A Proud History
Motivated by the American Civil War and the threat of the Fenian Raids, Canada’s first school cadet units were formed between 1861 and 1865, several years before Confederation. These early cadet units were called “drill associations”. In those days drill was not a parade square exercise but the method of manoeuvring troops in battle. These early drill associations could have included members ranging in age from 13 to 60, so it might be argued that they were not really cadet corps but auxiliary militia companies. The distinction between high school cadets and adult militiamen became clear in 1879 when the Militia General Order 18 authorized the formation of 74 “Associations for Drill in Educational Institutions,” for young men over 14 years of age who were “upon no account to be employed in active service.” The cadets provided their own uniforms. The cadets in the photograph below imported their uniforms from Scotland at such great expense that only one youth per family could afford to belong.
The 74 drill associations authorized in 1879 included 34 in Ontario, 24 in Quebec, 13 in the Maritime Provinces, 2 in Manitoba, and 1 in British Columbia. Canada’s oldest continually serving cadet corps is No. 2 Bishop’s College School Cadet Corps in Lennoxville, Quebec, which was formed by the authority of Militia General Orders on December 6, 1861. By 1887, the drill associations had detailed regulations governing
their formation and activities. Arms and other equipment were issued to those schools that agreed to provide military training to boys over the age of 12.
The school supplied accommodations and instructors and kept attendance records. Members supplied their own uniforms. This increased support was motivated in part by the campaign against the North-West Rebellion of 1885.
The term “Cadet Corps” appeared for the first time in Ontario in 1898, along with a provision that corps instructors would be members of the school teaching staff, instead of an instructor from the local militia unit. Militia General Orders 60 and 61, of 1899, first authorized cadet corps to be attached to militia units, limiting membership to young men 14–19 years old.
In 1942, in recognition of the significant contribution of former cadets to the war effort, His Majesty King George VI conferred the title “Royal” on the Royal Canadian Army Cadets and accepted the appointment of “Colonel-in-Chief” of the Royal Canadian Army Cadets. His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, presently holds this appointment.
Next Reorganization of Cadet Training
In 1944, “RCAC Training Programme” listed Fundamentals, Health and Physical Education, Drill and Command, Small Arms Training, Knots, Fieldcraft, Signalling, Band, First Aid, Woodcraft, Use of Maps, Organized Sports, I.C. (Internal Combustion) Engines, Weapon Training, and Instruction as authorized training subjects. Corps were assessed at their annual inspection and rated as to their efficiency (ability to show cadets were trained in all subjects). The corps would then receive funding based on their annual inspection score.
After World War II, quotas were imposed reducing Canada’s total cadet force to about 75 000 members. Many of the “closed” corps, those whose membership was restricted to the students in one particular school, were disbanded or withered away after their school made membership voluntary. Some of them became “open” corps, training in militia armouries, Legion halls or acquiring their own buildings. The Korean War stimulated growth among these “open” corps in the 1950s and 1960s.
The Inclusion of Girls
Girls have participated unofficially in cadet training almost from the beginning. There were always a few cadet corps that paraded a female platoon or company in some form of uniform. These unofficial female cadets could never lawfully be trained, issued uniforms or equipment, fed, transported or allowed to attend summer training. The problem was solved on July 30, 1975 when Parliament passed Bill C-16, amending the relevant legislation by changing the word “boys” to “persons”, thereby permitting females to become members of the RCAC.
Army Cadets Today
Today there are more than 18,000 Army cadets in over 425 Army Cadet Corps in communities across Canada, living the Army Cadet Motto ACER ACERPORI “As the Maple, so the Sapling”.
The Royal Canadian Army Cadets appeal to teenagers craving exciting outdoor activities where their personal limits as individuals and team-members will be tested. The hard-core outdoor-oriented will love the challenge!
Army cadets develop abilities in the use of map and compass, GPS technology, orienteering, first-aid, camping and survival skills, canoeing, abseiling, trekking, and mountain biking, to name a few. As they get more experienced, some will be selected for parachuting, white-water rafting and glacier climbing. They will also learn to become outdoor leaders.
Army Cadets get involved in ceremonial military events and citizenship activities that allow them to connect to their Canadian heritage. They develop a great sense of pride and discipline through their involvement in a hierarchical system that allows them to hone their leadership skills as they grow older and they learn to care for younger cadets. In addition to their specialty training, Army Cadets may become involved in other exciting activities such as competitive Olympic-style marksmanship and biathlon, sports competitions, music training and competitions, cultural outings and volunteer community support.
Canada represents the best playground for teenagers interested in the outdoors. We are the organization of choice for teens and adults interested in getting out of the classroom to explore the planet the way it should be.
Every year, some of the top cadets get a chance to participate in high-level expeditions around the globe. Our destinations in the past few years included Mount Everest, Patagonia, Chile, Morocco, Australia, Costa Rica, South Korea, Italy, Mont-Blanc, the France/Spain Pyrenees, New Zealand, the Canadian Rockies, Northwest Territories, and Newfoundland and Labrador. Whatever the destination, Army cadets will find the ultimate challenge awaiting them!
Above and Beyond
Army Cadet training is undoubtedly an invaluable experience for young people; this is clearly illustrated by some of the program’s most noteworthy alumni, including:
· Jean-Philippe Le Guellec, Canada’s delegate at countless international competitions in Biathlon events, including the Olympics, the Biathlon World Cup and the Biathlon World Championships.
· Lieutenant-Colonel McCrimmon, first female navigator and first female commander of a Canadian Air Force Squadron.
· Three-time Olympic medalist Myriam Bédard in Biathlon.
· Lieutenant-General Wayne D. Eyre CMM, MSC, CD – Commander of the Canadian Army.