Mandatory Training

918 Griffon Squadron conducts mandatory parade (training) nights most Wednesday evenings from September to June, from 1820-2130h. Weekly parades are mandatory for all cadets. If cadets cannot attend a parade night or activity, it is imperative that they (the cadet, not their parents) fill in the absence form on the website. They should also communicate to their cadet Flight Commander about their absence, and if needed, cooperate and coordinate with other cadets to cover off responsibilities and duties they had been assigned. This notification should be completed before the evening or activity in question. This assists squadron staff in maintaining accurate records for excused absences.

During weekly training, the cadets participate in a variety of activities. As a cadet progresses through the program, new and different classes are introduced – such as leadership and instructional techniques – to help the cadet develop the various skills necessary to advance through the Air Cadet program. All classes are designed to enhance a cadet’s knowledge in accordance with the aims of the Air Cadet program.

We also conduct mandatory training days throughout the year on weekends, aiming for an average of one weekend per month. These events may include but are not limited to:

• 2 Field Training Exercise Weekends (aircrew survival or field training)
• Citizenship or community service activities
• Intra-Squadron Skills Competition
• Glider familiarization flying
• Powered familiarization flying
• Aviation day
• Sports & Fitness
• Marksmanship Days

All of the dates showing as M (Mandatory) in the training calendar are part of the required training for the cadet at that level.

For these weekend or day training events, the office staff will post information notices in the calendar event and on the website to provide you with all of the important information for the event.

Mandatory Training Subjects

During the training year, cadets participate in various theoretical and practical classes. The content and method of instruction vary based on proficiency level (and age). Broadly speaking, some of the subject material covered include (but are not limited to):

• Citizenship and Community Service: To encourage cadets to become more active in their communities through participation in a community service activity as a member of a group. Contributes directly to the achievement of the program aim of developing the attributes of good citizenship, and the participant outcome of proactive citizenship.
• Leadership: To train cadets to embrace the role of a follower while participating in activities as a member of a team. Contributes directly to the achievement of the program aim of developing the attributes of leadership and the participant outcome of social competence. Whenever possible, senior cadets lead junior cadets and gain practical leadership experience in both short-term assignments and long-term appointments.
• Instructional Technique: Senior cadets are taught how to instruct classroom and skill-based lessons, and will eventually instruct junior cadets. Cadets are routinely evaluated formally and informally as they continually improve their instructional skills.
• Personal Fitness and Healthy Living: To encourage cadets to set and pursue personal goals that contribute to active living. Contributes directly to the achievement of the program aim of promoting physical fitness, and the participant outcome of physical well-being.
• Recreational Sports: To encourage cadets to actively participate in recreational sports activities and contribute directly to the achievement of the program aim of promoting physical fitness and the participant outcome of physical well-being.
• Air Rifle Marksmanship: To familiarize the cadet with range operations and the firing of the cadet air rifle. Contributes indirectly to the achievement of the program aim of developing the attributes of good citizenship and leadership through the use of competitive shooting as a network for the development of self-discipline and teamwork. It also contributes indirectly to the participant outcome of emotional and physical well-being through the building of self-esteem and promotion of an active lifestyle.
• General Cadet Knowledge: To provide cadets with information on the opportunities inherent in the Air Cadet Program, and provide them the basic skills to allow the cadet to integrate comfortably as members of the squadron. Contributes directly to the achievement of the program aim of stimulating an interest in the air activities of the CAF and the participant outcome of understanding the CAF.
• Drill: Cadets follow the same drill as the CAF, and it is an important part of the heritage and tradition of the military. Drill instills discipline, attentiveness, and ready response to orders and instructions. When practiced as part of a group or unit, sharp drill helps develop skills of teamwork and bonding.
• CAF Familiarization: Introduces the cadets to the various units and roles of the CAF, including the history and traditions of the military.
• Canadian Aviation, Aerospace, and Aerodrome Operations Community Familiarization: Cadets are introduced to the various aspects and opportunities within the Canadian aviation industry, at local, national, and international levels.
• Radio Communications: Shows the cadets how to communicate effectively in the field and while participating in familiarization flights using the phonetic alphabet.
• Aviation Activities: Introduces the cadets to aircraft and their components and aviation history.
• Aerospace Activities: Cadets are introduced to Canadian aerospace endeavors (historical and current), as well as participating in activities to spark and maintain an interest in aerospace generally.
• Aerodrome Operations Activities: Introduce the cadets to ground-based aviation opportunities and augment the cadet’s knowledge of the operations necessary at most aerodromes and to further stimulates interest in ground-based aviation opportunities.
• Aircrew Survival: Trains the cadets on how to successfully survive outdoors in a supervised, simulated aircrew survival group activity. Cadets progress from basic outdoor wilderness and survival awareness towards simulated dual and solo survival scenarios under more austere conditions and limited supplies.
• Biathlon: Introduces cadets to the sport of biathlon, with an opportunity to enhance individual marksmanship skills and personal fitness.
• Aviation History: Engages the cadet in specific aspects of the history of aviation in Canada.
• Principles of Flight: Teaches the cadets the rudiments of how aircraft fly.
• Propulsion: Introduces the cadet to propulsion systems used in aviation.
• Aircraft Manufacturing and Maintenance: Introduces the cadet to these specialized aspects of the aviation industry.

This year (2022-2023) we are introducing the PHASE program to talk about Promoting Healthy and Safe Experiences.

Cadet365

Cadet365 is the virtual platform we provide to cadets which will virtually keep us connected.  We are progressing on our migration to this platform, much of the key cadet information will be housed in our 918 Team site through Cadet365. Please see more about Cadet365 here: https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/services/cadets-junior-canadian-rangers/cadets/cadet-o365.html

Proficiency Levels

Cadets normally qualify for one proficiency level per year, corresponding very loosely to school grades. Each proficiency level builds on the last and has targeted subjects and teaching methods designed for the average cadet age in each level. For older new recruits, some late joining options are available. Some training opportunities may be restricted to a certain minimum proficiency level.

At 918 Squadron, cadets in each level are provided with a proficiency course outline at the beginning of each year to briefly summarize and highlight the key points of their new proficiency level, including subjects and assessment details.

Late Joiner Accelerated Training

• The mandatory training program tailors teaching techniques and methods based on age, as the majority of cadets join between 12-13 years old and progress forward one proficiency level a year with their peers. However, there is recognition that not all cadets join at this age and so we have the ‘late joiners’ policy to support those cadets.
• Late joiners have the option of joining an accelerated training path. It is highly recommended that a cadet be assigned to their peer group where possible, though this is not mandatory, the level officer will have a discussion with the cadet to ensure they are comfortable with the acceleration. Late joiner cadets must meet the basic eligibility for accelerated training below to be considered:
  • cadets who join at 13 years old:
    • should normally start training in level one, or
    • may have their progression accelerated and start training in level two if they turn 14 years old before 1 September of the next training year and the initial assessment concludes that it would be beneficial for them;
  • cadets who join at 14 years old:
    •  should normally have their progression accelerated and start training in level two,
    • may start training in level one if the initial assessment concludes that it would be beneficial for them,
    • or may have their progression accelerated and start training in level three if they turn 15 years old before 1 September of the next TY and the initial assessment concludes that it would be beneficial for them; and
  • cadets who join at 15 years old:
    • should normally have their progression accelerated and start training in level three, or
    • may start training in level one or have their progression accelerated and start training in level two if the initial assessment concludes that it would be beneficial for them.
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