My last week at Depot was all about graduation, all the tests were done, all chances of failing out where gone. Now we could enjoy some of the traditions that Depot had to offer.
I can't remember everything that happened this week since I am writing this about 2 months after I graduated, but here is what I remember.
The C.O's inspection was the biggest thing that worried me this week. It was just like the T.O's inspection but this time the commanding officer of Depot was talking to you while our drill corporal ripped apart our pits, plus you are in red serge. I ended up with no problems in my pit, along with my pit partner (who almost failed the T.O's inspection, nice improvement Darren)! So when that was done we had to run off to get our pictures taken in our serge and have our troop photos done. Then we had to get into our regular uniforms for what was one of many drill practices, since our passout performance was on Thursday.
Wednesday brought us our regimental dinner, one of the only times we would ever be allowed in the officers mess (usually you have to be an officer to eat there). The dinner was filled with tradition, as it was meant to mimick the Journey West that was done by the first members of the RCMP back in the 1800's. This meant there was no butter or dressing on anything (they couldn't take butter with them on a wagon across the prairie) and we ate buffalo. Overall the night was amazing, just seeing the history of that building was a treat in itself but also being able to listen to Chief Superintendent Tugnum tell the history of some of the items was even better. There is also the tradition that no one can leave the table while dinner is on, so for about 1 1/2 hours if you had to go to the bathroom, too bad.
Thursday brought us our passout drill presentation. It what we had been practicing day after day for. I was nervous getting ready for it, but when it came time to do it, I felt that I was ready for it. The presentation went off without a hitch; it was our best performance of the drill moves that we ever did.
Friday was our last day, all we did was get our final evaluations from our instructors and start to pack up our dorm and get ready to leave Depot.
Monday brought us the day that we had long waited to come. The six months of getting up at 5:30am, the daily stress of shooting, running, marching, studying and living with 30 other people was in preperation for this day. We started the day with our last drill pratice, thank God! Then it was time for our swearing in cerimony, where we would offically become mounties. We were arranged in a semi-circle and read off the three oaths of office. Then came the removing of the cadet epilets. Then we were off to change into our red serge for noon parade. Thankfully it was not a typical August day, it was nice and cool so we didn't sweat to death in our serges while on parade. After that we performed our drill presentation for our families. Again, Troop 35 performed the drill perfectly.
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