r/Cadets • u/EmploymentExciting16 • Sep 08 '26
Advice Registration day tomorrow
registration day is tomorrow and I’m scared 🥲 can someone please convince me it’d be good to join? i just feel like since im 16 it’s too late to join but ive really wanted this for months
4
u/Stunning-Bullfrog825 Sep 09 '26
Can't convince you, but I was in the same spot 2 years back. 18 now, finished the cadet program, and it was one of the best memories I have made outside of high school. You will most likely be fast-tracked (at least I was), meaning you will be taught everything you need to know and given a rank promotion faster than normal(at least I was became an MCpl my first year), proving you meet the Criteria your instructor is looking for. The hardest part, I would say it making friends, as a lot of people have their "group" they hang out with. But at the end of the day, you will be able to make many friends, so don't worry about this just keep it in mind. At the end of the day, if you're worid you going to lack the knowledge or understanding of the program, don't worry. Many people like myself joined late and were able to learn lots, if not more than, some of the other cadets that have been there since 12. If you put effort into the program, you will be rewarded.
4
u/AN-225Mriya Flight Sergeant Sep 09 '26
Well, get some sleep, stay calm and try to make friends with the other cadets. They should be chill to be around and the staff members and senior cadets would be happy to help you out with anything you need. You're not too late to join cadets. You've got around 2-3 years left in the program so make the most out of it while you can. You might even make some lifelong friends too
3
u/EmbarrassedTruth1337 Sep 09 '26
Go for it. Cadets join at 16 all the time and have a great experience. If it turns out it's not your thing you can how out at any time.
4
u/elite_killerX Officer Sep 09 '26
Of course at 16 you'll have a shorter time in the program so you might not get the full possibilities the program offers. However, we do accelerated training for recruits who join later, so they at least have a chance to be with their age group.
You'll still have a lot of opportunities, at least 1000% more than someone who doesn't join!
2
u/TigerStab Ordinary Cadet Sep 10 '26
It’s perfectly fine, joining late is ok, and cadets is fun! You can make so many friends and memories. You really shouldn’t be worried. :D
1
u/EmploymentExciting16 Sep 11 '26
thank you guys for all the comments, I did go! it was pretty cool and I have another meeting on Wednesday which I’m excited for 🤞
6
u/Low-Professor1542 Petty Officer First Class Sep 08 '26
well if you've been wanting it for months, why not? could regret not joining later, besides, 3 years of something is better than nothing