The Battlefords Army Cadets (2537 Battleford Legion RCAC) is a free youth program open to youth aged 12–18 sponsored by the Canadian Forces and the civilian Army Cadet League of Canada. 2537 Battlefords Army Cadets are affiliated with the North Saskatchewan Regiment and cadets may wear the badges and accoutrements of the affiliated unit.
Basics Along with the Royal Canadian Sea Cadets and Royal Canadian Air Cadets, the Royal Canadian Army Cadets is part of the Canadian Cadet Organization. Although the RCAC and the other cadet programs are funded by the Canadian Forces and the civilian Leagues, cadets are not members of the Forces, and are not expected to join the Canadian Forces. In keeping with Commonwealth custom, the Royal Canadian Army Cadets stand second in the order of precedence, after the Royal Canadian Sea Cadets, and before the Royal Canadian Air Cadets.
People aged 12 to 18 may join the RCAC, free of charge. Uniforms, training manuals, and instruction are provided. A cadet must leave the organization before their 19th birthday. Upon departing most items issued to them during their time in the program must be returned.
The organization and rank system of the Canadian Army is used, but cadets now use only Non-Commissioned Officer ranks, whereas at one time Commissioned Officer Cadet ranks (from Lieutenant up to and including Colonel) were used. Army Cadet Corps are usually affiliated to a Reserve or Regular Force army regiment and wear the accoutrements of their affiliated unit. Adult leadership is provided by members of the Canadian Forces Reserve Subcomponent Cadet Organization Administration and Training Service composed mostly of officers of the Cadet Instructor Cadre (CIC) Branch, supplemented, if necessary, by contracted Civilian Instructors, authorized adult volunteers, and, on occasion, officers and non-commissioned members of other CF branches. The CIC Branch is specifically trained to deliver the Royal Canadian Sea, Army, and Air Cadet training program, and like all reservists come from all walks of life and all parts of the community. Some are former cadets, many have former regular or reserve force service.
RCAC Badge The Royal Canadian Army Cadet Badge is the official emblem of RCAC. It is worn on the upper sleeve of the cadet uniform and on the breast of the issue parkas. It is also worn as a brass cap badge in place of an affiliated unit badge or for non-affiliated corps. The term Acer Acerpori is Latin for "as the maple, so the sapling."
As a Cadet Corps affiliated with the North Saskatchewan Regiment, senior Cadets are authorized to wear the North Saskatchewan Regiment Cap Brass on their Beret.
Aim The aim of Royal Canadian Army Cadets is to develop in youth the attributes of good citizenship and leadership; promote physical fitness; and stimulate the interest of youth in the sea, land and air activities of the Canadian Forces. The RCAC shares this aim with the Sea and Air Cadets; however, each organization focuses on its own parent element.
History Commanding Officers
Years Commanding Officer 1954 - 1957 Lt N.V Huculak 1957 - 1963 Capt J.W. Morrison 1964 - 1966 Capt K.R. Richardson 1966 - 1975 Capt J.W. Morrison 1975 - 1980 Capt D.W. Warwick 1980 - 1989 Capt E.C. Riseing 1989 - 1994 Capt R.A. Tannahill 1994 - 1995 Capt E.C. Riseling 1995 - 2000 Capt R.A. Tannahill 2000 - 2001 Capt R.P. Moskowec 2001 - 2003 Capt R.A. Tannahill 2003 - 2006 Capt M.R. Weikle 2006 - 2009 Capt U.I. Doud 2009 - 2018 Capt M.R. Weikle 2018 - 2021 Capt B. L. Cookman 2021 - 2023 Capt M. R. Weikle 2023 - Present Capt B. L. Cookman
Corps Name Changes Year Training Details 1954 Corps was formed and called #2537 Fort Battleford Army Cadet Corps. From 1954 - 1963 the Corps paraded at facilities provided to them in the basement of the Battleford Central School. 1963 In 1963 the Army cadets moved to the Armouries in North Battleford when the Militia (A Coy - N Sask R) provided facilities and assistance with training. 1970 Due to the closing of the Armouries the Corps moved back to Battleford where facilities were provided by the North Battleford School Unit #58, in what is now the Battleford Jr High School. Branch #9 Royal Canadian Legion took over sponsorship at that time. 1991 The Army Cadet Corps paraded at the Air Cadet Hall, located at the North Battleford Airport, before moving to more spacious quarters. 1993 The corps moved to the Battlefords Indian and Metis Friendship Centre in North Battleford, but due a change in ownership of the building the Corps had to move again. 1994 Parade location was changed to the Convent of the Child Jesus building at 1201 - 104th Street until the Corps purchased its own location in 1997. 1997 The Corps moved to 1761 - 99th Street, North Battleford which was purchased for the Cadets by the sponsoring committee. This is the current Garrison and Local Headquarters for the Battlefords Army Cadets. With the new Headquarters, the Army Cadets sponsoring committee acquired the former "Unity Youth Camp", west of the Battlefords at Attons Lake to be used as a field training facility to achieve the objectives set out by the Army Cadet training program. The facility is available to the public and other groups when it is not in use by the Army Cadets. 2013 The Corps stopped parading at 1761 - 99th Street, North Battleford and the building was put up for sale. The Sponsoring Committee still maintains their training camp west of the Battlefords at Attons Lake. The facility remains available to the public and other groups when it is not in use by the Army Cadets.
Corps Parade History Year Corps Name 1954 Formed and called #2537 Fort Battleford Army Cadet Corps. 1963 The Battlefords Army Cadet Corps 1997 2537 Battlefords Army Cadets 2018 2537 NSaskR Army Cadets
Financial Support and Funding Program Funding
Administered by the Canadian Forces, the program is funded through the Department of National Defence with the civilian partner providing support in the local community. The funding by the DND for Cadet activities extends to the issue of Uniforms and Equipment for authorized training.
