Article prepared by Josée Woodford & Pierre Forgues
Source: Canada.ca
IN LIFE, WE can’t control everything, and unusual events make us reflect and forces us to adapt. This is also true for the Cadet Program offered across Canada. With the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Cadet Program effectively had to rapidly transform itself into a virtual program which proved to be very successful. But of course, not everything could be done virtually, and the traditional summer courses and camps had to be put on hold. For health and safety reasons, in-person summer training was suspended in 2020 and 2021.
The pandemic finally allowed a safe return to in-person train- ing and Cadets and Junior Canadian Rangers (CJCR) was able to offer summer courses to several cadets during the summer of 2022. The training was conducted at the traditional Cadet Training Centres (CTCs), but also thru local Cadet Activity Programs (CAP) that provided more opportunities for cadets.
CADET TRAINING CENTRES (CTC)
Four common hybrid courses (mix of in-person and virtual training) have been delivered at CTC (Cadet Training Centre) for cadets in their third training year and 14 of age and older:
• Air Rifle Marksmanship Instructor Course (ARMI)
• Drill and Ceremonial Instructor Course (DCI) • Fitness and Sports Instructor Course (FSI)
• Military Band Musician (MB)
These courses were 4 weeks in duration: 1 week distance learning and 3 weeks in-house.
Additionally, several Air Cadets attended the following courses:
• Advanced Aviation Course (AA) is providing cadets an op- portunity to develop as a specialist with the skills and subject matter knowledge required to be an instructor and team leader for aviation activities.
• Survival Instructor Course (SI) The Survival Instructor Course provides cadets an opportunity to develop as a specialist with the skills and subject matter knowledge required to perform the duties of a Survival Instructor and team leader for aircrew survival activities.
• Glider Pilot Training Course is a six- or seven-week training program that results in successful candidates graduating with their Transport Canada Glider Pilot License.
• The Power Pilot Training Course is a seven-week training program that results in successful candidates graduating with their Transport Canada Power Pilot Licence.
The resumption of flying training after a three-year hiatus presented several logistical challenges. Many factors resulted in cadets not being able to complete their flight training in the time alloted. As a result, the Air Cadet League is offering a Fly- ing Training Completion Award to those cadets who will go on to obtain a Transport Canada License on their own. Applicants have until December 31st, 2022 to submit their application and will compete for a total of ten awards of $1000 for power pilots and ten awards of $500 for glider pilots.
CADET ACTIVITY PROGRAM (CAPS)
The CAPs were delivered as follow:
• CAP Yr 1: 5-day experience that allows cadets opportunities to build confidence and meet other cadets through participation in fun, safe, challenging, and well-organized activities in their local areas. Cadet participants are generally aged 12-13 and are about to enter their second year of training at a corps/ squadron.
• CAP Yr 2: 12-day experience that allows cadets opportunities to build leadership and interpersonal skills through participation in fun, safe, challenging, and well-organized activities in their local areas. Cadet participants are generally aged 13-14 and are about to enter their third year of training at a corps/squadron.
The summer courses offered by the Cadet Program are highly coveted and represent a unique experience that cadets are eager to live. Being selected for any of the courses is a reward and provide life changing skills and knowledge to cadets. CJCR has already started working on the cadet training program for summer 2023, helping ensure that our future leaders will have access to quality courses!