13-30 – Cadets Excused Absence from LHQ Training

Cadet Administrative and Training Orders (CATOs)


Purpose

1. This order describes the policy and procedures regarding cadets remaining in one of the three cadet organizations during periods when they are unable to parade regularly with their cadet corps/squadron. This CATO should be read in conjunction with CATO 13-01 Cadet Membership.

General

2. Cadets who are unable to parade with their corps/squadron for an extended period may make an application to their Commanding Officer for Excused Absence from regular attendance except in the following circumstances:

  1. a cadet who has been enrolled for less than two years; or
  2. a cadet who has passed his or her 18th birthday.

Application

3. Application for Excused Absence shall be made in the form shown at Annex A.

Approving Authority

4. Commanding Officers may approve applications to be excused from parading for periods less than 120 consecutive days in a training year from Sep to Jun.

5. Applications to be excused for periods of 120 days or more must be approved by the Region Cadet Officer and shall contain the concurrence of the Unit Commanding Officer, the Area Cadet Officer, and the Detachment Commander.

Considerations

6. Before recommending or approving an application to be excused, the following points must be considered:

  1. the reason for the request;
  2. the past attendance, performance and conduct of the cadet;
  3. whether there are better alternatives to permit the cadet to continue his or her cadet career without a break, such as transfer to another cadet corps/squadron within the Canadian Cadet Organizations (CCO), or in the case of fully trained senior cadets, to parade with a unit of another element of the CCO; and
  4. whether a cadet will return to regular attendance at a cadet corps/squadron in a  reasonable time to have a meaningful cadet career, normally within two years. D Cdts authority is required for periods in excess of two years.

For Periods Under 120 Days

7. Implications: Cadets:

  1. will be counted as cadets on the effective strength of their corps/squadron;
  2. may participate in special corps/squadron activities within the local community as authorized by the Commanding Officer;
  3. may be considered for summer courses in competition with the other members of the cadet corps/squadron based upon the vacancies assigned to the corps/squadron;
  4. may apply for  staff cadet positions at a CSTC in competition with other applicants; and
  5. may retain their uniform.

8. Costs: The approval of an Excused Absence will impose no additional cost to the Department than would be incurred if the cadet continued to participate at his home corps/squadron.

For Periods Over 120 Days

9. Implications: Cadets:

  1. shall be transferred from their parent corps/squadron to a Regional Cadet Holding List and their personnel file will be forwarded to the Region Headquarters;
  2. shall not be counted as cadets on the effective strength of their former corps/squadron;
  3. shall be considered for summer training by the Region Headquarters after all other qualified cadets have been loaded;
  4. may apply for  staff cadet positions at a CSTC and shall be considered after all other applicants of equivalent qualifications and experience have been employed; and
  5. may not retain their uniform.

10. Relocation to another Region: Those cadets who have been granted an Excused Absence and have relocated to another cadet Region shall be transferred to the Headquarters Holding List of the gaining Region and may attend summer training courses/staff with the gaining Region. The cadets personnel file will be forwarded to the gaining Region Headquarters.

11. Relocation outside of Canada: Those cadets who have been granted an Excused Absence and have relocated outside of Canada shall be held on the Holding List of their parent Region.

12. Advance Training Courses, Exchanges and Scholarships: Due to the requirement for cadets to have contributed to the efficiency of a cadet corps/squadron as part of the selection process for these activities, a cadet on an Excused Absence from a cadet corps/squadron for more than 50% of activities in that training year (Sep – Jun) shall not be considered.

13. Transportation: For cadets within Canada, transportation to a CSTC is authorized. For cadets outside of Canada, it is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to transport the cadet to and from an airhead within the parent Region. While travelling to and from the airhead the individual is not deemed to be a cadet. The requirement for escorts during DND travel will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. The responsible Region Movements section will work closely with the parent/guardian to ensure itineraries are available to both parties and that the cadet will not travel until arrangements for receiving the cadet at a destination are confirmed.

14. Cost: The approval of an Excused Absence will not impose any additional cost to the Department than would be incurred if the cadet had remained in their parent Region.

Participation in Activities Other Than Cadet Training

15. Although participation in activities such as cadet/youth programs of other countries, the Duke of Edinburgh Awards Programme and community volunteer work are also seen as beneficial to the development of a young person, a cadet who participates in these activities while on Excused Absence, is not deemed to be a cadet while so engaged. Therefore, DND and the Cadet Leagues shall not be held responsible or liable in any manner whatsoever.

Annex

Annex A

Application for Excused Absence

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OPI:  D Cdts 3

Date:  Jun 00

Amendment:  Original

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