Please see my latest post (02/25/08 ) below---



Ok this bummed me out today.

As many of you know (and for those who don't) I was in the Royal Canadian Air Cadets from 1983 to 1989. I graduated a Warrant Officer (the second highest rank in the Air Cadets).

Last summer I learned of the Air Cadet Long Service Medal:



This was introduced in 2005 and is awarded to all cadets who have at least 4 consecutive years of distinguished service.

Former cadets such as myself are eligible for the award, provided we supply the necessary proof of our service.

So over the last couple of months, I have emailed and called my old squadron asking about my service record to apply for the award. However they never got back to me (the phone call was a recording).

For awhile I thought that my squadron may have actually been disbanded, but yesterday I came across the squadron's website. They still met on Wednesday nights so I figured I would drop by and find out about obtaining my record (I was alumni after all).

I knew that the old Canadian Forces Base Downsview (that my squadron met at) had been closed down (the majority turned into a public park) for years now- but I had never actually seen it.

The squadron had moved to the other side of the old base which was now an Armoury.

I got a little lost and ended up driving around the old base.

The central supply depot had been turned into some kind of farmers market (maybe even a flea market).

And the entrance to my old squadron's headquarters was now the entrance to the gift shop of the air museum that part of the base is now.

Finally found the new location of my squadron on the new Army facility. Security was tight. Very tight. Apparently showing up unannounced was a bit of a breech of protocol (it certainly was not like this 20 some odd years ago). I was not to go anywhere without an escort.

With a cadet sergeant by my side, my trip down memory lane consisted of a three minute conversation with a captain, who told me that after all these years my record has most likely been shredded. He did take down my name and number and said he would do what he could. He was polite and pleasant, but after 30 seconds I realized that I had come all this way for nothing but a handshake and a smile.

All this took place in the hallway- I wasn't even allowed to go inside the parade grounds and have a glance at the squadron. I was escorted out.

I understand that they no longer know me from Adam, and that in this day and age of public shootings, stalkers, paedophiles, and general nutcases, that security must be high and they can't afford to take any chances (this is a youth organization after all). It just would have been nice to have a look around for a bit. Maybe meet the new people in charge.

Needless to say it not only was a waste of a trip- it actually made me feel like I was intruding. Really bummed me out.

And it looks like I'm back to square one about getting my service award.

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I told you I'd shoot, but you didn't believe me! WHY DIDN'T YOU BELIEVE ME!?!

Sorry to hear that Kev,though the armed forces work in mysterious ways.
Who know`s one day a letter may drop through the letterbox for you

Maybe if you had contacted them beforehand to pop down,they may have been more receptive to you. Though you did also state the comm`s line with them was not an option,due to their lack of communication skills.
So you took the initiative & alas were not warmly welcomed.

I guess be the same for any of us old Army/Air/Navy Cadets over here in Blighty. We just turned up at the depot,they probably wouldn`t take to kindly to that either.

Just again shows the changes in the world since we were kids

Still here`s hoping that at the somewhere (is there a National HQ) some files HAVE been kept & they can confirm your duration in Air Cadets & you can recieve this medal.

Jason

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What ya gonna do when I TECKNO HUG Youuuuu!!



Pvt.
STEAD,J "TECKNO VIKING"
A06/TQ1.0.22140E1

Skype: ulthur1

Yeah shame about that. I know what you're both saying about protocol
is accurate, but in my mind it still comes down to people, and how
they are. Maybe you were just unclucky that the people there weren't
that cool. What I mean is, if it had been you in their position you'd
probably have been more thoughtful and even a bit interested in them
yourself. Unfortunately not everybody is like that.

I wonder what my old unit would be like to visit now? The 'old school'
there were cool people, but they'd be long gone!

Good luck with your service medal. Would it be worth a letter to head office?

That's some comparison to the local reserve forces base I used to work on. Security was (and is still unfortunately) so slack that anyone could get on and wander about pretty much unchallenged. Holes in the fences, gates left open or unlocked, low fences, buildings unlocked...

One of the many reasons I bailed on that particular job.

Thanks guys- I appreciate the replies.




See that was what it was like on the old base back in the 80s. You drove up to the security checkpoint (which didn't even have a barricade) and told the Commissionaire (who looked to be a WWII veteran) where you were going. I don't think he ever actually told someone they couldn't come in. Otherwise you could simply walk onto the base through the fence gate (it was never closed- ever).

Once in a blue moon (I think twice a year) they had an exercise in which the base was secured by Army personnelle. That consisted of one guy in full Army gear at the entrance of each building, holding an FN, and looking bored out of his mind. They never told us in advance when they would do this and Cadets would be cancelled for the night. (We would look in awe at the show of force which by today's standards would be nominal).

Anyway- I haven't given up hope. One thing the captain said is that there is a slim possibility my record was transferred to another detachment instead of being destroyed as the Air Cadet League changes their minds every few years on what to do with the old files (sounds about right- typical military way).

If not, I plan on photocopying my old certificates (induction, graduation) and sending them in to the Natonal HQ with the application, and a letter pleading my case.

