Promotions

Cadet ranks are mainly based on the old Royal Canadian Air Force non-commissioned officer ranks. The ranks are worn as badges on the sleeves of the jacket or as shoulder slip-ons on the dress shirt or parka. A list of the Cadet ranks is shown below:

CADET RANKS

Rank Title Abbreviation Uniform Badge Minimum Requirements for Promotion (CATO 13-02)
Air Cadet AC This rank is the first rank received and is effective upon enrolment.
Leading Air Cadet LAC
LAC		 (1) participate in the first year of the proficiency level training program for a minimum period of five months, and
(2) be recommended by the appropriate flight commander (sqn).
Corporal Cpl  

CPL

 (1) hold the rank of LAC,
(2) successfully complete year one of the proficiency level training program,
(3) participated in the Cadet Fitness Assessment as part of PO X04 (Personal Fitness & Healthy Living), and
(4) be recommended by the appropriate flight commander (sqn).
Flight Corporal FCpl  

FCPL

 (1) completed at least six months of service at the rank of Cpl,
(2) have successfully completed the second year of the proficiency level training program,
(3) participated in the Cadet Fitness Assessment as part of PO X04 (Personal Fitness & Healthy Living), and
(4) be recommended by the appropriate flight commander (sqn).
Sergeant Sgt  

SGT

 (1) completed at least six months service at the rank of FCpl,
(2) have successfully completed the third year of the proficiency level training program,
(3) achieved a minimum of “completed without difficulty” in PO 303 (Leadership),
(4) participated in the Cadet Fitness Assessment as part of PO X04 (Personal Fitness & Healthy Living), and
(5) be recommended by the appropriate flight commander (sqn).
Flight Sergeant FSgt  

FSGT

 (1) completed at least six months service at the rank of Sgt,
(2) have successfully completed the fourth year of the applicable proficiency level training program,
(3) achieved a minimum of “completed without difficulty” in PO 403 (Leadership),
(4) participated in the Cadet Fitness Assessment as part of PO X04 (Personal Fitness & Healthy Living), and
(5) be recommended by the appropriate flight commander (sqn).
Warrant Officer 2nd Class WO2  

WO2

 (1) completed at least six months service at the substantive rank of FSgt,
(2) achieved a minimum of “completed without difficulty” in PO 503 (Leadership),
(3) participated in the Cadet Fitness Assessment as part of PO 504 (Personal Fitness & Healthy Living),
(4) be recommended by the appropriate flight commander (sqn), and
(5) be identified as a successful candidate through the merit review board process.
Warrant Officer 1st Class WO1 WO1 (1) completed at least six months service at the substantive rank of WO2,
(2) be recommended by the appropriate flight commander (sqn), and
(3) be identified as a successful candidate through the merit review board process.

 

Do you want to get promoted? The National Standards define the rules by which Cadets are promoted.

National Standards are seen in CATO 13-02 (11-2013)

  • CATO 13-02 – Merit-Based Cadet Rank Promotions
    • Annex A – Cadet Rank Progression and the Leadership Team Model
    • Annex B – Merit Review Board

The Squadron Commanding Officer (CO) decides which Cadets will be promoted and when promotions will occur. The CO considers the Cadet’s performance in addition to the rules in the CATO. Feedback is gathered from the Sqn staff in the decision making process.

 

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