet Corps is again recruiting young people for its upcoming training programme.

Since the corps was established in March 2002, over 450 high school students have taken part in the youth-development organisation, whose focus is to teach the value of citizenship, leadership, community service and personal responsibility and instill a sense of accomplishment, self-esteem, teamwork and self-discipline.

The four-year programme, which includes various camps and activities focusing on teaching such diverse skills as first aid, survival training, sailing, music and navigation, will be welcoming a new group this September.

The CICC is open to young men and women of all backgrounds and interests who maintain an A-C average in school.  Students, aged 12-17, from both public and private schools are welcome to join. Currently, about 120 dedicated young people regularly attend the programme twice a week.

Throughout the year, the cadets take part in up to 20 community service projects while also participating in challenging military-style and adventurous activities.

Graduates, who gain an Army Proficiency Certificate after completing the programme, are poised for success because they leave the Cadet Corps as well-rounded, responsible people equipped to handle the challenges of any career path they desire or the discipline of further education.

Acting Commandment Lt. Col. Bobeth O’Garro has seen the corps move from strength to strength since she joined as its first female officer in 2002, on secondment from the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service. Now fulltime with the corps, she hopes to inspire more females to join but stresses the benefits to both young men and women.

“The Cadet Corps offers an exceptional opportunity for our young people not only to develop vital life skills such as responsibility, self-respect, teamwork and leadership, but also to understand and embrace spiritual and moral values and the importance of a life dedicated to community service,” Lt. Col. O’Garro explains.

“I could not be prouder of the cadets who have come through this programme over the last 10 years and encourage our new generation of high school students to take up this life-changing and life-affirming challenge.”

The Cadet Corps has places for 70 recruits with the deadline for applications 14 September and the programme is slated to start 22 September.  For more information, please contact the Cayman Islands Cadet Corps at 345-946-9810 or visit www.cicadetcorps.ky.