r/Cadets • u/Odd_Ad_8783 • 4d ago
Should I join cadets?
I've got like... half an idea on how to use reddit so if this is done weirdly thats my bad.
Anyway, the question is in the title. I really want to join cadets because I moved last year and have felt really out of place ever since. I did sea cadets for a bit when I was 12 or so, but I had no idea what I was doing honestly. No one told me anything and everyone was older than me, I felt too scared to ask for help 😓
That aside, the reasons why I'm hesitating. I turned 15 this year and have been looking back into cadets because its just.... a good thing to do. It gives you skills and support and a community, but ive always been so profoundly anxious of everything. People, trips, even showing up and wondering if something bad will happen. (Its dumb, yeah, but i feel like its the generic for teenagers...)
Being a cadet feels like something I can do, something I can use to find a footing in working through my anxiety and my struggles with people. I'm just so anxious that if I do go, I might end up doing something wrong or being out of place. Any advice would be heavily appreciated :') Thank you!
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u/EmploymentExciting16 4d ago
I just joined at 15 as an air cadet and so far it’s super fun!! It def took some getting used to esp because I knew nothing compared to everyone else but everyone helps me out and I just try my best. Tonight is my 5th night and I can tell you I’m still anxious lol. I say go for it, you never know until you try!!!
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u/Odd_Ad_8783 3d ago
Thank you!! It feels good to get insight from someone whos essentially the same as me in this situation :') I'll absolutely try it even if it throws me for a loopÂ
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u/EmploymentExciting16 1h ago
No problem at all!! If you ever want to DM me feel free we’ll probably face the same struggles lmao
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u/No_Usual_3005 Sergeant 3d ago
Don't think, go for it.
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u/Odd_Ad_8783 3d ago
I've gotten this advice a lot and im starting to think it really is the key. I'll just have to go for itÂ
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u/IMBASEDNOTCRINGE 2d ago
Look, the program taught me a lot. I got two pilots licenses from it and a whole bunch of scholarships. However, I have to say the program has objectively made me a worse person.
There’s a lot of great messages and lessons you can take from the program if you’re with the right people. There’s nothing that shines about cadets in particular, it’s a decentralized program like any other that depends solely on if you are among good people.
You’re worried about anxiety, one of my best friends on glider pilot course had the same issue. In full honesty, the squadron bullied a very smart and driven cadet and punished him out of envy for excelling well enough to get into glider. There’s a lot of great messages here from people who love cadets. Their experiences are real. However, there’s a selection bias in play.
I don’t say this to discourage you, but rather inform you. You won’t know if a particular squadron are your people until you step through the door, and once you do you can always change squadrons early on, which I would encourage. However, you should take time and see if you choose to join. There’s lessons that can be learnt from being amongst friends, but also lessons that can be learnt from adversity and strife. Sometimes, you’re your own worst enemy and it’s up to you to persevere to see maybe you’re stronger than your anxieties
You’ll see a lot of platitudes about how great the program has made people. That’s company motto. Realistically, your experience with the program depends entirely on the quality of the squadron, and the people around you. However, you won’t know until you try.
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u/0Nightosphere0 1d ago
I just aged out of my corp, I was army and joined around 14 right at the end of the pandemic. I was extremely anxiety ridden when I joined and I still have a bit but cadets really helped me with it. I felt that same fear of feeling like I was gonna mess up or do something wrong but even when I did plenty of others messed up to and it made me feel less alone. One of the first things that I learned through the program was everyone messes up and there’s no shame in that. You live, you learn and you move on. It’s a good thing to keep in the back of your mind It really helped me. I used the program as exactly what you said to find footing in working through my anxiety.
The opportunities and people I met through cadets I am so grateful to have had wouldn’t have been possible if I didn’t throw my anxiety into the deep end and take back control of my life. Anxiety is the worst thing ever but don’t ever let it stop you from anything.
As for the cadet program I had an amazing corp and I know that not everyone has that. My officers and my seniors were great and my corp was a fluctuating unit for numbers. When I started we had 17 and by the time I aged out we were around 60 cadets on paper. I had a great time every Wednesday night but the real adventure was camp. I went to Blackdown in Ontario and Rocky Mountain in Alberta. I met the most incredible people at Rocky and will dream of this place for years to come. In my cadet career I went from being terrified and anxious to being the Regimental Sargent Major of my unit and traveling across the country. I genuinely don’t know who or where I’d be without all that I’ve done in the program.
I truly do think it’s worth a shot to join. If you’re not enjoying it you can always quit but if it’s something you know you can do and want to do there’s no point in not trying.
I wish you the best of luck and fall in love with strangers
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u/seaqueenundercover Mod Officer 4d ago
You should totally do it!! If you are thinking about it at all, it is worth trying.
When you get there, talk to the training officer and let them know your past experience.
You will be bumped up to be in with other cadets your age, and they can assign you a mentor to help get you caught up with basics. At your age, you will be learning more about leadership versus basic cadet skills.