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12 Edmonton RCACS crest 12 Edmonton Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron

For cadets

Cadets

What you learn, how you advance, and the opportunities open to you as a 12 Edmonton air cadet.

What cadets learn

Training and curriculum

The program runs over five proficiency levels, roughly one per year. Cadets build knowledge and responsibility as they go. The summaries below are an overview, not the full lesson-by-lesson plan. For specifics on a level, the level officers are happy to help: email 12air@cadets.gc.ca.

The full official curriculum for each level is published by National Defence as a Qualification Standard and Plan (QSP). Each level below links to its QSP; the complete Cadet Publications library also holds the matching Instructional Guides used by instructors.

Level 1 First-year cadet Finding your feet: how the squadron works and the foundations of being an air cadet.

Topics

  • The cadet program and life at 12 Edmonton
  • Citizenship and community service
  • Working as part of a team (followership)
  • Personal fitness and healthy living
  • Air rifle marksmanship: safety and the basics
  • General cadet knowledge: history, rank, and dress
  • Foot drill
  • Introduction to aviation, flight, and aircrew survival

By the end of Level 1

By the end of Level 1, a cadet is comfortable in the squadron, can perform basic drill, understands how the program works, and has a foundation in aviation and field skills.

Official curriculum: Proficiency Level 1 Qualification Standard and Plan (PDF)
Level 2 Building skills Taking part with more independence and going deeper into aviation and the field.

Topics

  • Citizenship and community service
  • Leadership as an active team member
  • Personal fitness and recreational sports
  • Air rifle marksmanship progression
  • Survival, navigation, and orienteering
  • Principles of flight and meteorology
  • Aerospace and aerodrome operations
  • Drill and ceremonial

By the end of Level 2

By the end of Level 2, a cadet takes part more independently, can handle navigation and survival tasks on a field exercise, and has a deeper grounding in aviation theory.

Official curriculum: Proficiency Level 2 Qualification Standard and Plan (PDF)
Level 3 Taking responsibility Beginning to lead small teams and to instruct junior cadets.

Topics

  • Leading a small team
  • Introduction to instructional technique
  • Community service and citizenship
  • Fitness and marksmanship
  • Field and survival skills
  • Aviation: navigation and weather
  • Aerospace and aircraft

By the end of Level 3

By the end of Level 3, a cadet can lead a small group, teach the basics to newer cadets, and carry real responsibility on parade and in the field.

Official curriculum: Proficiency Level 3 Qualification Standard and Plan (PDF)
Level 4 Instructing and leading Planning and delivering instruction, mentoring junior cadets, and advanced aviation.

Topics

  • Leadership theory and practice
  • Instructional techniques: planning and delivering lessons
  • Mentoring junior cadets
  • Advanced aviation and aerospace
  • Preparing for specialized summer training

By the end of Level 4

By the end of Level 4, a cadet is a capable instructor and junior leader, and is eligible for specialized summer courses such as advanced aviation.

Official curriculum: Proficiency Level 4 Qualification Standard and Plan (PDF)
Level 5 Senior leadership Leading the cadet body, mentoring across the squadron, and senior appointments.

Topics

  • Advanced leadership and management
  • Mentoring and coaching cadets at every level
  • Helping plan and run squadron activities
  • Advanced aviation and aerospace
  • Preparing for senior appointments and national scholarships

By the end of Level 5

By the end of Level 5, a cadet is a senior leader and mentor for the squadron, and is eligible for the most advanced opportunities, including pilot scholarships.

Official curriculum: Proficiency Level 5 Qualification Standard and Plan (PDF)

Curriculum source: National Defence Canada, Cadet Publications (the A-CR-CCP-801 to 805 series).

Moving up

Promotions

Cadet rank generally advances as a cadet completes each training level over the year, so most cadets move up about once a year. Promotion is earned, not automatic. It depends on:

  • Completing the training and attendance expected for the current level
  • Meeting the dress, drill, and conduct standard expected of the next rank
  • Demonstrated effort, participation, and leadership

Senior ranks and leadership appointments (such as the Warrant Officer roles) are awarded through a merit review board that considers a cadet's whole record, not time served alone. The officer team explains the specific requirements at each level.

