TRAINING
Our Training Year
Although the cadet programs run throughout the calendar year, our training year is September through June. Our squadron meets every Wednesday night, at A.Y. Jackson High School, in Kanata, for regular training, parades and activities.
A typical training night includes a mixture of classroom and smaller group sessions, where peer learning is promoted and developed. Training on a weeknight can consist of classroom lessons, effective speaking, foot drill, fieldcraft, physical training, leadership training, music and sports. Weekend training can consist of marksmanship ranges, field training exercises, and flying.
872 Squadron’s teams and clubs meet on various evenings during the week and on weekends over the course of the training year. See below for a more detailed description of the squadron offered teams and clubs.
872 cadets regularly volunteer in a variety of outreach activities that can include community clean-up days and food bank initiatives, and Poppy Campaign sales. Citizenship and leadership are the core characteristics of 872 cadets who strive to be contributing, respected members of our community.
Our Annual Ceremonial Review, the squadron’s last formal parade of the year, takes place in late May. Attended by community VIPs, a guest reviewing officer, families and friends, the ceremony is a cumulative display of the squadron’s achievements over the course of the training year. Every year, the ACR is both exciting and emotional for our cadets, as some may be looking forward to summer training opportunities across Canada, while others may be graduating out of the program after five to six years of service.
Through the Air Cadet Program, 872 cadets actively learn and participate in aviation specific themes.
- Several technical courses are available to learn more about the various aviation-related trades. It is possible to learn more about air traffic control, how to operate an airport, and piloting a drone.
- Training is available to learn more about the field of aerospace and its technologies, including model rocketry and learning about the aerospace industry.
- The Air Cadet Program covers the learning of forest survival skills. Each unit conducts an annual outdoor adventure exercise (FTX) where cadets have the opportunity to practice different techniques such as preparing a fire, building a shelter or making themselves visible to the rescue team. These exercises generally include an overnight event at an outdoor facility.
- Members of the Air Cadet Program are given opportunities to fly in an airplane or glider during their time with the cadets. These are perfect opportunities to see in practice all the concepts taught during training.
MORE ABOUT TRAINING
Recruit Training
Upon enrollment, cadets complete a recruit training course that will provide them with the knowledge and confidence to train and parade with the full squadron. As a member of the Recruit Flight, you will work closely with the most senior cadets of the squadron for four to five weeks in order to gain the basic knowledge required to understand the military rank structure, wear of the uniform and drill movements required to parade with the Squadron.
Once you have graduated from the Recruit Course you will be sworn in to the Squadron by taking the cadet pledge. The next step is your assignment to a Squadron Flight where you will begin your full training schedule.
Teams
Athletics and team sports is a key part of the cadet experience. Regional sporting events are coordinated by the Canadian Armed Forces in cooperation with the Quebec and Ottawa Eastern Region section of the Air Cadet League. Cadets are encouraged to join the teams organized by the squadron to learn, train and compete in a regional competition with the chance to compete for a spot at provincial or national cadet competitions held throughout the training year.
872 squadron teams regularly compete in events such as Ceremonial Drill, Air Rifle Marksmanship, and Biathlon, and once a year, all members of the squadron are encouraged to participate in the Ottawa based Excalibur Games. This weekend-long event sees cadet units from all three branches (Army, Navy, Air Force) get together for a weekend of fun, friendly competition in various athletic events.
Marksmanship Team
Marksmanship is one of the most popular cadet training activities. Cadet marksmanship has its roots in small-arms familiarization training with the Canadian Armed Forces. Its current focus, however, is on teaching cadets the proper use and safe handling of firearms for recreational and sporting purposes. The cadet marksmanship program has been specifically designed for youth and is based on Olympic-style competition.
Self-confidence, acceptance of responsibility and sports etiquette are just some of the life skills acquired from this training. A healthy respect for firearms, the development of proficient use of rifles for sport and recreational purposes, and an improvement in self-discipline are additional benefits.
Throughout the year, the 872 squadron marksmanship team practices weekly and participates in a series of competitions at the local level that culminate in zone competition that sees the most skilled cadet marksmen move on to the Provincial, and even National Cadet Marksmanship Championship.
Biathlon Team
The 872 Squadron biathlon program develops power, endurance, strength, skill, precision and calmness under pressure. The sport is a combination of cross-country skiing and marksmanship, but it is not that simple. After skiing fast and hard, biathletes must calm themselves to take accurate and controlled shots at targets 50 meters away. In a single race, cadet competitors can ski up to 7 kilometers and shoot 15 targets. For the cadets, the clock is always running. It’s action-packed, physically-demanding and extraordinary to watch.
