(L-R) Major Krissy Doner, Commanding Officer of Southern Alberta; Captain Eryn Beddoes, Commanding Office for Red Deer Sea Cadet Corps; Cadet Chief Petty Officer Second Class Hannah Bennett; Al Lewis, President of the Navy League of Canada Red Deer Branch; and Jay Wilson, Navy League of Alberta Division Vice-President. (rdnewsNOW/Alessia Proietti)

By Alessia Proietti

Navy League of Canada Cadet Medal of Exc

Red Deer sea cadet earns prestigious award ranking top 10 in province

May 9, 2023 | 8:00 AM

A Red Deer sea cadet has been given a prestigious award for ranking in the top 10 of over 700 sea cadets province-wide.

At the Cormack Armoury (4402 55 St) on Thursday, Cadet Hannah Bennett, now ranked Chief Petty Officer Second Class (CPO2), was given the Navy League of Canada Cadet Medal of Excellence.

The Medal is awarded “in recognition of exemplary personal dress, deportment, knowledge, and skill in cadet training and exceptional leadership qualities”, said Captain Eryn Beddoes, Commanding Office for 126 Red Deer Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corps.

Navy League of Canada Cadet Medal of Excellence (Supplied)

The evening began with a parade lead by CPO2 Bennett, where cadets move in an orderly and efficient manner using precise movements for displays, ceremonies, and showcasing of drill knowledge. Various cadets were acknowledged for their length of time in the corps before CPO2 Bennett received the surprise award and certificate.

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“That threw me off; that made me really happy. I’ve been super scared that I’m not doing enough and this just shows that even though I may not be perfect, I’m trying my best and that’s all that matters at the end of the day,” she said, explaining that she felt the pandemic caused a delay in her training.

The 17-year-old began at the corps in 2017, inspired by her mother’s time as a sea cadet as well as her grandfather’s service in the military, whose name was ironically Captain Hook.

She currently holds the position of Coxswain at the corps, the highest cadet leadership position. She is in charge of and gives commands to all cadets, responds to the Commanding Officer and leads parades.

Captain Beddoes said CPO2 Bennett has attended three person development training opportunities this cadet year alone to develop her skills as a sail instructor to one day help teach other cadets.

READ: Local sea cadet tests her sailing skills

“CPO2 Bennett has proven herself to be an integral part of the 126 Red Deer Sea Cadet corps, stepping into the positon of Coxswain at the start of this training year. She is an intelligent, kind, compassionate individual that brings her knowledge and enthusiasm to all aspects of her cadets training,” she said.

“Having taken command of 126 Red Deer Sea Cadets this past June, I have relied on CPO2 Bennett to really help me steer the ship. Her knowledge and experience has helped guide myself as well as all the cadets and other staff members to what has so far been a very successful training year. I look forward to continuing to work and grow with her as we grow our unit.”

Cadet Chief Petty Officer Second Class Hannah Bennett receives her Navy League of Canada Cadet Medal of Excellence by Captain Eryn Beddoes, Commanding Officer for the Red Deer Sea Cadets. (rdnewsNOW/Alessia Proietti)

CPO2 Bennett said she loves everything about sailing as there are many opportunities to learn, on and off the boat.

“I’ve gone on sail trip after sail trip and there’s always more to learn. It brings you closer to people; all the people I’ve sailed with, we’re all super close and it’s such a good environment. You learn communication and you learn skills about things you wouldn’t even think you’d understand,” she said, using the example of learning about how different types of clouds affect wind shifts.

She says she hopes to stay in the sea cadets until she ages out at 19 years old and then join the Royal Military College to study in Psychology. She adds that she would like to continue sailing to one day become an instructor as a side career.

CPO2 Bennett says she would also like to become an officer for future cadets, as she is proud of her corps’ positivity, enthusiasm and encouragement.

“It’s really improved me as a person. It’s taught me great leadership skills, great discipline. It’s really taught me how to interact with different people, how you should hold yourself, present yourself. It also teaches you good boundaries between being friends and professional; still having a good healthy environment while still keeping that professional,” she said.

While one cadet per unit can be nominated, Jay Wilson, Navy League of Alberta Division Vice-President, said CPO2 Bennett scored in the top 10 cadets out of the 18 corps in the province.

She now has the potential of becoming the top sea cadet in Alberta and Canada.

“Over the years, she has grown and matured as a leader and follower, showing herself to be reliable and trustworthy,” said Al Lewis, President of the Navy League of Canada Red Deer Branch. “She is dedicated to the sea cadet program, open to new learning opportunities, and helps whenever she can.”

“You rarely see her without a smile on her face, in a good mood, and having a positive attitude.”

To learn more about Canada’s free Sea, Army and Air cadet programs, visit the federal government’s website. For Red Deer, contact 126sea@cadets.gc.ca or visit their Facebook page.