Royal Canadian Sea Cadets


The Royal Canadian Sea Cadets is a Canadian national youth program sponsored by the Canadian Armed Forces and the civilian Navy League of Canada. 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. Cadets are not members of the Canadian Forces.

Overview

Along with the Royal Canadian Army Cadets and Royal Canadian Air Cadets, the Royal Canadian Sea Cadets form part of the Canadian Cadet Organizations. Although the RCSCC and the other cadet programs are sponsored by the Canadian Forces and the civilian Leagues, cadets are not members of the Forces and are not expected to join. In keeping with Commonwealth custom, the Royal Canadian Sea Cadets stand first in the order of precedence, before the Army Cadets and Air Cadets. This is in keeping with the Royal Navy's status as the Senior Service, a tradition common to most Commonwealth navies.
Boys and girls aged 12 to 18 may join the RCSCC. There is no enrollment fee, and uniforms are loaned at no charge. The organization and rank system is similar to that of the Royal Canadian Navy. 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 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 serve the Royal Canadian Sea, Army, and Air Cadet training programs, and like all reservists, they come from all walks of life and all parts of the community. Some are former cadets, and many have former regular or reserve force service.

Aim

The aim of the Royal Canadian Sea 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 RCSC shares this aim with the Army and Air Cadets; however, each discipline focuses on its own parent element.

History

Early days

In 1895, due to concern over the Royal Navy's ability to provide adequate naval defence, concerned citizens formed the Navy League, to promote interest in the problems of maritime trade and defense.
The League formed local branches throughout the United Kingdom and in other countries of the British Empire. The earliest Canadian branch was formed in Toronto. Its warrant is dated December 10, 1895, and currently hangs in the Navy League of Canada's National Office.
At that time, Canadian branches supported a cadet program called the Boys’ Naval Brigades, aimed at encouraging young men to consider a seafaring career and provide basic training in citizenship and seamanship.

Evolution

With the formation of the Canadian Naval Service in May 1910, the organisation was renamed from "Boys’ Naval Brigade" to "Navy League Sea Cadets," to permit closer liaison with the Navy. In 1942, King George VI graciously consented to be Admiral of the Navy League's Sea Cadets, and granted the "Royal" prefix, causing another name change, to the current "Royal Canadian Sea Cadets." Queen Elizabeth continued this Royal patronage and named His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh as the Admiral of the RCSC. Finally, in 1941, the RCN became a joint partner with the Navy League in support of the RCSC.

Girls

In 1950, the Navy League Wrennette Corps were established for girls aged 13 to 18 years, though some corps existed unofficially before that date. In 1975, the two programs were amalgamated, and girls were officially enrolled in Sea Cadets.

Memorial

At the Royal Military College of Canada, outside Currie Hall in Kingston, Ontario, stained glass windows relate to the history of the Royal Canadian Sea Cadets.
In 1995, the Navy League of Canada celebrated its 100th Anniversary. The League promotes the same subjects today, as at its founding: knowledge of, and support for, maritime interests. On a national level, the League supports the International Exchange Program, certain scholarships, and the National Sea Cadet Regatta, while local branches provide vital logistical support to individual RCSC Corps.

Corps

Individual cadets belong to units called Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corps, or Corps de cadet de la Marine royale canadienne, which are the basic operating units of the program. Each corps comprises Canadian Forces Officers of the Reserve Cadet Instructors Cadre Branch, often assisted by Civilian Instructors, and cadets.
The entirety of a given corps organizes itself as a ship's company, employing the naval divisional system. Under this system, cadets become members of a division under a cadet petty officer and, ideally, a commissioned officer of the CIC, although the officer position is sometimes filled by a civilian. Cadets parade by divisions, and are expected to route grievances and requests through the chain of command, running either directly from the DPO to DivO to the executive officer to the commanding officer or from the DPO to the cadet Regulating Petty Officer, to the cadet Coxswain. The chain stops at the level able to deal with a concern – for example, a cadet's request for a new item of uniform might result in the DivO giving approval, and directing the cadet to visit Stores.
All but the smallest corps staff several departments, typically including Training, Administration, and Supply, while larger units maintain training-support organizations, including Range, Band, Sail training, PERI and more. Each Cadet Corps is unique and may offer different teams depending on Cadet interests.
Training, Administration, and Supply operate under the direction of Canadian Forces staff, possibly with an adult assistant, and a senior cadet, while the others, with the exception of Range, are often run by a senior cadet. Units generally adhere to the school schedule, meeting weekly for mandatory training, and carrying out additional training on weekends and other weeknights. The primary meeting is referred to as a parade night, while overnight weekend training conducted at the unit's home is called a live-aboard. Anything taking the unit away from its home is generally termed an exercise.

