What is a Cadet?
one perspective on Dons and Cadets in the Society
by Lord Corwyn Montgomery
Introduction
With regularity, I have encountered the question of "what is a Cadet?" I have seen
this question pop up on the mailing lists, and I have also been given this question
privately. If I answer it once, it comes back again from another source. A similar question was put to me in the past by a friend who had just accepted the role of being a Cadet. He had his own ideas as to what that role would be, but he was looking for perspective from one who had already been in that role for some time. If you wish to gain some inkling into the concept of what it can mean to be a Cadet, here is one perspective, and it is the perspective I gave at the time that I was a Cadet. If you had this question lurking in the back of your mind, I hope this helps you find the answer that you need.
Don Corwyn
My friend
You have asked me for an example of being a cadet. There are so very
many that have been defined and so many new ones to define. Without
avoiding to answer your question, the truth of the matter is that it is a
very personal decision and ambition as to what a cadet is. The role that a
cadet plays is decided by the Don but mainly by the cadet. What definition
will yours be? This is one to discuss with your Don, to explore the
possibilities, and to choose. There is additionally the potential of
revising the agreement as things progress based upon the level of freedom
granted by the arrangement between a Don and Cadet.
The letter that you wrote to me already describes that you have a concept of
what a cadet is, and this concept is very worthy and more noble than that
perceived by many who have taken upon the role. Yet, to actually answer
your question without turning upon the explanation that you will make your
own way, I can give you some examples of what has been used before.
My personal approach to being a cadet has undergone growth with the role and
with the understanding of who my Don is. My original approach to being a
cadet was that I was a student of the Arte de Fence as taught by my maestro
Don Diego Miguel Munoz de Castilla. I had in my mind aspects of the London
Masters of Defense in that I considered myself to be a Free Scholar, an
advanced student free to practice the arte but under the direct supervision
of the maestro and his provost, who I viewed as being my Cadet brother
Keyard. This viewpoint was one that was similar to that which was also in
Keyard's mind. While Diego respected and valued my perception, he shared
with me his perception of the role of Don and Cadet as was passed down to
him from Don Tivar Moodragon, the first Don our lineage. This concept is
that we are engaged in a family tradition with the Don being the father and
the Cadet the child, and as such, loyalty is considered as father to his son
and thus in return. This arrangement allows for the inevitable scenario of
rebellion to authority, the quelling of this, and the lessons learned in the
process. It also allows for parental correction of error and for parental
pride in accomplishment. Both concepts work well and also work well with
one another, a harmony that is enjoyable and very functional.
What lead to my choice of Don? In my case, I became a Cadet of Diego at my
own request. At first I had not considered this to be permissable, but
Keyard corrected my perceptions on this when he brought up the topic with
me. As such, he was my go between and presented my petition to Diego and
brought me into the household. Why did he accept me? That I have yet to
ask. When I viewed the prospective Dons in the Kingdom, I saw two who I
felt would be the most beneficial and enjoyable teachers for me personally
to work. The two had diametrically opposite approaches and thus strangely
had very similar traits in those approaches, but they shared a definitively
common denominator in that they were equally accomplished in teaching
fencing from their perspective viewpoints and, more importantly in my
experience, exceptional in their ability to teach others how to teach. The
idea of being a White Scarf is a pleasing daydream, but to quote Diego, "it
is best that a fencer be a Don in truth long before ever receiving the title
of Don for needing the title is not part of fullfilling the role." Diego
wishes to foster in me the same genesis of being a Don as he fostered in
Keyard, as was fostered in him by Don Robert, in Don Robert by Don Durrmast,
and in Don Durrmast by Don Tivar. In every prosperous Don/Cadet
relationship exists this ambition to further the family tree without the
expectation that it be achieved.
By having the alliance with a Don, a Cadet gains many advantages reminiscent
of that enjoyed by Squires in the Society; however, the restrictions of
fealty and other such tightly developed concepts are not to the same level
based upon each individual relationship. Whereas I have been told stories
of some Squires being restricted from training with a Knight other than his
own, Cadets frequently are thrust into the situation of "learn from this Don
here who is my friend." One of Diego's staple principles is "travel,
travel, travel, travel and fence everyone everywhere you go." On the job
training via testing your abilities and seeing new ideas in practice are
essential to the development of a strong and knowledgeable fencer. Various
tutors aiding in the genesis of knowledge are part and parcel to this
process.
In you, I see your Don glad for the opportunity to accomplish on a more
personal level what he has accomplished more subtlely with me in my training
as a marshal. He sees you as an innate fencer with great eagerness to learn
and share knowledge, with aspirations to serve and to mold, and as a man
with humility and integrity. He is hungry to help you accomplish what you
seek and to be amazed and pleased at the results he will behold in you. By
having a more direct and personal connection with you, he will have more
ease with encouraging you and directing you within the limits of your own
direction.
Other options easily open to a Don and Cadet are an agreement on what they
plan to accomplish in their teacher/student relationship. A friend had
given me a brief description that his goal as a Cadet was to learn what it
meant to be a Don and document the concept. To do so, he had to study and
then interview ten Dons from various kingdoms. He was a Cadet for two years
in accomplishing this goal. The result is that he is considered by many of
his friends to be a Don even though he does not yet have a White Scarf and
is no longer a Cadet. He graduated. This is a possible avenue to pursue,
as you may get to a point where your Don considers you to be an equal but
that it is now a matter of time before a Crown recognizes your ability and
accomplishments. I have expressed similar ideas to my student in that I
will teach him as an instructor until he is ready to move on without me,
whether this means that he becomes a Cadet to a Don or if he simply
continues as a fencer that is my equal and with the principles of self
education firmly in his grasp.
Finally, being a Cadet can be a great deal of fun. It can be a pain in the
butt sometimes, but overall, it is very enjoyable dependent upon the
relationship that you have with your Don. Some view being a Cadet as some
form of SCA fraternity with an emphasis on practical jokes, wise cracking,
and friendly hazing (like stealing a fellow's codpiece and displaying it on a
flag pole at Knowne World Rapier Party or emblazoning bombastic signs on
Raven Spittle).
Just remember this following reply, and your relationship with your Don
should always work smoothly:
"Get your own damn beer."
Quite frankly, you are on the right path and will put me to shame in the
level of nobility that you display as a Cadet. Perhaps we can together
change the face of Cadetship by making the new school full of noble Cadets
and leave the hecklers in the old school. I am referred to as "Diego's
Boyscout." I like it. Welcome to the club. I am glad to see the numbers
are growing.
Wishing you the best as an always supportive comrade,
corwyn
SWORDandMUG