Dozens of Regina-based cadets established their presence on Saturday morning outside of the Saskatchewan Legislative Building for Cadet Recognition Day. The cadets in attendance cited leadership as a skill that they had improved over the course of their young cadet careers. “It just shows that I can be given information from somebody and then make it happen through whatever tasks I’ve been given,” Chief Warrant Officer Chloey Zatwaniski told CTV News. In her fifth year of being a cadet, 17-year-old Zatwaniski was leading the charge on Saturday as Chief Warrant Officer. Most recently, she served as an expedition instructor. “I really like what cadets has to offer. I met new people, made new experiences, and it really made me a better leader,” said Petty Officer Second Class Jhanella Isabel Mangune. Before Zatwiniski was eligible to be a cadet at 12, she remembers looking for things to do on her computer. That’s when she stumbled upon the cadet page. “I searched for units that were around my city, and I found army cadets. I was more interested in it because of the expedition program. Then, I went on ... to Royal Regina Rifles and joined the cadet program from there.” In her time as a cadet, she’s visited other provinces such as Alberta, British Columbia as well as the Yukon territory. “I’ve gotten to see just how beautiful Canada is,” she said. “I also love the experiences I get through drill, citizenship activities, and fitness.” Through the cadet program, Zatwaniski has ventured in many different camping opportunities. “We got to sleep in improvised shelters, which is basically just a tarp tied between two trees. I’ve done abseiling, rock climbing up real rock faces, canoeing in glacier water which are all parts of the cadet program.” Zatwaniski is hoping that her cadet experience can create more leadership opportunities in whatever career she may choose, saying leadership and public speaking have been those skills that she’s improved the most in. Meanwhile, the 18-year-old Mangune started three years ago, when she moved from the Philippines. She originally saw cadets as an extra credit but found out that it was something that she always wanted. “On the first day we had to do drill [training] and I was wearing a civilian uniform,” she said. “At first I was nervous, I didn’t know what I was doing. But then as the day went on and I went to a weekend event, I met a lot of people and I actually really enjoyed it.” In the Philippines, her grandmother was also a cadet. Magune says that cadets has been a great way to settle into Canada in her first few years in the country. “I’m really glad that I’m doing it, because now I have friends all over the province, in Winnipeg, B.C. and everywhere else. I wish I would have joined right away. I’m hoping a lot of people see that and then they join because it doesn’t cost you anything and it gives you more than what you need.”
