Warrant officer passes down the torch

Times Contributor

 

After six years of being a part of the 903, Strathmore Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron, and having reached the highest rank and position possible, the time had come for Warrant Officer First Class Philip Wahl to graduate from the program. A Change of Command Ceremony took place at the Strathmore Centennial Civic Centre on Dec. 14 at 8:30 p.m. 

Throughout Wahl’s cadet career, he achieved numerous accomplishments including having received the ANAVETS medal twice, a prestigious national award which is considered to be very impressive to receive twice. Wahl received the ANAVETS medal for being the best officer in two of his courses, for top survival instructor and top athletic instructor.

Wahl has been the top overall cadet in the 903 squadron for three years in a row, received the Alberta Provincial Committee of the Air Cadet League of Canada, Southern Wings Outstanding Cadet Award for 2011, the Legion Medal of Excellence for leadership and community service, the Air Cadet League of Canada Long Service medal and also has received his glider pilot’s license and his power pilot’s license.

“As they get older they show the inclination to stay in the program and be more involved then. Of course they get promoted as they go along,” said Joanna Howard, Public Relations Director of the 903, Air Cadet Squadron. 

Wahl clearly justifies Howard’s belief that, “every graduating cadet will tell you, the more you put into it, the more they get out of it.”

Filling in Wahl’s shoes, the newly announced Squadron Commander, Justin Harrison, 18, will be taking on the new responsibilities that come along with the high position. A large part of the job is making sure the information between cadets and the officers is being passed back and forth. 

“It’s kind of a huge responsibility, so when any of the officers wants the cadets to do their job it’s my responsibility to make sure that it gets done,” said Harrison. 

Wahl is very comfortable in leaving and thinks that the squadron will be left in good hands, but is going to greatly miss the people and the program. 

“It was time for me to leave, there was definitely some sad moments (during the ceremony), but I wouldn’t have been leaving if there wasn’t such a great leader to take over for me,” said Wahl.

Looking back, Wahl has many positive memories of the program and can see a large difference between the person he was before cadets and the person after. He says the program “takes your weaknesses and builds on them, but also takes your strengths and builds on them.”

“I was very shy little kid and I absolutely hated public speaking. With cadets you do different leadership activities, and effective speaking, different things where they push your limits a little bit and it increases your confidence and leadership abilities,” said Wahl. 

One thing hasn’t changed: Wahl still is not comfortable with public speaking, but because of cadets, he can overcome the discomfort.

“It’s definitely a great program and it’s different, I mean it’s more than just public and effective speaking and leadership. They might have other areas that they need to work on so cadets can help you with sort of work on a wide band of things,” said Wahl.

In the near future, Wahl hopes to work throughout the summer, followed by a backpacking trip to South America where he would “like to make it past the Ecuador, at least once.”

If and when Wahl is in Alberta, he is planning to keep helping out with the Air Cadets Gliding Program where squadrons visit different gliding sites each week.

“With my pilots licenses, I can take up different cadets flying each weekend so they get an opportunity to experience flying so I will definitely carry on with that,” said Wahl.

As for Harrison, he anticipates graduating from the program next October, and after the program, aspires to receive his commercial helicopter pilot’s licence.