Nathan Peredery is getting a jump on his fellow army cadets.
A member of the 676 Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps in Georgetown, Peredery received his jump wings this summer after completing a basic parachutist course at the Trenton Cadet Training Centre.
“I plan to share my experience with as many cadets as possible and maybe inspire a few to push their limits and try the same,” Peredery said after finishing the four-week course.
While completing the course was an accomplishment to be proud of, just getting into the program may have been the biggest hurdle facing Peredery. Following a competitive, rigorous selection process that included intense fitness testing and medical screening, he was just one of 48 cadets from across the country selected for the course.
“I’m excited for the wings because they are both the combination of years of training and the physical manifestation of the grit I will have shown during the course,” said Peredery, who joined Army Cadets six years ago.
“Second, I am excited to jump from a plane because it’s a literal plane that is flying through the air, and I will be exiting it with only a little cloth and a lot of training.”
The Canadian Cadet Program is open to all youths between the ages of 12-18. The program helps develop confidence, leadership skills and lasting friendships while promoting physical fitness and healthy living. For more information, visit www.canada.ca/join-cadets.
