MANITOULIN—Miranda MacKay received a pleasant surprise during Cadet Week celebrations held in Sudbury when she was promoted to a higher rank.
“This weekend (first weekend in October), I was honoured to be promoted to the rank of Lieutenant (Navy) by Brigadier-General (Dominique) Brais,” Ms. MacKay shared on her Facebook page.
“I didn’t expect it at all,” said Lieutenant (Navy) MacKay. “My boss that worked in North Bay played it up saying that (the promotion) was not going to happen soon. She got me.”
Lieutenant Navy MacKay explained “there are not many opportunities for them to surprise anyone because any news like this is posted on the website, but I didn’t see it there.”
“We are all commissioned officers in the CAF (Canadian Armed Forces) except reservists with the cadet program,” said Lieutenant Navy MacKay.
“Miranda received the promotion as the Brigadier-General (Brais) was in Sudbury (for cadet week),” said Tina Davidson, Lieutenant Navy of the Royal Canadian Sea Cadets Corps Manitoulin. This year, Cadet Week also celebrated 50 years of welcoming all genders to the program and for Brigadier-General Brais it was an opportunity to see all the young people under her command, and to visit her hometown corps.
“I am 52 years old, and I was one of the first girls to join the cadets,” said Ms. Davidson, who is originally from Stratford.
Ms. MacKay said, “I joined the Cadets and Junior Canadian Rangers (CJCR) program as a cadet when I was 13. By 15 I knew someday I’d be a Lt(N) like the officers I first met and looked up to, Lt(N) Maggie King (retired) and Lt(N) (Denis) Blake (retired).”
“Fifteen-year-old me didn’t think she would be Lt(N) only 10 years later,” said Lieutenant MacKay. “And she certainly never dreamed of being promoted by the Commander of the CJCR!”
“I am so proud to continue serving the CAF as the Training Officer of RCSCC Manitoulin,” added Lt.(N) MacKay.
Brigadier-General Dominque Brais first became a cadet when she joined the Royal Canadian Sea Cadets Corps Admiral Mountbatten in Sudbury; she is now the commander of cadets and junior Canadian Rangers group.
Cadet Week in Sudbury officially took place October 4-11, beginning with a flag-raising at Tom Davies Square on October 3 before moving to a cadet inspection and parade at the Sudbury Armoury on Riverside Drive.
The cadets performed and were examined by BGen. Brais, while dignitaries and Canadian Forces leaders looked on.
