No transport for TT’s cadets

Carmona was addressing young men and women at the TT Cadet Force Parade on Saturday held at Larry Gomes Stadium, Arima, in commemoration of the Trinidad and Tobago Cadet Force 107th Anniversary.

He said it was to his disbelief that the TT Cadet Force does not have access to transportation to display the parade to areas such as Mayaro, Buenos Ayres, Icacos, Blanchisseuse, Toco or Charlotteville.

“I was pleasantly informed that this was being actively pursued.

However, the Cadet Corps did not have the resources to move hundreds of cadets such great distances without the necessary logistical support. Imagine in this day and age that technically we are saying that some parts of this country are inaccessible and still too far, not due to lack of roads or infrastructure, but due to lack of transport.” Carmona said he can only imagine that now with the addition of 25 new secondary schools, something that should be a cause for celebration, now has the potential to be a cause for concern.

“I implore the authorities to provide the vehicles to the Cadet Corps to carry out its mandate.

I am heartened to hear that next years’ parade will take place in our sister isle, Tobago. I must applaud the entire Cadet Force with its administrators for this wonderful initiative and implore you to do your best to ensure that it is a resounding success. I urge Corporate Trinidad and Tobago in the spirit of true Corporate Social Responsibility to come on board and support this visionary act.” Carmona told the young men and women, there is more order in the youth population than in the adult population, and hope for a better future, runs eternal, and is not misplaced.

He said hope put order that is required in society more than ever today, and the kind of order, that was displayed.

“The majority of our youth are disciplined, focused and you exemplify this today because you believe in order and discipline that is neither selective nor transient.

I salute and recognise those unsung heroes among you responsible for the administration of events and this parade.” He continued, “Your efforts are recognized, appreciated and duly noted. The mental and physical preparation and the work in the trenches is testament to your dedication and devotion to the Cadet Corps and to the country.” Carmona said Cadet training prepares and nurtures a life of service and sacrifice, which builds character and team work, instilling patriotic duty and spirit, and a sense of honour to country that are so important in nation building.

He said it speaks to hallowed values and traditions with the singular hallmark that a man’s word is his bond.

“By your social interaction with others in and outside of this parade ground, you must touch lives, and change lives for the better. We prepare you well. The Cadet Corps imbues in its charges the quality of genuine leadership that will prepare you for life’s challenges through the medium of character building, camaraderie, pragmatic skills, physical fitness and discipline.” He said 2017 is indeed a historic year, with the establishment of the first all-female Naval Cadet Unit at Holy Faith Convent Couva, and the establishment of the first Islamic all-female Cadet unit at ASJA Girls College Charlieville.

“Seeing on television the glint and deep pride of those ASJA Girls was a ‘wow’ moment for me personally and for the rest of Trinidad and Tobago. It represents a strong symbol of female empowerment and the strength and power of our inclusive diversity in our country, the Region and the wider world and let me be blunt here, inspirational leadership.” Carmona said for any nation to progress, gender equity and female empowerment are critical, and reminded the young men they had a role to play in gender equality and women empowerment by welcoming the female units with the required mutual respect.

He urged executives of the Cadet Corps, not to lose their goal of achieving a Cadet Unit in every secondary school in TT, because it will destroy the cycle of juvenile deviance, by fortifying students with the necessary life skillset.

“Young men and women, the road to progress and success can be a difficult one.

You wear your service medals and badges with great pride and so it should be. However, you would confront persons with different kinds of service medals and even badges, consisting of ignorance, impatience, intolerance, with no empathy or compassion. It is the reality of modern day living.”