Canadian Cadet Movement

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The Canadian Cadet Movement, marketed under the term Cadets Canada, is a youth cadet program consisting of the Royal Canadian Sea Cadets, Army Cadets, and the Air Cadets. The program is sponsored by the Canadian Forces, the Department of National Defence, The Navy League, The Army Cadet League and the Air Cadet League, as well as local community sponsors and parents of cadets.^[1]

Cadet groups exist in every major city in Canada, as well as many smaller communities.^[2] The program is not a prerequisite for military service, nor is it compulsory to join the military after graduating from any cadet program.

[edit] History

In 1862, 5 years before Confederation, "drill associations" were set up in Canada as a response to the Fenian Raids and the American Civil War. These early drill associations served to train militia and were open to people over the age of 13. In 1879, the government authorized the creation of 74 "Association[s] for Drill in Educational Institutions", drill associations that were open to male youth over the age of 14 and which did not entail active service in the military. The Riel Rebellion of 1885 motivated increased support to these youth drill associations. By 1887, they were called the cadet corps, and were open to boys over the age of 12.^[3]

Girls were not permitted to join the cadet corps until July 30, 1975, when existing legislation was amended to allow them to join.