About the Cadet Program

The Cadet Program

The Cadet Program provides opportunities for youth to gain valuable knowledge and skills that build confidence and help pave the way in a transition to adulthood.  Cadets engage in varied and unique experiences, while developing competencies in leadership, citizenship, and physical and mental fitness. Offering positive youth development programs, sea, land and air cadet corps and squadrons are in communities across Canada.

Sea Cadets develop seamanship skills, including navigation and how to sail. Army Cadets build outdoor and leadership skills through participation in expedition activities such as hiking, climbing, kayaking, orienteering. Air Cadets gain aviation related skills through activities that include flying, gliding, and studies in aerospace.

The Cadet Program strives to offer Cadets a safe, welcoming, and supportive program environment where all feel respected, valued, included and able to achieve their full potential.

1.      Invite all Canadian youth – The Cadet Programs are open to youth aged 12 to 18 that are Canadian citizens or are authorized to reside in Canada.  Programs are inclusive and celebrate the rich diversity within Canadian society. 

2.      Instill Canadian Military Values – Cadet Program training, direction, decision making, and behaviour are guided by ethics and values of the Canadian military. Values include loyalty, integrity, courage, inclusion, excellence and accountability. Cadets embrace and embody these values.

3.      Develop Citizenship, Leadership, and Fitness – The Cadet Program offers cadets opportunities to develop skills and knowledge that: enable them to positively contribute as leaders in Canadian society, instill a lifelong appreciation of health and fitness, and support successful transitions to adulthood.

4.      Balance Safety and Challenge – The Cadet Program offers activities and events that are challenging and safe. Cadets and their parents/guardians can be confident that the adults leading the program are focused on the development of youth and invested in their health and welfare.

5.      Leave a positive lifelong impact – Whether cadets stay with the program for many years or for just a few weeks, it is hoped that their experiences were impactful, educational and are regarded (or remembered) as positive.

Cadets are supervised, administered, and trained by Cadet Instructor Cadre officers and non-commissioned members of a sub-component of the Reserve Force of the Canadian Armed Forces who, by the terms of their enrolment or transfer, have undertaken as their primary duty the safety, supervision, administration, and training of Cadets..