Public support As an Army Cadet corps the 2537 Battlefords Army Cadets are expected to participate in fundraising for activities for any additional requirements that are not provided by Program Funding. Specifically the 2537 Battlefords Army Cadets maintain and pay for their training facilities through their fundraising efforts with the sponsoring committee for the corps. The training facilities are not fully funded by the Program Funding and therefore fundraising is required to sustain operations for the Local Cadet Programme.
Sponsoring Committee The sponsoring committee is responsible to the Commanding Officer to ensure that all fundraising needs are met for the year. They form a committee of people that will manage the finances for the Battleford Army Cadets and are responsible to ensure that funding is secured for anything that would not be otherwise covered by Cadet Program funding. The sponsoring committee is made up of volunteers that include parents, and people from the community.
Army Cadet Training Star Level Program
The Star Level Program is the main training program carried out by all Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps in Canada. This program is mandated by the Department of National Defence, through the Directorate of Cadets & Junior Rangers.
The Star Level Program is composed of four levels:
Green Star (Level 1) Red Star (Level 2) Silver Star (Level 3) Gold Star (Level 4) Master Cadet (Level 5 and above)
Starting in the 2012-13 training year, the National Star of Excellence or NSE replaced the National Star Certification Examination or NSCE as a ranking tool for Senior Cadets. Year 5 of LHQ training was also introduced as "Master Cadet" consisting of a great deal of On-the-job Training (OJT) and self-led professional development opportunities.
Cadets are taught a variety of subjects, known as Performance Objectives (PO) that include: citizenship, physical fitness, healthy living, drill, marksmanship, map and compass, outdoor survival, eco-friendly camping and military history and traditions. To better assist in understanding the Star Level training, the Star programs are identified as follows:
Green Star PO 101—Participate in Citizenship Activities: Cadets are introduced to Canadian history, traditions and symbols. Cadets are also introduced to Canada's political system, along with a high-education of the Canadian Forces. PO 102 – Perform Community Service: Cadets are introduced to the concept of volunteerism and importance of community involvement. PO 103 – Participate as a Member of a Team: Cadets are introduced to the concept of teamwork and are introduced to the roles of a follower. PO 104 – Develop a Personal Activity Plan: Cadets are introduced to the importance of physical activity, physical fitness and physical health. PO 105 – Participate in Recreational Sports: Cadets participate in a variety of recreational sports, such as running, biking, hiking, marches and swimming activities. PO 106 – Fire the Cadet Air Rifle Marksmanship PO 107 – Serve in an Army Cadet Corps: Cadets are introduced to the history and traditions of the Cadet Corps. Cadets are introduced to Green Star and Year 1 training opportunities. Cadets are taught the basic rules with regards to being a cadet. PO 108 – Participate in an Annual Ceremonial Review (ACR) Parade: Cadets are introduced and taught ceremonial drill, in preparation for public parades. PO 109 – Participate in Fieldcraft PO 120 – Demonstrate Knowledge of the Organization and Traditions of the Canadian Forces: PO 121 – Participate as a Member of a Group During a Weekend Bivouac Exercise: PO 122 – Identify Location Using a Map: PO 123 – Participating in a Day Hike:
Red Star PO 201 – Identify the Role of an Environmentally Conscious Canadian Citizen: PO 202 – Perform Community Services: PO 203 – Demonstrate Leadership Attributes Within a Peer Setting: PO 204 – Update Personal Activity Plan: PO 205 – Participate in Recreational Sports: PO 206 – Fire the Cadet Air Cadet Rifle During Recreational marksmanship: PO 207 – Serve in an Army Cadet Corps: PO 208 – Execute Drill as a Member of a Squad: PO 211 – Participate in Competitive Summer Biathlon Activities: PO 220 – Recognize Canadian Forces Peace Support Operations: PO 221 – Perform the Duties of a Section Member During a Weekend Bivouac Exercise: PO 222 – Navigate Along a Route Using a Map and Compass: PO 223 – Hike along a Route as Part of an Overnight Exercise: PO 224 – Identify Immediate Actions to Take when Lost:
Silver Star PO 301 – Recognize the Purpose of Service Groups within Canada: PO 302 – Perform Community Service: PO 303 – Perform the Role of a Team Leader: PO 304 – Update Personal Activity Plan: PO 305 – Participate in Recreational Sports: PO 306 – Fire the Cadet Air Rifle During Recreational Marksmanship: PO 307 – Serve in an Army Cadet Corps: PO 308 – Direct a Squad Prior to A Parade: PO 309 – Instruct a Lesson: PO 311 – Participate in a Recreational Summer Biathlon Activity: PO 320 – Recognize the Valour of Members of the Canadian Army: PO 321 – Perform the Duties of a Team Leader On A Weekend Bivouac Exercise: PO 322 – Plot Location on a Topographical Map Using A Global Positioning System Receiver: PO 324 – Survive When Lost: PO 325 – Identify the Competencies of an Outdoor Leader: PO 326 – Perform Expedition Skills:
Gold Star PO 401 - Recognize How the Legal System Affects Youth: PO 402 - Perform Community Service: PO 403 - Act as a Team Leader: PO 404 - Update personal Activity Plan: PO 405 - Participate in Recreational Sports: PO 406 - Fire the Cadet Air Rifle During Recreational Marksmanship: PO 407 - Serve in an Army Cadet Corps: PO 408 - Command a Platoon on Parade: PO 409 - Instruct a Lesson: PO 420 - Identify the Structure of the Canadian Army: