CRCM Namur
- Feb 25, 2023
- 3 min read

"Marine Cadet Winter Camp 2023: courage and solidarity".

Dear parents and camp participants,

Here is a message from our section commander:

"My team and I would like to thank you for your participation in the Marine Cadet Winter Camp 2023 in Bourg-Leopold. It was a unique and intense experience for all participants and I am proud to announce that you have brilliantly met the challenges that were offered to you.

A total of 96 people participated in the camp, including 60 cadets, 22 non-commissioned officers and 12 officers. The activities were intense and varied, with bivouacs in difficult conditions, regular 15-kilometre marches, and military and security exercises. The cadets also experienced barrack life for a week, giving them a better understanding of how difficult it can be.

Despite the inclement weather of 8 degrees with rain, the participants managed to make the most of the experience. The team spirit was very present among the cadets, who were able to support each other throughout the camp. This solidarity strengthened the bonds between our cadets, who came out of the camp stronger.

I would particularly like to congratulate cadet BAWIN Jérôme for having distinguished himself by being awarded the prize for the most deserving cadet. He stood his ground despite his injuries and continued to march for the last three days of the camp. BRAVO ZULU* to him.

We also had the opportunity to celebrate three cadet birthdays on site, giving the participants a well-deserved break.

Ivan, Timothé and Manoah...HOURRA HOURRA HOURRA HOURRA !!!

Our 2023 winter camp was a real success, thanks to the determination and courage of all our cadets. We hope that this experience has helped them to prepare themselves for the future, and we are proud of all the participants for their achievement.

I would like to congratulate our 9 cadets for their courage and commitment throughout the camp.

In conclusion, I would like to share with you these two proverbs:

"Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts."

Winston Churchill.

This proverb encourages you to persevere despite the difficulties you encounter. It emphasises that failure is not an end in itself, but a step towards success. Indeed, it is by going beyond one's limits, by taking up challenges and overcoming obstacles that one can grow and excel. Thus, it is important to have the courage to keep moving forward, even in difficult times, in order to achieve your goals and dreams.

"Failure is the foundation of success."

Lao Tzu.

This proverb encourages people not to give up when they fail. It emphasises that mistakes and failures are part of the learning process and essential for progress. Indeed, every failure is an opportunity to learn, to question and to improve. It is therefore important not to get discouraged and give up after a failure, but rather to get up, learn from your mistakes and keep moving forward. Next time, with perseverance and determination, those who have given up will be able to achieve their goals and succeed where they failed before.

Yours sincerely

CPT A. MAILLEUX

*Bravo Zulu', a traditional shipboard message where the flags of B and Z stand for 'Congratulations', is also often used by the military in written communications, for example when replying 'BZ' to an email.