Interviewed by Ian Lau, Photographed by Shiny Kuo
BCIT is home to countless aspiring professionals. Among these students is Louie Kwok, who recently became one of 30,000 Canadians to receive the King Charles III Coronation Medal for his efforts and contributions as a cadet.
Q: Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your program at BCIT?
I’m Louie Kwok. I’m 17 years old and one of the youngest in my program. I’m in the Commercial Pilot Fixed-Wing program here at the Aerospace Technology Campus.
The program is 64 weeks long and right now we’re starting our flight training, and I’m working towards my private pilot licence.
Q: How did you get involved with the Cadets and what inspired you to join?
My journey started when I was 9 years old. I joined the Navy League close by. As a Navy League cadet, I was inspired. That’s how I learned how to tie my tie. Basic things such as drill and respect. There’s a chain of command in the Cadets and in the military, and that’s how I developed that sort of leadership.
And then I moved on to the Air Cadets. I go to 655 Richmond at Colonel Sherman Armoury. That’s where I spent six years as a cadet building my skills as a leader and as a mentor. Of course, to get to a leadership role, I needed to start off as a junior.
In Cadets, I lead a 60-person band. I led it for two years so far, and we won first place in BC two years in a row. I’m also part of a lot of councils and that’s how I was able to get connections and get nominated for this medal.
Q: What did it mean to you personally to receive the King Charles Coronation medal?
Well, it’s a national honor to receive this medal and I’m really proud of the work that I put in. But it also shows that I need to give back to be worthy of this medal and to uphold that standard.
Q: Can you describe the type of service or contributions that led to this recognition?
I directed a lot of community events. I was leading the Richmond Delta Community Band and part of the Cadets. I was the cadet chair for the Lower Mainland Senior Cadet Council, so I was the voice of over 5,000 cadets in the Lower Mainland, and I was selected as one of ten in the Pacific Region’s media team.
So, I’m working in public affairs and sharing my knowledge and getting knowledge as well. Overall, I spent a lot of time and effort into this program, and I think that’s what led me to receive the medal.
Q: Tell us about your overall cadet experience. Were there any achievements that you’re especially proud of?
In terms of achievements, music is a big part of my identity. I grew a lot as a musician, and I was able to mentor a lot of cadets as well. The other half is obviously the aviation aspect.
Over the summer I went to Quebec for a summer job at the Royal Military College as an aerial photographer. I took pictures of aircraft, specifically gliders. Those photos were used for the Air Cadet Flying Program. Hopefully those pictures were able to inspire others as well. So that’s what I’m proud of.
Q: In what ways has your cadet experience complemented your education at the BCIT Aerospace Campus?
With the Air Cadets, I had a lot of ground school knowledge. There is a program called the Air Cadet Flying Program, and they offer ground school. That’s how I was able to gain substantial knowledge to prepare for this program.
Since I had experiences in Quebec watching the glider operations, that helped me get a spot in this commercial pilot program.
Q: What advice would you give to other students interested in getting involved with the Cadets at ATC?
Definitely seize every opportunity, be seen, be known, and be heard. You will never know if you are ready for an opportunity, so just take it anyway.
A lot of my officers tell me Cadets is a sandbox because it’s okay to make mistakes in that environment. Whereas if you make a mistake in the real world, you are gone. Air Cadets is the perfect opportunity to try things out, make mistakes, and grow as an individual.
If students are interested in coming to the Aerospace Campus, study some ground school and be familiar with some of the operations if it’s a pilot program. I’m able to catch up with the ground portion because I’ve had that extensive knowledge.
I can’t really say for maintenance and the management program, but I can definitely say if you’re wanting to become a pilot, study.
Q: What are your plans after graduation? Do you see yourself continuing to serve in some capacity?
Yes, my main goal is to become an airline pilot. As my big goal is to be an airline pilot, I take any flying job to gain my experience before I get there. I intend on serving and joining the CIC in September. The CIC is the Cadet Instructor Cadre, which is essentially becoming a cadet officer. That would be part of the Royal Canadian Air Force as a reservist. That’s what I intend to do.
Q: What are some of the key skills or lessons from your training that have helped you—both professionally and personally?
Leadership, effective speaking, speaking confidently and mentorship. It’s a lot easier to mentor people when you know what you’re talking about because you have the confidence to be able to explain things well. That also leads to more opportunities and then seizing those opportunities just leads to more and more.
Q: Are there any mentors, instructors, or family members you’d like to recognize or give a shoutout to?
The entirety of the 655 Richmond Adult Staff team. They’re a big part of my growth, and they offered me lots of opportunities. And obviously, my family. There were times I wanted to quit, especially during the COVID era where a lot of Cadets was online, but my parents helped me continue. That’s how I became the person I am today.
