Canadian Army, Air, and Sea Cadets

[siquq]

The Canadian Forces run a youth organisation wich encompasses Army, Air, and Sea Cadets. Youth aged 12 years to 19 can explore military careers and community service. It's like Scouts on steroids!

Does the UAS or any other country run anything like this?

Just to be clear, Cadets is NOT affiliated with the scouting movement.

[Lerch]

Dunno about the UAS...but the United States has a cadet program, the UK does...hmm let's see who else I've met...

-Sweden
-Netherlands
-Singapore
-Japan
-Australia

The CCM is VERY watered down though when compared to the British cadets. Ours can't even touch the current infantry rifles...

[The Blacksmith]

Dunno about the UAS...but the United States has a cadet program, the UK does...hmm let's see who else I've met...

-Sweden
-Netherlands
-Singapore
-Japan
-Australia

The CCM is VERY watered down though when compared to the British cadets. Ours can't even touch the current infantry rifles...

True in some cases.It depends on the CO .The Major of my unit was very aggressive at keeping a full military flavor.We did all kinds of great excercises including 2 to FT Drum NY.And we also handled C7's in my last year.

To get full taste of RCAC you have to get involved in the skills teams of your unit and make sure to get ur ass to summer camp at Borden.p-)

[Koskela]

In Sweden there is cadets for all thre branches. The biggets one is for Army cadets and is organized through "Defence Volontary League", Försvarsutbildarna. Navy and Airforce cadets has also their own cadet corps.

Similiar to theese , Home Guard units runs their own cadets (HVU) as well like volontary organizations of women (SLK), ratelos (FRO) and so on.

As a teenager I began my military career in the Airforce cadets in 1986.

Since mid 90´s there is a ban of combat training before the age of 18.
The kids are allowed full auto weapons training at age of 17.
Before that they have the oppurtunity to train with .22 rifles.

Some pics

http://forsvarsungdom.com/pages/picturepages/Bigpicture/050305/P1010013.gif

http://forsvarsungdom.com/pages/picturepages/Bigpicture/050630/P1010053.gif
http://forsvarsungdom.com/pages/picturepages/Bigpicture/051017/Bild-005.gif
http://forsvarsungdom.com/pages/picturepages/Bigpicture/051002/Bild-004.gif
http://forsvarsungdom.com/pages/picturepages/Bigpicture/050501/P1010022.gif
http://forsvarsungdom.com/pages/picturepages/Bigpicture/050501/P1010026.gif

In Norway afaik there is Homeguard cadets HV-U. This site presents them by a map. http://www.hvu.no/

/Koskela

[siquq]

I am curious because I am a civilian instructor at our local corps. This is northern Canada, so most of our Cadets are aboriginal. We go "bush" often. It is so much fun!

Here is one of our shelters from a weekend camp.
http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/5633/dscf2708od6.jpg

[siquq]

I think Sweden has more $$ for uniforms than we do!

[antagonist22]

New Zealand runs something very similar . It is supported by the New Zealand Defence Force but not part of it.

New Zealand Cadet Forces (http://cadetforces.mil.nz/)

I know this because I am in it, I have been in it for close to 3 years.

[siquq]

Cool. We are going on an FTX (camping) in a few weeks. The ACO is coming down to watch us (panic!!!).

Could you share some of your games/activities? What have other cadet corps done in the field?

Any ideas would be great.

Typically, whatever the season, we build and sleep in shelters, we practise orienteering, GPS, seach and rescue, and first aid. We also play many games.

It snowed here last week, so it will be cold when we go.

[Ordie]

In the US there are similar cadet programs

The Civil Air Patrol is an Auxiliary of the US Air Force.

The Navy has the Sea Cadet program.

The Marines sponsors (I don't know if they still do) the "Devil Pups" program where the youth will spend thier summers in a Marine Boot Camp setting and orientation of the Marines.

I don't know if the Army has a similar program.

[siquq]

I haven't heard of US cadet pograms before.

