Joining the cadets is one of the best thing you can do in your life. It
offers too much advantages to name. Are you a boy or a girl between the
age of 12 and 18 and want to do something different that the usual school?
This is for you. Here, i will describe you the program and what it offer!
What does the Cadets do?
The Cadet Program is the largest federally sponsored youth program in
Canada. Cadets are young teens who learn skills like teamwork, leadership,
and citizenship. They have opportunity to do exiting stuff like field
trips, rock climbing, and much more. They also learn valuable camping
skills. They promote physical fitness by doing different sports. When
joining, the government doesn't expect you to enroll in the army at all
and you can quit any time! Back to Top
What are the benefits of joining the Cadets?
There is so many benefits. To begin with, it's completely free, it won't
cost you a penny to join! How many clubs like this can you find for free?
None. The skills that you will acquire are very important for your future.
Example, leadership is one of the first qualities that a employee will
look for in a worker. Same for teamwork and discipline. You make great new
friends too! By joining the cadets, you or your teenager will develop many
important abilities that will serve him or her well in the future. Back to Top
What type of program is available?
There is 2 type of program available. Local training and Summer training. Local Training: In this program, the Cadets train from September to
June in a average of one day per week. They do drill exercise, sports and
much more. They also get to do specials activities like a full week-end
FTX(field training exercise). They will train for their
star levels. Summer training: In the summer training program, you choose a more
specific course to learn. There are a total of 28 Cadet Summer Training
Centres (CSTC) all over Canada. In these centers, you can learn many
things like marksman, rifle coach, or band(music). Please visit the
official Cadets Canada
website to see you CSTC near you. Back to Top
The program seems great, but i am afraid that my child or i would be
abuse.
The Cadets have organize a program call CHAP, standing for Cadets
Harassment and Abuse program. With this, the Cadets are learning about
respect for others. We encourage teamwork and they are told what is wrong
and what they should do. Whenever a cadet is feeling abuse or being
harass, he can talk to any officers and they will gladly try to find a
solution. Back to Top
If joining the Cadets is free, then who support this movement?
Numerous organization are proud
to support us.
The Department of National Defence
The Canadian Forces
The Navy League of Canada
Army Cadet League of Canada
The Air Cadet League of Canada.
The Government of Canada’s Youth Employment Strategy also support The
Cadet Program financially or by giving free educational materials such
as books, videos, and much more! Other partners include other federal
government departments, sporting agencies such as Biathlon Canada and
the Canadian Yachting Association, and local service groups such as
the Royal Canadian Legion, the Kiwanis Club, Lions and Lioness and
Club Optimist.
Ever wondering what those insignia meant? You can find here pictures
of all cadet's insignia. Please note that recruits don't have a
insignia.
Cadets Ranks
How do we get Promotions? Getting
promoted depends on multiple factors such as Star level achieved
in the local corps training program, the experience gained at
summer camp, and more. Please note that getting promoted to
sergeant or up is harder because now you are a leader of a group.
This mean that if there is no vacancy to fill out this task, the
chances are very thin. This can cause problem when there isn't
enough cadets to form platoons or squadron.
If you want to see what a tunic look like
here it is. Click on the image to have a larger version.
Officers
Officer Cadet
(OCdt)
Second Lieutenant
(2Lt)
Lieutenant
(Lt)
Captain
(Capt)
Major
(Maj)
Lieutenant Colonel
(LCol)
The following are regular army officer
insignia that may be seen on reviewing officers at special cadet
functions
Types:
Colonel
(Col)
General Rank
Brigadier General
(BGen)
Major General
(MGen)
Lieutenant General
(LGen)
General
(Gen
Star
Levels
If you are going to a local training in a cadet corps, you should read
on for important information. In a local training, you will see four
different program. You will always start with the green star and move
up to the gold star.
Green Star
Red Star
Silver Star
Gold Star
NSCE
Master Cadet
In this page, you will find description on
each of the four programs above. We're going to start with the green
star and move up to NSC (National Star Certification).
