Royal Canadian Army Cadets

Overview

Aim

RCAC Badge

History

Early history

Public support

Cadet Instructor Cadre

Strathcona Trust

World Wars

Post-war years

Unification of the Canadian Forces

• QR&O brought Sea and Air Cadet commissioned officers under the single service control of the Canadian Forces and standardized the three Cadet Organizations.
• A directorate of cadets was established in Ottawa, at the Department of National Defence headquarters, to set policy and co-ordinate the activities of the Sea, Army and Air Cadet Organizations.
• The Army Cadet League of Canada was formed in 1971 to provide the Royal Canadian Army Cadets with the same civilian and Canadian Armed Forces partnership structure that was enjoyed by Sea Cadets and Air Cadets through the long established Navy League and the Air Cadet League.
• Officers of the Cadet Services of Canada, The Royal Canadian Sea Cadets and former Royal Canadian Air Force Reserve Cadet Instructors were consolidated in the Cadet Instructor List, which was redesignated the Cadet Instructor Cadre in July 1994.
• The Army Cadet League's Arms, Supporters, Flag and Badge were registered with the Canadian Heraldic Authority on March 31. 1995

  Females in the cadet program

2004 – 125th anniversary

RCAC Training

Optional Training

• Military Band and Pipes Band
• Marksmanship
• Biathlon
• First Aid Program
• Drill Team
• Orienteering
• Rappelling

Star Level Program

• Green Star
• Red Star
• Silver Star
• Gold Star
• Master Cadet

Green Star

• PO 101—Participate in Citizenship Activities: Cadets are introduced to Canadian history, traditions and symbols. Cadets are also introduced to Canada’s political system, along with a high-education of the Canadian Forces.
• PO 102 – Perform Community Service: Cadets are introduced to the concept of volunteerism and importance of community involvement.
• PO 103 – Participate as a Member of a Team: Cadets are introduced to the concept of teamwork and are introduced to the roles of a follower.
• PO 104 – Track Participation in Physical Activities: Cadets are introduced to the importance of physical activity, physical fitness and physical health.
• PO 105 – Participate in Recreational Sports: Cadets participate in a variety of recreational sports, such as running, biking, hiking, marches and swimming activities.
• PO 106 – Fire the Cadet Air Rifle: Cadets are introduced to the operation and safe handling of the Daisy 853c air rifle as well as some basic marksmanship techniques.
• PO 107 – Serve in an Army Cadet Corps: Cadets are introduced to the history and traditions of the Cadet Corps. Cadets are introduced to Green Star and Year 1 training opportunities. Cadets are taught the basic rules with regards to being a cadet.
• PO 108 – Perform Drill Movements During an Annual Ceremonial Review Parade: Cadets are introduced and taught ceremonial drill, in preparation for public parades.
• PO 111 – Participate in Recreational Summer Biathlon: Cadets are introduced to the basics of summer biathlon.
• PO 120 – Participate in Canadian Armed Forces Familiarization Activities: Cadets participate in activities involving CAF members or tradition such as a mess dinner or by having a CAF guest speaker.
• PO 121 – Participate as a Member of a Team During an Overnight Bivouac Field Training Exercise : Cadets are introduced to basic skills for camping such as equipment selection, pitching tents, knot tying, and environmental hazards and injuries.
• PO 122 – Identify Location Using a Map: Cadets are introduced to different types and styles of maps, basic map skills, and how to take a Grid reference.
• PO 123 – Participating in a Day Hike: Cadets are taught how to select appropriate clothing and equipment for a day hike as well as participating in one.

