Royal Canadian Army Cadets: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
Tozander (talk | contribs)
24 edits
Tozander (talk | contribs)
24 edits
Line 123: Line 123:
|-
|-
|colspan=4|
|colspan=4|
* <sup>1</sup> Honorary/War time rank.
|}
|}
{| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px;"
{{Ranks and Insignia of NATO Armies/OR/Blank}}
{{Ranks and Insignia of NATO Armies/OR/Canada}}
|}





Revision as of 23:56, 6 November 2006

File:Royal canadian army cadets.jpg
Royal Canadian Army Cadets Logo

The Royal Canadian Army Cadets (RCAC) is a federally-sponsored program for young Canadians. The cadets are between ages of 12 and 18, and may be males or females. The cadet movement is a partnership between the Department of National Defence and the Army Cadet League of Canada. The cadet programme is lead by a group of commissioned Canadian Forces officers, called the Cadet Instructors Cadre (CIC).

The goals of the RCAC movement are

  • develop in youth the attributes of good citizenship and leadership
  • promote physical fitness
  • stimulate the interest of youth in the sea, land, and air activities of the Canadian Forces

Cadets are not military members and are not expected to join the Canadian Forces at any time.

There are ten main study and application topics in cadets:

Cadets not only attain ranks, but may also attend government-funded cadet summer training centres (CSTC) at Canadian Forces bases, as well as various other inter-corps opportunities. They progress in their cadet careers through star levels: green, red, silver, and gold, and eventually aspire to complete the National Star Certification Exam, and to become a Master Cadet.

Summer training

Throughout the summer, the opportunity to delve further into the Army Cadet program allows teenagers to fully develop the skills they learned throughout the regular training year, at their Local Headquarters. Camps range from 2 weeks to 6 weeks, and should they later gain enough experience, they may go on to become staff cadets, which would take them into 7 weeks of the summer.

The camps range as follows:

  • Cadet -- Basic (2 Weeks)
  • Cadet -- Basic Marksman (3 Weeks)
  • Cadet -- Basic Military Band (3 Weeks)
  • Cadet -- Basic Pipes and Drums (P&D) (3 Weeks)
  • Cadet Leader (CL) (6 Weeks)
  • Cadet Leader (CL) -- Marksman (6 Weeks)
  • Cadet Leader (CL) -- Military Band (6 Weeks)
  • Cadet Leader (CL) -- Pipes and Drums (P&D) (6 Weeks)
  • Cadet Leader Instructor (CLI) -- Adventure (6 Weeks)
  • Cadet Leader Instructor (CLI) -- Drill and Ceremonial (D&C) (6 Weeks)
  • Cadet Leader Instructor (CLI) -- Marksman (6 Weeks)
  • Cadet Leader Instructor (CLI) -- Military Band (6 Weeks)
  • Cadet Leader Instructor (CLI) -- Pipes and Drums (P&D) (6 Weeks)
  • Cadet Leader Instructor (CLI) -- Physical Education and Recreational Training (PE+RT) (6 Weeks)
  • Cadet Leader Instructor (CLI) -- Rifle Coach (6 Weeks)
  • Cadet Leader Instructor (CLI) -- Storesman (6 Weeks) [Not currently offered]

Once a cadet has completed a Cadet Leader Instructor course he or she may work at a summer training centre (CSTC) as a staff cadet or attend an advanced camp or exchange, such as:

  • Advanced Military Band
  • Advanced Pipes and Drums
  • Advanced Pioneer - Vernon ACSTC [RSCU Pacific and Prarie Region Cadets Only]
  • Army Cadet Leadership & Challenge
  • Federal Republic of Germany Exchange
  • Outward Bound: Wales/Scotland
  • The Basic Military Parachutist Course
  • Australia
  • Maple Leaf Exchange
  • Other various exchanges under the ACE (Army Cadet Exchange) Program
  • Introduction to Aerospace (3 weeks)

Rank structure

Similar to the Canadian Forces, the Rank Structure may very in name depending on which type of Corps, though the actual grading, or value of the rank remains the same.

Rank badges for the Royal Canadian Army Cadets
Rank badges for the Royal Canadian Army Cadets

From lowest to highest:

  • Cadet Recruit - A person who has just joined the cadet program.
  • Cadet Private (Pte) (1-bar chevron) - Depending on the affialiated unit of Corps, a Private may go by the following traditional designations:
    • Cadet Sapper (Engineers)
    • Cadet Trooper (Armour)
    • Cadet Gunner (Artillery)
    • Cadet Guardsman (Guards)
    • Cadet Lance Corporal (or Lance Bombardier)
    • Cadet Fusilier (Fusiliers)
    • Cadet Private (Infantry)
  • Cadet Corporal (Cpl) (2-bar chevron) - In Artillery Corps a Corporal uses the title Bombardier.
  • Cadet Master Corporal (MCpl) (2-bar chevron with maple leaf) - In Artillery Corps a Master Corporal uses the title Master Bombardier.
  • Cadet Sergeant (Sgt) (3-bar chevron with maple leaf)
  • Cadet Warrant Officer (WO) (Tudor Crown)
  • Cadet Master Warrant Officer (MWO) (Tudor Crown within a laurel wreath)
  • Cadet Chief Warrant Officer (CWO) (Canadian Coat of Arms)

Different appointments can also be held throughout the ranks:

  • Section 2I/C
  • Section Commander
  • Platoon or Troop 2I/C
  • Platoon or Troop Commander
  • Squadron (SSM), Battery (BSM) or Company Sergeant Major (CSM)
  • Company Quarter Master Sergeant
  • Chief Clerk
  • Training NCO
  • Sports NCO
  • Range NCO
  • Drum Major
  • Pipe Major
  • Drill Sergeant Major (DSM)
  • Regimental Sergeant Major

The availability of ranks and appointments is determined by the number of cadets in the corps. In certain Corps, cadets may also attain Cadet Officer ranks, even though they were removed from the standard Cadet rank structure several years ago.

