Cadet facts for kids
A cadet is a student or trainee who is learning to become an officer, usually in the military. Cadets train hard to become commissioned officers, who are leaders in the armed forces. But it's not just the military! Some civilian groups, like those in aviation, shipping, and police services, also call their trainees cadets.
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What is a Cadet?
In many military groups, cadets are recruits or students. They are going through special training to become commissioned officers. An officer is a leader in the military. The exact rules and jobs for cadets can be different in various military organizations around the world.
Cadets Around the World
Australia
In Australia, a cadet is an officer who is still in training. Their official rank is Officer Cadet. However, at the Royal Military College—Duntroon, they are called staff cadet for historical reasons.
Bangladesh
In Bangladesh, new recruits for the Bangladesh Army, Bangladesh Navy, and Bangladesh Air Force are called Gentleman Cadets. Students at special schools called Cadet Colleges are also cadets. There are twelve Cadet Colleges in Bangladesh. Nine are for boys and three are for girls. The first one, Faujdarhat Cadet College, opened in 1958.
Canada
In Canada, an officer-in-training in the Canadian Armed Forces is called an "officer cadet" or a "naval cadet." These cadets are learning to become commissioned officers. Many officer cadets are students at the Royal Military College of Canada. Other people who are training to become officers are also called officer cadets.
Finland
In Finland, the National Defence University trains all officers. All students are cadets for their first year. After that, they go to the Navy Academy, Air Academy, or Army Academy. They continue as cadets or get a higher cadet rank, like sergeant cadet.
Germany
In Germany, the rank cadet (German: Seekadett) is only used in the German Navy. It is for officers who are still in training. In the Army and Air Force, officers in training have different ranks before they become a lieutenant.
India
The term cadet is also a rank in India. It is used for those training at military academies of India. These include places like the National Defence Academy and the Indian Military Academy. After they graduate, these cadets become officers in the military. The term Gentleman Cadet is often used for trainees at the Indian Military Academy.
Indonesia
In Indonesia, cadets at military and police academies have different names. For military and police academy cadets, they are called Taruna. Naval academy cadets are called Kadet. Air force academy cadets are called Karbol. People training to be regular soldiers or police are called Siswa, which means "student."
Ireland
In Ireland, a cadet is a student at the military college. This college trains officers for the Air Corps, Army, and Naval Service. The training lasts two years. Cadets are divided into senior and junior groups.
Netherlands
The Koninklijke Militaire Academie is a school for officers in the Dutch Army, Dutch Air Force, and Royal Marechaussee. It has trained officers since 1828. All students there are cadets or hold a higher cadet rank, like cadet-sergeant. Students at the Royal Naval College are called adelborst, which is like a midshipman. Both cadets and adelborsts are called "jonker" (meaning "young lord").
Norway
In Norway, a cadet is an officer training at one of the three Norwegian War Academies. Each military branch has its own academy. Cadets hold the rank of 2nd Lieutenant during training. They become a 1st Lieutenant when they graduate.
Pakistan
In Pakistan, a cadet is an officer training at one of the three Military Academies. These include the Pakistan Military Academy and the Pakistan Air Force Academy Asghar Khan. Male cadets are called 'Gentlemen Cadets,' and female cadets are called 'Lady Cadets.' Cadets can earn higher ranks within the cadet system. The highest rank is 'Academy Senior under Officer.' These senior cadets get special privileges. For example, they might get to choose which unit they join after graduating.
Philippines
In the Philippines, the word cadet is used in many military-related groups. It is especially used for students at the country's service academies. These include the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) and the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA). Graduates from these schools automatically become officers in the armed forces or police. Cadets are seen as being between non-commissioned officers and full officers. If a cadet breaks rules, they might get punishments like push-ups or squats.
Turkey
In Turkey, a cadet is a student at a military college. These colleges train officers for the Air Forces, Army, Naval Forces, and other groups. The training takes two years. Cadets are divided into senior and junior groups. Since 2016, all military colleges and schools are part of the National Defense University.
United Kingdom
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In the UK, officers in training are called Officer Cadet. They train at special schools like Britannia Royal Naval College for the Royal Navy or Royal Military Academy Sandhurst for the British Army.
United States
In the United States, a cadet is a full-time college student. At the same time, they are training to become an officer in the armed forces. Students at the United States Military Academy are called Cadet, United States Army. Students in the Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (AROTC) are called Cadet, United States Army Reserve. However, students at the United States Naval Academy are called "midshipman," not cadet.
Civilian Cadets
Many civilian groups also use the term cadet for their trainees. This is common in police services and groups related to civil aviation and shipping.
Students training to be sailors at maritime colleges are often called cadets. For example, students at the United States Merchant Marine Academy are called cadets. Some state military colleges, like The Citadel, also call their students cadets.
See also
In Spanish: Cadete para niños
