(RECAP) ANNUAL CEREMONIAL REVIEW - (JUNE 15TH)

As we head into the first week of our new training year, let's look back at the end of last year, our Annual Ceremonial Review.

As what could only be described as the pinnacle of a Cadet year, the Annual Ceremonial Review or ACR is a time near the end of a Cadet year when parents, important VIPs and Officers decent into a Cadet Corps watch in awe as Cadet's cleary wrap what they have been doing the entire year. It includes presentations, awards, drill & food!

Our corps, 94 Warspite had our ACR a few months back on June 15th. It was full of everything and more of what makes up an ACR. This article will cover our ACR. So sit back, relax and fasten your seatbelts as we descend into this article.

Before the ACR began, Cadets had a few hours to prepare the parade square and do some practice for the ACR. Practice is always important to make the ACR as impeccable as possible. After this, Cadets ate lunch and changed into their C1 formal uniform.

Cadets set up chairs for guests a few hours before the ACR.

The Ceremony Commences

Lt(N) Knoop, Executive Officer of 94 Warspite speaks to attendees at the start of the ACR.

The ceremony started with the Ship's Company marching on onto the parade square. There were different divisions, about 4 in total. Different Petty Officers led these divisions during the parade.

Colours

After the Ship's Company marched on, the parade continued with Colours. Colours generally happen during the start of a parade or ceremony and is when the national anthem is played and when the Canadian flag and other important flags are raised. It is a moment of silence and respect.

The Guard Division stands at attention during Colours.

Arrival of the Reviewing Party

The Reviewing Party is a group of high-ranking officials, important people and elected government officials that perform the inspection during the parade. The Honoured Reviewing Officer for our ACR was Waterloo Mayor, Dorothy McCabe.

Waterloo Mayor Dorothy McCabe is pictured above with POC2 Rainville-Shortall.

Inspection of Ship's Company

At this stage of our ACR, the Inspection of the Ship's Company progressed. This is when the Reviewing Party inspects all of the members of the Ship's Company. Generally, it is expected that Cadets would be well dressed during this time and during the whole time of the parade.

The Reviewing Party pictured above inspecting the Guard Division.

Drill Team Presentation

For almost the whole Cadet training year, the Warspite drill team was practising every Thursday evening to utmost perfection a short but skilful presentation for the ACR. The drill team sure gave a presentation that impressed the crowd and made sure that they proved that that drill was really a focal point for 94 Warspite.

The Drill Team pictured above during their presentation at the ACR.

Awards

An ACR can not be an ACR without its awards. Our ACR had important awards, with the rest being handed out to Cadets the day before at the Awards Dinner (check out the article on that).

The following people received different awards at the ACR:

The Officer's Award was awarded to CPOC2 Cheng.

CPOC2 Cheng pictured above with Lt(N) Griffin receiving his award.

The Most Improved Cadet Award, is given to the Cadet who improved over the last year the most on different things like their drill, communication skills and teamwork.

This year, MC McInroy received the Most Improved Cadet Award.

MC McInroy is pictured above with CV Lavigne receiving her award.

Top Junior Cadet Award. Given to the best Cadet from the Ordinary Cadet rank to the Master Cadet rank.

This year, the award went to LC Le Bars.

LC Le Bars is pictured above with Lt(N) Massel receiving his award.

The Top Senior Cadet Award is given to the best Cadet from the POC2 rank up to the CP01 rank.

This year the award was given to CPOC1 Yang

CPOC1 Yang is pictured above with Lt(N) Massel receiving her award.

Esprit-de-Corps Award. This is given to the Cadet who represents the enthusiasm and devotion to their role to help the whole Cadet Corps grow together.

This year, the Esprit-de-Corps was awarded to LC Le Bars.

LC Le Bars pictured above with CPOC1 Yang & CP0C2 Cheng receiving his award.

Cadet of the Year Award. Given to top overall Cadet. It can be given to any Cadet from any rank.

This year, the Cadet of the Year Award was given to POC2 Miller.