Officer Positions in the cadet program are filled by members of the Cadet Instructor's Cadre (CIC) and other members of the Canadian Forces. Officer Ranks Include (from lowest to highest):

Subordinate Officer

  • Officer Cadet (OCdt) - A thin gold bar.

Junior Officers

  • 2nd Lieutenant (2Lt) - A thick gold bar.
  • Lieutenant (Lt) - One thick and One thin gold bar.
  • Captain (Capt) - Two thick gold bars.

Senior Officers

  • Major (Maj) - Two thick and one thin gold bar.
  • Lieutenant Colonel (LCol) - Three thick gold bars.
  • Colonel (Col) - Four thick gold bars.

General Officers

  • Brigidier-General (BGen) - Single gold maple leaf beneath crossed sword and baton, all surmounted by St. Edward's Crown.
  • Major-General (BGen) - Two gold maple leafs beneath crossed sword and baton, all surmounted by St. Edward's Crown.
  • Lieutenant-General (BGen) - Single gold maple leaf beneath crossed sword and baton, all surmounted by St. Edward's Crown.
  • Brigider General (BGen) - Three gold maple leafs beneath crossed sword and baton, all surmounted by St. Edward's Crown.
  • General (Gen) - Four gold maple leafs beneath crossed sword and baton, all surmounted by St. Edward's Crown.
NATO code OF-10 OF-9 OF-8 OF-7 OF-6 OF-5 OF-4 OF-3 OF-2 OF-1 OF(D) Student officer
 Canadian Army[1][2]
General Lieutenant-general Major-general Brigadier-general Colonel Lieutenant-colonel Major Captain Lieutenant Second lieutenant Officer cadet
Général(e) Lieutenant(e)-général(e) Major(e)-général(e) Brigadier(ère)-général(e) Colonel(le) Lieutenant(e)-colonel(le) Major(e) Capitaine Lieutenant(e) Sous-lieutenant(e) Élève-officier(ère)


Officers in the Cadet Organization can hold various appointments at the specific cadet unit. These positions include:

  • Commanding Officer (CO)
  • Deputy Commanding Officer (DCO)
  • Training Officer (TrgO)
  • Supply/Logistics Officer (SupO)
  • Administration/Finance Officer (AdminO)
  • Operations Officer (OpsO)
  • Standards Officer (StdsO)
  • Troop/Platoon Commander (Pl Comm)
  • Unit Human Rights Advisor (UHRA)

There are also various other positions that officers can hold either at the area, regional or at the national level.

Army Cadet Corps are identified by a two, three or four digit number and their affiliated unit. Numbers are assigned by the Director of Cadets. Generally the lower the number, the older the cadet corps.

Partnership with Canadian Forces

Along with the Sea Cadets and Air Cadets, the Army cadets make up a program sponsored by the Canadian Forces funded primarily through the Department of National Defence. A funding level of $160 million per year (2004 figure) is distributed between the three elements, and is used to purchase uniforms for the cadets, provide opportunities for survival outings as well as provide summer training centers. The Civilian Army Cadet League provides local support by way of accommodation, utilities, liability insurance transportation and training aides not provided by the CF.

The Cadet program has historically been an effective recruiting tool for the Canadian Forces. Today the program is neither a recruiting device for the Canadian Forces nor is there any expectation of a military career. A few former cadets join the CF or other uniformed professions such as police, fire or ambulance. The majority for former cadets credit their cadet experience for their success later in life. The Cadets have historically been a unique instrument for inculcating regimental pride as well as basic military knowledge in prospective recruits. For example, one of the youngest battalion commanders in the Canadian Army in the Second World War, Ernest Payson "Tommy" Thompson of the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada, had been an enthusiastic Army Cadet before the war. After leaving cadets, he became a lieutenant colonel and battalion commander at the age of 23.[3] In the 1970s and 1980, some cadets were permitted to train with the Regular Force in West Germany.

(CF Europe was) a plum course for cadets who were selected on the basis of high standing in their province on the "Gold Star" exams. The cadets were treated as full members (soldiers) of the regular infantry section that they were posted in. In my case I was in the first section of 2 Platoon, Mike Company, 3RCR which was call-signed as 12A. We were just like the rest of the guys and pulled all the same duties, good, bad and otherwise as anyone else. In my case, my youthful enthusiasm led to me volunteering to be the Carl Gustav gunner for our section, so sometimes I got to do some of the anti-armour ambush work with my number two... There was always a lot of talk about the "balloon going up' and the threat briefings that we all attended on Warsaw PACT and NATO forces certainly encouraged that sort of chatter. As the song says in those days "... our arms were heavy and our bellies were tight!"[4]

See also

List of Canadian organizations with royal patronage

Notes

  1. ^ "Ranks and appointment". canada.ca. Government of Canada. Retrieved 28 May 2021.
  2. ^ "The Canadian Armed Forces modernizes military ranks in French". Canada. Government of Canada. 3 February 2022. Retrieved 7 April 2024.
  3. ^ Tyler, G.C.A. The Lion Rampant: A Pictorial History of the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada 1910-1985. Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada, Winnipeg, MB, 1985.
  4. ^ Sheldon Clare, serving with 2618 Corps (Rocky Mountain Rangers). canadiansoldiers.com gallery of Army Cadet photos taken during NATO training in 1980.

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Royal_Canadian_Army_Cadets&oldid=86160973"