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CadetWorld CWwiki From CadetWorld CWwiki
Royal Canadian Air Cadets
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This page was last modified on 29 March 2009, at 18:35.
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Pour la version française de cet article, voir Cadets de l'aviation royale du Canada Royal Canadian Air Cadets (RCAirC) is a Canadian national youth program for persons aged 12 to 18. It is administered by the Canadian Forces (CF) and funded through the Department of National Defence (DND) with additional support from the civilian Air Cadet League of Canada (ACL).[1] Together with the Royal Canadian Sea Cadets and Royal Canadian Army Cadets, it forms the "largest federally-funded youth program in the country".[2]Cadets are civilians, they are not members of the military and are not obliged to join the Canadian Forces. The first squadrons were established in 1941 to train young men for duties during World War II.[3][4] The purpose has since changed to focus on citizenship, leadership, physical fitness, general aviation and stimulating an interest in the activities of the Canadian Forces. The majority of cadet training takes place at the local squadron during the regular school year with a percentage of cadets selected for summer training courses at various cadet summer training centres located across Canada. Central to the air cadet program are the gliding and flying scholarships offered to air cadets who qualify. One in five private pilots in Canada is an ex-air cadet and 67% of commercial and airline pilots began as air cadets.[5] There are about 450 squadrons located across the country with an approximate enrolment of 24,500 Air Cadets.[6]
OverviewThe aim of Royal Canadian Air Cadets is to: develop in youth the attributes of good citizenship and leadership; promote physical fitness; and stimulate the interest of youth in the sea, land, and air activities of the Canadian Forces. This is the same as for the Sea and Army Cadets; however, each focuses on its own parent element.[7] The Air Cadet motto is "To learn. To serve. To advance."[3] Persons aged 12 to 18 may join the RC Air Cadets. The organization and rank system of the former Royal Canadian Air Force is used. Cadets are not members of the Canadian Forces and cadets have no power of command over any CF member. Adult leadership is provided by officers of the Canadian Forces Cadet Instructor Cadre, supplemented by contracted Civilian Instructors, authorized adult volunteers, and on occasion, officers and non-commissioned members of other CF branches. Cadet Instructors Cadre (CIC) members are specially trained to deliver the Royal Canadian Sea, Army, and Air Cadet Program, and are drawn from all walks of life: former cadets, former long-service Regular and Reserve CF members, and the parents of cadets are amongst those attracted to enroll in the Canadian Forces as members of the CIC.[8] Along with the Royal Canadian Sea Cadets and Royal Canadian Army Cadets, the RCAirC forms part of the Canadian Cadet Organization. Though the RCAirC, and the other cadet programs, have a close relationship with the CF, cadets are not members of the Forces, and are not expected or required to join the Canadian Forces.[9] In keeping with Commonwealth custom, the Royal Canadian Air Cadets stand last in the order of precedence, after the Royal Canadian Sea and Army Cadets. HistoryThe Early YearsThe Air Cadet Organization originated in the early days of World War II. In 1940 a group of former members of the Air Force who served in World War I; and were motivated to serve their country again; conceived of an organization for young men that had two purposes. The first was to create a pre-trained junior volunteer reserve to act as an aircrew feeder for the RCAF. The second was to make available a basic training in aviation that will better fit Canadian youths for peacetime careers, either in the Service, in civil aviation, or in other walks of life.[10] The idea was presented to Air Minister, Hon. Charles Gavan Power MC, PC, at the Department of National Defence for Air, who saw the advantages of such a program. Following meetings between the original sponsors of the plan, various civilian groups and the Department of National Defence for Air, it was decided that the youth would be enrolled under the direct control of a civilian bodies who could have the respect and confidence of the parents of the cadets.