President's Message
The Air Cadet Movement offers a comprehensive and fully structured youth development program for those at least 12 and no more than 18 years old and resident of Canada. The program is fully supervised and is conducted in a disciplined but fun environment. The currently 24,000 Air Cadets across Canada develop leadership, citizenship and their physical fitness, all in an aviation setting.
The program is conducted during the school year with opportunities to attend summer camps of two to seven weeks for up to 40% of cadets. Throughout, Air Cadets have the opportunity to fly; be in a marching band; assume leadership positions; develop time management and other personal skills such as being interviewed for course and promotion selections; make a beginning in a career and much more!
The Air Cadet League of Canada and the Department of National Defence jointly sponsor and conduct the Air Cadet Program.
The Department provides youth development officers and instructors who conduct the core and summer training and supervise the Air Cadets. It also provides the cadets with uniforms.
The Air Cadet League of Canada comprises of close to 5,000 members who make up the National Level and the 12 Provincial/Territorial Committees, which in turn, oversee the largest membership component, namely the Squadron Sponsoring Committees at 452 squadrons across Canada, at the local level. The League through its Squadron Sponsoring Committees complements and supports the local Air Cadet program as follows:
- secures/provides accommodation and facilities for the squadrons
- does fund raising and funds the many optional cadet training and activities, including associated training aids and band equipment
- provides funds for honours and awards
- provides a fleet of gliders and tow equipment for familiarization flights
- fosters the recruiting of adult leaders & members as well as cadets
- does the financial management
- screens and registers all non-uniform adult squadron and committee contributors/members through a process that includes a criminal records check with vulnerable sector screening
- provides volunteers to assist with training and more!
The Air Cadet Program has been a success since its inception 70 years ago. It has trained and prepared 1.5 million youth for productive adult life as solid citizens. The Program is still highly beneficial and highly recommended today and the opportunity is still very much offered to all interested youth.
All squadrons accept recruits each September and the vast majority also do so at later times up to December or January or even later.
For more information than is provided on this web site or if you wish to take part in the Air Cadet Program, contact a squadron in your area.
To Learn – To Serve – To Advance
Bob Robert
National President
Air Cadet League of Canada
Please select Mr. Roberts' image above to view his biography.
