Local cadet leader honoured for service, youth leadership

MOUNT FOREST – Cadet instructor and reservist Lieutenant Charles Vangerven has received the Canadian Forces Decoration in recognition of 12 years of service in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF).

The Damascus resident received the decoration during the closing parade of a regular Mount Forest squadron training meeting on Feb. 4.

Vangerven told the Advertiser it felt “pretty neat to look back and realize that it’s been as many years as it has been.” 

He is a cadet instructors cadre (CIC) officer and works with Mount Forest’s 895 Fred Campbell VC Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron (RCACS).

Vangerven said the Mount Forest unit is “really blossoming this year,” thanks in large part to the amazing leadership of commanding officer Darren Storey.  

“It’s a great program running out of Mount Forest now,”  Vangerven said, and “we really want to see more kids join in.” 

He noted, “My favourite part of the cadet program is the chance to watch cadets start as followers, become peer and then senior leaders, and watching them after they’ve left the program and seeing the great things they do in their lives, including taking hobbies like band, marksmanship and aviation that they picked up during their time as a cadet.”

Adult leaders within the cadets develop youth leaders on a part-time basis while also contributing to their communities through civilian careers in various sectors. 

In his sales career in the architectural hardware and security industry, Vangerven regularly uses skills he developed with the cadets, including leading, instructing and public speaking, CAF officials stated in a press release.  

“I presented to a group of 750 colleagues and the public speaking skills I’ve learned helped greatly in how I handled this,” Vangerven said.

“I also regularly provide learning on new products.  The lesson planning, and instructional techniques I was taught from the age of 12 as a cadet, and then as a CIC officer, have aided tremendously in my civilian career’s success.”

His journey with the cadets began in Grand Valley when a friend who had joined the previous year encouraged him to join as soon as he was old enough. 

Vangerven said he was immediately hooked on the program as a whole, though “the music was where I really found my groove.”  

After aging out of the 85 Tornado RCACS in Grand Valley, Vangerven was asked by a past CIC officer to help with a unit in Cheltenham that was forming a bagpipe and drum band, “which had always been my favourite part,” he said. 

“I helped as a civilian for several years with this unit, and then with the region doing music clinics and helping other units upon request, somewhat of a gun for hire … but with drum sticks and a kilt.” 

About 15 years ago, when the Grand Valley squadron needed more uniformed staff, Vangerven decided to start the recruitment process, “and the rest is a blur,” he said.

Asked about a moment that stands out to him, Vangerven reflected on a London clinic at which he assisted. When it began on a Saturday morning, the kids couldn’t hold their drumsticks correctly, but by the end of the weekend they were playing full scores. 

“I’ll never forget the smiles when their parents picked them up Sunday and they asked to borrow my drum to show them,” Vangerven said. 

In Mount Forest, he helps to deliver a peer-led program that is open to all youth, focusing on unique activities that will have a positive lifelong impact. 

This year, “there’s been gliding, field training exercise weekends, marksmanship, and that’s just to name a few. The cadets at 895 are in for some incredible once-in-a-lifetime experiences,” he said.

Asked about plans for the future, Vangerven said he wants to stay in his position with the Mount Forest cadets. 

“It works well around my life and my kids’ life,” he said. 

Vangerven’s children, aged 10 and 11, will be old enough to join the cadets within the next couple of years and are excited to do so. 

“They’ve got a bunch of their buddies ready to join too,” Vangerven added. “If they could have joined five years ago, they’d already be in.”

Adult leaders are needed to train, administer and supervise cadets. Training, pay and uniforms are provided for those that choose to join the CAF as a CIC officer. 

“It’s easier than you may think, it’s a lot of fun and the skills you learn as an adult leader are transferable to your regular employment,” officials state.  

Visit cadets.ca to learn more about the program and how to get involved.