The 2556 Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps (RCACC) of Kitimat officially received the Roy Rigby-Jones Award March 4 in a ceremony at Mount Elizabeth Middle Secondary. The prestigious trophy, recognizing the top cadet corps in British Columbia, was presented by Christine Alexander, president of the Army Cadet League of Canada (B.C. Branch), during the corps’ parade.
The award honours the legacy of Major Roy John Rigby-Jones, a Second World War veteran who played a key role in shaping the Army Cadet Program. It is presented annually to a cadet corps that demonstrates exceptional leadership, community involvement, and dedication to youth development.
Gregory Judas, commanding officer of the 2556 RCACC, described the event as a moment of pride for the cadets and the community.
“It was a jubilant atmosphere,” he said. “Lots of people turned out, a lot more than I thought, but we managed to crowd up for a good group photo with all our stakeholders in it. It was a good night.”
Judas noted that the young cadets were thrilled to receive the award and have their efforts recognized.
“The kids were fantastic. We had quite a few people trying to capture the moment on camera, even a professional photographer was there,” he said. “It’s a great feeling knowing that we’re number one in the province.”
The Kitimat corps has grown to 54 cadets, making it the largest north of Kelowna. Judas highlighted the unique strength of the group, emphasizing that its success is not just about numbers but the dedication and character of the cadets.
“I grew up in Chilliwack, which has a significantly larger population than Kitimat, and we only had about 30 cadets at the time,” he said. “But having a corps of 60 in Kitimat, a town of 8,000, that’s impressive. It shows the strength of the cadets themselves.”
He added that many young people are drawn to the cadet program for its structure and outdoor experiences, as well as its connection to the Canadian Armed Forces.
“They love the discipline and the structure, and I think that’s something that’s quite often missed in a lot of programs,” Judas said. “I think they love that structure.”
The 2556 RCACC has been active in the community through initiatives such as the Remembrance Day ceremony, the Royal Canadian Legion’s Poppy Campaign, and a variety of training programs, including drum line, biathlon, marksmanship and expeditions.
