MINISTRY OF NATIONAL SECURITY Corporate Communications Unit

ADDRESS BY DEPUTY PERMANENT SECRETARY MINISTRY OF NATIONAL SECURITY DR. WENDY QUAMINA YORKE

AT THE TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO CADET FORCE ANNUAL TRAINING CAMP 2013

Date: Friday, 19th July 2012 Venue: Signal Hill Secondary School Time: 10:00am
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 Representatives of the Tobago House of Assembly; Commandant of the Trinidad and Tobago Cadet Force Colonel Patrick Taylor; Lt. Colonel Ellis Robinson, Camp Commandant; Heads of Divisions, Ministry of National Security; Members of the Cadet Force Advisory Committee; Representatives of the Defence Force and Protective Services; Senior Officers of the Ministry of National Security; Officers and other ranks of the Trinidad and Tobago Cadet Force; Well-wishers;
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 Members of the Media

Good Morning, to all members of the Trinidad and Tobago Cadet Force and distinguished guests. I am indeed pleased to be here, at the Official Opening of the Cadet Force Annual Training Camp 2013. This training camp is a vital one in the annual calendar of events of the Cadet Force, as it is well-known for creating a dynamic, interactive and education-based environment for its young members. During the next few weeks, cadets will have the opportunity to take part in a series of challenging quasi-military-type programmes, entailing a mixture of exciting outdoor exercises, sporting and recreational pursuits. In keeping with Cadet training, this camp will expose its young cadets to numerous important life experiences, and not solely to physical and military-style activities. The Camp environment will also present young cadets with opportunities for social
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interaction and the creation of a sense of solidarity amongst members of the Corps. Ladies and gentlemen, the Trinidad and Tobago Cadet Force is a national youth organization functioning under the guidance of the Ministry of National Security, and open to young people in the secondary school system across Trinidad and Tobago. Its core business is positive youth development. The mandate of the Cadet Force is to create highly-trained, multi-skilled young persons who, upon completion of their Cadet career, are well-prepared and well-rounded for coping with and contributing meaningfully to our society. This is achieved through the Cadet Ethos of building leadership skills, enhancing personal development and imparting a deep sense of civic responsibility. Training camps present an ideal occasion to induct cadets into a lifestyle firmly grounded in the observance of good order, discipline and the ability to differentiate between positive and negative values.

Ladies and gentlemen, as we are all too aware, our countrys social and moral fabric are being constantly challenged, with too many young people falling through the cracks and becoming delinquents. The Ministry of National Security has been aggressively pursuing initiatives aimed at developing the youth of Trinidad and Tobago, and presenting them with viable alternatives to a life of deviant behaviour and crime. The Trinidad and Tobago Cadet Force Programme, our Military Led Apprenticeship Training Programmes, the Citizen Security Programme, the National Mentorship Programme, the Hoop of Life Initiative, and the Police and Fire Service Youth Clubs now have a major role to play in helping to shape our future society, by moulding the minds and spirit of the youth of this country. With the Cadet Force programme being the oldest, all of these programmes aim to provide the youth of Trinidad and Tobago with new skills and new hope for a brighter future. To the cadets taking part in this Training Camp, I encourage you to take full advantage of the many opportunities that will be presented to you for your own self-development.
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Continue to practice the virtues of loyalty, teamwork, selfdiscipline, tolerance and patriotism, and let them always be your guide. To all parents and family members of cadets participating in this Camp, rest assured your young ones are in the right place to develop their great potential. I am sure that the experience they gain here will remain with them and serve as a positive influence for the rest of their lives. Encourage them in their endeavours to strive for success, as they are the ones with the talent to be tomorrows leaders. It now gives me great pleasure to declare the Trinidad and Tobago Cadet Force Annual Training Camp 2013 officially open. I thank you.