[10] With the support of Air Minister Power and high-ranking members of the RCAF and Department of National Defence for Air, the authority to form the Air Cadet League of Canada who would organize and administer Air Cadets was granted through an Order-in-Council in 11 November 1940. Though the Air Cadets of Canada was officially formed in April 1941, the Air Cadet League executive did not meet as a group until June of that year. They immediately went to work creating policy and procedures and training publications. They also appointed provincial chairman (who, in turn, created their own provinicial committees). Together they criss-crossed the country promoting the organization and recruiting squadron sponsors. The first squadrons were organized so that by December 1941 there were 79 squadrons. By May 1942 there were 135 squadrons and 10,000 cadets. Initially, cadets ranged in age from 15-18 though squadrons based in schools had the ability to recruit a limited number of juniors ranging in age from 12-15 [10] In 1942, the RCAF took over the training of air cadets and produced a syllabus nearly identical to that of those attending the RCAF's Initial Training School. Considered ambitious at the time, cadets trained two nights a week from September to June completing approximately 247 hours of training. This training included: aircraft recognition, 28; airmanship, 28: anti-gas, 6; armament, 8; first aid, 12; hygiene and sanitation, 5; knots and splices, 6; meteorology, 12; navigation, 50; mathematics, 20; progress of war study, 10; service familiarization, 14; signals, 48; drill and physical training, flexible.[10] Summer training, which lasted 10 days, also began in 1942 and took place at 26 different RCAF stations. Cadets took tours and received lectures on service life from RCAF Officers. Their afternoons were spent working in and around hangars assisting mechanics as their proficiency allowed or engaged in such exciting pursuits as acting as "gofers" or sweeping hangar floors. This training plan proved a little overambitious as the officers at the home squadrons, who were not members of the RCAF themselves, received little in the way of training and were often not able to conduct some of the more technical courses. The RCAF began running summer courses for staff concurrent with the air cadet training. In addition they allowed home squadrons to modify the syllabus somewhat to focus on training they were able to conduct themselves. In the next year, by 1943, there were 315 squadrons with a membership of 23,000. That same year the RCAF began awarding King's Commissions to Air Cadet officers who became members of a special reserve component of the RCAF called "The Air Cadets Corps". By September 1944, the program reached a peak membership of 31,000 cadets in 379 squadrons. Supporting the cadets were 1,728 officers; 387 chaplains and medical officers; 650 civilian instructors; and 1,920 civilians active on unit and regional committees.[10] By this time the war was beginning to draw to a close. Aircrew loss rates had dropped considerably and the need for replacement aircrew dwindled as well. Throughout the end of 1944 and the beginning of 1945, the Air Cadet League began to put in place a plan for transitioning the Royal Canadian Air Cadets, as it was known by then, from its "war aims" to a peace-time role. Post WarAfter the war, membership dropped to a low of 11,000 in 155 squadrons and the Air Cadet program underwent a transformation to reflect the changing needs of Canada and the cadets. The Air Cadet League introduced awards for proficiency and loyalty to the squadrons, summer courses were offered at RCAF stations, and a flying scholarship course was developed.[11] To date, more than 15,000 cadets have received their private pilot licence through this scholarship course.[11] Training shifted to be focused on the development of citizenship and an interest in aviation.[11] Interest was renewed; by 1961, 332 squadrons were in existence and in 1972, authority was given for membership of up to 28,000 cadets.[11] UnificationWith the unification of the Royal Canadian Navy,the Canadian Army and the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1968, the Canadian Forces became the Air Cadet League's military partner in the delivery of air cadet training.[12] In 1975, legislation was changed to officially allow the enrolment of female cadets into the Royal Canadian Sea, Army, and Air Cadets.[4] TodayToday, the Royal Canadian Air Cadets has a membership of approximately 26,000 in 450 squadrons; and together with the Royal Canadian Sea Cadets and Royal Canadian Army Cadets, forms the "largest federally-funded youth program in the country".[6][2] The membership has also diversified, becoming gender balanced and attracting and retaining visible minorities.[13] Funding and military partnershipThe RCAirC, along with the Royal Canadian Sea and Army Cadets, is sponsored by the CF/DND and the civilian Air Cadet League, along with the Navy League and Army Cadet League.[1] Each cadet unit is supported by a local sponsoring committee or League branch, responsible to the National League.[14] The basic Air Cadet program is free, including uniforms and activities. The local civilian sponsors must raise money to provide accommodation, liability insurance, and additional training aids not provided by the CF/DND. Cadets and their parents are encouraged to participate in fund-raising activities.[7] References
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This page was last modified on 29 March 2009, at 18:35.
This page has been accessed 1,082 times.
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