The Royal Canadian Air Cadets (RCAirC) is a Canadian national youth program sponsored by the Canadian Forces (CF) and the civilian Air Cadet League of Canada (ACL). Administered by the Canadian Forces, the program is funded through the Department of National Defence (DND) with the civilian partner providing support in the local community.
Overview
editAlong with the Royal Canadian Sea Cadets and Royal Canadian Army Cadets, the RCAirC forms part of the Canadian Cadet Organization. Though the RCAirC, and the other cadet programs, have a close relationship with the CF, cadets are not members of the Forces, and are not expected to join the Canadian Forces[1]. In keeping with Commonwealth custom, the Royal Canadian Air Cadets stand last in the order of precedence, after the Royal Canadian Sea and Army Cadets.
Young men and women between the ages of 12 and 18 may join the RCAirC, free of charge. The organization and rank system of the former Royal Canadian Air Force is used, but cadets have no power of command over any CF member. Adult leadership is provided by officers of the Canadian Forces Cadet Instructor Cadre, supplemented by contracted Civilian Instructors, authorized adult volunteers, and on occasion, officers and non-commissioned members of other CF branches. Cadet Instructors Cadre (CIC) members are specially trained to deliver the Royal Canadian Sea, Army, and Air Cadet Program, and are drawn from all walks of life; however, if a generalization may be made, former cadets, former long-service Regular and Reserve CF members, and the parents of long-time cadets are the primary sources for new CIC officers.
Aim
editThe aim of Royal Canadian Air Cadets is to develop in youth the attributes of good citizenship and leadership; promote physical fitness; and stimulate the interest of youth in the sea, land, and air activities of the Canadian Forces. The RCAirC shares these aims with the Sea and Army Cadets; however, each focuses on its own parent element. [2]
History
editEarly days
editIn...
Evolution
editChanged from a...
Women
editFirst allowed to joined in 1980
Today
editSumming-up...
Squadrons
editIn addition to the mandatory weekly training, there are additional regularly scheduled activities that cadets can participate in at their local squadrons. These include band, range, biathlon, military drill practice, and ground school instruction in preparation for gliding and flying scholarship courses.
Throughout the year there are also several extra exercises organized by the local squadrons. Survival exercises, participation in Remembrance Day ceremonies, and familiarization flights are all common activities.
Individual cadets belong to units called Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadrons (RCACS) which are the basic operating units of the program. Each squadron comprises Canadian Forces Officers of the Reserve Cadet Instructors Cadre, often assisted by Civilian Instructors (CI), and cadets.
The entirety of a given squadron divides itself into various flights, following the Air Force organizational system. Under this system, cadets become members of a flight under a senior cadet and, often, a commissioned officer of the CIC, although the officer position is sometimes filled by a civilian. Cadets parade by their flights and are expected to route grievances and requests through the chain of command, running either directly from their Flight Sergeant (an appointment, distinct from the rank) to their Flight Commander, ideally, a commissioned officer of the CIC, to the Executive Officer (XO) to the Commanding Officer (CO) or from their Flight Sergeant to the Deputy Squadron Warrant Officer, (DSWO, second-senior cadet in a unit), to the Squadron Warrant Officer (SWO, the senior cadet in a unit). The chain stops at the level able to deal with a concern - for example, a cadet's request for a new item of uniform might result in the Flight Commander giving approval, and directing the cadet to visit Stores.
All but the smallest squadrons staff several departments, typically including Training, Administration, and Supply, while larger units maintain training-support organisations, including Range, Ground School, in preparation for power and gliding training, and PERI (Physical Education and Recreational Instruction).
Training, Administration, Supply, Band, Range, and Ground School, operate under the direction of a CIC officer, possibly with an adult assistant, and a senior cadet, while PERI is often run by a senior cadet. Units generally adhere to the school schedule, meeting weekly for mandatory training, and carrying out additional training on weekends and other weeknights. The primary meeting is referred to as a parade night; any training taking the unit away from its home is generally termed an exercise.
Primary Departments
edit- The Training Department consists of the Training Officer (TrgO), Training Warrant Officer or Sergeant (TrgWO/Sgt), and a staff of senior cadets and adult staff, often with other duties within the unit, serving as instructors for the Level Training Program - the basic Air Cadet syllabus. The TrgWO/Sgt is often responsible for maintaining each cadet's training record, as well as handling resources and rating instructors.
