Become a Cadet Instructor Cadre Officer

Officers of the Cadet Instructors Cadre (CIC) are members of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Reserve working as part of the Cadet Organizations Administration and Training Service (COATS). The CIC consists of approximately 7,800 commissioned officers whose primary duty is the safety, supervision, administration and training of over 52,000 Cadets ages 12–18. 

CIC Officers serve in the sea, land or air elements, in more than 1,100 corps and squadrons across Canada. They receive specialized training to prepare them for their duties as youth leaders. Many of them are former graduates of the Cadet Program who wish to give back to their community. Others are former Regular Force members, interested parents or members of the community at large.

During the summer months, CIC officers also have the option to work full-time at any of the 22 Cadet Training Centres across Canada.

If you’re interested in becoming a CIC Officer, you must meet the eligibility criteria and follow the steps below.

Eligibility

To apply to become a CIC Officer, you must:

• be a Canadian citizen
• be of good character and in good standing in the community
• be between 18 and 63
• meet the CAF’s medical standards for COATS
• have a high school diploma or equivalent*

If you do not have a high school diploma, but possess a combination of unique qualifications and work history relevant to the position, you may still be eligible to join.

If you’re interested in joining, you must have the recommendation of the Commanding Officer of the Cadet Corps or Squadron that you wish to join or the local Regional Cadet Support Unit Commanding Officer. Once you have their recommendation, you can apply online.

After receiving your application, the Canadian Forces Recruiting Centre (CFRC) will contact you for more information to process your application. The CFRC will then ask you for your:

• birth certificate
• Social Insurance Number
• a transcript of your school marks, and
• any special certificates or licenses you may hold.

You will undergo a medical examination and a suitability interview, and will be asked to provide a Police Record Check and Vulnerable Sector Screening. The CFRC will run a Reliability Screening to obtain your Reliability Status which is the minimum level needed to work with the Department of National Defence.

To avoid delays and repeated requests from the RCSU and CFRC, ensure you have all the required documents and forms completed and on hand.

Once you have met all of the requirements above, you will be approved for enrolment in the cadet corps / squadron you have chosen.

Training

Your training begins once you are enrolled. You will be required to attend and successfully complete courses designed to progressively train you as an Officer in the CIC.

Once you’ve enrolled, you’ll undergo a series of training courses to prepare you to work as an Officer in the CIC. In all courses, there is a strong emphasis on how to administer, train and supervise cadets. During your initial training you will learn:

• basic officer skills
• military writing
• drill, dress and behaviour
• laws and regulations as they apply to CIC officers, and
• military ethics and ethos. 

You will also receive training on youth development and creating a positive learning environment for cadets. 

Future courses will focus on more advanced training which will provide you with the required skills to assume senior positions at the cadet corps/squadron. You may also take courses which allow you to conduct specialty training with cadets.  Training for CIC officers is conducted at 1 of 5 Regional Cadet Support Units located across the country. Courses can be taken either consecutively or over several weekends, depending on your availability. Some courses are also available through distributed learning, allowing you to study from home.

Advantages

The training and experiences you will receive as a CIC officer will prove beneficial in your personal life and will prove to be very interesting to a prospective employer. Your enhanced skills will include:

• Personnel management,
• Resource management,
• Teaching / training skills,
• Conflict resolution,
• Skills necessary to perform under difficult situations; and
• Sense of responsibility.

As well, the CIC will allow you to:

• Participate in the training of our youth and future leaders of our country;
• Be part of a dynamic and interesting organization;
• Learn about and participate in recreational activities (camping, sailing and flying...);
• Take part in citizenship activities;
• Travel; and
• Make new friends.

Also, you are entitled to receive up to 25 days of pay per year for local cadet corps/squadron training. If you are selected to attend additional courses or are employed at a CTC, you will also receive remuneration.

Uniform and promotion

As a member of the Reserve Force, your uniform will be provided to you at no cost.

Newly enrolled CIC Officers start at the rank of Officer-Cadet/Naval Cadet. Promotions are based on a combination of ability, position availability, completion of required courses, length of service and commitment.

Commitment

CIC Officers work with cadets an average of one night and one weekend day per week, with additional time devoted to organizing and planning activities. Many of them also spend their summers instructing cadets at one of the 22 Cadet Training Centres or accompany cadets on competitions, expeditions or foreign exchange visits. CIC officers instruct cadets on the wide variety of skills and knowledge that is contained in the cadet program. They also provide coaching and mentorship and become role models for our youth.