Parents and Guardians Resources

Cadets and Junior Canadian Rangers.  About the Cadet Program link.

Below are Acronyms and Definitions we use at 205 Collishaw Squadron. For a complete list of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces Manual of Abbreviations view here.

A

• AC (Air Cadet) refers to a member of the Royal Canadian Air Cadets.
• ACLC (Air Cadet League of Canada) is the organization that supports the Air Cadet program in Canada.
• ACR (Annual Ceremonial Review) is the annual formal parade and inspection of a cadet squadron.
• Admin (Administration) refers to administrative duties and activities.
• AdminO (Administration Officer) is the officer responsible for administration.
• Adj (Adjutant) is a cadet parade position and is not a rank.
• ALP (Advanced Leadership Program) is a program designed to develop cadet leadership skills.
• A/TrgO (Assistant Training Officer) is the officer who assists the Training Officer.

B

• BCPC (BC Provincial Committee) is the provincial committee supporting Air Cadets in British Columbia.
• BZ (Bravo Zulu) is a naval term meaning “well done.”

C

• CAF (Canadian Armed Forces) refers to Canada’s military forces.
• CJCR (Cadet and Junior Canadian Rangers) is the organization responsible for the Canadian Cadet and Junior Canadian Rangers programs.
• C1A, C2, C3, C3B, C5, and C5C refer to different orders of dress worn by cadets.
• Canteen refers to the place at the LHQ where cards may be purchased.
• Capt (Captain) is an officer rank.
• CWO (Chief Warrant Officer) is a senior warrant officer rank.
• CO (Commanding Officer) is the officer in charge of the squadron.
• Cpl (Corporal) is a cadet rank.
• CI (Civilian Instructor) is a civilian who provides instruction and support to cadets.
• CIC (Cadet Instructor Cadre) is the Canadian Armed Forces officer cadre that works with cadets.
• CV (Civilian Volunteer) is a civilian volunteer who supports cadet activities.
• CATO (Cadet Administrative and Training Order) contains policies and instructions for the administration and training of cadets.
• CD (Canadian Forces’ Decoration) is a Canadian military decoration awarded for qualifying service.

D

• DND (Department of National Defence) is the Canadian government department responsible for Canada’s defence.
• Dress refers to the type of clothing worn by cadets, such as civilian, summer, ceremonial, combat, or full dress.
• DCO (Deputy Commanding Officer) is the officer who assists the Commanding Officer and acts as their deputy.

E

• ETA (Estimated Time of Arrival) refers to the expected time when someone or something will arrive.
• EO (Enabling Objective) is an objective that provides the knowledge or skills needed to achieve a performance objective.

F

• FCpl (Flight Corporal) is a cadet Non-Commissioned Officer rank.
• FSgt (Flight Sergeant) is a senior cadet Non-Commissioned Officer rank.
• Flt (Flight) refers to a parade group, such as Band, Arrow, or Banshee.
• Flt Comd (Flight Commander) is a cadet parade position and is not a rank.
• Flt Sgt (Flight Sergeant) is a cadet parade position and is not a rank.
• FTX (Field Training Exercise) is an outdoor exercise designed to provide practical training.

G

• GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) is a time standard based on the time at the Prime Meridian.

H

• HQ (Headquarters) refers to the main office or command location.
• Hrs (Hours) is used to indicate a period of time; for example, 1400 hrs means 2:00 p.m.

IJKL

• Lt (Lieutenant) is an officer rank.
• 2Lt (Second Lieutenant) is an officer rank below Lieutenant.
• LHQ (Local Headquarters) refers to the local squadron office and facilities.
• LAC (Leading Air Cadet) is a cadet rank.

M

• MRE (Meal Ready to Eat) is a prepared meal designed to be eaten in field conditions.
• MRO (Monthly Routine Orders) are monthly instructions and information issued by the squadron.

N

• NLT (No Later Than) indicates the latest acceptable time for something to occur.
• NCO (Non-Commissioned Officer) refers to cadet ranks such as Sergeant, Flight Sergeant, Warrant Officer Second Class, and Warrant Officer First Class.

O

• OCdt (Officer Cadet) is the lowest officer rank.
• OIC (Officer in Charge) refers to the officer responsible for an event or activity.
• OPI (Office of Primary Importance) refers to the person or position primarily responsible for an activity and may sometimes be used instead of OIC or OIC Ex.

PQ

• PMV (Personal Motor Vehicle) refers to a privately owned vehicle used for transportation.
• PO (Performance Objective) is an objective describing what a cadet is expected to accomplish or demonstrate.

