Lt. (sg) Dave C. Thompson has served the Cadet Corps since its inception eight years ago; for his dedicated service he is awarded the Cayman Islands Certificate and Badge of Honour.
“I feel that it’s the moral responsibility of every citizen to get involved in activities that will help the youth, the community and the country,” Mr. Thompson says and having served with the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service between 1978 and 1985, he certainly gained a better understanding of the problems facing Cayman’s youth.
“In those days, I worked closely with Juvenile Court staff. They often asked me to counsel troubled youth who came before the Courts about the dangers of a life of crime. It struck me then that reaching young offenders before they went astray would make a world of difference to the community,” he explains.
So when the opportunity to volunteer with the Cadet Corps came knocking in 2002, Mr. Thompson saw it as his chance to help transform young lives in the early stages and to set them on a positive path before negative influences could hold sway.
The Cayman Islands Cadet Corps helps youngsters aged 12 to 17 build character by teaching them life skills as well as practical survival disciplines. Cadet training focuses on leadership, team work, confidence, self-reliance, respect, citizenship and more.
Cadets can also participate in the Business and Technology Education Council programme, and earn up to four GCSEs.
While he has been involved in all aspects of the Cadet Corps, currently, Mr. Thompson’s main role involves training new recruits.
“I feel rewarded when I see young people advance in all areas of their lives,” he says. “I have seen so many grow in confidence, improve their relationships, develop a sense of national pride, live more structured lives and excel academically.”
Expressing joy at his “unexpected honour,” he notes that his success has in large part been due to support from Corps colleagues, as well as from parents, and cadets themselves.
In encouraging others to get involved with transforming the lives of youth, he says, “The days when children were to be seen and not heard are long gone; as a community, we must continue to do all we can to engage youngsters in fostering their own development.”
Mr. Thompson is currently fleet manager at CUC where he has worked for the last 24 years. He is married, and has five children.
