Royal Canadian Army Cadets

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The Royal Canadian Army Cadets (RCAC) is a federally sponsored program for young Canadians. The cadets are boys and girls between ages of 12 and 18. The cadet organization is a partnership between the Canadian Forces/Department of National Defence and the Army Cadet League of Canada. The cadet programme is lead by Canadian Forces officers, of the Cadet Instructors Cadre (CIC).

The aim of Royal Canadian Army Cadets is to:

  • 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 may attend 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.

Contents

[edit] History

[edit] The Early History

The Royal Canadian Army Cadets (RCAC) can trace its history to the creation of Drill Associations in 1861, predating confederation by 6 years. Great Britain had also formed cadets in 1860. These associations were linked to local schools. The American Civil War and the threat of the Fenian Raids motivated their creation in Upper and Lower Canada. These early cadet units, called drill associations, mark the beginning of the Canadian Cadet Movement, one of the country's oldest youth programs.

Trinity College Volunteer Rifle Company was formed June 1, 1861 in Port Hope, Ontario. Bishop’s College Drill Association was formed in Lennoxville, Que on December 6, 1861. Another fourteen of the early cadet corps called "Drill Associations" or "Rifle Companies" stood up in Ontario and Quebec. Canada's oldest continually serving cadet corps is No. 2 Bishop's College School Cadet Corps in Lennoxville, Quebec, its roots firmly in the previous drill association.

These early "drill associations" accepted members ranging in age from 13 to 60. The distinction between high school cadets and the adult militia became clear in 1879, when authorization was given to form 74 "Association for Drill in Educational Institutions". Young men over 14 years of age where invited to participate and would not be employed in active service.

These associations included:

  • 34 in Ontario
  • 24 in Quebec
  • 13 in the Maritime provinces
  • 2 in Manitoba
  • 1 in British Columbia.

[edit] Public Support

An increased support, motivated in part by the Northwest Campaign during the Riel Rebellion of 1885, increased the issue of uniforms, weapons and other equipment to schools providing military training.

By 1887, the name cadet corps was recognized as designating the associations providing the training to boys over the age of 12.

Early Sea Cadets

The Navy League of Canada was founded in 1895 in order to support the lobby to create the Canadian Navy. Beginning in 1902, the League sponsored Canada's first Boys and Girls' Naval Brigades. The first official Sea Cadet Corps was #859 Winnipeg Boys Naval Brigade Cadet Corps formed in November 19, 1920 in Winnipeg. In 1942 all the remaining Sea Cadet Corps were transferred to Navy League and renumbered accordingly.

[edit] The Officer Cadre

On May 1, 1909 a cadre of commissioned officers, the Corps of School Cadet Instructor (militia), was established. Its members were trained and paid by the Department of Militia and Defence to conduct drill and physical training in participating schools. Formed primarily of school teachers, this officer cadre was disbanded in 1921 during a period of reorganization. It reappeared on 1 June 1924 as the Cadet Services of Canada; it was a component of the Canadian Army and the forerunner of the current Cadet Instructor Cadre. This arrangement between the Federal Government and local school boards contributed significantly to the development of physical education programs in Canadian schools.

[edit] Strathcona Trust

In 1910, Sir Donald Alexander Smith —Lord Strathcona— the Canadian High Commissioner to Britain, deposited in trust with the Dominion Government the sum of $500,000, bearing annual interest of 4%, to develop citizenship and patriotism in cadets through physical training, rifle shooting, and military drill. He is remembered today with the Lord Strathcona Medal.

[edit] The World Wars

Forty thousand former army cadets and several thousand former sea cadets served in His Majesty's forces during World War One. By the end of the war there were 64,000 boys enrolled in Army Cadet corps across Canada.

The Navy League authorized the creation of Girls Naval Brigades as early as World War One. The girls benefited from a training program providing, as much as possible, a parallel training to that of the boys.

During the twenty years following World War One, cadet training came to a standstill. Many corps survived these hard times, but the Depression and the lack of public interest caused the cancellation of the uniform grant for Army Cadets in 1931 and the instructional grant for 12 and 13 year olds in 1934. In Alberta, only a couple of corps functioned beyond 1934. This was clearly some of the darkest days for cadet corps.