- The Administration Department consists of the Administration Officer (AdmO) and Administration Warrant or Sergeant (AdmWO/Sgt). Administration handles all incoming and outgoing mail, as well as maintaining squadron records other than those specifically handled by Training or Supply.
- The Supply (or Stores) Department is composed of a Supply (or Stores) Officer, sometimes assisted by a senior cadet. The Supply Department is responsible for all equipment belonging to the squadron; however, Supply tends to be primarily concerned with issuing cadets uniforms and related gear - bands often deal with their own gear, as do competitive teams.
Other Groups
edit- Range Team: Most units will have at least one trained Range Safety Officer (RSO) and conduct, as part of the mandatory training programme, training in safe and effective marksmanship using either the Daisy Air Rifle, which is not rated as a firearm, and thus may be used in almost any location of sufficient size, or, with the proper indoor or outdoor firing range, the .22 calibre Lee Enfield or Anschütz bolt action target rifles. A number of squadrons field range teams, competing in cadet tri-service matches at the area, regional, and national level, while others simply offer a well-supervised recreational shooting program.
- The .22 rifles are, today, usually held by squadrons fielding a biathlon team. The Lee-Enfields are, except for the barrel, virtually indistinguishable from those used by Commonwealth forces in WWII and Korea, while the Anschutz are purpose-made target rifles. Recently, concern over lead levels resulted in the closure of indoor small-arms ranges used by cadets, causing many units to search for appropriately certified and willing civilian outdoor ranges. Firearms safety is given the highest priority throughout this training.
- Biathlon: An increasing number of RCAirC Squadrons have formed biathlon teams, adding a new aspect to the long-standing marksmanship programs, and encouraging a high degree of athleticism and physical fitness. Alongside those other benefits, it offers an alternate focus for land-locked units unable to offer a local sailing program. Ideally, cadets train and compete with Anschutz .22 target rifles; however, due to a lack of suitable ranges, some squadrons train with air rifles in accordance with Olympic marksmanship standards.
- Band: Most units larger than thirty people will try to support some sort of musical ensemble, whether drum and bugle, drum and bell (glockenspiel), a military band, or just a drum line. A very few squadrons have a piper or two, while an even smaller group maintain pipe bands, rare due to the comparative expense of the instruments and rarity of instructors.
- Ground School: Most squadrons will operate some sort of flight-training preparatory program, to assist senior cadets applying for power and glider pilot scholarships. Subjects covered include...
- Canteen: Typically operated as a sort of joint venture between individual squadrons and their sponsoring groups, the Canteen typically sells pop, chips, and the like at breaks in training. Some also offer cadets various necessities such as thread, boot polish, and starch. More ambitious squadrons canteens offer unit clothing, typically sweatshirts, T-shirts, belt buckles and the like, suitably emblazoned with unit insignia, mottos, and the like.
Sponsoring Group
editEach squadron generally relies on some community group to provide funding for items not covered by DND. Typically, this will be an AirCL branch - essentially a parent committee - but may be a Royal Canadian Legion branch, or some similar service club; i.e. Lions, Rotary, etc. Air Cadet League branches generally rely on community support, in the form of direct donations of money and goods, trusts, and various forms of fund-raising efforts. These last include sale of various items, much like bake and chocolate bar sales, street-corner pin and tag sales by cadets, and funds raised through the attached cadet unit's own canteen.
Items funded by the sponsoring group include:
- Accommodations for parade nights; local schools and community centres are typical, but some units are able to use Reserve armouries. A very few have their own building. Regardless of the building, the location the unit parades at tends to be referred to as "the barracks," despite a general lack of overnight housing. Most unit accommodations will feature a large, covered area suitable for use as a winter parade square.
- Transportation: some units, especially rural ones, provide a pickup service for some or all activities, using their own bus. Transportation for larger events is often provided by DND or by using chartered coach buses.
- Optional Training, which includes everything not funded by DND, such as additional flight training, extra weekends, and the like.
- Liability and other insurance.
