Regiment Junior Leaders Get Northern Exposure

The Regiment’s Junior Leaders got the experience of a lifetime with a trip to a sister unit in Canada.

The junior soldiers experienced life with the cadet branches of all three of the Canadian armed forces – and took part in some grueling training in the scenic but rugged Niagra Falls area.

One Junior Leader, 13-year-old L Cpl CaVon Raynor, from Sandys, was so impressed by the experience he penned a letter of thanks to Bermuda Regiment Commanding Officer Lt Col Michael Foster-Brown.

The Saltus Grammar pupil wrote, “This was my first trip without my family, thus I was both nervous and excited. I learned many things from this experience, many interesting facts about Canada itself.

“The trip in itself was a great experience that taught me lessons, lessons about myself as well. It solidified morals that I had been taught and helped me develop more self-control.”

Among the activities the junior soldiers took part in were weapons and equipment training, hikes around the scenic Niagra Glen, on the edge of Niagra Falls, learned orienteering and practised search and rescue with a civilian volunteer team, as well as being taught survival in the field techniques.

Junior Leaders’ Commanding Officer Major Henry Campbell said, “These young people acquitted themselves well and did Bermuda proud.

“For many, it was their first time abroad on their own, but they tackled whatever was thrown at them and worked together to overcome the many challenges they faced.

“And – whether they decide to continue into the Regiment or not, I’m sure what they learned, and most importantly, what they learned about themselves, will stand them in good stead for the rest of their lives.”

The 27 Junior Leaders, all aged between 12 and 18, spent a week earlier this month staying at the prestigious Ridley College, a private boarding school in St Catharine’s, Ontario.

The young Bermudians worked with the local Royal Canadian Air Force Cadets, the equivalent branch of the Canadian Army’s Lincoln & Welland Regiment and the Royal Canadian Navy Sea Cadets.

The trip was backed by former CO Lt Col Brian Gonsalves, who served in one of the Junior Leaders’ predecessors, and Regiment Paymaster Major Warren Furbert.

CaVon also wrote that he was grateful to Col Foster-Brown and the Regiment for topping up the Junior Leaders’ own fundraising efforts to make the trip possible.

And he added, “We are grateful and cannot wait to see what the future has in store for us.”

#BermudaTeens #Canada #MilitaryAndRegiment

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