Some of the best sharpshooters in the province were at CFB Esquimalt this past weekend, but they werenB次元官网网址檛 members of the Canadian Armed Forces.

It was the Provincial Cadet Marksmanship Competition, with 65 air, army and sea cadets from 12 B.C. communities challenging themselves and each other.

Each five-person team fired the Daisy 853C air rifle at paper targets, with the winning teams from White Rock and Surrey moving on to compete in the National Marksmanship Championship next month, also be to held in Victoria.

Joining them will be an army cadet from Victoria (2483 RCACC) and an air cadet from Sidney (676RCACS) competing as individuals.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 not about building soldiers, itB次元官网网址檚 about building really effective, young Canadians that are successful in whatever career path they choose after they finish the cadet program,B次元官网网址� said Capt. Cheryl Major, public affairs officer with CFB Esquimalt.

At the national championships May 7-10, there will be teams from across Canada with two teams competing from each province. This is one of only two cross-Canada competitions for cadets, with the other being biathlon.

B次元官网网址淐adets arenB次元官网网址檛 part of the Canadian forces, nor are they expected to join the Canadian Forces,B次元官网网址� Major noted. B次元官网网址淭he program is meant to develop leadership, citizenship, physical fitness and expose them to the activities of the Canadian Forces, but there is no overt recruiting whatsoever.B次元官网网址�

However the partnership does provide unique opportunities not normally available to young people.

B次元官网网址淥ver the past couple weeks we just had sea cadets on orca deployments, we had them on HMCS Calgary, we had them on Canadian Coast Guard deployment and we had them on BC Ferries deployment B次元官网网址� so we had a whole bunch of different on-water activities and a lot of that is thanks to the support of the Canadian Forces.B次元官网网址�

While cadets taking part in weekend activities were able to show off their shooting touch, they also expanded their safety skills, something Major said is an important component of the program.

B次元官网网址淭hey really learn a respect for the Daisy air rifle, how to maintain it and how to look after it effectively as well,B次元官网网址� she said.

B次元官网网址淭he other aspect is teaching other youth B次元官网网址� one of the big benefits is being able to pass on their skills and knowledge, whether that be the technical skills, leadership skills, or the team work skills.B次元官网网址�

ragnar.haagen@bpdigital.ca
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