Royal Canadian Sea Cadets Explained

Unit Name:Royal Canadian Sea Cadets
Dates:1905-present
Type:Youth Organization
Garrison:Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Garrison Label:Headquarters
Command Structure:Canadian Cadet Organizations
Identification Symbol Label:Flag
March:Quick: "Heart of Oak"
Commander1:Brigadier-General Dominique Brais

The Royal Canadian Sea Cadets (RCSC; French: links=no|Cadets de la Marine royale du Canada) 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 Armed 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.[1] 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.

An inclusive program, youth 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 (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 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 defence.

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 (Warrant No. 5) 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 of Canada established the Wrenette program for girls aged 13 to 18 years, though at least one corps (in Victoria, British Columbia) unofficially existed before that date.[2] [3] Starting in 1975, girls were permitted to become sea cadets (as well as army and air cadets),[4] making the Wrenette Corps largely redundant. As a result, the Wrenette program steadily declined until it was disbanded in 1997.[2]

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.

Navy League today

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.[6]

Corps

Individual cadets belong to units called Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corps (RCSCC), or Corps de cadet de la Marine royale canadienne (CCMRC), which are the basic operating units of the program. Each corps consists of officers from the Cadet Instructors Cadre (CIC) Branch of the Canadian Armed Forces, Civilian Instructors (CI), Civilian Volunteers (CV), volunteer Regular/ Primary Reserve Force members, 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 (Divisional Petty Officer or DPO) and a CIC officer (Divisional Officer or DivO), although the officer position is sometimes filled by a Civilian instructor or Volunteer. 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 (XO) to the commanding officer (CO) or from the DPO to the cadet Regulating Petty Officer (RPO, the second senior cadet in the unit), to the cadet coxswain (cox'n, the senior cadet in a unit). 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.

Sea Cadet Units also house key departments such as Training, Administration, and Supply. These departments are normally operated under the direction of a CIC officer but can also be operated by a Civilian Instructor, possibly with an assistant adult staff member, and a senior cadet. Units may also house teams such as Range (Marksmanship/Biathlon), Band, and Drill.Larger units may have dedicated staff for each of the teams.

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/training night while training/activities conducted on weekends or on other weeknights are referred to by the activity/training occurring.

Key Departments

Sponsoring group

Training and ranks

Ranks

See also: Cadets Canada elemental ranks. In accordance with QR and O Cadets 4.11 the following are the rank badges of the Royal Canadian Sea Cadets:[7] [8] 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 (or Second) Class," and "Chief Petty Officer Cadet First (or Second) Class." However, outside of Cadet Administrative and Training Orders (CATO), and Queen's Regulations and Orders (Cadets) (QR&O(Cdt)), 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."

Forms of address

Training

Additional Training

Along with their mandatory weekly training, sea cadets may also participate in one or more of the teams below:

Summer training

Cadet Training Centres (CTC), 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 training year, as well as meeting certain course prerequisites.

Cadet Training Centers are staffed by members of the Canadian Forces, primarily members of the CIC, but also including other branches of the CF, as well as Civilian Instructors and senior cadets selected for employment as staff cadets. Sea Cadet STCs are commanded by a CIC officer of the rank of commander. Staff cadets are employed at the ranks of Petty Officer Second Class through Chief Petty Officer First Class, with a CPO1 being appointed as Cadet Cox'n. Staff cadets are paid at a daily fixed rate for the duration of their time as a Staff Cadet.

Sea Cadet CTCs are commissioned as "stone frigates," which is to say, naval shore establishments granted much the same standing as a seagoing unit.

Current Sea Cadet Training Centres (CTC)

Additionally, cadets may apply for a number of tri-service courses hosted by other training centres.

Former SCSTC

Honours and awards

The Canadian Cadet Movement maintains its own Honours and Awards system. Cadets may be awarded these based on many criteria including bravery, citizenship, service, outstanding performance on a summer training course, and are worn on the right side of the cadet uniform, under their name tag. In addition, cadets may also wear any orders, decorations, and medals of Canada they have been awarded on the left side of their uniform.

