Who we are
Our Team
The officers, civilian instructors, cadet leaders, and parent volunteers behind 12 Edmonton.
The squadron is led and supported by four distinct groups: Cadet Instructor Cadre (CIC) officers who hold commissions in the Canadian Armed Forces, Civilian Instructors who bring specialist expertise, the cadet chain of leadership, and the volunteer civilian Squadron Sponsoring Committee. Each group has a defined role, and together they deliver the program cadets experience every Wednesday.
How we are organized
Squadron structure
The squadron is organized into a few overlapping structures. The charts below show each perspective. They are simplified for clarity and show positions, not individuals; names are added once the year's appointments are confirmed.
Command
Chain of command- O Commanding Officer
- O Deputy Commanding Officer
- O Training Officer
- CI Standards Officer
- CI Administration Officer
- CI Supply Officer
- O Deputy Commanding Officer
Support
Administration and logistics- O Deputy Commanding Officer
- CI Administration Officer
- Cdt Senior Admin Cadet
- CI Supply Officer
- Cdt Senior Supply Cadet
- CI Duty Officer
- Cdt Duty NCO
- Cdt Canteen NCO
- CI Administration Officer
Training
Instructional staff, peers under the Training OfficerParade and cadet chain
The cadet leadership structureSponsoring Committee
The parent-volunteer side; everyone reports to the ChairOfficers
Cadet Instructor Cadre Officers
CIC officers hold commissions in the Canadian Armed Forces as members of the Cadet Instructor Cadre, carrying real military authority and legal accountability for the cadet program. At 12 Edmonton, the Commanding Officer, Deputy Commanding Officer, and Training Officer are the commissioned CIC officers; the squadron's other staff roles are filled by civilian instructors and volunteers (below).
Commanding Officer (CO)
The CO holds command authority over the squadron and is accountable to the Regional Cadet Support Unit (RCSU Northwest) for all aspects of squadron operation, safety, and compliance. The CO chairs the monthly CO's Parade and interfaces with the Air Cadet League, the Legion, and community partners.
Deputy Commanding Officer (DCO)
The DCO supports the CO and assumes command in the CO's absence. The DCO typically carries oversight responsibility for day-to-day program delivery and officer coordination.
Training Officer
Responsible for planning and delivering the annual training program across all five training levels. The Training Officer schedules instruction, coordinates instructors, and ensures the curriculum meets national Cadet Program standards.
To reach the officer team, email 12air@cadets.gc.ca.
Civilian staff
Civilian Instructors and Volunteers
Most of the squadron's staff roles are filled by Civilian Instructors (CIs) and Civilian Volunteers (CVs) rather than commissioned officers. CIs are paid civilian staff engaged to deliver instruction; CVs help on a volunteer basis. Neither wears a uniform or holds a rank, but both hold a formal appointment and pass the same screening and standards of conduct as officers. They cover roles and subjects such as these:
Standards
Maintains quality and consistency in drill, dress, deportment, and administrative practices, and monitors compliance with cadet regulations.
Administration
Looks after squadron records, enrolment paperwork, and attendance, supported by the cadet administration team.
Supply
Manages DND-issued equipment, the uniform stores, and supply accounts, issuing and tracking kit.
Level staff
Each training level (1 to 5) has assigned staff who are the main point of contact for those cadets and their parents and who oversee the level's training.
Instruction and coaching
Ground school, aviation and aerospace, marksmanship and range safety, the band, effective speaking, and the ALP.
Duty staff
A rotating role each parade night responsible for the safe running of the evening, supported by a cadet Duty NCO.
Leadership
Cadet Chain of Leadership
A core purpose of the Cadet Program is to develop leadership in young people. The cadet chain is not a support function; it is a central part of program design. Senior cadets hold real responsibility for the cadets below them, under officer supervision.
Warrant Officer First Class (WO1), Cadet Squadron Warrant Officer
The senior cadet in the squadron, typically a Level 5 cadet who has earned the rank through demonstrated leadership and proficiency. The WO1 acts as the senior cadet advisor to the CO, leads the cadet body on parade, and sets the standard for conduct and dress.
Cadet Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs)
Cadet NCOs hold ranks from Corporal through Warrant Officer Second Class. They lead flights, teach junior cadets, assist with administration, and develop their own leadership skills through practice. NCO positions are earned through promotion and are held accountable by the officer team.
Volunteers
Squadron Sponsoring Committee (SSC)
The Squadron Sponsoring Committee is the civilian volunteer body that sponsors the squadron. Under the Air Cadet League of Canada's structure, every squadron must have a civilian sponsor; for 12 Edmonton, that is the SSC. The Department of National Defence funds the core program (the officers, the training, and the uniforms), and the SSC raises and manages the money for everything around it: facilities, equipment, events, transport, awards, and the activities the military budget does not cover.
At the heart of the committee is a small executive: the Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer. They are elected by the parent body and hold the committee's signing authority. By League rule every cheque needs two signatures, and the Commanding Officer and squadron staff never sign. The Chair is the key role, the squadron's civilian link to both the Commanding Officer and the Air Cadet League, and the person the rest of the committee reports to. The roles below the executive are volunteer positions that support the committee and do not carry signing authority.
On the first Wednesday of each month, after the CO's Parade, the committee holds its SSC/Parent meeting: the SSC shares what it has been working on, and the Commanding Officer briefs families on the squadron side. All squadron parents are welcome. Once a year, at the Annual General Meeting, parents vote to keep the current committee in place or to elect anyone new who steps forward.
Executive committee
The elected core team, who carry the committee's signing authority.
Chair
The key role on the committee. Sets the direction, presides over meetings, and is the squadron's civilian link to the Commanding Officer and the Air Cadet League. Everyone on the committee reports to the Chair, who holds one of the two signatures on the committee's accounts.
Secretary
Keeps the official minutes of meetings, maintains the committee's records, and handles formal correspondence on behalf of the committee.
Treasurer
Manages the bank accounts, handles income and expenses, and presents the financial reports. Holds the committee's second signature, so every cheque carries both the Treasurer's and the Chair's.
Volunteer roles
Positions that support the committee. These are not executive roles and do not carry signing authority.
Fundraising Event Lead
Each major fundraiser has its own lead, who runs that one event from start to finish and hands it off once it wraps up. It is a focused, time-limited way to help, well suited to parents who can give a short, busy stretch rather than a commitment across the whole year. When several fundraisers run in a year, each one has its own lead.
Social Media Coordinator
Manages the squadron's public social media (Facebook and Instagram), posts event updates and news, and keeps content in line with squadron values and privacy requirements.
Canteen Coordinator
Organizes and operates the canteen on parade nights, sources snacks and supplies, and manages the canteen float. The canteen accepts loonies and toonies.
Volunteer Coordinator
Recruits and organizes parent volunteers for events, fundraisers, and transport, and helps keep track of volunteer hours toward the Volunteer Bond.
Parent Liaison
The bridge between families and the committee, fielding questions and concerns from parents and making sure their voices reach the committee.
To reach the Sponsoring Committee, email all@12aircadets.ca.
Join us
Get Involved
The SSC is always looking for parent volunteers. No prior military or aviation background is needed. If you have time, skills, or enthusiasm to offer, come to an SSC/Parent meeting or email the SSC to find out where you can help.