A Morden air cadet not only spent her summer doing training up in the far north but also earned some attention for her more recently developed musical skills.
Sergeant Jane Borne from the 179 Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron in Morden joined 230 cadets from across Canada to participate in summer training at the Whitehorse cadet training centre near Whitehorse, Yukon.
As a staff cadet in a course not based in music, Borne took the initiative to continue her personal musical development by bringing her bagpipes along. As a result, Borne has been piping on parade every Saturday.
Borne only played the bagpipes for the first time a year ago while participating in the Corn and Apple Festival when a local piper offered her the opportunity to give it a try.
“It’s a very physical instrument. It requires you to do lots of things,” said Borne, who immediately got hooked on the instrument.
Borne plays weekly with the St. Andrew’s Society of Winnipeg Pipe Band and practices daily, and she recognizes how it can fit in with her cadet training.
Attending the centre “has taught me the importance of being prepared, making sure I have all my materials, knowing where I am going, what I am doing and who I am responsible for,” said Borne. “I have learned to adapt and use what I have available, like my bagpipes.”
Borne first joined the cadets in 2019, following in her father’s footsteps.
“My dad was in cadets when he was a kid … and he said, ‘You know what, it’s actually a really cool program … you should try it out.’ So I tried it and I loved it .”
She likes being able to train and learn with a wide age range of youth who are all there for the same reason: to work on leadership skills.
“I get lots of cool interaction with some older kids and to see what it’s like for them,” said Borne, who has also enjoyed field trips to places like the 17 Wing Winnipeg Canadian Forces base. “I’ve had the opportunity to fly in two planes … and you can get your pilot’s licence, which is pretty sweet. I’m working toward that now.”
She also feels the cadets program will prepare her for a career in the Canadian Armed Forces one day. After graduating from Northlands Parkway Collegiate in Winkler next year, she plans to attend University of Winnipeg to study psychology.
“I’ve learned a lot about patience, taking responsibility for my actions and those of my subordinates, and focus,” Borne noted. “Cadets is a great opportunity for youth to learn leadership by leading the younger cadets. It is a great place to make friends.”
The cadet program is open to all youth between the ages of 12 and 19. Those who are interested in joining can do so by contacting the 179 squadron at 179air@cadets.gc.ca or calling 204-245-0912.
Training starts locally in September.
