Parent - Cadet Handbook 756 Wild Goose Squadron 756 Wild Goose Air Cadets Col J.R. Barber Armouries 91Todd Road Georgetown, ON, L7G 4R8 Issued on the authority of the Commanding Officer - 756 RCACS. Version 1.0, 16 Sep 15 Table of Contents Squadron Staff/ SSC/Air Cadet League Rep 5 Chain of Command / Phone Pyramid 6 Partnerships 7 Where to get additional information 8 SQUADRON INFORMATION 1. Location & Contact Information 9 2. Aims of the Royal Canadian Air Cadets 9 3. Motto of the Royal Canadian Air Cadets 9 4. Squadron History 9 5. Membership Requirements 9-10 6. What do I wear? 10 7. When will I get my uniform? 10 8. What cadets costs you 10 9. Parent responsibilities 11 a. Ways for parents to get involved 11 10. Cadet responsibilities 12 11. Administration/ Operation of the Squadron 13 12. Weekly parades 14 a. Regular Parade nights 14 b. CO Parade nights 14 13. Attendance 14-15 14. Training 15-17 15. Summer Training 17-18 a. Summer training courses 17-18 b. Scholarship /Advanced Course Selection Process 18 16. Promotions 18-19 a. Acting ranks 19 b. Cadet ranks 19 17. Uniform and Personal appearance 20-24 a. Order of Dress 20-21 2 b. Uniform details & tips 21-22 c. Personal appearance & tips 22-24 18. Smoking / Alcohol & Drugs 24 19. Communication 25 20. Signing up for activities 25 21. Addressing Concerns 25 22. Positive Social Relations for Youth 26 23. Rank & Music Badges 27 24. Summer Course Qualification / First Aid Badges 28 25. Marksmanship/Air Cadet Fitness & Pilot Badges 29 26. Marksmanship/Biathlon Pins & Medals 30 3 Squadron Staff (Primary positions) Name Primary Position Capt Siekierko Commanding Officer (CO) Capt Read Deputy Commanding Officer (DCO) & Training Lt Laverty Administration Officer (AdminO) C.I Daniela Baryla Band Officer (BandO) C.I. Terry Noakes Supply C.I Daniel Andela Supply ** There are many other members on staff – see website for list** Squadron Sponsoring Committee Chair Ron Pogson Vice-Chair Ross Murray Treasurer Norma Watkins Secretary Karen Pogson Air Cadet League Representative Ken Robinson 4 Chain of Command – In the Cadet Program we have a Chain of Command that we instruct to each cadet. This is partially used to communicate throughout the Squadron as well as for orders and responsibilities. Each Cadet is placed into a Flight (group of 10 to 30 cadets). There are 3 people in charge of a Flight. First is the Flight Commander (or IC for In Charge) and then the 2IC position (for 2nd In Charge). Each Flight also has an Officer in charge of them who communicates with the Squadron Commanding Officer and lobbies for the flight as needed in staff meetings. 5 Partnership The Royal Canadian Air Cadet Program is a unique partnership between the Canadian Armed Forces and the Air Cadet League of Canada. This partnership can be found at all levels of the program; at the national level, the provincial level and at the community or Squadron level. Each Squadron is sponsored by a local organization. The sponsors form a Squadron Sponsoring Committee (SSC) that assists in the operation of the Squadron. 756 Wild Goose is sponsored by Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 120. The SSC is responsible for fundraising, securing facilities for the Squadron to do its training and administration, assisting in finding suitable adult candidates to enroll as officers and civilian instructors and to assist in the recruiting of new cadets. Funds raised by various efforts make possible supplemental, optional activities and programs that are not funded or only partially funded by the Department of National Defence, such as citizenship trips, biathlon, and band training Each Squadron is staffed by a group of officers, civilian instructors and volunteers under the direction of the Commanding Officer. The CO is responsible for the control, welfare, and training of the cadets and for supervising the operation of the Squadron and the implementation of the training program. The CO and his/her team organize the training program according to nationally set standards and plan and implement various training activities during the week and on weekends. At the provincial and national level, the Canadian Forces, and the Air Cadet League work co-operatively to provide the necessary structure, guidance and resources to support the Squadron at the local level. This includes the provision of uniforms and military training equipment, training for officers and cadets, use of Canadian Forces bases across Canada as well as administrative support for Squadrons and sponsoring committees. There are several groups that assist the Squadron with the day to day operation of the cadet program, and each group has its own well defined responsibilities: The Department of National Defence (DND) is responsible for: a) hiring and training of CIC Officers b) training program, including summer camps c) supply (cadet and officers uniforms) d) assisting the Air Cadet League (ACL) in organization and administration. The Air Cadet League of Canada is responsible