The Ōpōtiki Cadets are conducting rehearsals at the town’s Cenotaph in the runup to Anzac Day.

They are practising organising flags and standing duty as sentries, while new cadets will be responsible for laying wreaths. The unit’s ceremonial duties, which also involve a parade on Armistace Day, are just one part of a varied training programme.

Aged from 13 to 18 years, the cadets meet on Wednesday nights from 4.30pm till 7.30pm at Ōpōtiki College. They are drawn from across the Ōpōtiki district, with some being driven in from as far away as Whakatāne and the Coast.

Captain Lorraine Lawson-Barrett, who has been involved in the voluntary organisation for 20 years, said both her parents were ex-military, and she began working with the cadets as a parent help.

“I see it as a valuable way to provide opportunities for our youth, that is what has kept me involved. These young people take on structure and gain self-confidence. They learn life skills which some would not acquire any other way,” she said.

“So many former cadets have come back to me as adults and said how grateful they were for the training. That’s just as true for those who go on to civilian careers as for those who join the military. All of them can take on structure and gain leadership training and life skills.”

The cadets learn leadership skills and how to problem solve. These attributes are particularly fostered at camps held with other cadet units based across the North Island.

A Battalion Shoot with military reservists was held at the Tamaki Leadership Centre, Whangaparaoa, last month. The Ōpōtiki youngsters were on the Hibiscus Coast to complete the shooting course, a confidence course and leaderless activities.

“Firearms training is comprehensive. Before you get to set foot on the firing range you must learn our safety drills, understand the seven firearms safety rules and be familiar with each part of your rifle.”

The cadets also learned bushcraft, which included old school map and compass navigation skills as well as latest GPS use. Radio telephone communication skills: basic first aid and casualty evacuation were also taught.

The training even comprised “dress and bearing” classes, which included skills as basic as washing, ironing and caring for one’s clothes correctly.

Many youngsters join the youth organisation with the idea of later entering the military as a career, however, the aim is primarily to instil life skills whichever career a young person chooses.

While most travel to camps and events within New Zealand, in the past cadets from Ōpōtiki have attended cadet exchanges in Singapore, Australia, Canada and the UK. One group even attended Anzac Day commemorations at Gallipoli.