Earlier this year, I heard a moving story from one of my patients.

As I got to know Harminder and her teenage sons, Jastar and Jaspaul, I learned about some of their family’s challenges, but also about their successes. Harminder shared her experience about their community involvement with the Army Cadet program and how it has positively impacted their lives.

I found this intriguing, and as a parent, I wanted to know more. She had enrolled the boys in the 3300 BCR (Bhai Kanhaiya) Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps in Surrey. As a single parent raising two boys, Harminder says this program has helped her raise her boys through tough, challenging times: the teenage years, high school and all that comes with raising boys in a community in desperate need for positive leadership and guidance.

Through the program, they have found many mentors, learned great leadership skills, are active members of the community and are headed in the right direction to pursue a successful future in a leadership role.

The photo above is Jastar, receiving the “Bhai Kanhaiya Award.” This award recognizes a cadet who is willing to serve others before themselves and who shows loyalty and dedication to the community.

Jastar has been in the cadet program for over three years and was selected to go on the Canadian Battlefield Tour of Europe this past Spring through the program.  He also went to Vernon this summer for the Drill and Ceremonial Instructor course and was chosen for the “Feu de Joie” which is a celebratory rifle salute that happens on rare occasions such as a victory, Royal presence or birthday celebration (e.g. 80th birthday and Diamond Jubilee for Queen Elizabeth II).

Jastar is interested in pursuing engineering at university upon graduating from high school.

Both boys are focused on meeting their goals at school and within the program, and were both recently promoted: Jastar to Sergeant, and Jaspaul to Master Corporal.

Throughout our conversation, I was curious to find out:

What Are the Army Cadets?

Harminder explains it as, “Army Cadets is a program open to young men and women between the ages of 12 to 18 that focuses on developing leadership skills, promoting sound citizenship and encouraging physical fitness and healthy lifestyles by providing the opportunity to test their limits through participation in challenging and exciting outdoor adventure activities.”

While the cadet program is funded by the Department of National Defence in partnership with civilian sponsors, it’s not part of the military and there’s no commitment or expectation to enroll in military service.

Our Sponsorship

Like so many other community organizations, the cadets depend on fundraising and sponsorship to supplement all their programming, events and equipment that aren’t covered by the Department of National Defence.

Now that I fully understand the benefits of this organization, Sullivan Heights Dental has become a community sponsor. I attended a ceremony for the 3300 Army Cadets with my patients, and received a plaque from the Commanding Officer as a community sponsor. It was impressive to see and meet other cadets and officers in person!

Learn more about this cadet corps on their website and find out more about their sponsorship packages here.

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