Passing command of the 2912 Cadet Corps

The 2912 Sudbury Irish Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps is under new command.

On Sept. 26, the cadets bid a fond farewell to Capt. Aline Groulx-Grant as she passed the Corps Flag over to Lt. Dave DeLoye.

"I've been the commanding officer here for over four years, I was a cadet here and an officer for 20 years consecutively, and it's just time to do something different— a new challenge," Groulx-Grant said following the Change of Command Ceremony, held at the Sudbury Armoury. 

The captain is moving on to accept the role of Officer in Charge of a new satellite cadet corps in the French River area, which has recently started accepting recruits.

"It just seemed like the right time and the right move for me and the cadet corps," Groulx-Grant said. "Dave DeLoye is outstanding. He's been my partner for a long time so I know the cadet corps here will be in good hands. It makes it a seamless move."

Since taking command in 2008, Groulx-Grant led the corps to numerous distinctions and awards, including two Colonel John H. Clarry Trophies for being the top overall Army Cadet Corps in all of Ontario, three Strathcona Shields for top corps in Northern Ontario and several accolades for the corps' band and drill teams.

As for her proudest achievement in her time as commanding officer? She couldn't narrow it down to just one thing.

"All of it," she said. "There's so many successes and almost everything we sought out to do, we got done. The whole time I've been here has been one major success.

"I just (wanted) to see the corps succeed in general, whether or not we won a bunch of awards, I really just wanted the cadets to be proud of who they were and to carry on the traditions that were set out before them."

DeLoye has been with the 2912 Corps since 1991, starting as a cadet and stepping into various roles over the years. He commended Groulx-Grant for "continuing a tradition of excellence."

"It is fitting that on this occasion, that coincides with the beginning of our 40th year, we look upon how we got to be recognized as one of the strongest cadet corps and one of the strongest youth organizations in Ontario, if not in Canada," DeLoye said. "These achievements are a reflection of the hard work and dedication of many. However it epitomizes the leadership of Capt. Groulx-Grant.

"Her steadfast dedication, her ability to motivate and her unique capabilities have brought this cadet corps to where it is today." 

As DeLoye accepted command of the corps, he told all in attendance they were witnessing more than a simple changing of command.

"Tonight I'm honoured to inherit a family," he said. "It's a family of traditions, a history of excellence, and moreover, a family that supports its members."

The cadet corps, which is open to youth aged 12 to 18, meets Wednesdays at the Sudbury Armoury on Riverside Drive. Enrolment is free and applications are accepted from September to June. For more information, visit www.2912irish.ca.