How do I join?

Show up to our local headquarters (LHQ) on most Wednesday nights between September to June between 7pm and 9pm to receive more information about our exciting program. Check out our calendar to make sure that we're parading that night.

You will be given an application package (online version below) and a tour of some of our squadron activities. Bring your health card and birth certificate when you arrive and you’ll be on your way to enrolling in Canada’s best youth organization. To ensure a prompt enrolment process, you are strongly encouraged to complete the below application package and bring it with you on your visit to the squadron.

For safety and security reasons, we ask that new recruits and family members do not enter the squadron office during operational hours.

Who can join?

To be eligible as a cadet, one must:

• Be a legal resident of Canada;
NOTE: A legal resident of Canada is a Canadian citizen, a landed immigrant, or, the dependant of a person who is lawfully residing in Canada on a temporary basis for the purpose of education or employment. provide proof of provincial health insurance coverage or equivalent;
• Be at least 12 years of age;
• Not have attained 19 years of age;
• Normally be in good physical condition;
• Not belong to another corps or squadron; and
• Be acceptable to the Commanding Officer (CO) of the cadet corps or squadron.

How much does it cost?

The Cadet Program is funded by the Department of National Defence in partnership with the civilian Navy League, Army Cadet League and Air Cadet League of Canada. The civilian sponsor requires local community support to meet its obligations that include accommodations, training aids and equipment, and program enhancements not otherwise provided. Parents and Cadets are expected to participate in and contribute to fundraising as required by the League’s local sponsoring element.

Are there summer camps?

Summer courses are a very big part of Air Cadets, and are run every year in July and August. There are many different courses ranging from 2 to 7 weeks. Cadets are not required to attend the courses, but it is highly recommended. Cadets can take everything from basic cadet courses to advanced technical training, and from leadership courses to aerospace studies, and make great friends from all over Canada in the process! Summer courses are free, and eventually an experienced cadet can apply for staff positions for summer courses, and get pay equivalent to a full-time summer job.

Can I get my pilot's licence?

Yes! Air Cadets offers two Transport Canada Pilot licenses: the Glider Pilot License (GPL) and the Private Pilot License (PPL). Scholarships are offered to air cadets in order for them to get their pilot licenses at various flight schools around the province. The licenses are free through Air Cadets (the GPL normally costs $2000, while PPL normally costs around $10000), cadets just have to pay with their dedication and hard work in the squadron.

During the year, cadets with a glider license can fly at various cadet gliding centres around the province during weekends, and scholarships are offered to pay for continued flying when some cadets retire. Air cadets is one of the largest youth flight training programs in the world, and in fact, over 60 percent of Canada's airline pilots got their start in Air Cadets.No. One of the three objectives of the Air Cadet program is to expose cadets to the activities of the Royal Canadian Air Force, however, the program is not an avenue for recruiting for the Canadian Armed Forces (learn more about what we do here). Cadets are not members of the Canadian Armed Forces and they will never be asked to join.

Do I have to join the military?

No. One of the three objectives of the Air Cadet program is to expose cadets to the activities of the Royal Canadian Air Force, however, the program is not an avenue for recruiting for the Canadian Armed Forces (learn more about what we do here). Cadets are not members of the Canadian Armed Forces and they will never be asked to join.

Cadets who do choose to join the military will have a great advantage over other applicants (many members of the Canadian Armed Forces started off in the cadet program—including Canadian astronaut Commander Chris Hadfield!).

Why is there a registration cut-off?

The reason for the cut-off is to ensure we are providing the best program, with the most impact, to our cadets. Cutting off registration ensures that all recruits are properly registered for all activities, and in particular, those with a required mandatory attendance (of which, quite a few are in October). Please keep in touch or regularly check our website for open registration or Open-house dates.

Anything else I need to know?

Yes, of course! All recruits need to come wearing a white dress shirt, black tie and black pants, with black dress shoes. We understand that not all recruits own black dress shoes, so an alternative all black shoe is acceptable.

Additionally, a notepad, pen and/or pencil is also really good to have. There's a lot to learn, and we can't expect a new recruit to memorize everything they are told. Cadets are also encouraged to bring a bottle to drink water through the night.

Where do I get the application Joining Forms?

The latest application forms are on our resource page. Click here Please complete Applications Forms 1 to 3.