about air cadets

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

The Cadet Program is one of the largest federally sponsored youth programs in Canada that includes:

• The Royal Canadian Sea Cadets;
• The Royal Canadian Army Cadets; and
• The Royal Canadian Air Cadets.

It is a national program for young Canadians aged 12 to 18 (up to their 19th birthday) who are interested in participating in a variety of fun, challenging and rewarding activities while learning about the Sea , Army and Air activities of the Canadian Armed Forces.

Cadets are encouraged to become active, responsible members of their communities. They make valuable contributions to Canadian society on a daily basis in terms of environmental, citizenship and community activities.

Cadets also learn valuable life and work skills such as teamwork, leadership and citizenship.

Cadets are not members of the Canadian Armed Forces, nor are they expected to join the military. While they are introduced to Sea, Army and/or Air activities of the Canadian Armed Forces and certain traditions, they are also introduced to many other respectable career choices that are available to them.

GOALS

The aim of the Cadet Program 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; however, each focuses on its own parent element. The Air Cadet motto is “To learn. To serve. To advance.”, and was created by Robert Myles Colwell in 1966 when he was a cadet with 625 Squadron in Perth-Andover, NB.

WHO CAN JOIN

Persons aged 12 to 18 may join the Air Cadet Program. The organization and rank system of the pre-unification Royal Canadian Air Force is used with one additional rank – Flight Corporal – equating to an Army Cadet Master Corporal or a Sea Cadet Master Seaman. Cadets are not members of the Canadian Forces and cadets have no power of command over any CF member. Adult leadership is provided by members of the Canadian Forces Reserve Subcomponent Cadet Organizations Administration and Training Service composed mostly of officers of the (CIC) Branch, supplemented, if necessary, by contracted Civilian Instructors, authorized adult volunteers, and, on occasion, officers and non-commissioned members of other CF branches. The CIC Branch is specifically trained to deliver the Royal Canadian Sea, Army, and Air Cadet training program, and like all reservists come from all walks of life and all parts of the community. Some are former cadets, many have former regular or reserve force service.

History

The first squadrons were established in 1941 to train young men for duties during World War II. The purpose has since changed to focus on citizenship, leadership, physical fitness, general aviation and stimulating an interest in the activities of the Canadian Forces.

The majority of cadet training takes place at the local squadron during the regular school year, with a percentage of cadets selected for summer training courses at various cadet summer training centres located across Canada. Central to the air cadet program are the gliding and flying scholarships offered to air cadets who qualify. One in five private pilots in Canada is an ex-air cadet, and 67% of commercial and airline pilots began their careers as an air cadet. There are 453 squadrons located across the country with enrollment of over 26,000 Air Cadets.

Frequently Asked Questions

WHY do youth join AIR CADETS?

PARTNERSHIPs

The Air Cadet League of Canada (ACL) and the Department of National Defense (DND) both support the Royal Canadian Air Cadets, a premier youth organization established in 1941. The Air Cadet Program is comprehensive, and run in a very organized, disciplined, and safe manner. Saying that, it is important to ensure that all volunteers are appropriately selected, well–intended, initially supervised, offer skills that add value and complement the program, and are good role models for Air Cadets. Knowing the skills and talents of each and every volunteer and their intention towards the program is important to the Squadron Officers, staff and Sponsoring Committee, as a good team effort produces the best results for the greater benefit of the Cadets.

The Air Cadet League’s responsibilities for Civilian Instructors (CI) and Volunteers complement those of the DND and are more of a supporting nature. The Commanding Officer of the squadron and his supporting staff have command and control of the Cadets and are responsible for overall supervision of the training program. To fulfill its responsibilities to the Cadets, DND is required to conform to rulings by the Supreme Court of Canada that defined the level of care required by an organization in protecting youth under its direction. The registration and screening protocols for Civilian Instructors and Volunteers meet the same standard of that of the Canadian Forces, both Regular and Reserve, as well as contracted Civilian Instructors.

The Air Cadet program operates within a partnership agreement between the Department of National Defense (DND) and The Air Cadet League of Canada (ACL), a civilian volunteer organization. The British Columbia Provincial Committee (BCPC) of the ACL is administered by a five person Executive committee under the direction of a ten member Board of Directors. The Directors are elected by the members of BCPC at the Annual General Meeting. BCPC’s office is located at Boundary Bay Airport, Delta, BC, and its day-to-day operations are administered by a part time Chief Administrative Officer and a full time Financial Office Assistant.

There are currently 58 Air Cadet Squadrons in BC, geographically grouped into three zones supported by Group Chairs. Each zone is then subdivided into Wings which are also supported by Wing Chairs. The main areas of responsibility for the British Columbia Provincial Committee include:

• The formation of new squadrons Providing training and support for Squadron Sponsoring Committees Assisting with the recruitment of officers and cadets into the program.
• Publicising and promoting cadet activities and programs.
• Maintaining our fleet of 6 tow planes and twelve gliders.
• For the past several years, our glider flying program has received generous financial assistance from the British Columbia Gaming Commission by way of its “Direct Access Grant Program”.
• Administering the Effective Speaking Program in BC, (also funded through the Direct Access Grant program).
• Processing applications for National Scholarship Courses
• Sponsoring Work Experience programs with industry partners to provide opportunities for Cadets to earn Graduation Transition Credits.
• Administering the Air Cadet Foundation of British Columbia, a charitable society established to maintain and grow the Air Cadet Program in British Columbia.

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