  Red Star

• PO 201 – Participate in Citizenship Activities:
• PO 202 – Perform Community Services:
• PO 203 – Demonstrate Leadership Attributes Within a Peer Setting:
• PO 204 – Track Physical Activity:
• PO 205 – Participate in Recreational Sports:
• PO 206 – Fire the Cadet Air Cadet Rifle During Recreational Marksmanship:
• PO 207 – Serve in an Army Cadet Corps:
• PO 208 – Execute Drill as a Member of a Squad:
• PO 211 – Participate in Competitive Summer Biathlon Activities:
• PO 220 – Participate in Canadian Armed Forces Familiarization:
• PO 221 – Perform the Duties of a Section Member During a Weekend Bivouac Exercise:
• PO 222 – Navigate Along a Route Using a Map and Compass:
• PO 223 – Hike along a Route as Part of an Overnight Exercise:
• PO 224 – Identify Immediate Actions to Take when Lost:

  Silver Star

• PO 301 – Participate in Citizenship Activities:
• PO 302 – Perform Community Service:
• PO 303 – Perform the Role of a Team Leader:
• PO 304 – Track Physical Activity:
• PO 305 – Participate in Recreational Sports:
• PO 306 – Fire the Cadet Air Rifle During Recreational Marksmanship:
• PO 307 – Serve in an Army Cadet Corps:
• PO 308 – Direct a Squad Prior to A Parade:
• PO 309 – Instruct a Lesson:
• PO 311 – Participate in a Recreational Summer Biathlon Activity:
• PO 320 – Participate in Canadian Armed Forces Familiarization
• PO 321 – Perform the Duties of a Team Leader On A Weekend Bivouac Exercise:
• PO 322 – Plot Location on a Topographical Map Using A Global Positioning System Receiver:
• PO 324 – Survive When Lost:
• PO 325 – Identify the Competencies of an Outdoor Leader:
• PO 326 – Perform Expedition Skills:

  Gold Star

• PO 401 - Participate in Citizenship Activities:
• PO 402 - Perform Community Service:
• PO 403 - Act as a Team Leader:
• PO 404 - Track Physical Activity:
• PO 405 - Participate in Recreational Sports:
• PO 406 - Fire the Cadet Air Rifle During Recreational Marksmanship:
• PO 407 - Serve in an Army Cadet Corps:
• PO 408 - Command a Platoon on Parade:
• PO 409 - Instruct a Lesson:
• PO 420 - Participate in Canadian Armed Forces Familiarization
• PO 422 - Follow a Multi-Leg Route Using a Global Positioning System Receiver:
• PO 424 - Employ Natural Resources in a Survival:
• PO 425 - Develop an Expedition Plan:
• PO 426 - Perform Expedition Skills:

  Master Cadet

Summer Training

Summer Training Courses

• General Training.
• Basic Expedition.
• Basic Drill & Ceremonial.
• Basic Fitness & Sports.
• Basic Marksman.
• Basic Military Band.
• Basic Pipes and Drums .
• Fullbore Marksman Phase I .
• Intermediate Military Band.
• Intermediate Pipes and Drums .
• Expedition Instructor .
• Drill and Ceremonial Instructor .
• Fullbore Marksman Phase II .
• Fitness and Sports Instructor .
• Air Rifle Marksmanship Instructor .

• Advanced Military Band.
• Advanced Pipes and Drums .
• Leadership & Challenge
• Canadian Forces Basic Parachutist Course.
• Maple Leaf Exchange*. ***
• National Rifle Team 9 Weeks.
• Voyage In History

Cadet Training Centres

• Blackdown Cadet Training Centre which is located at CFB Borden.
• Argonaut Cadet Training Centre which is located at CFB Gagetown.
• Cold Lake Cadet Training Centre which is located at CFB Cold Lake.
• Connaught Training Centre which is located in Nepean, Ontario.
• Mont St-Sacrement Cadet Music Training Centre which is located in Quebec City.
• Rocky Mountain National Army Cadet Summer Training Centre which is located in Municipal District of Bighorn No. 8.
• Valcartier Cadet Training Centre which is located at CFB Valcartier.
• Vernon Cadet Training Centre which located in Vernon, British Columbia.
• Whitehorse Cadet Training Centre which is located in Whitehorse, Yukon.

• Canadian Army Advanced Warfare Centre for Canadian Forces Basic Parachutist's Course only.