Primary Departments

For a more complete discussion of RCSC Winter Training, please see Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Training
In accordance with QR and O Cadets 4.11 the following are the rank badges of the Royal Canadian Sea Cadets:
In addition to the rank-specific criteria given below, all appointments are subject to the approval of the cadet's commanding officer, who generally promotes based on the advice of Divisional Officers and unit training staff.
As a note, the official phrasing for the Petty Officer and Chief Petty Officer ranks is "Petty Officer Cadet First Class," and "Chief Petty Officer Cadet First Class." However, outside of Cadet Administrative and Training Orders, and Queen's Regulations and Orders , custom omits "Cadet" in casual reference. Thus, Petty Officer First Class is the customary rendering. Generally, where there is a need to distinguish between cadets and Canadian Forces members, the NCO ranks will be written or spoken as Cadet Petty Officer First Class, abbreviated as C/PO1.

Additionally, while it is customary within the organisation to refer to a cadet receiving a rank as being "promoted," the official documentation refers to such an act as an "appointment."

Ranks

CDT 1CDT 2CDT 3
Ordinary Seaman—matelot de 3e classeAble Seaman—matelot de 2e classeLeading Seaman—matelot de 1re classe

  • Rank of OS granted on joining, although custom refers to cadets not yet sworn in as new entries;
  • No prerequisites for this rank, except a minimum age of 12 years;
  • A new cadet may be sworn into the organization, making a promise of loyalty to the Crown and obedience to orders in front of the ship's company; also,
  • Ordinary seaman wear no rank.
For promotion to AB a cadet must:
  • hold the rank of OS;
  • maintain a satisfactory level of dress and deportment; and
  • be recommended by his/her divisional officer.
    		• For promotion to LS a cadet must:
  • hold the rank of AB;
  • have successfully completed Phase I from the LHQ program;
  • maintain a satisfactory level of dress and deportment; and
  • be recommended by his/her divisional officer.
    • CDT 4CDT 5CDT 6
    Master Seaman—matelot-chefPetty Officer Second Class—maître de 2e classePetty Officer First Class—maître de 1re Classe
    For promotion to MS, a cadet must:
    • hold the rank of LS;
    • have successfully completed Phase II from the LHQ program;
    • maintain a satisfactory level of dress and deportment; and
    • be recommended by his/her Divisional Officer.
    		For promotion to PO2, a cadet must:
  • hold the rank of MS;
  • have successfully completed Phase III from the LHQ program;
  • maintain a satisfactory level of dress and deportment; and
  • be recommended by his/her divisional officer.
    		• For promotion to PO1, a cadet must:
  • hold the rank of PO2
  • have successfully completed phase IV from the LHQ program;
  • maintain a satisfactory level of dress and deportment;
  • Promotion to PO1st class requires Completion of Phase 4.
    • CDT 7CDT 8CDT 9
    Chief Petty Officer Second Class—premier maître de 2e classeChief Petty Officer First Class—premier maître de 1re classeSCSTC Chief Petty Officer—Capitaine d'armes de CIECM
    For promotion to CPO2, a cadet must:
    • must have held the rank of PO1 for at least 6 months;
    • maintain a satisfactory level of dress and deportment;
    • must be recommended by the Merit Review Board; and
    • there must be a vacancy on the corps CPO2 establishment.
    • CPO2s are usually appointed Senior positions such as Boatswain and sometimes Coxswains of their corps.
    		For promotion to CPO1, a cadet must:
  • have held the rank of CPO2 for at least 6 months;
  • maintain a satisfactory level of dress and deportment;
  • be recommended by the Merit Review Board; and
  • be a member of a corps large enough to be allotted it's one CPO1 position; and
  • that position must be vacant.
  • The cadet, upon receiving a promotion to CPO1, is henceforth known as the "Coxswain" of their corps.
  • Promotion to CPO1 may be considered the pinnacle of a sea cadet's service.
  • The SCSTC CPO appointment id similar to the CF Base Chief Petty Officer appointment;
  • It is only to be worn by a Royal Canadian Sea Cadet CPO1 employed as the cadet coxswain or chief, of a Sea Cadet Summer Training Centre;
  • May be considered the pinnacle of a sea cadet's service.
  • This insignia may not be worn for any other reason.

