Celebrating with the new Mounties in Regina
We’re still in Regina for my son’s RCMP graduation. Yesterday was a day of ceremonies initiating the new Mounties into “the Force” – starting with the swearing-in.
With a few documents signed, they are no longer “Cadets”, now “Constables” – the next ceremony was for the troop members to remove the light-blue “cadet” epaulets from each other’s uniforms.
The Yukon and RCMP “M” Division flags hanging from the ceiling of the Drill Hall.
Forming outside for the graduating troop’s final drill. The cadets running on the right are newly-arrived – they wear running shoes and everything is done double-time. The cadets to the left have their “high browns” (high brown boots – which I hear take a very long time to break in!) so are well into their 24 weeks at Depot.
Cadets getting used to some of the cold realities of policing in a Canadian winter.
A bugler calls the cadets and officers in to the Drill Hall.
The graduating troop leads the march into the hall, with all the cadets applauding as they pass.
The Sergeant-Major doing some fancy stepping. I was very impressed by every one of the officers I heard and spoke to – without exception, these are people who believe in what they’re doing and who care about the people put in their charge for 24 weeks.
The table being readied here holds 27 shiny new badges. I expected the badge presentation ceremony to be the most emotional but wasn’t for some reason.
This is the final reward – the red serge uniform and an RCMP badge.
Last night was the banquet, with lots of emotional speeches, and portraits of the new officers with family members being shot. After the pageantry of the day the mood was quite sombre – there are major changes occurring in a lot of lives starting in a few hours. People in this photo are lined up to take pictures of the troop’s ceremonial cake.
This morning, it’s -22°C with a -30 wind chill. I’d like to just stay cozy in our hotel room but at noon Cathy, my daughter and I will be flying to Calgary. My son and his partner are already on their way back to Whitehorse to finish packing for the move to their first posting – as with most of the Troop, they’ll be in western Canada, fairly easy for me to get to (only a 30-hour drive 🙂 ).
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