The beginning of World War Two brought a renewed public interest in cadet training. An astounding amount of cadet corps were formed in high schools across the country. During the war, the Royal Canadian Navy began its partnership with the Navy League in sponsoring Sea Cadets and their officers were taken on the payroll to the Royal Canadian Navy.

The Air Cadet League of Canada was formed in 1940, and raised its first squadrons in 1941. The first air cadet unit was #1601 Air Force Cadet Corps formed in Vancouver on April 13, 1939. It stands alone as being the only air cadet unit formed within the army cadet system, the corps was transferred to the new Air Cadet League in 1943. From the outset, the Air Cadet League enjoyed a partnership with the Royal Canadian Air Force, which enrolled Air Cadet instructors as commissioned officers. By the end of World War Two, they had raised 374 squadrons with an enrolment of 29,000 Air Cadets.

During and after World War Two, you could find a cadet corps that paraded a female platoon or company. But these unofficial female cadets could never lawfully be trained, kitted, fed or transported and were not allowed to attend summer camp. Despite that, the girls proudly wore their uniform and trained as best as they could primarily in school corps.

[edit] The Post-War Years

In recognition of the significant contribution of former cadets to the war effort, His Majesty King George VI conferred the title royal to the cadet program, creating the Royal Canadian Sea Cadets, the Royal Canadian Army Cadets, and the Royal Canadian Air Cadets. It is estimated that nearly 230,000 former sea, army and air cadets served in His Majesty's forces during World War Two.

After World War Two, quotas were imposed reducing Canada's total cadet force to about 75,000 members. Many of the closed corps, those with membership restricted to boys in one particular school, were disbanded; some of them became open corps, training in militia armouries or in Legion halls; others, like many corps sponsored by the Navy League, acquired their own buildings.

The Korean War stimulated growth among open corps in the early 1950s. Many school corps moved to armouries and drill halls. After 1954, Korea veterans staffed the Area Cadet Offices that began to manage these corps and the summer camps that trained them.

[edit] Unification of the Canadian Forces

Following the unification of the Canadian Forces in 1968, a number of changes occurred in the Cadet world:

  • Sea and Air Cadets came more fully under the control of the Canadian Forces in order to standardize the three Cadet organizations;
  • A directorate of cadets was established in Ottawa to set policy and co-ordinate the activities of the Sea, Army and Air cadets;
  • The Army Cadet League of Canada was formed in 1971 in order to give the Army cadets a civilian voice comparable to that of the Navy League and the Air Cadet League;
  • Sea Cadet officers became commissioned members of the Canadian Forces. Before this date, sea cadet officers were created by means of a warrant from the Navy League of Canada; and
  • The Cadet Services of Canada was superseded by the Cadet Instructor List, which was later redesignated the Cadet Instructor Cadre.

[edit] Girls in the Cadet Program

Girls have participated unofficially in cadet training almost from the beginning. Shortly after the Highland Cadet Corps was formed at the Guelph Grammar School in 1882, a female cadet company called the Daughters of the Regiment, was also started.

On the 30 July 1975, parliament amended the relevant legislation by changing the word boys to persons, therefore permitting girls to become members of the Royal Canadian Sea, Army, and Air Cadets. At long last, girls could finally take all the training the boys had received for so many years. The biggest change was at the camp level. What had been for so many decades an exclusively male environment changed dramatically at Vernon, Ipperwash, Valcartier, Argonaut and Banff. In a short time the girls adapted.

[edit] 2004 - 125th Anniversary

2004 marked the 125th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Army Cadets. The Army Cadet League of Canada purchased and issued a 125th Anniversary pin to be worn by all 25,000+ army cadets across the country. Canada Post honoured the cadets with a stamp of it's own unveiled in Ottawa in March 2004. Many parade honouring the century and a quarter of cadets occurred across Canada, there were Freedom of the City parades in Vernon, Oromocto and Calgary as well as other locations. The original Royal Banner was laid up in Vernon during the final battalion parade on August 19 at the ACSTC, and the new Royal Banner was paraded in front of 1500 cadets and 2000 members of the audience.[1]

