The 10th Mountain Division and Fort Drum are constantly engaged with the community surrounding the North Country Army base. They also have a robust relationship with their Canadian counterparts of all ages. The division frequently hosts and participates in joint training ventures with the Canadian Army, but March 13-17 they hosted a slightly younger crowd.
The 32nd Military Police and 709th Toronto Signals Army Cadet Corps traveled to Fort Drum for their March break, similar to spring break, trip. Roughly 50 cadets and their cadre stayed in barracks, ate in the dining facility, and toured various units around Fort Drum during their visit.
The cadet corps is very similar to the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps in the U.S. Participation with the cadets is free and they hold fundraisers to make trips possible like the one to Fort Drum
Lieutenant (pronounced left-tenant) Chelsea Kangus, cadet instructor for the 32nd Military Police Army Cadets, was one of the cadre chaperoning the visit. She said that cadet groups have visited Fort Drum in the past and always had a great time.
"They enjoy it. They can see what the military is all about. They can get familiarization." Kangus said.
Part of that familiarization is working with their future U.S. Army counterparts.
"It's a lot of different things we can do and a lot of different experiences we can get [at Fort Drum]," she explained.
Kangus said the favorite event so far seemed to be visiting the improvised explosive device training facility where the cadets received a briefing then had some time for hands-on training with the robots and other devices. The cadets showed a great interest in the equipment and techniques demonstrated at the various events.
Staff Sgt. John Sargent, motor transport operator instructor with the 106th Regional Training Institute, New York Army National Guard, spent some time with the cadets by highlighting a few military vehicles, including a Stryker vehicle customized for nuclear, chemical and biological hazards.
Sargent said the best part of the visit for him was imparting what he's learned throughout his career to the young cadets. He added that the cadets were like "sponges" and asked great questions about the equipment they were shown.
"Their young minds and their interest in what we do, they're very hungry for knowledge." Sargent added.
After each presentation was complete, the cadets had a chance to talk with the presenters, get some hands-on time with the equipment and take lots of photos.
Cadet Chief Warrant Officer Jamel Magtira, 709th Toronto Signals Army Cadets leader said this trip was top notch.
"This is the best one," Magtira said with a smile.
She also said she hopes to go to an Air Force base in the future to round out her U.S. military experiences.
"I really like it, it's amazing." Magtira added as she got on the bus back to the barracks.
The cadets enjoyed their downtime taking in a few games of bowling and dinner in Evans Mills.
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