In Canada, Cadets is the best-funded and least-known youth organisation! The summer camps and expeditions are amazing and amazingly expensive for the CF to pay the whole shot. For my less-than-wealthy northern kids, Cadets is a fantastic opportunity.

[Ordie]

I haven't heard of US cadet pograms before.

In Canada, Cadets is the best-funded and least-known youth organisation! The summer camps and expeditions are amazing and amazingly expensive for the CF to pay the whole shot. For my less-than-wealthy northern kids, Cadets is a fantastic opportunity.

When I was a CAP Cadet I had the chance to work with Canadian Air Cadets from Quebec at the Oshkosh Air Show.

They were well equipped and financed.

We were non-profit and fitted our own kit on our own dime.

They taught us a few French swear word or two.

[Johnny_H]

I was in Sea Cadets, in fact the oldest Sea Cadet Corps in Canada named "RCSCC Nelson" was a fun time I look back on it fondly and am not so fond of the reason I left.

[pascalywood]

The Canadian Forces run a youth organisation wich encompasses Army, Air, and Sea Cadets. Youth aged 12 years to 19 can explore military careers and community service. It's like Scouts on steroids!

Does the UAS or any other country run anything like this?

Just to be clear, Cadets is NOT affiliated with the scouting movement.

I disagree. I did 2 years in the Army Cadets and left very disapointed

[siquq]

I am sorry to hear that.

I wish you could come visit us; maybe we could change your mind.

When you were in Cadets, what activities DID you enjoy? I am genuinely curious about how people look back on Cadets. That would give me an idea of what parts of the pogram are meaningful to kids.

[siquq]

Here in the northern part of Canada, our kids don't achieve at school. There are many social problems. Parents don't always have much involvement in their teens' lives.

Cadets provides things some of these kids don't get at home.

As a northern corps, we aren't so regimented. Heck, you might like it Pascalywood.

[Lerch]

I disagree. I did 2 years in the Army Cadets and left very disapointed
It depends completely on the unit, as with many things. Crap staff can make for a crap time in.

However I used to be a sea cadet of 169 Columbia in British Columbia and damned if we didn't have a great bunch of staff. Not only that but we were able to keep our numbers up and as such got enough funding to do some pretty wicked training weekends (such as renting RHIB's and jetting across Harrison Lake). Good times.
I even went to a CSTC (Cadet Summer Training Center) called HMCS Quadra for the Shipwright course back in 2004 and returned the following two summers as staff for other courses. I can guarantee you that all save one or two of my cadets during those two years had a great time.

Nowadays I'm an officer with the local Navy League corp (we work with cadets aged 9-13) until I get a call back from CFRC and damned if I don't have fun working with those kids.

[siquq]

Nowadays I'm an officer with the local Navy League corp (we work with cadets aged 9-13) until I get a call back from CFRC and damned if I don't have fun working with those kids.

I just completed my medical and interview for CIC yesterday! For me, the fun is just starting.

[Erdene]

When I was in school in the UK, I was in army cadets, Royal Anglians I think. It was great fun!!! This pic was taken at summer camp, when we did a kind of field exercise. I think the base was a geniune British army base.

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i294/Enedre/Picture006.jpg

[antagonist22]

In New Zealand cadet forces are too politically correct to let cadets to fire/touch the New Zealand Defence force weapons openly.Though there have been occasions where cadets who were attending an activity on defence force bases have been allowed to fire such weapons until a policy of "black ops "aka don't tell your parents. Thats my experience anyway.

Is it true in the uk army cadets, the cadets are allowed to fire at each other with blanks? I heard that from a friend who is in the uk army cadets

[Erdene]

Yes you can but not within 5 metres??? or 10??? If close you either point up or down and fire.

[antagonist22]

I have to say back in the 1970's New Zealand cadet forces were allowed to fire FN FAL /M16A1's and there are photos documenting this. But then in the 70's New Zealand still had compulsory military training.

