Royal Canadian Army Cadets
The Royal Canadian Army Cadets (often shortened to "army cadets") is a national program for young people in Canada. The Department of National Defence, private sponsors, nearby communities, and the Army Cadet League of Canada pay for the program. 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 (CIC). Army cadets are not members of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and do not have to join the Army when they finish being RCACs.
 The badge of the Royal Canadian Army Cadets | |
| Abbreviation | Army Cadets |
|---|---|
| Motto | Acer Acerpori (As the Maple, so the Sapling) |
| Formation | July 25, 1879 |
| Type | Quasi-Military youth organization |
| Headquarters | Ottawa, Ontario, Canada |
Official language | English and French |
Commander | Commodore Josée Kurtz |
| Website | https://www.cadets.gc.ca/ |
Ranks
changeThe army cadets use a top-down rank structure similar to the Canadian Army.
| Name of Rank | Criteria |
|---|---|
| Senior Cadets (Sergeant to Chief Warrant Officer) | |
| Chief Warrant Officer (CWO) | Alongside being called Chief Warrant Officer, the cadet is also called the "Regimental Sergeant Major", or "RSM", of their corps. Promotion to CWO is considered the a of an Army Cadet's service.
To become a Chief Warrant Officer (CWO), a cadet must:
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| Master Warrant Officer (MWO) | To become a Master Warrant Officer (MWO), a cadet must:
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| Warrant Officer (WO) | To become a Warrant Officer (WO), a cadet must:
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| Sergeant (Sgt) | To become a Sergeant (Sgt), a cadet must:
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| Junior Cadets (Cadet to Master Corporal) | |
| Master Corporal (MCpl) | To become a Master Corporal (MCpl), a cadet must:
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| Corporal (Cpl) | To become a Corporal (Cpl), a cadet must:
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| Lance Corporal (LCpl) | For promotion to Lance Corporal (LCpl), a cadet must:
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| Cadet (Cdt) |
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The rank of Lance Corporal can have a different name depending on the Canadian Army regiment sponsoring them. For example, a corps sponsored by a Highland regiment will have different rank names than a corps sponsored by the Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery.
| Branch | Lance Corporal |
|---|---|
| Royal Canadian Armoured Corps | Trooper (Tpr) |
| Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery | Gunner (Gnr) |
| Corps of Royal Canadian Engineers | Sapper (Spr) |
| Royal Canadian Corps of Signals | Signalman (Sgmn) |
| Corps of Royal Canadian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers | Craftsman (Cfm) |
| Royal Canadian Infantry Corps (RCIC) - Guards regiments | Guardsman (Gdm) |
| RCIC - Rifle regiments | Rifleman (Rfm) |
| RCIC - Fusilier regiments | Fusilier (Fus) |
| Highland (Scottish) Regiment | Highlander (Hldr) |
| RCIC - Voltigeur Regiment | Voltigeur (Vol) |
In a corps sponsored by the Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery, the rank of Master Corporal (MCpl) is called Master Bombardier (MBdr), and the rank of Corporal is called Bombardier (Bdr) instead of the usual names. In the guards regiments, Warrant Officers (WO) are known as Colour Sergeants (CSgt), and Second Lieutenants are known as Ensigns. A cadet cannot hold the rank of Second Lieutenant, as it is an officer rank.
Medals and awards
changeCanadian Cadets who perform very well in their duties as a cadet can be given medals and awards, which are worn on their uniform. The medals are similar in style to the medals given to CAF service members. Cadets may be awarded medals if they show bravery, citizenship, cadet service, exemplary service during a summer training course, and more. Cadets may also wear any orders, decorations, or medals of Canada that they have received.
In the cadets, there are several honours and awards cadets from all branches (Army, Sea, and Air) and some that are unique to each. A cadet who goes from from one element to another can still wear any medals from their previous service, but generally, army cadets may have the chance to receive following eight honours and awards. These awards are listed in the order of importance.
| Medal | Description |
|---|---|
Cadet Award for Bravery |
The Cadet Award of Bravery may be awarded to a cadet who performs an outstanding act of fearlessness involving risk of life while trying to save the life or belongings of someone else. Cadets who lose their life during their act of fearlessness are awarded a Gold Star with their medal. This is the most honourable medal in the cadet honour system, and has only been given to 19 cadets in history. |
Lord Strathcona Trust Fund Medal |
The Lord Strathcona Trust Fund Medal, also known as the Lord Strathcona Medal, is the highest award which can be given to a cadet for their exemplary performance in physical and military training. This award is given out to one Cadet, in every cadet corps across Canada per year. |
Royal Canadian Legion Cadet Medal of Excellence |
The Royal Canadian Legion (RCL) Cadet Medal of Excellence is given out in recognition for a Cadet's efforts in citizenship that support the goals of the cadet movement. This award is given out to one Cadet, in every cadet corps across Canada per year. |
Major General Howard Medal |
The Major-General W.A. Howard Medal is given out each year to the cadet in each province and territory that gets the highest assessment score on their Gold Star year. This award is given to one army cadet in each province/territory per year. |
ANAVETS Cadet Medal of Merit |
The Army, Navy and Air Force Veterans in Canada (ANAVETS), as a part of its wish to encourage excellence and knowledge of the CCO, created the Army, Navy and Air Force Veterans in Canada Cadet Medal of Merit (ANAVETS Cadet Medal of Merit).
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Order of St. George Medal |
Given to the top Staff Cadet(s) at each CTC. |
Army Cadet Service Medal |
This medal is given to an Army Cadet that has successfully completed four years of good quality service within the Canadian cadet program. Single bars are given out for every year of service after 4 years. |