    • Forms of address

  • Junior cadets are typically addressed by their last name by all ranks; however, a superior might address them as simply "cadet," especially in situations where names are not known, such as at multi-unit events.
  • Petty officers are typically addressed by their juniors as "Petty Officer So-and-So," or, conversationally, as "P.O." Superiors and equals will often use last name only, sometimes prefacing it with "Mr." or "Miss."
  • Chief petty officers are typically addressed by all personnel as "Chief So-and-So," or, conversationally, as "chief." Superiors and equals will rarely use last name only, though superiors might replace "chief" with "Mr." or "Miss."
  • Additionally, cadets often hold an appointment in addition to their rank, and many of these are used as an alternate form of address, especially the following: coxswain ; corps gunner, chief gunner, or gunner's mate, drum major ; bugler; messenger; and boatswain, boatswain's mate, chief boatswain's mate, and chief boatswain.
  • In formal situations, a cadet's full rank and last name is often used.

    Summer Training

    • Summer Training Centres, officially termed as either Sea Cadet Summer Training Centres or Establishments, and referred to colloquially year-round as "camps," and, by their ship's company over the summer, as "the base," provide additional training intended to support or complement that offered at the home unit from September to June. Across the board, cadets applying for summer training must have 75% attendance over the winter training year, as well as meeting certain course prerequisites.
    Summer training facilities are staffed by members of the Canadian Forces, primarily members of the CIC, but also including other branches of the CF, and senior cadets selected for employment as staff cadets. Sea Cadet STCs are commanded by a CIC officer of the rank of commander. Most employ staff cadets at the ranks of Petty Officer Second Class through Chief Petty Officer First Class, with a CPO1 being appointed as Cadet Cox'n. Additionally, some employ staff cadets at the rank of Leading Cadet for support positions. Staff cadets are paid at a percentage of a CF Naval Cadet's basic pay.
    The centres are commissioned as "stone frigates," which is to say, naval shore establishments granted much the same standing as a seagoing unit.

    Current Cadet Training Centres (CTC)

    Additionally, cadets may apply for a number of tri-service courses, some hosted by Sea Cadet Summer Training Centres and others held on Army or Air Cadet facilities. Currently various forms of music training are offered as tri-service to some extent. In past years the Air-heavy Introduction to Aerospace course was offered as tri-service; however, this seems to have lapsed.

    Former SCSTC

    The Canadian Cadet Movement maintains its own Honours and Awards system. Cadets may be awarded these based on criteria including bravery, citizenship, service, outstanding performance on a summer training course, and more. In addition, cadets may also wear, on their uniform, any orders, decorations, and medals of Canada they have been awarded.
    Within the system, there are several honours and awards common to all three cadet elements and some that are unique to each. A cadet who transfers from one element to another may continue to wear any medals awarded from their previous service, but in general, sea cadets may be eligible for the following nine honours and awards, and are in the order of precedence:
    MedalImageDescription
    Cadet Award for BraveryThe Cadet Award of Bravery may be awarded to a cadet who performs an outstanding deed of valour involving risk of life in attempting to save the life or property of others.
    Lord Strathcona Trust Fund MedalThe Lord Strathcona Trust Fund Medal, most commonly referred to as the Lord Strathcona Medal, is the highest award which can be bestowed upon a cadet in recognition of exemplary performance in physical and military training.
    Royal Canadian Legion Cadet Medal of ExcellenceThe Royal Canadian Legion Cadet Medal of Excellence is awarded in recognition for individual endeavours in citizenship that meet or enhance the aims and objectives of the cadet movement.
    Navy League of Canada Medal of ExcellenceAwarded annually to the most proficient cadet within each Division of each corps.
    Colonel Robert Perron AwardPresented annually to the Cadet who attains the highest physical fitness test score.
    Army, Navy and Air Force Veterans in Canada Cadet Medal of MeritThe Army, Navy and Air Force Veterans in Canada, as a legacy to its desire to promote excellence and awareness of the CCO, has established the Army, Navy and Air Force Veterans in Canada Cadet Medal of Merit. One medal shall be awarded at each CTC to the top cadet, male or female, for each Instructor level course.
    Order of St. George MedalAwarded to the top Staff Cadet at each CSTC.
    Sea Cadet Service MedalThis medal is presented to a Sea Cadet that has successfully completed four years of honourable service within the RCSC program. Single bars are awarded for each additional year.
    Cadet Certificate of CommendationAwarded for outstanding deeds in attempting to save the life or property of another person. This award is not part of the order of precedence.

