Glossary

ACL

Air Cadet League of Canada. The civilian partner that co-sponsors the program; its Alberta branch is the Alberta Provincial Committee (APC).

ACR

Annual Ceremonial Review. The formal parade and inspection each spring that closes the training year. All cadets are expected to attend.

AGM

Annual General Meeting. The Sponsoring Committee’s yearly meeting, where the executive is elected and the accounts reviewed. Parents may attend and vote.

Airmanship

The skills, knowledge, and judgment of operating in the air, the foundation cadets build through aviation training.

APC

Alberta Provincial Committee. The Alberta branch of the Air Cadet League, which oversees sponsoring committees and provincial activities.

Battle of Britain Sunday

A mid-September ceremony remembering the 1940 air battle over Britain. Air cadets have taken part since 1947.

BCATP

British Commonwealth Air Training Plan. The Second World War program based in Canada that trained aircrew from across the Commonwealth. 12 Edmonton was founded in this era.

CAF

Canadian Armed Forces. The federal military that funds the cadet program and provides its officers.

Cadet365

The Microsoft 365 platform (Teams and Outlook) used for official communication between officers and cadets.

Cadet ranks

From junior to senior: Leading Air Cadet (LAC), Corporal (Cpl), Flight Corporal (FCpl), Sergeant (Sgt), Flight Sergeant (FSgt), Warrant Officer Second Class (WO2), and Warrant Officer First Class (WO1).

Camp Wright

The Alberta Provincial Committee’s field-training camp, used for field exercises and summer training.

CI

Civilian Instructor. A paid civilian who instructs at the squadron; wears no uniform and holds no military rank, but is screened like an officer.

CIC

Cadet Instructor Cadre. The branch of the Canadian Armed Forces whose officers lead and train the squadron.

CJCR

Cadets and Junior Canadian Rangers. The federal umbrella for the cadet programs, and the source of the official dress instructions.

CO

Commanding Officer. The officer responsible for the overall operation of the squadron.

CO’s Parade

A formal parade on the first Wednesday of each month, inspected by the Commanding Officer. C1 dress; all cadets attend.

COATS

Cadet Organizations Administration and Training Service. The CAF component that includes CIC officers and Civilian Instructors.

Colours, the

The ceremonial flags of the unit or nation. Cadets pay compliments (salute) to uncased Colours on parade.

CTC

Cadet Training Centre. The sites that run the multi-week summer courses cadets can apply for.

CV

Civilian Volunteer. A civilian who helps the squadron without pay; holds an appointment but wears no uniform or rank.

CyberPatriot

A national youth cyber-defence competition in which cadet teams find and fix weaknesses in a simulated environment.

DCO

Deputy Commanding Officer. Supports the CO and stands in when the CO is away.

DND

Department of National Defence. The federal department that funds uniforms and the program’s core costs.

Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE)

An international youth achievement program. Cadets’ volunteer and community-service hours can count toward it.

Effective Speaking

A public-speaking program and competition that runs from the squadron to the national level.

Ensign

The Royal Canadian Air Cadet Ensign, the movement’s pale-blue flag, with a roundel of a gold eagle and maple leaf and the Canadian flag in the canton.

Fam flying

Familiarization flying: chances for cadets to get airborne, separate from gliding and the pilot scholarships.

FTU

Field Training Uniform, the green field uniform (order of dress C5) worn on most training nights and for field activities.

FTX

Field Training Exercise. A weekend exercise away from the parade hall, for leadership, navigation, and field skills.

Ground school

Classroom sessions covering aviation theory, weather, navigation, and aircraft recognition.

IACE

International Air Cadet Exchange. A funded international exchange for selected senior cadets.

IG

Instructional Guide. The lesson-by-lesson materials that accompany each training level’s QSP.

Level training

The five-level structure (Levels 1 to 5) cadets progress through each year, each level building on the last.

LHQ

Local Headquarters: the squadron’s home at 6770 129 Avenue NW, where parade nights are held and field exercises depart from and return to.

Maple Defender

A national cyber-defence exercise 12 Edmonton cadets take part in, alongside CyberPatriot.

NCO

Non-Commissioned Officer. A senior cadet who has earned rank (Corporal through Warrant Officer) and leads and instructs others under officer supervision.

Orders of dress

The numbered uniforms. C1 is full ceremonial dress (blue tunic and tie); C2 is mess dress; C3 is service dress; C5 is the green field uniform (FTU). The CO sets the dress of the day.

PMC

President of the Mess Committee. The cadet who runs the mess dinner. The Vice (Mr or Madam Vice), usually the most junior member, answers the loyal toast.

QSP

Qualification Standard and Plan. The official document setting each training level’s objectives, with its Instructional Guides (the A-CR-CCP-801 to 805 series).

RCACS

Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron. The official designation for an air cadet unit; we are 12 Edmonton RCACS.

RCAF

Royal Canadian Air Force. Canada’s air force, and the tradition the air cadet customs and uniform come from.

RCSU (Northwest)

Regional Cadet Support Unit (Northwest). The Canadian Armed Forces regional headquarters the squadron reports to, covering Alberta and the surrounding region.

Reviewing Officer

The external officer who inspects the squadron and takes the salute at the Annual Ceremonial Review.

SSC

Squadron Sponsoring Committee. The parent volunteer body that supports the squadron through fundraising, events, transport, and logistics.

Volunteer Bond

The squadron’s optional annual contribution ($150 per cadet) that helps fund a fuller program. It is refundable through volunteering and fundraising, and never a barrier to joining.

Run into a term that is not here? Email the officers at 12air@cadets.gc.ca and we will add it.