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:[18]

!Medal!Image!Description
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 (RCL) 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(s) within each Division of each corps.
Army, Navy and Air Force Veterans in Canada Cadet Medal of MeritThe Army, Navy and Air Force Veterans in Canada (ANAVETS), 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(s) 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 of service.
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.[19]

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
Training tenderCeased operations summer 2008
Patrol craft trainingRoyal Canadian Navy training and patrol tender
Cape IslanderSea Cadet training vesselLeased vessels used at HMCS Acadia

, built by Captain (N) 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.[20]

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 (Ceremonial Dress):

Order of Dress C2 (Mess Dress): C1A, 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 (Service Dress): C1A, but ribbons replace medals.

Order of Dress C3B (Service Dress): C3A, minus the tunic

Order of Dress C3E (Service Dress): C3A, but black undershirt replace the short sleeve shirt.

Order of Dress C5 (Sea Training Uniform or STU):

Order of Dress C5A (STU): C5, minus the Postman's blue shirt.

Order of Dress C5E (Sports Dress) (May be issued kit or personal):

Order of Dress C5B (Field Training Dress or Combats)

Order of Dress C5C (Field Training Dress or Combats): C5B minus the field jacket

Winter Accoutrements (for wear with any order of dress in cold weather):

Special Orders of Dress

These orders of dress are only used on particular occasions, or by cadets in a Highland pipes and drums band.

Order of Dress C1 (Traditional Dress):

Order of Dress C1H (Highland Dress):

Order of Dress C1H (same code): 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.

Honorary Members

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. http://lois.justice.gc.ca/en/N-f/269085.html National Defence Act
  2. Web site: Navy League of Canada . Significant Dates.
  3. Book: MacKenzie, Ken . Keeping Watch: A History of the Navy League of Canada 1895–1965 . Victoria, BC . Aldridge Street Editing & Publishing . 2010 . 318–19.
  4. https://www.canada.ca/en/ombudsman-national-defence-forces/education-information/cadet-junior-canadian-rangers/canadian-cadet-organization.html Government of Canada
  5. 6647 Major (Ret) Mitchell Kryzanowski (RMC 1965), 'Currie Hall: Memorial to the Canadian Corps' (Kingston: Hewson and White, 1989)
  6. http://www.cadets.forces.gc.ca/seacad/resources-ressources/phase3/1_e.asp RCSC Phase III Manual - Serve within a Sea Cadet corps
  7. http://www.cadets.ca/seacad/resources-resources/symbols/index.htm Royal Canadian Sea Cadets Badges - Insignes de la Marine royale du Canada
  8. http://www.cadets.ca/_docs/cato-oaic/3301A_b.pdf Promotion criteria: Annex A CATO 33-01
  9. http://www.sekh.or.kr/new/eng/main.html
  10. http://www.jsf-japan.or.jp/english/index.html
  11. http://www.regions.cadets.forces.gc.ca/pac/quadra/intro_e.asp HMCS Quadra's website
  12. http://www.central.cadets.ca/hmcs/index_e.html HMCS Ontario's website
  13. Web site: HMCS Haida National Historic Site . Government of Canada . October 2, 2023.
  14. http://www.cadets.net/Atl/avalon/intro_e.asp HMCS Avalon's website
  15. http://www.regions.cadets.ca/pra/quappelle/ HMCS Qu'Appelle's website
  16. http://www.cadets.ca/public/home-accueil.aspx?pageid=134266&LangType=4105 HMCS Québecs website
  17. Web site: NCSM Québec: la fin d'une grande famille - . LaPresse . French.
  18. Web site: Login.
  19. Web site: Cadet Administrative Training Orders 13-16 (Annex C). PDF. https://web.archive.org/web/20120504083443/http://www.cadets.ca/WorkArea/DownloadAsset.aspx?id=51443. May 4, 2012. dead. June 15, 2011.
  20. http://www.cadets.forces.gc.ca/_docs/cato-oaic/1205_b.pdf CATO 12-05 Cadet Flags and Banners