Building Shelter, Building Skills: 707 Air Cadets at Fall FTX

As part of our recent field training exercise (FTX), cadets constructed improvised shelters using tarps and materials available in the field. Eleven cadets elected to stay in their shelters overnight, putting their fieldcraft skills to the test in an outdoor environment.

Among them were Cpl Patel and LAC Choy, who found the overnight stay to be an opportunity to practise their skills and spend time with fellow cadets.

“It was pretty good. We built our shelter well, and it was a good time to bond with friends,” they said. “Despite being outside, it was a time we could talk, play around, and spend time together.”

Working together throughout the activity was also an important part of the experience. Cpl Patel and LAC Choy added that it helped them “build relationships and closeness as cadets” through constructing the shelter and spending time outdoors together.

Both cadets stated they would take part in the activity again, describing it as a way to continue developing their skills while spending time with their peers.

“It would be an experience to develop the skills we gained, and it was fun and a way to bond with others,” they remarked.

Cpl Patel and LAC Choy identified shelter building as a unique part of their cadet experience. They expressed that the activity helped them develop the skills needed to build a shelter while encouraging them to “explore different things” and step outside their comfort zones.

Written by Sgt Ng

Photos by FSgt Hu, Sgt Choy, FCpl Ho