Nowadays, NZ cadet forces is way too politically correct(even paintball is considered too "violent" because it consist of cadets shooting each other), has a low profile in New Zealand (virtually unheard of) and underfunded.

[siquq]

Presumeably, kids join for the military flavour. Otherwise, they could join scouts or guides. Is miitary service something we wish to discourage?

I think that, among othe things, the military teaches that violence must be justified and controled thru' the chain of command. Cadets learn to obey authority, more or less. This is a good thing!

[Lerch]

I have to say back in the 1970's New Zealand cadet forces were allowed to fire FN FAL /M16A1's and there are photos documenting this. But then in the 70's New Zealand still had compulsory military training.

Nowadays, NZ cadet forces is way too politically correct(even paintball is considered too "violent" because it consist of cadets shooting each other), has a low profile in New Zealand (virtually unheard of) and underfunded.
I feel ya there. While the Canadian cadets are still very much 'tongue in cheek' about things such as firearms (oh noez, Johnny touched a rifle, he's gonna be a murderer!) we still try to pull everything else. Things such as canoeing trips, sailing and tours of the nearby naval bases.
My corps however has a small armoury and stock a couple dozen No4 MK1* that have been blocked for drill purposes (brought out each week for parade) and a couple .22 Anschutz that we take to the range (along with another dozen Daisy air rifles). So while being politically correct we still manage to have fun.
Still it's a far cry from 30 some-odd years ago when we could do field patrols with FN C1's...

[Johnny_H]

It depends completely on the unit, as with many things. Crap staff can make for a crap time in.

However I used to be a sea cadet of 169 Columbia in British Columbia and damned if we didn't have a great bunch of staff. Not only that but we were able to keep our numbers up and as such got enough funding to do some pretty wicked training weekends (such as renting RHIB's and jetting across Harrison Lake). Good times.
I even went to a CSTC (Cadet Summer Training Center) called HMCS Quadra for the Shipwright course back in 2004 and returned the following two summers as staff for other courses. I can guarantee you that all save one or two of my cadets during those two years had a great time.

Nowadays I'm an officer with the local Navy League corp (we work with cadets aged 9-13) until I get a call back from CFRC and damned if I don't have fun working with those kids.

woot As much as I may have fallen out with Sea Cadets, I truly LOVED Navy League it is by far the greatest youth Organization I have ever been a part of. Great people, awesome volunteer staff. Was a incredible time of my childhood, the C.O was a RCN Vet from WWII, so was the Supply officer.

Navy League was a fantastic time, I used to get excited every Wednesday knowing I had Navy League on Thursday Night.

Being an officer at a Navy League corps must be a very rewarding thing, I have often thought of volunteering but I have not retained all my seamanship knowledge I learned so long ago.

Navy League was incredible, I wish I could do it again happiest years of my childhood were spent in NLCC MicMac.

[Lerch]

Navy League was incredible, I wish I could do it again happiest years of my childhood were spent in NLCC MicMac.
Coincidence much? One of our seamens divisions is named MicMac ;)

Definately good stuff though, each night we have games in the classrooms and drill on the deck. Usually once every two months we'll bust out for a sports night and take over the gymnasium from the Arty boys up the road :D
If you're ever out west in the Fraser Valley, we'd be more then happy to have you visit our corps and come up to the wardroom for a round. p-)

[Moodymoddy]

Yes you can but not within 5 metres??? or 10??? If close you either point up or down and fire.

50 meters. Any closer you aim above - as the cadet weapons don't have a BFA due to the lack of need really. [No gas parts = No requirement for one] With an SA80 though, its 5 meters. [Atleast thats what I got told as a cadet using the SA80 IW on Copehill Down FIBUA village]

Really shocked at the fact the British culture is more "OMFG NO GUNZ!!!" yet our cadets are more Shooting/Fieldcraft orientated.

We get to do section attacks, armed with LSW's and lots of blank. We get regular assistance quite a lot - Basically soldiers coming in to show different bits of kit and teach different things. If you're good at shooting you can go for a few different competitions and get a fair amount of range time.