Green Star
The first and most basic level is the
Green Star. In this level, you will learn the basic things you
need to know in Cadets. It's a introductory level of mandatory
training conducted at your corps. The purpose of this level is to
give the cadet basic skills and knowledge they will always need
such as drill, basic discipline, fundamental training, and etc. It
is also the opportunity for cadets to get involved in many
optional teams and activities like music, biathlon, or competitive
marksmanship.
A cadet who qualifies Green Star is eligible for a basic 2 or
3-week course during the summer.
Red Star
The objective of the Red Star is to
reinforce and augment Green Star skills and knowledge. They still
learn the drilling, citizenship but many activities are added such
as bushcraft, map and compass, marksmanship, public speaking, and
leadership. As a Red Star qualified cadet, you are the model for
new cadets and are fully capable of demonstrating skills to
recruits and Green Star cadets.
A cadet who qualifies Red Star is eligible for a 6-week cadet
leader course during the summer.
Silver Star
In the Silver Star program, leadership
will take a more important role. You will be instructed on how to
be a leader and a teacher. You might even be in charge of a small
team such as a squadron. A Silver Star qualified cadet will have
mastered almost all of the mandatory skill training of the Army
Cadet Program. It is expected that Silver Star cadets will seek
out and accept leadership responsibilities positions within their
corps.
A cadet who qualifies silver star is eligible to attend a 6-week
cadet leader instructor course (providing that he/she has
successfully completed a cadet leader course).
Gold Star
Gold Star training expands on all
previous training, and contains a significant amout of theoretical
study and learning. Most of their training involves planning and
conducting activities. Gold Star cadets are expected to lead and
instruct cadets from senior positions within the corps, and be
fully involved in planning and conducting corps activities. Even
though the formal instruction phase of cadet training is complete,
Gold Star qualified cadets are encouraged to continue their
learning through self-study and accepting new challenges and
responsibilities.
A Gold Star-qualified cadet is eligible to attend 6-week advanced
training course or be employed as a staff cadet in a
non-instructing position.
National Star Certification
Both a written and practical exam to
confirm knowledge, skills and fitness of Gold Star qualified
cadets. Successful completion. It is a prerequisite for:
advanced summer training,
international exchanges, and
employment in leadership position.
Master Cadet
Master Cadet is an appointment earned by
a cadet who is successful at NSCE and is employed in a leadership
position as a staff cadet at a Cadet Summer Training Centre.
Each year, a special guide is produced for cadets preparing for
this exam and it is available through the cadet corps.
What should I wear?
In this section, you will find what cadets wear! It's more complex
than just shirts and pants. However most of your clothes will be
supply to you, free of charge! :)
Also, there is no difference with the style or anything with boys or
girls. I'll start with the things you wear when doing a parade or for
a special event, then I'll continue with the combat clothes that you
have to buy. :(
Parade
Beret
You will have to wear a green beret. You take it off only when
you're eating, wearing civilian clothing with your uniform or on
special occasions such as when paying respect to war veterans on
parade or when entering a church. Beret is worn with a RCAC or a
Regimental Cap Badge and approved badge backing.
Light Green Shirt
A light green shirt will be provided to you. Be sure that it's
tuck in your pants. The shirt (including short sleeves) has to
be ironed. Rank shoulder flashes should be worn on the shirt if
it's not on the overcoat.
Tunic
The tunic is one of the most important part. Be sure that all
golden buttons are buttoned. Iron it too if it's too wrinkle.
The uniform should be free of lint or thread.
Tie
You will have to do a Windsor knot with the tie. And please,
undo your tie afterwards. What? Don't know how to tie a tie?
You're not the only one! It's not a thing that you learn in
school but fortunately there is web sites that teach you how to
tie a tie!
How to tie a tie
Belt
The belt has to be centered. And you should have the brass on
the brass
Pants
Make sure the pants are at the 3rd lace of the boots. Like the
tunic, you will have to make sure that it doesn't have wrinkles,
lint or thread.
Socks
You can have any socks but we recommend that you have
comfortable wool socks to keep you warm. Check your local
surplus store. Several pair of socks are needed, especially at
field events. If you're alergic to wool socks, wear normal socks
under.
Parade Boots
Be sure that they are shiny and tied properly. The laces are
tuck in. Remember to do the sides with a toothbrush.
