We regret to advise of the death of Lieutenant-Colonel Michael Edward "Mike" Neil, CD (Ret’d) after a long illness on 11 March 2001 at the age of 59 years.
Mike was born in Rossland BC and started his lifetime association with the Royal Canadian Cadet movement by joining 1615 Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps (RCACC) in Rossland High School. After two years he enlisted in the Primary Reserve and served with 44 Field Squadron in Trail BC, followed by 12 Service Battalion in Vancouver, BC where he attained the rank of Warrant Officer. In 1970, he returned to the Cadets where he was commissioned and served as a Cadet Instructor Cadre officer for the remainder of his life.
During his career in the cadet program, he commanded 2927 RCACC in Port Moody BC and 1838 RCACC in Maple Ridge BC. He served at the Vernon Army Cadet Summer Training Centre from 1961 to 1992 in numerous functions including Platoon Commander, Training Officer and Company Commander. In 1989 he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and took command of the Vernon Cadet Camp, remaining in that position until 1992. He was the first Cadet Instructor Cadre officer to command the Vernon Army Cadet Camp. In 1992 Mike moved to Ottawa to work in the Directorate of Cadets. Over the nine years before his death he made many significant contributions to the Army Cadet training program, the national marksmanship program, the Dominion of Canada Rifle Association, the annual Cadet Summer Training Centre programs, the Army Cadet summer exchange program, the Youth Initiative additional weekend training and the new Army Cadet adventure training program.