Lily Montague joined the Lynx 99 Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron (RCACS) in Orillia out of "curiosity" when she was 12 years old.
"I have a general interest in the military and I thought that cadets was the best way to explore that interest,” said the 18-year-old Orillia resident.
Montague recently aged out of the cadets program and is now studying psychology at Lakehead University. However, she said the skills she learned in cadets will help her at university and beyond.
She plans to both join the military as a professional and to go back to the squadron to teach cadets.
As a cadet, she earned three medals, was the chief of the squadron and served as drill team commander for two years.
"Lily was a strong cadet from the start," said commanding officer Capt. Crystal Cole.
Montague joined just before COVID hit, so she missed some of the field training, but tuned into virtual learning and rose through the ranks quickly.
The cadet program is built on cadets leading cadets. The senior cadets lead the younger cadets through lessons, coaching and mentoring, while the officers mentor the senior cadets, explained Cole.
"Lily was a natural leader, she was fair, firm and friendly to all."
The drill team is made up of 12 cadets who perform precision drill movements in a sequence. Not only did Montague command the drill team with commands, she also put together a silent routine, said Cole.
"The silent routine shows the dedication, discipline and professionalism she instilled in the younger cadets."
Typically, cadets earn a service medal. To also win the Lord Strathcona Medal, for outstanding performance and leadership, and the Legion Medal of Excellence, speaks highly of her character and performance within the cadet program, added Cole.
"Lily was the model cadet and truly left an impact on 99 Lynx RCACS."
For her part, learning leadership was what she got most out of the program.
"I learned a lot of what it’s like to have responsibilities. Especially as a kid growing up, knowing that I have to go to school. I learned how to manage my time and manage all my responsibilities all together,” she said.
“I learned how to be a leader which could be very important in a work setting,” she said.
Her favourite part of the program was meeting new friends.
"My best friends I met through the program," she said.
Montague also learned about what she didn't like and where she didn't have skill. While she enjoyed many aspects of the program, she didn't get either her glider or a personal pilot's licence.
"I joined the air cadets and found out I have no interest in aviation," she said.
She was also a spare on the marksmanship team but didn't end up competing.
"I'm not a very good shot," she said.
Montague took part in Remembrance Day vigils at the Orillia Soldiers' Memorial Hospital (OSMH) cenotaph for six years. During those vigils, she had a chance to meet veterans and learn about the wars and service to the military.
“It’s a very eye-opening experience to hear about what they did for us ... and we need to respect them because of what’s they’ve done for us.”
Even though she's not part of the cadet program anymore, she will be attending the Orillia Remembrance Day service on Monday "to pay my respects."
Anyone interested in joining the 99 Lynx RCACS can come out to a meeting on Tuesday night at 6:30 p.m. at 105 Wyandotte St. There is no cost to join and uniforms are supplied. There is also no obligation to join the military.
For more information, visit the website 99Lynx.com, call 705-326-9999 or find them on Facebook.