872’s Biathlon team, the “Angry Unicorns”, train on weekends from mid-October to February with a goal of competing in the weekend long Regional Biathlon Competition held every February at Camp Fortune/Ski Nordiq, in Chelsea, Quebec. Cadets that ski fast and shoot straight can even see an opportunity to compete at the provincial or national championships.
Drill Team
Drill team is open to all cadets regardless of their level of experience and meets weekly. New cadets can expect to learn basic drill movements, such as standing at attention and standing at ease, along with more advanced movements, such as turns on the march. As the cadets advance they are taught two drill routines; the first is a sequence of movements with their drill team commander calling the commands, the second is a sequence of memorized (silent) drill movements (no commands are called during this sequence). 872’s Drill team competes each year at the regional drill competition against other squadrons in the Ottawa area, with an opportunity to compete at the provincial or national level.
Clubs
Another important aspect of the Air Cadet Program is the array of club activities and training opportunities that are available to cadets. At 872 Squadron, we regularly offer the opportunity for cadets to take part in military music, model rocketry, effective speaking, aviation ground schools and drones!
Although not athletic based, these clubs do have a healthy level of competition in them with opportunities for 872 cadets to receive prizes, certificates, and awards. There are even opportunities to compete at regional or provincial events!
Band
Music is a big part of the Air Cadet experience. 872 supports a traditional military brass and reed band, with instruction provided by our staff Band Officer (Band O) and our cadet Drum Major.
872 Squadron Band practices every Thursday evening and plays at various parades and events during the training year. The highlight each year is always the overnight trip to the weekend long regional band festival in Quebec!
For those interested in joining, no experience is necessary and some instruments are available on loan from the squadron.
Effective Speaking
872 Squadron’s effective speaking program is a long tradition in the Air Cadet Program. Through formal instruction, effective speaking provides an opportunity for Air Cadets to increase their self confidence and their ability to reason, organize and express ideas through practice in a structured and competitive environment. Cadets can choose to compete in the squadron event, with the winners carrying on to compete against other squadrons in the regional event. The Effective Speaking Regional Competition is held every spring in Ottawa.
Drones
The 872 Squadron Drone Program offers cadets the chance to explore the world of sub-micro unoccupied aircraft systems, commonly known as drones. UAS micros are drones that weigh less than 250 grams. Classes occur weekly over the course of six weeks and are a mix of theory and practical flying and racing of drones, provided by the Squadron. The Drone Program culminates each year at our spring Field Training Exercise (FTX) where participants race head to head on the drone skills course.
Cadets who participate in the club are also provided the knowledge required to write the Transport Canada drone examinations for the Basic Qualification.
Rocketry
The Rocketry Program is a ten week hands-on program about rockets and aerospace, balancing science, data analysis, teamwork, and problem solving. Participants learn the theory of rockets and apply it to practical experiments, progressing from simple demonstrations to flying models.
The Rocketry Program culminates each year at our spring Field Training Exercise (FTX) where participants launch the rockets they build over the course of the winter in front of the whole squadron.
Ground School
Come and learn the basics of flying!
Junior Ground School is for cadets aged 12 to 14 who are interested in aviation and aeronautics. Ground school classes provide all interested cadets with far more detailed information about aviation and aeronautics than is taught in the core program.
Senior Ground School. Over 17 weeks, cadets aged 15 or older can join the senior ground school program to build on their knowledge of theory of flight, navigation, meteorology, air law, and aero-engines. Lectures, discussions, and exams are taken in order to get ready for the regional selection exams and interviews on the first Saturday in February. It is a theory-intensive, classroom-based learning environment that requires focus and a keen interest and drive to access the limited summer training courses.
These schools are important stepping stones for cadets who have an interest in the cadet glider and power flying programs available when they are age 16 and 17.
For many cadets, participating in summer training is the highlight of their training year. The many diverse training opportunities offered during the summer months, including the Cadet Training Centre (CTC) Courses, the Technology and Digital Learning Centre (TDLC), and the National Cadet Advisory Council (NCAC) are the perfect occasion to make friends for life during experiences youth will never forget.
Cadet Training Centre (CTC) Courses are offered to cadets who have completed their second year of training, or higher, hosted at Cadet Training Centres (CTC). Courses range in length from 2-7 weeks and take place at CTC locations across the country.
Staff Cadet Opportunities. Cadets sixteen and older may also apply for positions as staff cadets at CTCs, the TDLC and Digital Internships in a variety of positions.