Royal Canadian Army Cadets Trivia Quiz

Answer: 12-18 years

Cadets may "enlist" when they are 12 years old, and are "retired" on the parade before their 19th birthday. I joined when I was 16, and wish I had earlier.

Answer: 1862

The first army cadet program, called a "drill association" was formed in 1862. The threat of the American civil war crossing the border motivated our government to train people so they could fight if need be. Members ranged in age from 13 to 60.

Answer: 1879

The government differentiated between adult militias and army cadets in 1879, when 74 "Associatation for Drill in Education" groups were formed. This was basically the first military academy system in Canada. Young men aged 14-18 were invited to participate and learn military skill, but were not required to give active military service.

Answer: Citizenship, Leadership, and Physical Fitness

Army cadets, along with Sea and Air cadets, teaches citizenship, leadership, and physical fitness as it's three primary foundations. Cadets also learn valuable military and non-military skills like drill, fundamental military training, fieldcraft, bushcraft, firearms handling, marksmanship, public speaking, map & compass skills, and instuctional techniques.

These skills are divided into four proficiency levels: "green star" (beginner), "red star" (intermediate), "silver star" (advanced), and "gold star" (expert). I was a gold star cadet. Gold star cadets may take a proficiency exam called the "National Star Certification Exam", which qualifies a cadet for promotions up to Chief Warrant Officer, and qualifies them as an expert instructor.

Answer: Mandatory Training and Support Activities

The cadet training syllabus is comprised of mandatory training, which is all the classroom and practical instruction a cadet receives plus CHAP (Cadet Harassment and Abuse Prevention), and support activites, which include field exercises (campouts), summer training at a ACSTC (Army Cadet Summer Training Center), firing range days, community support activities, and physical fitness training. Cadets may also complete advanced training courses, like Basic Army Parachutist, which requires an insane degree of physical fitness and discipline, as this course can carry over to regular force service. Cadets actually train with regular force soldiers to parachute from an airplane.

Answer: 0

Although many cadets move on to active military service following their cadet training, no cadet is ever required to give complusory military service.

Answer: No

Cadets are encouraged to participate in the marksmanship program, as it is educational and very fun, if you like firearms. Cadets are required to participate in the Firearms Handling element of classroom instruction, but are not required to go to the firing range.

Answer: Silver Star

The successful cadet will already have completed Green and Red Star training for promotion to Corporal and Master Corporal respectively, but will need to complete Silver to be eligible for Sergeant. Warrant Officers (the next rank) require Gold.

Answer: Chief Warrant Officer

A cadet may be promoted up to Chief Warrant Officer providing he or she has met the criteria for such a rank. The requirements usually consist of completing a CLI (Cadet Leader Instructor) summer course, completing the NSCE (National Star Certification Exam), and provide exceptional leadership and practical knowledge.

A CWO is almost always made the RSM (Regimental Sergeant Major), and is in charge of all parades and the cadet corps in general.

Answer: Cadet Instructors Cadre

The Cadet Instructors Cadre is considered to be a reserve force regiment, meaning that all officers are regarded as pseudo-reserve force soldiers, and must participate in some mandatory reserve force training.