Royal Canadian Army Cadets

Royal Canadian Army Cadets
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 languages	English and French
Commander	Commodore Josée Kurtz
Website	https://www.cadets.gc.ca/

The Royal Canadian Army Cadets (often shortened to "army cadets") is a national program for young people in Canada. The Department of National Defense, 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.

Ranks

The army cadets use a top-down rank structure similar to the Canadian Army.

**Rank Structure of the Canadian Army Cadets**
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: Be part of a corps large enough to be given a CWO position and in which that position is available, except in the case of a transfer from another corps. Complete at least six months of service at the rank of Master Warrant Officer; Complete the Master Cadet training level; Have an attendance rating above 75%; Participate in the Cadet Fitness Assessment; and Be recommended by a Merit Review Board.
Master Warrant Officer (MWO)	To become a Master Warrant Officer (MWO), a cadet must: Complete at least six months of service at the rank of Warrant Officer (WO); Have an attendance rating above 75%; Achieve a minimum of “completed without difficulty” in PO 503 (Leadership); Participate in the Cadet Fitness Assessment; and Be recommended by a Merit Review Board.
Warrant Officer (WO)	To become a Warrant Officer (WO), a cadet must: Complete at least six months of service at the rank of Sergeant; Have an attendance rating above 75%; Successfully complete Gold Star training; Be able to effectively teach a lecture and drill-based lesson, as well as completing a minimum of “completed without difficulty” in PO 409 (Instructional Techniques). Achieve a minimum of “completed without difficulty” in PO 403 (Leadership); and Participate in the Cadet Fitness Assessment.
Sergeant (Sgt)	To become a Sergeant (Sgt), a cadet must: Complete at least six months of service at the rank of Master Corporal; Have an attendance rating above 75%; Successfully completed Silver Star training; Achieve a minimum of “completed without difficulty” in PO 303 (Leadership); and Participated in the Cadet Fitness Assessment.
Junior Cadets (Cadet to Master Corporal)
Master Corporal (MCpl)	To become a Master Corporal (MCpl), a cadet must: Complete at least six months of service at the rank of Corporal; Have an attendance rating above 75%; Successfully complete Red Star training; and Participate in the Cadet Fitness Assessment.
Corporal (Cpl)	To become a Corporal (Cpl), a cadet must: Hold the rank of Lance Corporal; Have an attendance rating above 75%; Successfully complete Green Star training; and Participate in the Cadet Fitness Assessment.
Lance Corporal (LCpl)	For promotion to Lance Corporal (LCpl), a cadet must: Participate in the Green Star training program for a minimum period of six months; and Have an attendance rating above 75%.
Cadet (Cdt)	Granted upon enrollment; Must be 12 years of age to enroll.

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.

Alternative Names for Cadet Lance Corporal (by branch)
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

Canadian 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). One medal is given at each CTC to the top cadet, male or female, for each Instructor level course.
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.