How to Join

This squadron accepts new members year-round. 

We are always accepting new applications; however, the BEST time to join us is in September, since that is when we start our training year. Please note that due to the course material required for each level of the cadet program we cannot guarantee that a cadet who joins on/after February 1st of the current training year will be able to move forward to the next training level (Level 2) in the following training year. 

Membership in any corps/squadron of the Royal Canadian Air Cadets, Royal Canadian Sea Cadets, or Royal Canadian Army Cadets requires the following things:

• Age: The applicant must be at least 12 years old, but cannot be 19 or older.
• Citizenship/Residency Status: The applicant must be either a Canadian Citizen, Permanent Resident / Landed Immigrant, or the dependant of a person who is lawfully resident in Canada on a temporary basis for the purpose of education or employment (work/student VISA).
• Medical Coverage: The applicant must provide proof of provincial health insurance coverage (e.g. MB Health Card), or equivalent private medical insurance.
• Other Units: The cadet may not belong to any other cadet corps/squadron, and may not be a member of any unit of the Canadian Armed Forces.

At 737 RCACS we also expect of our cadets: 

• Committment: The applicant must be able and willing to attend weekly training from September to June on Wednesday evenings from 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm, with minimal absences. The cadet must also be able to attend periodic weekend activities for training (usually only approximately 3 per year). 

In the cadet program, the safety of all cadets is our primary concern. As such, some limitations may apply to certain individuals:

• Medical: Applicants with medical limitations, either physical or mental, are absolutely welcomed into the cadet program. However, these applicants (and their parents/guardians) must be aware that they may be excluded from certain activities, functions, and or summer training courses in order to provide for their safety and well-being. These cases will of course be unique in nature and therefore are considered on a case-by-case basis in consultation with the Regional Cadet Medical Liaison Officer.
• Allergies & Dietary Restrictions: Allergies and dietary restrictions are a constant challenge for all units within the Canadian Forces. While this squadron will make efforts to have a vegetarian option available for events where meals are provided, it cannot be guaranteed that provisions will be made for all dietary restrictions. Parents and applicants participate in the program with this understanding, and sign to this effect. Exact documentation that is signed for can be found on Page 2 of the CF-1158 Application for Membership.
• Court Orders: Applicants whom a judge has ordered not to handle certain objects, not to be near certain individuals, to adhere to a curfew, and other court orders are required to disclose this/these fact(s) on the application for membership form. 

When you come to register at the Squadron, we require the following ORIGINAL documents: 

• Proof of Citizenship / Residency Status: (any ONE of the following: Canadian Passport, Canadian Permanent Resident Card, Canadian Citizenship Card, Canadian Birth Certificate, Accepted VISA document)
• Proof of Medical Coverage: (MB Health Card, other provincial health card, or private medical insurance coverage card)
• CF-1158 Application for Membership Form: We provide you with this form. It must be completed and signed by both the applicant and one parent/guardian. A downloadable version of this form can be found at the bottom of this page!
• Supplemental Contact Information Form: We provide you with this form. The more detail is included on this form, the better chance we have of contacting you in the event of an emergency! A downloadable version of this form can be found at the bottom of this page!
• Custody Agreement (if applicable): If a custody agreement is in place regarding the applicant which limits access rights for any parent/guardian, a copy of this document is required to be kept on file. Please bring the original document. 

We may also provide you with a Detailed Health Questionnaire if it is required based on your answers to a few simple health questions. This form can be completed and returned AFTER the rest of the application is completed.

Once you are a member of the Royal Canadian Air Cadets program, it is expected that you will participate regularly. Our Wednesday night parade nights are considered mandatory for all members, as are certain events held on weekends. Don't worry, for any event that isn't on a Wednesday you'll be given plenty of notice! If you can't attend an event, that's ok! We understand that other events sometimes conflict and make schedules tight. If you are available to attend, simply fill out the Excused Absence Request Form (available on this website). 

Additional training is also provided on Monday night for certain other activities, also run by the cadets program and its staff. We offer survival, first aid training, marksmanship, biathlon, and from time-to-time assorted other programs. Monday night training is optional, except for attending one marksmanship activity a year. 

There are many reasons why a cadet may choose to be absent from cadet training activities, including school and other extra-curricular activities. A cadet is permitted to request excused absences, however a limit may be imposed on those found to be abusing the system. A minimum of 3 hours notice before the start of the activity is required to be granted an excused absence. Excused absences do not count against the cadet. 

It is important to understand that failure to attend training may result in removal from consideration for promotion, ineligibility for summer training courses including scholarship courses, ineligibility for advancing to the following training level in the next training year, and in extreme cases termination of membership. 

A majority of training that takes place on a regular Wednesday training night is classroom-based, and takes place inside the legion. Other training involved with the cadet program, most of which takes place outside of Wednesday training nights are tours (such as the airport), Field Training Exercises (survival training - imagine you've had to eject from your aircraft, and now you need to survive until search and rescue finds you... First Aid, Fires, Shelter, Food & Water, and Signals become critical!), and familiarization flying (often you'll get a chance to be at the controls of an airplane!!)

The cadet program is, for the most part, a FREE program. 

Cadets will usually not be asked to pay anything. 

This includes the uniform. The uniform is provided by the Department of National Defense at no cost to the cadet. The only cost to the cadet for the uniform is if a cadet loses a part, they must pay for it. Prices for all uniform parts are clearly listed on the document the cadet and parent/guardian sign when receiving the uniform. Total value of the uniform is $900-$1100, and includes boots, socks, pants, belt, dress shirt, t-shirt, tie, tunic, wedge (hat), tilley hat, gloves, toque, and all rank and qualification badges as they are earned.

The exception may be if a cadet elects to participate in an optional trip with the squadron, they may be asked to help cover some of the costs either through financial contributions or significant independent fundraising efforts. 

Cadets will typically get their uniform within 3-8 weeks of joining the cadet program. 

The Supply Officer will measure the cadet once they have been successfully enrolled. Once the cadet is measured the Supply Officer will attempt to outfit the cadet using items from the stock kept at the Squadron, but will likely have to order some parts of the uniform to get the correct fit, which takes time for processing and shipping. We will let you know as soon as your uniform parts come in and are ready for you. 

The short answer: NO!

Cadets is NOT a military organization. The Officers and some of the civilian staff are the only members of the Squadron that are employees of the Department of National Defence (DND). When a youth joins the Cadet Program, they are NOT making any commitment to the DND, nor to the Canadian Armed Forces. 

That being said, one of the aims of the Cadet Program is to stimulate an interest in the sea, land, and air activities of the Canadian Armed Forces. If a cadet makes the choice to go on to a military life and career, then the Cadet Program is an excellent stepping stone to help them along that exciting journey.