  Uniform

Headdress

• The beret is the most common form of headdress. The colour black is worn by armored and artillery, rifle green by infantry, scarlet by Military Police, and maroon by Airborne Cadet Corps).
• The glengarry, balmoral, and caubeen are typically worn by kilted regiments and their respective pipe bands. These regiments typically wear green berets in place of their other headdresses when in their Field Training Uniform.
• * These pieces of headdress are typically considered regimental kit, and are typically not issued to junior ranks.
• The Forage Cap is also a form of headdress typically worn by G.G.H.G. and G.G.F.G. affiliated Cadet Corps.

Full Dress Uniform

• All Cadets are issued with a standard, rifle green tunic, which, apart from the material and colour, mimics the style of Canadian Expeditionary Force tunics during the First World War.
• The tunic is accompanied by a waist belt secured by loops sewn onto the tunic itself.
• * Although unofficial in the Cadet Administrative Training Orders, upon a promotion to a certain rank, appointment, membership to the drill team, flag party or other circumstances the Cadet may be issued a white or black parade belt with either the regiment's brass buckle, or the standard Canadian Forces brass buckle.
• The top button of the tunic is always left undone and a tie is worn with an issued short sleeve collared shirt.
• * Special cases such as rank, appointment, regimental standing orders, or weather may call for the wear of the tunic without a tie, or with an ascot.
• All badges showing a Cadet's corps, achievement, and rank are sewn directly onto the tunic.
• Medals are worn on the right side as Cadet Medals have not been recognized as official Canadian Honours unlike other, military medals.
• Cadets are issued with one pair of rifle green trousers which are to be kept creased. As well, they are to be hemmed so that they rest above the third lace of the boot.

  Parade Boots

• In 2017, Cadets Canada released a Multipurpose Boots, designed to eventually replace both Parade Boots and Combat Boots. However, most corps still use the Canadian Forces Parade Boots.
• Cadets are issued with one pair of Canadian Forces parade boots, or the Multipurpose Boots. These boots come in three main variations. They are typically referred to as:
• * Parade boots :
• ** Similar in appearance to British ammunition boots
• ** American Biltrite oil and acid resistant sole
• ** Steel toe
• ** Typically manufactured by Boulet
• ** No longer in production, issued by some Cadet Corps
• ** Regarded as being louder, easier to polish, and longer lasting by Cadets
• * Hybrid boots :
• ** Steel toe
• ** Similar in appearance to parade boots
• ** Current issue by both the Canadian Forces and Army, Air and Sea Cadets
• * "Moon" boots :
• ** Feature a clunky and heavy Vibram sole
• ** Drastically different in appearance to parade boots and hybrid boots
• ** Current issue by both the Canadian Forces and Army, Air and Sea Cadets

  Cadet Field Training Uniform (FTU) or OG-107 Combat Uniform

• Cadets are issued a pair of pants and a tunic that is olive drab in colour and is the exact cut of Canadian Forces uniforms of 2000-2010.
• Cadets are authorized to wear the Cadet Field Training Uniform, depending on the supply of the unit or CSTC, according to their duties and/or at the discretion of their Commanding Officer.
• *The Cadet Field Training Uniform has rank slides on the centre of the chest, while the OG-107 Combat Uniforms have rank slides on the shoulders.
• *The Cadet Field Training Uniforms can be easily identified by the "Cadets Canada" logo embroidered on the large pocket covers on the shirt and the pants.
• Some Cadet Corps provide combat boots free of charge to their Cadets. Others may purchase their own pair of boots from Army Surplus stores, private trades, or have them handed down from retired Cadets.
• * Due to shortages in black CF Mark Three and Four boots, Cadets have been requested to purchase much more expensive proprietary boots, or used tan CF boots.
• *However, cadets are not to be required to purchase their own combat boots. They must be issued to be considered a mandatory requirement.
• *With the introduction of Multipurpose Boots in 2017, cadets are able to wear the same boots from their parade uniform on their C-5 dress.
• The tunic has two drawstrings; one at the hem and one at the waist to give the tunic a form fitting appearance.
• The trousers are to be bloused above the boot with blousing bands, or with the included drawstrings at the bottom of each pant leg.

  Rank structure

Honours and awards