The Cadet is a design that is almost as old as the Clans. The design came about was designed in response to a request by the Khans of Clan Diamond Shark for a new mech meant to help train new warriors for the ever expanding sibkos that were taking shape all across clan space. Also, it fullfilled a secondary role as a cheap garrison trooper design to fill out solahma units.
      
       The Cadet so far, has lived up to it's design parameters quite well, as the mech has been distrubuted to just about every Clan in some numbers, either through purchase from the Sharks, or through Trial of Possession. However, other than Clan Diamond Shark, only Clan Coyote, Snow Raven and Blood Spirit produce new Cadets.

          

     The Cadet was based off of the old SLDF Chameleon, of which every clan had in some supply left over from the Exodus, even with the ruinous losses of the Pentagon Civil War. But, with newer weapons technology coming into being, and the Chamelons getting older and no new parts being made for them on the Pentagon worlds, there was a need for a "new Chameleon" .

   The Diamond Sharks were the first to see the need, and they responded with the upgrade in 3012. First, they shaved 5 tons off of the Chameleon's weight, which improved ease of production. They also utilized a weapons fit of (then) tried and true systems mainly picked for their reliability and ease of maintinance.

   It was felt a Standard Engine would keep costs down, and in the resource-poor Pentagon worlds, this was appealing to the Diamond Sharks, even with their relative wealth, but the designers did add Endo Steel, as it did not add as much to the final unit cost, for a significant weight savings. As for weapons, a mix of missile, projectile and beam weapons were chosen so as to allow the prospective mechwarrior the opportunity to train with all types of systems available. Also, the mech was fitted with Jump Jets to allow mobility training, as well as to give it some utility in combat.
    

       The Cadet has been a popular training mech in many a tourman for decades, the mech has been a boon to many of the poorer clans as well, allowing them to fill out solhama clusters relatively easily. In Clan Blood Spirit, the mech is even used in a front line role, as the mech is a very versitile trooper mech, even as a second line design.