POC2 Miller pictured above receiving his award with CPOC1 Yang and CPOC2 Cheng.

Best Dressed on Parade Award. Given to the Cadet who takes care of most of their Uniform and dresses the best up to par with Cadet Dress Regulations during the ACR.

The Cadet who got the award this year is POC1 Lavigne.

(Picture N/A)

Service medals, awarded to Cadets who have been in the Cadet Program for four years, are given again every following year.

The following Cadets received the Service Medals:

CPOC1 Yang - 6 years

CPOC2 Cheng - 5 years

POC1 Lavigne - 4 years

CPOC2 Lavigne - 4 years

POC1 Lavigne, CPOC2 Lavigne, CPOC1 Yang & CPOC2 Cheng are pictured above with Lt(N) Bremner receiving their awards.

Lord Strathcona Medal. It is awarded the highest award a Cadet can get. It is awarded to Cadets who:

• " encourage the improvement of the physical and intellectual capabilities of cadets; and"

• "foster patriotism in cadets through the acquisition of a good knowledge of military matters."

Yes, I had to search that up.

The Cadet who was awarded the Lord Strathcona Medal this year was, CPOC1 Yang.

CPOC1 Yang is pictured above receiving her award.

The Legion Medal of Excellence is awarded to the Cadets who have displayed excellence outside the Cadet program.

This year, the award went to POC2 Rainville-Shortall.

POC2 Rainville-Shortall pictured above with CI Bremner who is handing him his award.

And that wraps up the awards part of our ACR. Our Cadets showed up and went above and beyond their expectations throughout this Cadet Training year and really deserved these awards.

Departing Staff Recognition

Staff are an integral part of our Cadet Corps, so when they leave we make sure to give them a memorable goodbye.

CI Bremner, receiving an RCSCC Warspite Paddle as he is retiring, pictured with Lt(N) Griffin

Lt(N) Massel is receiving an RCSCC Warspite Paddle, as she is moving on to a new posting. She is pictured above with Lt(N) Griffin.

Speeches & Presentations

We had multiple speeches and presentations from important guests, Warspite staff & Officers.

A representative from the K-W Naval Association (right) is pictured above with CPOC1 Yang receiving a gift for attending the ACR.

A representative from Royal Canadian Legion Branch 530 is pictured above (right) with Lt(N) Griffin receiving an RCSCC Warspite paddle for attending the ACR.

A representative from the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 272 is pictured above giving a speech at the ACR.

CI Bremner (right), also a representative for the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 50, is receiving a gift for attending the ACR. He is pictured with pictured above with CPOC1 Yang

An RCSU Central representative is pictured giving a speech at the ACR.

Lt(N) Knoop (left) is pictured above with RCSU central representative, LCdr Patterson receiving the Canadian Forces Decoration Award for 12 years of service to the Canadian Armed Forces.

A representative from HMCS Star is pictured above giving a speech at the ACR.

Waterloo Mayor Dorothy McCabe (centre) is pictured above with CPOC2 Cheng (left) and CPOC1 Yang (right). Receiving a few thank-you gifts for attending the ACR.

K-W Naval League President Melanie Knoop (centre) is pictured above receiving a bouquet of flowers as a thank-you gift for all of her help and for attending the ACR.

Lt(N) Griffin, Warspite's Commanding Officer is pictured above with CPOC2 Cheng (centre) and CPOC1 Yang (right) receiving a photo of all the Warspite Cadets, which was also signed by all of the Cadets.

Conclusion

After Sunset, the Annual Ceremonial Review had come to a conclusion. All of the Cadets, Officers, Civilian Instructors and parent's hard work and support over the Cadet training year had led up to this moment. Cadets had shown all they had learned over the year and previous years at this event. Thanks for reading this article, I'll see you in the next one.

My favourite part of the ACR was personally the Drill Team Presentation. What about yours?

Use the comment section below to name your favourite part about the ACR!

Wrighten by MC Acharya. I

Edited by Lt(N) Knoop

Photos taken by Warspite Staff

94 Warspite - Kitchener Sea Cadets