Buschgirl427 said:
A number of people have a bias opinion about what branch of military is better (army, air, or sea) ,and there are reserves who feel they are more superior to the Cadets.
It is how a cadet wears their uniform that reflects their personal pride in their corps and their units. If you don't like ensuring dress and deportment exceeds standards, then don't stay involved in these activities. when a person who takes no pride in their uniform, it ruins the reputation that the hardworkers set, and that hurts. In any military program, " One bad apple can ruin the whole bunch" :'(
I don't know if "superior" is the term - though I guess it is - remember, we are soldiers/sailors/airmen who are trained and qualified to do our jobs, we don't especially liek being compared to Cadets - you are a youth organization, and a vital one that deserves the support of your sponsoring units, but you are not "us."
That said, the dress and deportment of some cadets in the public eye makes me sick. It is a disgrace to my regiment to see some of them in public. There are, however, a number of cadets with whom we share our armoury who turn out very well every night, better than some soldiers even, and who truly honour the Regiment. Fortunately they do work hard to motivate their subordinates to do the same.
When I was an Air Cadet many years ago, you could not smoke, period. If you were seen smoking, even out of uniform, you were finished, it was that simple. The concept of allowing cadets at camp to smoke "with parents' permission" is pretty ridiculous, since it is essentially condoning an illegal activity - even with permission (which I'd love to see these kids get!), how are they to procure cigarettes without breaking the law?!
All of you who are Cadet NCOs willing to set the example and enforce dress and deportment standards, keep at it, and good luck. You can only benefit the Cadet movement!