[edit] 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 (7 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
  • National Rifle Team (Bisley)
  • Other various exchanges under the ACE (Army Cadet Exchange) Program
  • Introduction to Aerospace (3 weeks)

[edit] 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

From lowest to highest:

  • Cadet Recruit - A person who has just joined the cadet program.
  • Cadet Private (C/Pte) (1-bar chevron) - Depending on the affialiated unit of Corps, a Private may go by the following traditional designations:
    • Cadet Signalman (Signals)
    • Cadet Sapper (Engineers)
    • Cadet Trooper (Armour)
    • Cadet Gunner (Artillery)
    • Cadet Guardsman (Guards)
    • Cadet Lance Corporal (or Lance Bombardier)
    • Cadet Fusilier (Fusiliers)
    • Cadet Private (Infantry)

Promotion prerequisite is Green Star and based on merit.

  • Cadet Corporal (C/Cpl) (2-bar chevron) - In Artillery Corps a Corporal uses the title Bombardier.

Promotion prerequisite is Red Star and based on merit.

  • Cadet Master Corporal (C/MCpl) (2-bar chevron with maple leaf) - In Artillery Corps a Master Corporal uses the title Master Bombardier.

Promotion prerequisite is Silver Star and based on merit.

  • Cadet Sergeant (C/Sgt) (3-bar chevron with maple leaf)

Promotion prerequisite is Gold Star and based on merit.

  • Cadet Warrant Officer (C/WO) (Tudor Crown)

Promotion prerequisite is NSCE and six months at the confirmed rank of Cadet Sergeant. It is also based on merit and vacancy.

  • Cadet Master Warrant Officer (C/MWO) (Tudor Crown within a laurel wreath)

Promotion prerequisite is NSCE and six months at the confirmed rank of Cadet Warrant Officer. It is also based on merit and vacancy.

  • Cadet Chief Warrant Officer (C/CWO) (Canadian Coat of Arms)

Promotion prerequisite is NSCE and six months at the confirmed rank of Cadet Master Warrant Officer. It is also based on merit and vacancy.

Corps Quota Cadet Chief Warrant Officer Cadet Master Warrant Officer Cadet Warrant Officer Cadet Sergeant Cadet Master Corporal Cadet Corporal Cadet Private
0-29 Note 1 Note 1 2 Note 2 Note 2 Note 2 Note 2
30-59 1 1 4 Note 2 Note 2 Note 2 Note 2
60-89 1 2 6 Note 2 Note 2 Note 2 Note 2
90-119 1 2 8 Note 2 Note 2 Note 2 Note 2
120-149 1 3 10 Note 2 Note 2 Note 2 Note 2
150+ Note 3 Note 3 Note 3 Note 2 Note 2 Note 2 Note 2

Notes: 1. A cadet corps with a quota of 0-29 is authorized one Cadet Master Warrant Officer or one Cadet Chief Warrant Officer. 2. There is no minimum or maximum number of the following ranks: Cadet Sergeant, Cadet Master Corporal, Cadet Corporal, and Cadet Private. 3. For a cadet corps with a quota of 150 +, regions are to contact D Cdts 4-4.

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 (RSM)

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 (MGen) - Two gold maple leafs beneath crossed sword and baton, all surmounted by St. Edward's Crown.
  • Lieutenant-General (LGen) - Three gold maple leaf 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
Canada Canada (Edit) No Equivalent No Equivalent
General Lieutenant General Major General Brigadier General Colonel Lieutenant Colonel Major Captain Lieutenant Second Lieutenant Officer Cadet
Général Lieutenant-général Major-général Brigadier-général Colonel Lieutenant-colonel Major Capitaine Lieutenant Sous-lieutenant Eleve-Officier

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 one to 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.

[edit] 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.[2] 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!"[3]

[edit] See also

List of Canadian organizations with royal patronage

Cadets Canada logo Canadian Cadet Organization
Air Air | Army Army | Sea Sea

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ [www.armycadethistory.com]
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ Sheldon Clare, serving with 2618 Corps (Rocky Mountain Rangers). canadiansoldiers.com gallery of Army Cadet photos taken during NATO training in 1980.

[edit] External links

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