    Vessels

    VesselsTypeDetailsOrigins
    420Sailing DinghyDouble or single hand, monohull
    PirateSailing DinghyDouble or single hand, monohull
    EchoSailing DinghyDouble or single hand, monohull
    LaserSailing DinghySingle hand, monohull
    Laser IISailing DinghyDouble or single hand, monohull
    YAG Training TenderCeased operations summer 2008
    Orca ClassPatrol Craft TrainingCanadian Navy training and patrol tender
    Cape IslanderSea Cadet Training VesselLeased vessels used at HMCS ACADIA

    STV Fair Jeanne, built by Capt Thomas G. Fuller, does fall and spring youth sail training group trips on the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway for organizations such as the Royal Canadian Sea Cadets, Girl Guides of Canada, corporate groups and for people who are working towards The Duke of Edinburgh's Awards.

    Symbols

    Flags

    The Sea Cadets have used a variety of flags during their history: some corps flew the White Ensign until 1929; they then used the Canadian Blue Ensign and the flag of the Navy League of Canada until 1953. In that year, the Chief of Naval Service approved a design for the Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Flag: a white flag with the Union Flag in the canton, and, on the fly, the badge of the Cadets, a gold anchor on a blue roundel surrounded by red maple leaves and surmounted by a Naval Crown. In 1976, the Sovereign approved a new design, which replaced the Union Flag in the canton with the Maple Leaf Flag.

    Badge

    The badge is the service emblem of the RCSC, and it is worn on cadet-issued parkas. It is also depicted on the flag of the Royal Canadian Sea Cadets. It is used as a cap badge on the beret worn with Order of Dress C4C.

    Uniform

    These are the uniforms of the Royal Canadian Sea Cadets. The uniforms are classified by a number system that lays them out as uniforms C1, C2, C5, etc. Uniforms C1A, C3A, C3B, C5, and C5A are issued upon joining, along with Winter Accoutrements.
    Order of Dress C1A :
    Order of Dress C2 : C1A, but instead of the gunshirt, a white shirt and bowtie is worn by male cadets and a white shirt with crossover tie is worn by female cadets. However, this order of dress is optional and the white shirt and tie are not purchased at public expense. When the tie is worn, the lanyard is not worn. This is very rarely worn.
    Order of Dress C3A : C1A, but ribbons replace medals.
    Order of Dress C3B : C3A, minus the tunic
    Order of Dress C3E : C3A, but black undershirt replace gunshirt.
    Order of Dress C5 :
    Order of Dress C5A : C5, minus the Postman's blue shirt.
    Order of Dress C5E :
    Order of Dress C5B
    Order of Dress C5C : C5B minus the field jacket
    Winter Accoutrements :
    These orders of dress are only used on particular occasions, or by cadets in a Highland pipes and drums band.
    Order of Dress C1 :
    Order of Dress C1H :
    Order of Dress C1H : As above, without tunic.

    Key personages

    Admiral of the Royal Canadian Sea Cadets

    The first Admiral of the Royal Canadian Sea Cadets was George VI, King of Canada, assuming the role in 1942, when the Navy League Sea Cadets became the Royal Canadian Sea Cadets.
    Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, as a member of the Canadian Royal Family, was appointed Admiral of the Royal Canadian Sea Cadets in 1953.

    Canadian Forces Senior Members

    Chief – Reserves and Cadets
    Since May 2011, this post has been filled by Rear Admiral Jennifer Bennett, CMM, CD.
    Director General Reserves and Cadets
    Since March 2011, this post has been filled by Brigadier-General Jay Milne, CD.
    Director of Cadets and Junior Rangers
    Since 2013, the post has been filled by Colonel Conrad Namiesniowski.

    Honorary Members