Ten years after joining the Cadet Corps on secondment from the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service, Lieutenant Colonel Bobeth Daley-O’Garro is the first female Commandant in the Caribbean region; and at 31 years of age, was the second youngest female when she was assigned the Acting Commandant role in February 2008.

The job involves supervising officers and overseeing virtually all aspects of Corps life for Cadets.

“Her work has been instrumental in keeping our Corps going and becoming such a huge success,” said Major Ricardo O. Henry, Adjutant Training Officer.  “She goes above and beyond the call of duty; is always the first to volunteer when help is needed and is seen at nearly all of our activities.  She has a way of making Cadets, parents, and volunteers feel at ease and welcome.  We are extremely proud and feel lucky to have her leading our Cadets.”

Lt. Col. Daley-O’Garro hopes to see more involvement from females within the Corps, as Cadets and as adult instructors, and believes the Corps is a great way to develop leadership skills.

“The Corps is a place for women to thrive, build confidence, and learn about themselves,” encouraged Lt. Col. O’Garro.   “Women may hold any position in the Corps, and female enrollment in the Cayman Islands has increased consistently over the last 10 years.  Fifty percent (50%) of our current recruits are female, and I am proud to have watched many of our female graduates go on to successful careers in both the public and private sectors.”

Lt. Col. O’Garro holds a Master of Education in Counseling, a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology (Major) and Sociology (minor), subjects that are most useful in serving the needs of today’s youth.

“Corps activities provide participants the opportunity explore various areas of interest,” Lt. Colonel O’Garro stated. “My favourite part of being a member of the Cadet Corps is watching the Cadets grow and gain self esteem while passing on the character virtues and values of the Corps.”

Securing yet another first, Lt. Col. O’Garro was appointed the first-ever female Commandant to be a chairperson of the Caribbean Commandant Association.  She is a recipient of the Caribbean Cadet Medal for her service in the development of cadetting in the Cayman Islands and is also a recipient of the Cayman Islands Cadet Long Service Medal, Disaster Mitigation medal for services given during and in the aftermath of Hurricane Ivan, Dean and Paloma; as well as the Good Conduct and Meritorious Service Medal.

The Cayman Island Cadet Corps is a National Voluntary Youth organization, sponsored by the Governor’s Office and the Ministry of Youth and administered by a local Headquarters led by the Commandant, and aims to inspire young people to achieve success in life with a spirit of service to God the Almighty, the Sovereign, the Cayman Islands and their community, and to develop in them the qualities required of a good citizen.

The Cadet Corps has places for 70 recruits with the deadline for applications 28 September and the programme is slated to start 6 October.  Interested persons can contact the Cadet Corp at 345 946 9810 for registration information or visit www.cicadetcorps.ky. Students attending JGHS, CHHS and Triple CCC can obtain forms at their schools.