Army Cadet Corps holds change of command ceremony

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3061 Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps members pose with the incoming and outgoing Commanding Officers. Front row: Supply Officer Lt. Aven Tremblett, Warrant Officer Chance Fiessel, Incoming Commanding Officer Captain Doug Marietta, Outgoing Commanding Officer Captain Ed Bishop, and Captain Michelle Carroll-Leonard, Admin Officer. – Lucie Roy Photos

by Lucie Roy

The Cadets and officers of 3061 (1 CER) Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps (RCACC) held their Change of Command Ceremony May 27. After 11 years as Commanding Officer, Captain Ed Bishop relinquished command of the 3061 RCACC to Captain Doug Marietta. Captain Pat Neilson witnessed the change of command on behalf of the Commanding Officer of the Regional Cadet Support Unit (RCSU) North West.

Bishop said when he retired from the military in 1977 he was not done with the uniform just yet. Owning a business in Morinville, Roadrunners Equipment, and as a member of the Morinville Legion the call went out for volunteers to help start a cadet Corp in town. “Thanks to the Mayor at that time-Ted Code who is our long time Cadet League Rep. So in late 1997 the Corp started as an Associate of the Westlock Corp and I paraded as a Warrant officer and in 1998 joined Cadet Instructors Cadre (CIC) officer and in 1999 the Corp stood up as a Corp,” Bishop said.

In 2002 Bishop was presented with the Queens Golden Jubilee Medal. Bishop said the first Commanding Officer (CO) was Captain Trent Kane who moved on to start a family in 2003. Bishop became the CO at that time. “So here we are today and it is finally time to move in after 11 years as the CO and almost 42 years in one uniform or another,” Bishop said during the ceremony, adding Remembrance Day 2014 will be the last official function and that he will be releasing at that time.

The incoming CO is no stranger to the cadets. Captain Doug Marietta said he joined cadets in 1973 with the 533 Air Cadets Squadron in St. Albert. “I have been working with cadets for about 25 years” he said. “I started as a volunteer with 533 RCACS in St. Albert when my first son joined. Then stayed till my second son transferred to army cadets (1809 RCACC). At this time I was asked to join the CIC, which was in 2001. [I] was with 1809 RCACC until 2013 at this time, was asked to join 3061 RCACC Morinville.” Marietta has been involved with the cadets in Morinville for one year. As for being the Co, Marietta said, “I am looking forward to it. [I’m] pleased. It is a great group of kids.”

After the signing of the Change of Command Certificates was the symbolic handover of the flag, from Cadet Warrant Officer Chance Fiessel to outgoing Co Ed Bishop, from Bishop to Captain Neilson on behalf of Commanding Officer of RCSU(NW) and from Neilson to incoming CO Captain Marietta. Both the incoming and outgoing COs addressed the eighteen cadets on parade and audience.

The event included the presentation of the Canadian Decoration medal clasp to the Corp Admin Officer Captain Michelle Carroll-Leonard for more than 23 years service.

ORIGINAL STORY BELOW

by Lucie Roy

A Change of Command Ceremony for the 3061 1 CER RCACC (Combat Engineer Regiment Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps) took place May 27 at the Morinville Curling Club with incoming Commanding Officer Captain Doug Marietta taking over for outgoing Commanding Officer Captain Ed Bishop.

Formed Nov. 1, 1999 with 39 members under the sponsorship of the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 176, 3061 1 CER RCACC has been active in the community for the past decade and a half. Their Unit of Affiliation is 1 Combat Engineer Regiment and their support base is CFB Edmonton.

The cadets will have their annual ceremonial review and awards night at the curling arena June 3.

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Captain Marietta, the new CO for the 3061 1 CER Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps taking the parade and saluting during the march past.

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The Change of Command Ceremony for the 3061 1 CER RCACC took place May 27 for incoming Commanding Officer Captain Doug Marietta. Outgoing CO Captain Ed Bishop signed the Change of Command Certificate and Captain Pat Neilson witnessed on behalf of the Commanding Officer of RCSU (NW).

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