Looking sharp

Uniform and dress

Uniforms are issued by the Department of National Defence at no cost. Most parade nights cadets wear the green Field Training Uniform (FTU); the blue dress uniform (C1) is worn for the CO's Parade, the Annual Ceremonial Review, Remembrance Day, and when announced.

Uniform reference figures from the CJCR Group Dress Instructions, National Defence / Government of Canada. An official work reproduced for non-commercial purposes; not produced in affiliation with or endorsed by DND or the Canadian Armed Forces.

Caring for your uniform

Cadets are responsible for their own kit. Keeping it to a parade-ready standard means:

  • Ironing the tunic and trousers to a sharp press
  • Polishing boots to a mirror finish
  • Sewing badges and pins on correctly and securely
  • Washing and caring for the fabric properly

Officers and senior cadets can show you the techniques the first time.

Getting kitted out

New cadets are measured and issued a uniform by the supply section. When something no longer fits, a cadet can be re-measured for a replacement. A measurement guide and sizing form are used to get the fit right.

See measuring at home below for the official guide and a printable sizing form.

Official dress instructions

Everything about wear, hair standards, rank insignia, badges, and orders of dress is set out in the CJCR Dress Instructions:

Measuring at home

New cadets are measured by the supply section, but it helps to come prepared. Have someone else take the measurements, wear close-fitting clothing, remove your belt and shoes, and stand straight without holding your breath. If a reading falls between two marks, take the larger one. The supplier measures: head, neck, chest, waist, hips, sleeve length, hand, outseam (trouser length), foot, and height.

Download the full measurement guide (PDF)

Record all measurements in centimetres (cm). A blank sizing form is available to print or save as a PDF, fill in, and bring to the supply section.

Open the printable sizing form (cm)

The chain

Cadet ranks

New cadets start as an Air Cadet, with no rank badge, then progress through these ranks as they advance and take on more responsibility. Each rank has its own insignia, worn on the uniform as set out in the dress instructions above.

  1. no badge AC Air Cadet
  2. Leading Air Cadet rank insignia LAC Leading Air Cadet
  3. Corporal rank insignia Cpl Corporal
  4. Flight Corporal rank insignia FCpl Flight Corporal
  5. Sergeant rank insignia Sgt Sergeant
  6. Flight Sergeant rank insignia FSgt Flight Sergeant
  7. Warrant Officer Second Class rank insignia WO2 Warrant Officer Second Class
  8. Warrant Officer First Class rank insignia WO1 Warrant Officer First Class

Rank insignia: Wikimedia Commons, Canadian Cadet Organizations (public domain). The official reference is the CJCR Dress Instructions, rank insignia (Annex B).

Wondering what every badge, wing, and award means? Our Badges & insignia guide explains them all in plain language.

Recognition

Medals and awards

Cadets are recognized for achievement, service, and leadership. Alongside the level badges earned through training, there are national and provincial honours, long-service recognition, and squadron awards presented each year at the Annual Ceremonial Review.

Our Badges & insignia guide explains each badge, wing, and award in plain language, with a picture of each. Cadets can also apply for real scholarships toward college, university, and flight training, see Scholarships & awards.

Beyond the squadron

Summer training

Cadets can apply for funded summer courses at Cadet Training Centres (CTCs) across the country, from a two-week introduction to multi-week specialist courses. These are optional, and selection is competitive. Survival and marksmanship courses are especially popular.

Who can go, and when: summer courses require a cadet to have completed at least their first full training year. Every course, in person or online, needs Training Year 2 or higher, so first-year (Level 1) cadets are not eligible; the introductory summer course that new cadets could once attend is no longer offered. The longer specialist courses and the pilot scholarships need higher levels again, plus minimum ages of 16 or 17.

