| AT THE HELM The Official Newsletter of the Navy League of Canada Issue1/1stQuarterApril2001 GROWING PAINS OF A NEW CORPS #189 NLCC Oromocto joined the Navy League of Canada in November 2000, and is the second Navy League Corps in New Brunswick. Commanding Officer Midshipman (NL) Anthony Beresford CPSM, CD1, has been a part of the challenges and accomplishments from the beginning. He has worked hard to make the corps a success, while investing a large amount of time in ensuring the cadets receive top-quality instruction. The corps has several expert volunteers to assist in sail training, operating air rifle ranges and helping int he stores department.They have capped their complement at 30.Their officer cadre is mixed gender. Mid (NL) Beresford has a few words of wisdom for anyone else who would like to start up a new Navy League Cadet Corps. “I would recommend that you get a contact list made up and that a regular phone call be made to each individual. It lets them know that someone cares how they are doing if absent and that they are important to the corps. Don’t be afraid to “Show the Flag”,or wave it when it comes to fundraising. You should offer to do some work for the donation in some way that all members can participate. It shows that you are willing to earn your keep. Another point is establishing a routine immediately. Even without a training syllabus, a great number of lectures and performance objectives can be met by walking through a nightly routine,l earning each step and it’s significance. You have to keep the Cadets interested. At age10-12 they do not have the same powers of concentration as an older cadet or adult. Positive feedback has come from the parents and more direct help has been the spinoff. The greatest rewards have come from the cadets; they are probably the keenest people I have met. The best thing I saw, or should say heard, was the first time a cadet gave a crisp,sharp word of command and the cadets moved and called the time in unison. If this is any gauge of our corps’ success, then I predict a long and illustrious future. Bravo Zulu!” Mid(NL) Beresford can be reached at . nlccoromocto@webmail.navyleague.ca w w w .n a v y l e a g u e .c a |