Thanks again for the support guys- I really needed it.

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I told you I'd shoot, but you didn't believe me! WHY DIDN'T YOU BELIEVE ME!?!

Although my Squadron has fared a little better then yours, asking the staff at 796 has yielded zip so far.

Shortly after you told me that I also qualified for this medal, I emailed the squadron (via the web link I sent you), I received a polite reply from some Lt about a month later about how they would look into it.



About a month later, I called Lt Lazzari... she informed me that many records were lost as per water damage.... and that it was unknown of a copy of my records could be found. She said she would call me back.

That was four and a half months ago.

Previously I had said I was going to photocopy my certificates and mail them in with a letter pleading my case to receive my Air Cadet Long Service medal. Well I went right ahead and did just that.


That was about month ago.


Today I received a package in the mail from the Air Cadet League of Canada.


I GOT IT!!!!









Came with a nice ribbon bar (which I already know what uniform I'm going to wear it on ).



Man was I ever excited to open this!!

This is my first, last and only medal. Guess I'll have to find a nice shadow box to display it in.

And the virtual ribbon created by Dom in my sig is now 100% official!

Tis a good day!

_________________
I told you I'd shoot, but you didn't believe me! WHY DIDN'T YOU BELIEVE ME!?!

Very cool Kev. Well done. It's nice to be recognized after all these years.
Display it proudly.

Mike

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There is nothing more impressive than a bloody big Alien wiggling on the end of a sharp stick!

ooo000OOooo shiny! congrats on finally getting it Kev, must be very proud

Congratulations! Wear it proud!

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"You know, you blow up one sun and suddenly everyone expects you to walk on water."

aw thats cool. i remember reading this story ages ago. glad you got it finally.

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Fantastic news! Well done Kev!

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"The other Gareth"

good job, Kev! That's Awesome!

what uniform are you oging to wear it on?

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Squad Leader, 58th Regt., 2nd Batt., "Morse's Marauders" - U.S.S. Azuera
Primary MOS: Rifleman
Secondary MOS: Combat Demolitions

"When the going gets tough, the tough call on the Colonial Marines."

That's great Kev! Congrats!

Russ

_________________
"A writer needs a pen, a painter a brush, and a filmmaker an army." - Orson Wells.

http://www.rookscastle.com
http://www.alchemyarms.com

Congrats Bro!!!! I'm very happy for you!

_________________


USCM- The Colonial Marines- A Brotherhood of Bad Asses!

Great News there Kev Congrats on getting it.
Just shows sometimes the system works.

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SFC
Michael Larson
Minnesota-USA

A03/TQ1.0.92141E1

Ah, well done! Congratulations!

Now of course you deserve another one for beating the bureaucracy!

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Good for you Kevin... I'm happy you got yours. I may have to do something similar to get mine I guess.

Hopefully this will work:

Lt Lazzari,

I have received absolutely nothing from you in regards of my service documents so that I may apply for my Air Cadet Service Medal. Now that my request has been placed six months ago, I cannot feel anything other than disappointment from the lack of communication on your behalf.

As a decorated corporal of ten years service in the Primary Reserve, I cannot comprehend why it has been so difficult to procure something this important to me for my service rendered to the RCAC. If my documents are lost, I would ask you kindly to please prepare a letter on your behalf that I may present to the Air Cadet League explaining the situation so that I may apply for it.

I offer kind regards,


Dom Beaudoin

Well congrats to Kev and some additional luck to Dom. Whatever the documents say, if they haven't been lost and or damaged, you guys are tried and true in my book

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http://www.tentaclechris.com

Many, many thanks for the compliments my friends!

Went out today and bought a display case for it!





Now proudly displayed on my desk.



With my graduation certificate in the background (don't mind the MIG-15; I just haven't found a new spot for it yet ).




My Dress Blues!


Dom- Do you have any old certificates? I would just go ahead a mail in the application with anything you can find, and a letter formaly asking for the award. Here's what I wrote:



Best of success Bro!

And thanks again everyone!

_________________
I told you I'd shoot, but you didn't believe me! WHY DIDN'T YOU BELIEVE ME!?!

Congrats on finally getting it kev.

_________________

Nice display case. I've always liked medals displayed that way - I've got my Great Grandfather's RAF medals and patches in something similar.

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"You know, you blow up one sun and suddenly everyone expects you to walk on water."

Nice one, Kev. Glad you got it sorted.

It looks great on display

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A11/TQ1.0.32150E1 Murphy, J - Covert recording headcam. There is no flashing red light when you are on Kona-Cam
Weyland-Yutani: Their projects are intentionally full of bugs. Avoid!

I figured...that's the reason for the !

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Squad Leader, 58th Regt., 2nd Batt., "Morse's Marauders" - U.S.S. Azuera
Primary MOS: Rifleman
Secondary MOS: Combat Demolitions

"When the going gets tough, the tough call on the Colonial Marines."

I have my "Best Cadet in Camp" from my two weeks in Bagottville c 1989, I'll have to try to scare it up.... Hopefully my dad knows where it is. If not, I have pics to prove I was in uniform... somewhere.