for: a) provision of gliders and tow planes b) public relations c) fundraising (local sponsoring committees) d) assisting in securing accommodations for Squadrons (local sponsoring committees) e) Local sponsoring committees (see below) Please note that while the Squadron officers are members of the Canadian Forces Reserve, cadets are NOT members of the Canadian Forces, nor are they under any obligations whatsoever to join the military at any time. Cadet units are run by adult staff that fit into the following categories: a) Cadet Instructors Cadre (CIC) officers: are responsible for the training, administration, and logistical operation of the corps/Squadrons. CIC officers are commissioned members of the Canadian Forces Reserve Force and receive training at the Regional Cadet Instructors School (RCIS) in Borden. b) Civilian Instructors (CI): CI instructors are not members of the Canadian Forces, but have a contract with the CF and have received similar screening to CIC officers. Most CIs are in the enrollment process and expect to become CF members in the near future. c) Civilian Volunteer (CV): CV’s have been screened by the Air Cadet League and have an agreement in place with the Chair of the Squadron Sponsoring committee – as do all members of the Sponsoring Committee. In addition to their blue card, they have also completed an agreement with Commanding Officer and the RCSU to provide assistance with training cadets and to be under the supervision of the local Commanding Officer. 6 Where to get additional information The Canadian Cadet Organization is unique among youth programs in its vast collection of regulations and orders. This derives from it being a national, government supported program that has inherited military style and traditions. All of the primary regulations are accessible online or at the local headquarters. Some topics in this handbook provide a reference to the regulations and orders that relate to the subject. Any interested cadet or parent is encouraged to check these sources if they would like more detailed information. Most orders are numbered and the relevant numbers and titles are given in each handbook section. Consult Squadron staff if needed for assistance in tracking down sources. The following list includes the primary groups of orders from the most general (national) to the most detailed (local). Air Cadet League of Canada Website: www.aircadetleague.com Air Cadet League of Ontario Website: www.aircadetleague.on.ca Website for 756Air Cadets: www.756sqn.com Squadron Standing Orders (SSO): Further amplification of the national and regional level instructions takes place at the local unit. These instructions describe how higher level policies will be implemented locally and wherever 756 Squadron is operating. During the cadet training year these orders have been revised and updated to conform to current policy. They can be found posted on the Squadrons bulletin board and in a binder in the Administration Office. They are also posted on the Squadron website. Routine Orders (RO): At the beginning of each month in the cadet training year an RO is issued by the Commanding Officer. These orders are a primary means to authorize local activities for 756; they formally publish news about cadet and staff milestones (such as promotions, courses, positions, etc). When changes take place in the SSO (Squadron Standing Orders) they are also published in the RO to ensure maximum distribution of the policy change. The RO is posted on the Squadron bulletin board, but is also available to any cadets and parents in paper or electronic formats. All senior NCOs are responsible to read these orders when they are issued. Duty cadets and staff are listed in the RO. Range Standing Orders (RSO): These orders are primarily for the use of our indoor range during our Air Rifle practices. The RSO contains information on how to run a range, and what safety precautions to follow during the range practice. SQUADRON INFORMATION 1. Location & Contact Information 756 Wild Goose Squadron Headquarters is located in the J.R Barber Armory on 91 Todd Rd, Georgetown, Ontario. Within this building you will find the Squadron offices, conference room, storage rooms, and the Parade Square. Squadron Headquarters (LHQ) is not staffed during the day. If you cannot attend cadets call your Flight Commander, or 2IC. You can also call the Squadron officer on Mondays between 1830-2100hrs. Contact information can be found on the contacts page of the Squadron Website. : Online Squadron Website:http://www.756sqn.com/index.php/contact-us1/location-and-hours 7 2. Aims of the Royal Canadian Air Cadets The three stated aims of the Air Cadets are: a) To develop in youth the attributes of good citizenship and leadership b) To promote physical fitness c) To stimulate interest in the air element of the Canadian Forces Note: While the Squadron officers are members of the Canadian Forces, cadets are not members of the Canadian Forces, nor are they under any obligation to join.