Royal Canadian Air Cadets facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Royal Canadian Air Cadets
Cadets de l'Aviation royale du Canada
Badge of the Royal Canadian Air Cadets
Active	April 9, 1941–present
Country	Canada
Branch	Air
Type	Youth organization
Size	454 squadrons (26,000+ cadets)
Part of	Canadian Cadet Organizations
Headquarters	Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Patron	Her Excellency The Right Honourable Julie Payette
Motto(s)	To Learn – To Serve – To Advance
March	Quick: "RCAF March Past"
Engagements	none
Commanders
Air Commodore-in-Chief	HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh
Colonel Commandant	George Canyon
Insignia
Ensign
Aircraft flown
Trainer	Schweizer SGS 2-33A, Cessna L-19, Cessna 182, Bellanca Scout, Cessna 172

The Royal Canadian Air Cadets is a program for Canadian youth. It is supported by sponsors in the community and Canada's Canadian Armed Forces funded by the Department of National Defence. There are about 450 Air Cadet squadrons, located in every province and territory in Canada. The two other cadet programs for youth in Canada are the Royal Canadian Sea Cadets and the Royal Canadian Army Cadets. People between the ages of 12 and 18 inclusive can join this program for free, and they are led by the officers of the Canadian Forces Cadet Instructor Cadre.

Aims and Motto

The aim of the Air Cadets is to "develop in youth the attributes of good citizenship and leadership; promote physical fitness; and to stimulate the interest of youth in the sea, land and air activities of the Canadian Armed Forces". The Motto of the Air Cadets is "To Learn, to Serve, to Advance". It was created by Robert Myles Colwell in 1966 while he was a cadet with 625 (Southern Victoria) Squadron in Perth-Andover, New Brunswick. The cadet program focuses on social development, decision-making and leadership. As cadets acquire skills and knowledge, they pass it along to younger cadets.

Ranking

The rank system in Air Cadets is founded in that ranking system used by the non-commissioned member's ranks of the pre-unification Royal Canadian Air Force with some modifications. Royal Canadian Air Cadets are not part of the Canadian Forces and do not have to join the Canadian Armed Forces.

1) Air Cadet (AC)- On joining Air Cadets, recruits receive the rank of Air Cadet and are addressed as "Cadet".

2) Leading Air Cadet (LAC)- After five months of membership and training, a cadet is eligible to be promoted to the rank of Leading Air Cadet on the recommendation of the appropriate Flight Commander, and is usually addressed by the initials "LAC".

3) Corporal (Cpl) After successful completion of Level 1 Air Cadet training and having participated in the Cadet Fitness Assessment, a cadet holding the rank of LAC is eligible to be promoted to the rank of Corporal on the recommendation of the appropriate Flight Commander.

4) Flight Corporal (FCpl) A cadet is eligible to be promoted to Flight Corporal after completing level 2 training.

5) Sergeant (Sgt) A Cadet who has held the rank of flight corporal for at least 6 months, has participated in the Cadet Fitness Assessment, and has successfully finish Level 3 training in air cadets is eligible for promotion to Sergeant on the recommendation of the appropriate Flight Commander. Cadets must attain a minimum of "completed without difficulty" in PO 303 (Leadership) to be promoted to the rank of Sergeant.

6) Flight-Sergeant (FSgt) After holding the rank of Sergeant for six months and successfully completing Level 4 training, and participating in the Cadet Fitness Assessment, a cadet is eligible for promotion to Flight Sergeant on the recommendation of the appropriate Flight Commander. Cadets must attain a minimum of "completed without difficulty" in PO3 403 (Leadership) to be promoted to the rank of Flight Sergeant.

7) Warrant Officer Second Class (WO2) After holding the rank of Flight Sergeant for six months, successfully completing Level 4 training, and participating in the Cadet Fitness Assessment, and having been identified as a successful candidate through the merit review board process, a cadet is eligible for promotion to WO2 on the recommendation of the appropriate Flight Commander. Cadets must attain a minimum of "completed without difficulty" in PO3 503 (Leadership) to be promoted to the rank of Warrant Officer Second Class.

8) Warrant Officer First Class (WO1) After holding the rank of Warrant Officer Second Class for six months, and having been identified as a successful candidate through the merit review board process, a cadet is eligible for promotion to WO1 on the recommendation of the appropriate Flight Commander. There is only one cadet in each squadron who can hold the rank of WO1.

Images for kids

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  Sunset at Penhold Air Cadet Summer Training Centre

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  The Schweizer SGS 2-33 (2-33A), used for training in the Air Cadet Gliding Program

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  The 226 Pipeband at the 2008 annual review at the Colisée de Trois-Rivières in Quebec in May 2008.

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  767 Dearman Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron band during a Santa Claus Parade in 2012.

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  An example of a Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron Banner.

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  The Banner of the Royal Canadian Air Cadets

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  The Royal Canadian Air Cadets Ensign

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  Badge