What is Cadets?

Interested in aviation? Looking for new friends? Want to learn how to play a musical instrument? Interested in getting physically fit? Want to be a leader? Then we might just be the youth program you are looking for.

Are you between the ages 12 to 18 and interested in flying or the air element of the Armed Forces? Are you looking for a challenge to bring out the best in yourself and your abilities? Then look no further, because Air Cadets is the program for you. You’ll make lifelong friends, learn valuable skills and increase your self esteem.

Air Cadets follow the military tradition of wearing uniforms, and we form a team which prides itself on leadership and citizenship qualities, physical fitness, and knowledge of the air activities of the Canadian Forces.

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Rewards

Many of our cadets participate in the Cadet Program because of the rewards:

• Sense of accomplishment

• Recognition from their peers and mentors

• Once-in-a-lifetime experiences

• Lifelong friends

• A chance to showcase their talents and maturity

• Self-confidence, self-discipline, self-esteem and increased self-awareness

• Community involvement

They also participate in fun activities, get the chance to travel and have summer employment opportunities. There are scholarships and bursaries. Some provinces even offer school credits for participation.

 

General Overview

Cadets normally follows the school year, training approximately one evening a week and one weekend a month from September to June. There are many opportunities for additional training, but those are the general minimums. During the mandatory weekday training evening, lessons are delivered that cover a wide range of topics, but with emphasis on leadership, aviation, physical fitness, and citizenship.

Most cadets will participate in additional training with optional teams (such a drill team, military band, or marksmanship), which normally add one evening a week to practice those specialty skills. While all cadets normally get a taste of these activities, cadets selected for these teams compete in higher level competitions (up to and including national level competitions, held across the country).

Additional opportunities to tour aviation facilities, civic sites, and citizenship trips are often included as optional training, along with additional community service opportunities.

Frequently, cadets and their families will find their involvement becomes all-inclusive. Although optional activities are not required to progress, the extra exposure, training, and opportunities they provide help develop better, well rounded cadets and leaders.