R

• RO (Range Officer) is the person responsible for overseeing activities on a range.
• RSO (Range Safety Officer) is responsible for maintaining safety during range activities.
• RCAC (Royal Canadian Air Cadets) is the national Air Cadet program in Canada.
• RCACS (Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron) refers to an individual Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron.
• RCSU(P) (Regional Cadet Support Unit Pacific) provides support to Canadian Cadet Organizations in British Columbia.

S

• Sgt (Sergeant) is a cadet Non-Commissioned Officer rank.
• Sqn Comd (Squadron Commander) is a senior cadet parade position.
• SupO (Supply Officer) is the officer responsible for squadron supplies and equipment.
• SSC (Squadron Sponsoring Committee) is the committee that provides support to the squadron.
• SWO (Squadron Warrant Officer) is a senior cadet parade position and is not a rank.
• 2IC (Second in Command) refers to the person who is second in charge during an exercise or activity.

TUVW

• TrgO (Training Officer) is the officer responsible for planning and overseeing cadet training.
• Wing refers to the 808 Thunderbird Wing, located on the top floor of the LHQ and sponsored by the RCAF Association.
• WO1 (Warrant Officer First Class) is the highest cadet Non-Commissioned Officer rank.
• WO2 (Warrant Officer Second Class) is a cadet Non-Commissioned Officer rank below WO1.

WXYZ

• Zulu Time refers to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), which is also commonly associated with Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).

A complete list of awards and their selection criteria is available below. Recipients will be announced at the Awards and Promotions Parade and the Annual Ceremonial Review (ACR), both of which are held in June.

The ACR is the most important event of the Air Cadet training year. As part of mandatory training, all cadets are required to attend in order to complete their training level, qualify for rank promotions, receive awards, and participate in summer training opportunities.

The ACR also serves as a special occasion for cadets to proudly showcase the skills, discipline, and knowledge they have developed throughout the year. Families, friends, and distinguished guests are invited to attend and witness the accomplishments and growth of the cadets during this formal parade and awards ceremony. 

This event is both a celebration of achievement and a milestone marking the successful completion of the training year. The ACR is held at the end of the training year in June.

Air Cadet League of Canada, British Columbia Provincial Committee (BCPC) home page link.

• Keep up to date with BCPC of the ACLC Newsletters, which contains important information. 
• The National Office has merchandise available to the public Online Kit Shop.

The Cadet Program, including both Cadets and Junior Canadian Rangers, offers youth an exciting opportunity to develop leadership, teamwork, and life skills through structured training, community involvement, and outdoor activities. Participants gain valuable experience, mentorship, and a sense of responsibility that prepares them for future challenges.

For more information about the Cadet Program, including details specific to Cadets and Junior Canadian Rangers Cadets, please visit the official program resources here.

For questions, please contact the 205 Collishaw Squadron Administration Officer.

• Canadian Cadet General Order (CANCDTGEN) provide information about programs, policies, and events that affect all members of the Cadets and Junior Canadian Rangers Group (CJCR Gp) view here.

The CF Member Assistance Program is a voluntary, confidential and short-term telephone and face to face counselling service that is available to Cadet Instructor Cadre Staff, Cadets, and Canadian Rangers. Family members may also have access in circumstances related to authorized activities view here.

Freeze Frame professional photos are taken once a year and include one individual portrait of cadet and one group portrait of Levels 1–5 cadets, with special group orders available upon request; cadets wear C1A Ceremonial Dress Blues with Whites (if applicable) and medals.

Special group orders can be requested contact Support Desk.

Squadron Sponsoring Committee (SSC) and Department of National Defence (DND) overview of relationships chart below.

The Royal Canadian Air Cadets (RCAC) use a set of official symbols that represent their identity, heritage, and connection to both Canada and aviation. These symbols are an important part of cadet traditions and are commonly seen on uniforms, flags, and during ceremonies.

Tag Days are fundraising events where supervised cadets, in uniform, stand outside local businesses always with management’s permission requesting donations from the general public. In return, donors are given a tag that reads, “I Support Air Cadets.”

Tag Days are one of the squadron’s key fundraisers and represent the Squadron Sponsoring Committee’s (SSC) largest source of funding. The funds raised help cover activities and resources not supported by Cadets Canada, including Familiarization Flying, Mess Dinners, band and biathlon equipment, insurance, and more.

Cadets are highly encouraged to participate in this important fundraiser. It’s also an excellent opportunity for them to interact with the public and showcase the many benefits of the Air Cadet program.

Cadets and Junior Canadian Rangers. What Cadets do link.