Master Warrant Officer (MWO) Simran Gillar, the top ranking cadet of the 3300 RCACC, and other select cadets and youth leaders, were able to meet with dignitaries in the VIP lounge. In an email to her Commanding Officer she says her last summer with the Army Cadet program is off to an excellent start. “We got to chit chat with all the big people! The Defence Minister [Harjit Singh Sajjan] was there and other dignitaries,” she says. “I had the opportunity shake hands with U.S. President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, but no photos sadly. They did not have enough time for that.”

SURREY – The Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM) of the 3300 BC Regiment (Bhai Kanhaiya) Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps (RCACC) of Surrey, the first ever Army Cadet corps formed by the Sikh community, was in Ottawa representing BC Cadets on Parliament Hill during the “Three Amigos” North American Leader’s Summit.

Master Warrant Officer (MWO) Simran Gillar, the top ranking cadet of the 3300 RCACC, and other select cadets and youth leaders, were able to meet with dignitaries in the VIP lounge. In an email to her Commanding Officer she says her last summer with the Army Cadet program is off to an excellent start.

“We got to chit chat with all the big people! The Defence Minister [Harjit Singh Sajjan] was there and other dignitaries,” she says. “I had the opportunity shake hands with U.S. President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, but no photos sadly. They did not have enough time for that.”

She also got to meet and greet Mexican President Enrique Peňa Nieto.

Gillar, who belongs to Canada’s first ever Army Cadet corps formed and supported by the Sikh community, goes on to share: “We were seated in the public gallery and witnessed the speeches made in the House of Commons, which was splendid! Many standing ovations… After all that, the cadets were the only people who later got [to enjoy] a tour of Parliament Hill and the Peace Tower.”

She says she is humbled and honoured to have had this incredible opportunity. She also participating in the Hadfield Youth Summit, a prestigious leadership and youth development event and enjoyed the Canada Day celebrations in the Nation’s Capital with other cadets before returning to BC to spend her summer working at cadet camp.

Major Lee Taylor, Commanding Officer of the 3300 RCACC, says MWO Gillar was selected because she exemplifies the qualities of good leadership and works hard mentoring youth in her corps: “That our RSM got to be in Ottawa, rubbing elbows with all the big shots in North America for the summit meeting – the presidents of the USA and Mexico and our own Prime Minister – and that a 3300 cadet represented all the Army Cadets of BC is a testament to how well our corps is doing.”The 3300 BC Regiment (Bhai 

Kanhaiya) Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps (RCACC) of Surrey is Canada’s first Sikh cadet corps formed and supported by the Sikh community. It was founded in November 2012 with a program that includes Sikh culture and traditions and is open to all youth who are interested to join.

With more than 60 cadets on parade regularly throughout the training year, making it one of Canada’s fastest growing Army Cadet corps.

The name Bhai Kanhaiya, a Sikh renowned for practicing Sewa or acts of selfless service during his life (1648-1718), is incorporated in the name of this 

corps. During the Battle of Anandpur in 1704, Bhai Kanhaiya helped wounded on both sides and later continued his spirit of generosity toward people regardless of religion, nationality, colour, caste, or creed. He is considered a forerunner of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

Cadets and offers of the 3300 RCACC embrace this idea of Sewa and feel it is reflected well in the values taught and learned in the Army Cadet program.

Youth between the ages of 12 – 18 interested in joining the 3300 BC Regiment (Bhai Kanhaiya) RCACC, and their parents, are welcome to attend any of their regular training nights starting in September. The program is offered free of charge to cadets.