Canadian Citizenship

Chapter ELEVEN
Performance Objective 411

Well, you’ve finally arrived at the last Chapter of the last phase of your formal Sea Cadet training at the corps. Think about what you were like when you first started. The whole program probably seemed so strange and overwhelming. You have worked hard and grown from an inexperienced new cadet into a confident, mature and knowledgeable senior cadet.

Community Service

You don’t need to be told that part of being a good Sea Cadet means being a good citizen. Helping people should be second nature by now. Think about the first of the three aims of the Sea Cadet Program:

• Develop in youth the attributes of good citizenship and leadership

Do you feel that the program has made you a good citizen and leader? This aim is put to task in phase IV. You are still expected to perform four hours of community service, but probably in a leadership capacity. You may be asked to help plan, organize, or supervise an activity.

Your experience and support is important in encouraging younger cadets to help out in the community. Remember the good feelings that you get from knowing that you can and have made a difference. Share this with the junior cadets and ensure the values are instilled within them to continue with community service.

What kind of help have you provided to your community over the last few years? Have you lived up these expectations of being a good Canadian citizen that we set for you in Phase I?

• Be loyal to Canada.
• Obey Canada’s laws.
• Respect the rights of others.
• Respect private and public property.
• Care for Canada’s heritage.
• Support Canada’s ideals.

If you have participated fully in the Sea Cadet Program you should confidently answer “yes!” We have no doubt that you are a good Canadian citizen and we congratulate you on your tremendous achievements, not just as a citizen, but as a valued member of the Royal Canadian Sea Cadets.

Did you know that a brand new flag is flown from the Parliament Buildings in Ottawa every day?

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CHAP

You now realize that harassment and abuse is not tolerated or accepted in our program. As a Sea Cadet you have rights and responsibilities with regard to harassment and abuse. This is outlined in the Cadet Harassment and Abuse Prevention (CHAP) program. Part of being a Sea Cadet involves taking part in this training and knowing what your rights and responsibilities are. They can be found on the inside back cover of this manual.

There are officers at your corps or Sea Cadet Summer Training Centre (SCSTC) that are specially trained to help answer your questions about abuse and harassment. They are there to provide you with any information that you need, including:

• The various forms of harassment and abuse
• The difference between the two
• Your responsibility to treat each other with respect
• Where you can go for help is somebody is mistreating you
• What happens if you abuse or harass someone

The Cadet Organization takes accusations of abuse and harassment very seriously. If you need to talk, there is always someone at the corps or SCSTC who will listen and help you with your options.

As a senior cadet in the corps you will also be trained on your

responsibilities with regard to harassment and abuse. This includes:

• Intervene when you are aware of unacceptable behaviour
• The requirements and procedures for reporting incidents of harassment and abuse
• How to deal with disclosures of abuse

As a Petty Officer we place many expectations upon you. Nothing is as important as creating a training environment for junior cadets that is safe and free from harassment and abuse. Take this responsibility very seriously.

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Conclusion

Finally, congratulations on your wise decision to join Sea Cadets. You now have the knowledge and ability to move confidently into the future. The Sea Cadet Program has given you the tools to set your goals and be the best that you can be at every challenge you encounter.

Other chapters:

Table of Contents | Chapter 1: Serve with a Sea Cadet Corps | Chapter 2: Drill | Chapter 5: Naval Knowledge | Chapter 6 : Seamanship | Chapter 8: Instructional Technique | Chapter 9: Outdoor Adventure Training | Chapter 10: Physical Fitness | Chapter 11: Canadian Citizenship