Rick Stiebel/News Gazette staff
A Colwood cadet has earned an impressive, unprecedented rise through the ranks.
Warrant Officer First Class Cailyn Wilcox was appointed cadet regimental sergeant major at the Vernon Cadet Training Centre on July 9, reaching the top rank a cadet can hold at a cadet training centre.
A member of the 848 Royal Roads Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron, Wilcox is the first ever air cadet at that centre to be promoted to that rank, and the first female nationally in 15 years.
“I wasn’t expecting it at all,” said Wilcox, who graduated from Royal Bay secondary in June.
“I made it clear during interviews that I was trying for a lower position, the thought of regimental sergeant major had never really crossed my mind.”
She now finds herself in charge of an entire company of about 840 cadets in Vernon, where summer training courses for more than 1,500 army, air and sea cadets are conducted throughout the summer.
“No one is really prepared for a job of this nature but as you get into a routine and understand what your role is, you get into a comfort zone,” she said in an interview from Vernon. “The ball starts rolling and things fall into place.”
Although she has only been with the Langford-based 848 Squadron for two years, Wilcox has been in cadets since she was 12. “My dad is in the military so that was a huge influence,” she explained.
Wilcox, 17, plans on taking a year off to work and complete her driver’s license requirements before embarking on a career as a critical care paramedic. After finishing the courses required to complete the required documentation, she may begin as a civilian critical care paramedic. She may also eventually consider a move to the military in the specialized field, which involves helicopter training for rescues in remote areas.
A year off will also enable her to remain involved in her other passion, musical theatre. “I want to continue with a couple of shows,” said Wilcox, a member of Royal Bay’s Black Wing theatre group for the past two years. “I also have a year and a half left in cadets.”
She is grateful for assistance of her parents, Gracie and Sean. “They’ve been a huge support, driving me to squadron and helping me prepare for summer camps,” she said. “I wouldn’t be where I am without them, and all the support from the squadron as well.”