Training and ranks
editWinter training
editFor a more complete discussion of RCAirC Winter Training, please see Royal Canadian Air Cadet Training Each squadron trains one night per week — a "parade night" — covering the local training program. These activities are prescribed by the national Director of Cadets and outlined in course training plans distributed to each squadron.[3] During the first four years in the cadet program, a cadets attends classes covering a range of topics including citizenship, leadership, instructional techniques, and a large number of aviation topics.[4] In the fifth and subsequent years, cadets will generally be assigned to instruct these classes to the younger cadets. This weekly training begins in September and continues until June, and is offered in about 450 air cadet squadrons located in every province and territory in Canada.
Rank
editA person joining the Air Cadet program holds the rank of "Air Cadet" (AC). Appointment to higher ranks occurs after the cadet has met certain nationally prescribed standards and possibly additional standards prescribed by the local squadron.[5]
Responsibilities are given to cadets upon reaching corporal, the first NCO rank, generally as assistants to a more senior cadet - often as second-in-command of a flight. Sergeants are responsible for most of the day-to-day activities of the squadron. Flight Sergeants supervise the Sergeants, or use them as assistants. Ideally, each flight will be run by a Flight Sergeant, although, in reality, Sergeants often take this role. Warrant Officers handle administrative tasks in close conjunction with the officer staff of the squadron, assisting with administration, logistical, leadership, and training work, though, in smaller squadrons, these roles will often be filled by more junior cadets.
As a note, the official phrasing for those ranks not intrinsically containing "Cadet" uses the word as a preface, thus, as an example, Cadet Corporal. However, outside of Cadet Administrative and Training Orders (CATO), and Queen's Regulations and Orders (Cadets) (QR&O(Cdt)), custom omits "Cadet" in casual reference [6]. Thus, Corporal is the customary rendering. Generally, where there is a need to distinguish between cadets and Canadian Forces members, ranks will be written or spoken as Cadet Corporal and abbreviated as C/Cpl.
Additionally, while it is customary within the organization to refer to a cadet receiving a rank as being "promoted", the official documentation refers to such an act as an "appointment."
| Air Cadet - Cadet de l’Air Deuxième Classe | Leading Air Cadet - Cadet de l’Air Première Classe | Cadet Corporal - Caporal |
|---|---|---|
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For promotion to LAC (Cdt 1), a cadet must: 
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For promotion to C/Cpl (Cpl), a cadet must:
|
| Sergeant - Sergent | Flight Sergeant - Sergent de Section |
|---|---|
For promotion to Sgt (Sgt), a cadet must:
|
For promotion to FSgt (SgtS), a cadet must:
|
| Warrant Officer Second Class - Adjudant Deuxième Classe | Warrant Officer First Class - Adjudant Première Classe |
|---|---|
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For promotion to WO2 (Adj 2), a cadet must: thumb|80px|left|Worn on the lower arms
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For appointment to WO1 (Adj 1), a cadet must: thumb|80px|left|Worn on the lower arms
|
Forms of Address
edit- Junior Cadets are typically addressed by their last name by all ranks; however, a superior might address them as simply "Cadet" or "LAC" especially in situations where names aren't known, as at multi-unit events.
- Both grades of Sergeant, and Corporals, are typically addressed by their juniors as "(Rank) So-and-So," or, conversationally, as "(Rank)." Superiors and equals will often use last name only.
- Warrant Officers are addressed by their juniors as "Sir" or "Ma'am." Superiors and equals might use a contraction of the rank - "Warrant," or possibly substitute "Mr." or "Miss" for the rank. Superiors and equals will rarely use last name only.
- Additionally, cadets often hold an appointment in addition to their rank, and many of these are used as an alternate form of address.
- In formal situations; for example, being called up for an award or promotion; a cadet's full rank is generally used; i.e., "Leading Air Cadet."
Flying
edit
Each year, 22,000 junior air cadets participate in familiarization gliding flights during the spring and fall. In summer, 320 senior cadets earn their Transport Canada Glider Pilot Licence through the Air Cadet Gliding Scholarship. An average of 55,000 glider flights are done every year. Gliding familiarization – better known as glider famil flights - occurs at over 50 locations across Canada. Flights take place on weekends from March to June and from September to December. In addition to flying, junior air cadets become part of the glider ground crew. Cadets learn how to position the gliders for take-off and help retrieve them after they land. The cadets also learn signal operations, and help with the set-up and take-down of the airfield. All Air Cadets are given the chance to go up in a glider. The Schweizer SGS 2-33 is the glider used in the Air Cadet Gliding Program.
