On my son’s 15th birthday today I’m reflecting on leadership lessons and opportunities not taken.
I attended the 57th Annual Ceremonial “Passing Out” Parade of the Ivanhoe Grammar School Cadet Unit.
Heavy rain meant that all the drilling and preparations the Corps and orchestra put in were not needed today. The parade was canceled and the ceremony was held in Buckley Hall, brimming with ceremonial swords, pikes, flags, uniformed students, honoured guests and parents. Although they didn’t get to perform their drills, I’m sure the experience of relentless practicing as a group will have taught the cadets something about discipline and teamwork that they won’t forget.
In my school days, I extended my mandatory (now voluntary) 1st year as a cadet, to become a corporal.Leading and disciplining my cadets was a challenge. I was a late bloomer in year 10, shorter than most a year below me, and my platoon of year 9 cadets contained some of the most unruly students in the whole year. Maintaining discipline and control was difficult. I managed a detente with the worst of the ratbags, but this was at the expense of maintaining integrity and respect for other leaders in the unit. Yes, I turned a blind eye to some shenanigans and was also a bit of a b*stard… doling out too many push-ups to others that probably didn’t deserve it as much as these other guys.
On reflection, these mistakes have stayed with me and I’ve been able to learn and improve my leadership.
Seeing the two Year 12 students, one boy and one girl, take out the best platoon and best drilling awards made me realise what opportunities I threw away by discontinuing in Year 11 to slack off with my mates in study hall.
I was heartened to hear that my son, who turned 15 today, wants to continue next year. With some guidance from me, which I sorely needed and didn’t get, I’m expecting he will be a better leader than I was and it makes me proud.
Happy Birthday Mitchell, big things to come from you!
Pictured:
1. Mitchell and Me.
2. Australian Army Colonel Hugh Wilkinson, Retiring Honorary Colonel, IGSACU 1999-2018, myself, Incoming Honorary Lt Colonel David Waugh