Rob Lussier

Sales rep Rob Lussier of Sutton – Harrison Realty in Brandon, Man. was recently promoted to the rank of captain and commanding officer of 2520 Royal Canadian Army Cadets. Lussier re-enlisted in the military two years ago when he heard that the cadets needed a training officer. Working with youth between the ages of 12 and 18 is far different from his prior quarter-century of military service as a weapons technician repairing tanks, howitzers and machine guns. As captain, he takes on the responsibility of overseeing 30 cadets and four staff.  Despite a busy real estate and volunteer schedule, he says he is pleased to devote much of his spare time to the Cadet Program.

“I joined the cadets when I was 14 and living in Nanaimo, B.C., so I know the value of the program,” says Lussier. “We’re training young people to be leaders. The emphasis is on citizenship, leadership and skills that the kids don’t learn in school. It’s an outstanding program sponsored by the Department of National Defence.  It gives kids a lot of opportunities.”

With drugs, gangs and other bad influences available to youth, Lussier jokes that the cadets can also offer a certain gang experience. “We’re a really big gang – we’re right across Canada!  But with the cadets, there’s an opposite outcome. Kids can often find a sense of direction and see possibilities for their future.”

Lussier also donates his time to the Kiwanis Club.  Two years ago he was appointed lieutenant governor for the province of Manitoba and became responsible for eight Kiwanis clubs. These clubs have been involved in valuable projects such as supporting the Special Olympics, funding pools and playgrounds, awarding academic scholarships, contributing to social housing and providing CPR mannequins.