Familiarization flights are a learning experience. Before getting in the glider, a member of the crew will give cadets a pre-flight briefing. They will explain how a preflight inspection is done and what all the instruments in the glider are for. During the flight, the pilot will show cadets how the controls of the aircraft work and what an aerodrome circuit is.
In Canada, the majority of glider pilots licenses are earned by Royal Canadian Air Cadets [7]. Cadets must be 16 to hold a Glider Pilot Licence.
Each year, 250 air cadets earn their Transport Canada Private (power) Pilot Licence through the Air Cadet Flying Scholarship program. This scholarship is available to cadets aged 17 and 18. Cadets are selected for this scholarhip based on their cadet performance, academic performance, a written examination, a letter of interest, and an interview.
Summer Training
editFor a more complete discussion of RCAirC Summer Training, please see Royal Canadian Air Cadet Training
Summer Training Centres, officially termed as Air Cadet Summer Training Centres, and referred to colloquially year-round as "camps," and, by their summer residents, as "the base," provide additional training intended to support or complement that offered at the home unit from September to June. Across the board, cadets applying for summer training must have 75% attendance over the winter training year, as well as meeting various course prerequisites.
Summer training facilities are staffed by members of the Canadian Forces, primarily members of the CIC, but also including other branches of the CF, and senior cadets selected for employment as staff cadets. Air Cadet STCs are commanded by a CIC officer of the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel. Most employ staff cadets at the ranks of Sergeant through Warrant Officer First Class, with a WOI being appointed as Wing Warrant Officer. Additionally, some employ staff cadets at the rank of Corporal for support positions. Staff cadets are paid at a percentage of a CF Officer Cadet's (officer trainee) basic pay.
Over 10,000 Air Cadets take part in summer training, delivered at summer training centres across the country. The courses offered are divided into familiarization, introductory specialty, and advanced speciality courses. After successfully completing a summer course, cadets are presented with a qualification badge to place on their uniform. These badges, along with a description of each course, may be seen at Royal Canadian Air Cadet Training.
Introductory courses
- Basic Air Cadet
- Cadet Musician - Basic
- Pipes and Drums - Basic
Introductory specialty courses
- Introduction to Leadership
- Introduction to Survival Training
- Introduction to Aviation
- Introduction to Physical and Recreational Training
- Introduction to Aerospace
- Cadet Musician
Advanced specialty courses
- Senior Leadership
- Gliding Scholarship
- Flying Scholarship
- Survival Instructor
- Athletic Instructor
- Air Traffic Control (former)
- Airport Operations
- Technical Training
- Introduction to Rifle Coaching
- Introduction to Instruction
- Service Band
- Pipes and Drums Levels 1-5
- International Air Cadet Exchange
Cadets may also apply for a number of tri-service courses, some hosted by Sea Cadet Summer Training Centres - as Athletic Instructor is at HMCS Ontario - and others held on Army or Air Cadet facilities. Currently, Athletic Instructor and various forms of music training are offered as tri-service to some extent.
