Canada's Cadet Program is a youth development initiative designed to help youth build valuable, practical life skills and earn real-world experience. The Cadet Program has sea, army and air cadet corps and squadrons all across Canada!
As of 2025, Canada's the proud home of over 52,000 Cadets. You could join them! The Cadet Program operates on five basic principles:
- Invite all Canadian youth -- Anyone 12-18 years old, whether Canadian citizens, or those authorized to live in Canada, is invited to join the Cadets
- Instill Canadian military values -- Cadets embrace and embody Canada's military values, like
- loyalty
- integrity
- courage
- inclusion
- excellence
- accountability
- Develop citizenship, leadership, and fitness -- Cadets develop skills that help them contribute to Canadian society as leaders and change-makers
- Balancing safety and challenge -- Activities and events are designed to challenge Cadets in safe ways, so parents and guardians can rest easy that Cadets are in good hands
- Leaving a lasting impact -- No matter how long a Cadet participates in the program, ideally they will find their experience to be impactful, educational, and positive
Cadets are supervised by Cadet Instructor Cadre (CIC) officers and non-commissioned members of the Canadian Armed Forces. CIC officers are a sub-component of the Reserve Force, who take on the role of training, supporting, and guiding Cadets all across Canada. CIC offers may be former cadets, former Regular or Reserve Force members, interested parents, and other community members who want to give back to the country.
What do Cadets do?
Fundamentally, Cadets learn how to be active, engaged, responsible members of their communities. No matter the service branch you choose, you'll make valuable contributions to Canadian society, and build your own set of skills as you do so. Here are some specific activities you can expect, depending on your branch:
- Sea Cadets specialize in sailing, seamanship, shipboard life, naval communications, power boat handling, boat repair, and marine engineering
- Army Cadets develop abilities in the use of map and compass, GPS technology, orienteering, first-aid, camping and survival skills, canoeing, abseiling, trekking, and mountain biking
- Air Cadets focus on the aviation environment including power flying and gliding, aerospace, aircraft maintenance, navigation, and outdoor survival
Cadets typically meet one evening per week, and engage in activities one weekend per month, guided by their CIC team.
Be aware that as a Cadet, you are not a member of Canada's Armed Forces, and you're not expected to join the military! You'll learn about what active service members do, of course, but you'll also explore many other career options outside the Canadian Armed Forces. The skills and experiences you cultivate during your time as a Cadet will benefit your future, no matter what paths you might choose.
Why should I join the Cadets?
You should join the Cadets if you're still young, but you're looking for a structured way to develop hard and soft skills. If you want to challenge yourself, meet exciting, dynamic people, and maybe even make a few friends-for-life, the Cadet Program is for you! Many Cadets report their experiences in the program helped them feel more capable and confident in college, university, and beyond.
Cadets often go on to make huge achievements in their future careers — just look at Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield for one example! We can't wait to see what you'll achieve when you join the Cadets.
How do I join the Cadets?
Joining is a simple, three-step process. First, be sure you meet the eligibility criteria:
- Be a legal resident of Canada
- Be at least 12 years of age and not have attained 19 years of age
- Provide proof of provincial health insurance coverage or equivalent
- Not belong to another Cadet group (corps or squadron)
Next, explore the three branches to see which appeals to you most:
Check out the Cadet directory here to find a unit close to your home. When you're ready, visit the Cadet registration page to submit your application. Cadet staff will review your submission and follow up with next steps!
Joining the Cadets is a great way to build your resumé for scholarship, school, and job applications, and it'll teach you plenty about being a responsible adult who positively contributes to Canada's social fabric. New enrolments start up in September across all three branches — Sea, Army, and Air — so this is the perfect time to explore your options in the Cadets.
Learn more about the Cadets