08/16/2026
This weekend brought the 2026 summer training season to a close, and I had the privilege of attending the final graduation parades at both Blackdown and St. Jean Cadet Training Centres.
On Friday, I attended the final graduation parade at Blackdown CTC, where I was incredibly proud to watch several members of 598 march onto the parade square after successfully completing their summer training. WO2 Chute, Sgt McCormick, and Sgt Shaw graduated from the Drill and Ceremonial Instructor Course; Sgt Chute graduated the Survival Instructor Course; Sgt Harrell graduated the Pipes and Drums Course; Sgt Malby graduated the Fitness and Sports Instructor Course, and Sgt Topor-Hucianski graduated the Advanced Aviation Course. WO1 Slade also completed her second summer serving as a Staff Cadet.
Following the graduation at Blackdown CTC, we made the drive to St. Jean CTC for today’s Glider Pilot Training Course graduation and another very special moment for 598. WO2 Dalli-Hill successfully graduated the Glider Pilot Training Course and earned his Glider Pilot Wings, becoming 598’s first cadet to complete the course since 2017. Making the moment even more special was having his mom, OCdt Dalli, given the honour of pinning her son’s first set of pilot wings onto his chest. It was an incredibly proud moment for a mother and son and one I was fortunate to witness.
Summer training isn’t always easy. There are long days, difficult moments, new expectations, and times when you’re pushed outside your comfort zone. That’s part of what makes standing on that parade square at the end of it so meaningful. You persevered, finished what you started, and earned your qualification.
But earning that qualification isn’t the end of your learning or development. Now comes the opportunity and responsibility, to bring that knowledge and experience back to 598, share what you’ve learned, and mentor the cadets coming up behind you. Help strengthen our training and pass along the skills, leadership, and lessons you gained this summer. The true value of a qualification isn’t simply having it, it’s what you do with it afterward.
As the final graduation parades of 2026 come to an end, congratulations to all of our cadets who participated in summer training this year, whether as course cadets or a Staff Cadet.
Be proud of what you accomplished and the challenges you overcame along the way. I look forward to seeing you bring those experiences home and watching where they take you next.
Congratulations, 598.
-Capt Slade
I apologize if I’m missing a photo of any cadets.
Town of Cobourg, Ontario Cadets Canada Blackdown Cadets / Cadets de Blackdown Cadets de St-Jean / St-Jean Cadets