Open to all cadets

Popular courses shared across sea, army, and air cadets, and a great way to build a skill and meet cadets from across the country.

General training

The shortest summer course (about two weeks). Open once a cadet has finished their first year, it is a broad introduction to camp life and the streams cadets can specialize in.

Marksmanship

One of the most popular courses: air-rifle target shooting under close supervision, from the fundamentals up to coaching and competition.

Survival

Field and survival skills: shelter, navigation, and living and moving safely in the outdoors.

Fitness and sports

Physical fitness, coaching, and recreational and competitive sport.

Military band and pipe band

Music training for cadets who play, or want to learn, a band or pipe-band instrument.

Drill and ceremonial

Advanced drill, parade commanding, and ceremonial skills for cadets who enjoy the precision side of the program.

Air Cadet courses (limited spots, strong competition)

These aviation courses and the pilot scholarships are specific to air cadets. Places are few and selection is very competitive, based on a cadet's training level, performance, and a national selection board. See Scholarships & awards for how the flying scholarships work.

Aviation Technology and Aerospace

A two-week introduction to aerospace, airport operations, and aircraft manufacturing and maintenance.

Advanced Aviation

A longer course building specialist knowledge and instructional skill in aviation, communication, and meteorology.

Glider and Power Pilot scholarships

Multi-week summer courses where selected senior cadets train to fly solo and earn a Transport Canada glider or private pilot licence. Highly competitive, with very limited spots (glider from age 16, power from 17).

See the full list on the official Cadets summer training page, including the courses open to all cadets and the survival courses.

Staff cadets (paid)

Cadets 16 and older can return to a Cadet Training Centre as staff cadets, taking on responsibility and earning a training bonus for the time they work.

Opportunities

Scholarships and opportunities

The Air Cadet League of Canada and its Alberta Provincial Committee offer scholarships and unique opportunities to cadets who put in the work. Cadets are strongly encouraged to apply.

Glider Pilot Scholarship

A six-week summer course where successful cadets earn a Transport Canada glider pilot licence. Open to senior cadets who qualify.

Power Pilot Scholarship

A seven-week course of flying and ground school leading to a Transport Canada private pilot licence. One of the program's flagship opportunities.

International Air Cadet Exchange (IACE)

A two-and-a-half-week exchange where selected senior cadets travel abroad to visit aviation, cultural, and historical sites and meet cadets from other nations.

Effective Speaking

A public-speaking program and competition that builds confidence and communication skills, advancing from the squadron to regional, provincial, and national levels.

Post-secondary scholarships

The Air Cadet League offers post-secondary scholarships and bursaries to help cadets continue their education after the program.

Alberta provincial awards

The Alberta Provincial Committee offers its own recognition and scholarships for Alberta cadets.

Our Scholarships & awards guide → Air Cadet League scholarships → Alberta honours and scholarships →

Expectations

Cadet code of conduct

Every cadet agrees to the national Cadet Code of Conduct, signed by both the cadet and a parent or guardian. It keeps the squadron a safe and respectful place for everyone. In short, cadets agree to:

  • Treat peers, juniors, and leaders with respect, and set a good example in dress and conduct.
  • Be honest, and not lie, cheat, or steal.
  • Use respectful language, with no profanity, harassment, or bullying, in person or online.
  • Make no comments or conduct of a discriminatory or sexual nature, and keep appropriate boundaries.
  • Not possess or use alcohol, drugs, tobacco, cannabis, or vaping products.
  • Take care of issued kit and respect others' property and privacy.
  • Put safety first, and stop and report any wrongdoing or unsafe situation to a supervisor.
  • Ask an adult staff member for help whenever a situation is beyond their authority.

This is a plain-language summary of the national Canadian Cadet Organizations Code of Conduct. Cadets receive the full version to read and sign when they join.

Want more detail?

Cadets have the full curriculum available through Cadet365. For anything specific, reach out to the officer team at 12air@cadets.gc.ca.