Even down to the fact the cadet forces over here are getting a replacement weapon system - which is from a bolt action version of the SA80 IW [Think of the L85 without the gas parts, with a big cocking handle] to a semi-automatic one. [Change lever permanently set to it, then removed]

http://www.kacf.co.uk/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1345&g2_serialNumber=1

http://www.kacf.co.uk/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=948&g2_serialNumber=2

[antagonist22]

New Zealand Cadet Forces is so politically correct that our old ceremonial rifles (which were deactivated Lee-Enfields bolt action rifles with an artificial pistol grip and magazine made to resemble the FN FAL) were replaced by green plywood...things because the old FAL mocks were deemed "too real" by the public on ceremonial occasions such as ANZAC day. Now ceremonial drill/rifle drill are done with "Drill Purpose Training Aids" not "rifles".

The new rifles use the Steyr drill but the length of the rifles are around the same as a AR15 with an adjustable stock. It is quite awkward to perform.

My squadron has a large purpose built vault(3x3m with electrical wiring inside) in the builiding we parade in yet we have nothing but 20 earmuffs and a few ceremonial rifles. NZ cadet forces is extremely underfunded.
For an organisation that teaches things like discipline and firearms safety a lot more funding is needed than the funding the NZCF get at the moment.

Even down to the fact the cadet forces over here are getting a replacement weapon system - which is from a bolt action version of the SA80 IW [Think of the L85 without the gas parts, with a big cocking handle] to a semi-automatic one. [Change lever permanently set to it, then removed]The NZ cadet forces attempted to replace the aging Lee-Enfield No.8 single shot bolt action rifles with Chinese made Norinco JW-15's this year. However the quality was so low that the cadet forces had to reject them. That is how underfunded NZ cadet forces are...

Dont get me started about the state of aviation training in Air Training Corps (air component of the NZCF)

Sorry about the rant...

[Moodymoddy]

We don't do any rifle drill in public, which I always thought was kind of disappointing on events like Rememberance Sunday. Thats one of the big political correctness things. [Yet we've been outside the detachment playing about with night sights on weapons before] But I've been told before how "Theres many people who would like to see you have your weapons taken away" - Which I always thought was a bit farfetched, But maybe not. :|

We have DP rifles, with cement in the barrel and firing pins chisled down. (With a white stripe on the hand-guard and butt) But thats just so that when teaching nothing can get broken AFAIK.

As for the Lee Enfield No. 8, its used to practice marskmanship here. Kind of a stepping stone to the L98A1. [Bolt Action thing I was talking about in my last post] From the rumours that I've heard they're being declared obsolete soon - So is it the same in NZ?

Quite saddening seeing the state of the NZCF - when compared to over here. Seems like we get a really good deal.

[antagonist22]

As for the Lee Enfield No. 8, its used to practice marskmanship here. Kind of a stepping stone to the L98A1. [Bolt Action thing I was talking about in my last post] From the rumours that I've heard they're being declared obsolete soon - So is it the same in NZ?

Yes, NZCF was going to phrase out the No.8's here (declared obselete) with chinese made Norinco JW-15's but they were rejected because of quality issues. So the No.8's here will still be in use for at least for another couple of years.

[AK-Lover]

Spent 3 years in RCAC from when I was 12. Overall it was a good experience and I learned some usefull basic outdoor skills but in the end I was disappointed with how Cadets left out alot of the real soldiering many kids who joined them expected/wanted. Also I was on the shooting team for about a year before I left so I spent alot of time with the modified Lee Enfield. We got to shoot the simulators twice at the CF base in Edmonton.

[siquq]

They just did our inventory and found our FN drill rifle.

Now it must be destroyed.

How sad.

[beatles101]

my older sister and brother were both in naval league
nlcc miqmaq

[Canadian Sig]

Vid about the Can Cadet program here: http://www.army.forces.gc.ca/lf/English/6_1_1_1.asp?id=2311