The Saint Lucia Cadet Corps (SLCC) is marking 95 years of existence, having recorded several milestones. On Sunday, the organisation saw another first, with the launch of the Association of the Saint Lucia Cadet Corps Alumni (ASLCCA).
The launch saw a combination of presenters, in person and virtually, at the SLCC headquarters in Bisee, celebrating the occasion.
The president of the alumni group, Romeo Mitchel, gave a brief background on the entity’s formation.
Mitchel said the group evolved from a conversation in 2021 between him and Vern Nelson, now the Alumni’s executive secretary.
“We are up to forty-five members, which is pretty good…kudos to those who have come on board so far and we are looking forward to others joining,” Mitchel said. “The simple purpose of the alumni is to support the cadet corps wherever we can and work closely with the commandant of the cadet corps to understand their needs and where the alumni can potentially assist in meeting those needs,” he explained.
According to Nathan Hyacinth, SLCC Commandant, over the past five years, officers in the region have been discussing the lack of critical personnel within the organisation. They pondered on how to better utilise persons who had left the organization.
“So when I got a call from Romeo at the time saying that they were thinking about putting this association together I said, ‘Right on target’. And I think it’s important that as we were going on we recognise that, listen, if there are people out there who wish to continue to serve and help, let us grab that opportunity,” Hyacinth said.
“We already have the mandate from the Caribbean Association, so let us move forward with it and I can see many things happening with the alumni,” he added.
Besides tangible projects, Hyacinth pointed out that alumni members could provide mentorship to new and younger cadets within the SLCC.
Sunday’s launch saw the presentation of the cadet corps charter to the ASLCCA by the SLCC commandant.
Matthias Wilkie of the alumni received it and, in turn, presented Hyacinth with the ASLCCA plaque bearing its logo.
ASLCCA VP Tracelyn Compton delivered closing remarks, saying, “It is an absolute inspiration that we are able to launch this organization at this point.”
“It is your unwavering commitment to this vison which led to the formation of the organisation and it is your sustained active participation that will continue to drive this mandate,” she told members.
“We exist to offer support and to bolster the SLCC whether through mentorship, resource mobilisation or advocacy. We have the unique opportunity to strengthen the foundations of the Saint Lucia Cadet Corps as they see fit,” Compton said.
The members of the executive of the ASLCCA are: President – Romeo Mitchell, VP – Tracelyn Compton, Executive Secretary – Vern Nelson, Treasurer/Registrar – Seon Ferrari, Assistant secretary/treasurer – Lambert Marquis, PRO – Matthias Wilkie, Liaison Officer – Cyril Saltibus and Assistant PRO Mitchelson Phillips.
The Saint Lucia Cadet Corps is ‘a military youth organisation’, sponsored by the Government of Saint Lucia, through the Ministry of Education. It participates in both military and community activities.
The organisation’s motto is: “Leadership, Discipline, Service.”