Current Air Cadet Summer Training Centres
edit- Albert Head ACSTC, Albert Head, British Columbia: Albert Head Cadet Summer Training Centre Website;
- CSTC Bagotville, Quebec: Bagotville Cadet Summer Training Centre Website;
- CSTC Blackdown, Ontario: Blackdown Cadet Summer Training Centre Website;
- CSTC Cold Lake, Alberta: Cold Lake Cadet Summer Training Centre Website;
- CSTC Connaught, Ontario: Connaight Cadet Summer Training Centre Website;
- CSTC Greenwood, Nova Scotia: Greenwood Cadet Summer Training Centre Website;
- SCSTC HMCS Acadia, Nova Scotia: HMCS Acadia Cadet Summer Training Centre Website;
- SCSTC HMCS Ontario, Ontario: HMCS Ontario Cadet Summer Training Centre Website;
- SCSTC HMCS Québec, Québec: [1] NCSM Québec Cadet Summer Training Centre Website (Available only in French)
- Penhold ACSTC, Penhold, Alberta: Penhold Air Cadet Summer Training Centre Website;
- CSTC Trenton, Ontario: Trenton Cadet Summer Training Centre Website;
- CSTC Valcartier, Quebec: Valcartier Cadet Summer Training Centre Website;
- CSTC Whitehorse, Yukon: Whitehorse Cadet Summer Training Centre Website;
- Eastern Region Cadet Music School, Quebec: Eastern Region Cadet Music School Website;
- Regional Gliding School (Atlantic), Nova Scotia: Regional Gliding School (Atlantic) Website;
- Regional Gliding School (Central), Ontario: Regional Gliding School (Central) Website;
- Regional Gliding School (Eastern), Quebec: Regional Gliding School (Eastern) Website;
- Regional Gliding School (Pacific), British Columbia: Regional Gliding School (Pacific) Website;
- Regional Gliding School (Prairie), Manitoba: Regional Gliding School (Prairie) Website;
- International Air Cadet Exchange: International Air Cadet Exchange Website;
Former Air Cadet Summer Training Centres
edit- Any? Stretch back into the ages, here!
Miscellaneous
editFlags
edit| |
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The RCAirC Banner is flown only on important ceremonial occasions to indicate the presence of a formed body of cadets, and, at the end of useful life, is deposited, after the manner of colours, in some suitable location. The Banner was presented in 1991 at the Senior leadership School at CFB Cold Lake.
The RCAirC Ensign is flown at the Squadron, often as part of a flag party, and is always flown from a mast or pole at RCAirC summer training centres.
The Squadron Banner is flown by specific squadrons as their unit identifier; the squadron's name and number are embroidered in place of "Squadron Banner" and "000."
In some squadrons, the Ensign and Squadron Banner are carried by a flag party with the Canadian flag (see image in the Local training section above), despite Canadian Forces regulations being for one- or two-flag parties only.
Badge
editThe emblem (seen at the head of the page) consists of a circle surrounded by a wreath of maple leaves, superimposed with a flying eagle, the head to the sinister. The whole is ensigned by the Royal crown proper - fashioned as a St. Edward's Crown - to symbolise the Canadian Monarch as the Cadets' source of authority. All of the above rests on a scroll depicting the words "Royal Canadian Air Cadets/Cadets de l'aviation royale du Canada". It is worn as a brass badge on the wedge cap and other formal headdress, or as an embroidered patch on the all-weather jacket.
Motto
editThe Air Cadet motto is "To learn. To serve. To advance." [6]
Key personages
editAir Commodore of the Royal Canadian Air Cadets
editSince 1983, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, as a member of Canada's Royal Family, has served as Air Commodore of the Royal Canadian Air Cadets.
Canadian Forces Senior Members
editChief - Reserves and Cadets
Since late 2004, this post has been filled by Major General H.M. Petras, CMM, CD. MajGen Petras' biography
Director General Reserves and Cadets
Since 2006, this post has been filled by Commodore J.G.V. Tremblay, CD. Cmdr Tremblay's biography
Director of Cadets
Since late 2003, the post has been filled by Colonel R.J.A. Perron, CD. Col Perron's biography
 |
Honorary Members
edit- Any current or former?
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ National Defence Act The act enabling the creation of cadet organizations. See Section 46.
- ^ http://www.cadets.ca/about-nous/overview_e.asp Cadet program overview
- ^ http://www.cadets.ca/support/trg-instr/3_e.asp The Air Cadet course training standards and plans
- ^ About Air Cadets. The National Defence website providing an overview of the Air Cadet program.
- ^ http://cadets.forces.gc.ca/_docs/qr-cadets/QR_Cdts/4.01-4.99_b.pdf QR&O(Cdts) 4.11(c) Ranks reference
- ^ a b Level one training handbook The Air Cadet level one training handbook (7.7 MB pdf)
- ^ Transport Canada licencing statistics. Licencing statistics for comparison with the number of cadet glider scholarship recipients.
External links
editCategory:Air Cadet organisations
Category:Canadian Cadet organizations
Category:Youth organizations based in Canada