The 242 Fredericton Army Cadet Corps has been in Fredericton for more than 75 years. We offer fun and unique training to youth aged 12 to 18. Our training is part of the Army Cadet Program.

Our team

For parents and guardians

Are you new to cadets? This section answers common questions from parents. Do you have other questions? Contact our Commanding Officer, Captain Munroe, at any time.

How the program works

The Department of National Defence and the cadet leagues run the Cadet Program together. Cadets are not members of the military. Our officers are part-time members of the Canadian Armed Forces.

There is no fee to join. The uniform is free. The Department of National Defence and the Army Cadet League of Canada pay for most training. We raise the rest of the money through fundraising, and we ask cadets to help.

Sometimes we ask cadets to pay a small amount for a trip or a dance. We keep this cost as low as possible.

Staying in touch

We send most information by email. Sometimes we also send home a list of extra activities. We invite parents to parent information meetings and to Corps Support Committee meetings.

Uniform and equipment

The uniform is free. We teach cadets how to wear it and take care of it. The uniform belongs to our Corps and the Department of National Defence. If your cadet leaves our Corps, they must return the uniform to our supply office.

Some cadets sign out other items, like band instruments. These items belong to the Corps Support Committee. Your cadet must return them when we ask, or when they leave our Corps. All instruments come back every June for cleaning and repair.

Some wear is normal. Please help your cadet take care of their items. This keeps repair costs low.

Required and optional training

Required training happens mostly on Sunday nights. Every cadet must complete it to pass their training level. It includes teaching skills, public speaking, leadership, citizenship, self-discipline, and physical fitness.

Some required activities happen outside Sunday nights. Examples are weekend overnight activities in the woods and the Remembrance Day parade.

Optional training usually happens on weekends. Cadets choose if they want to join. Staff still look at how cadets do in these activities. Optional training includes:

• Band
• Orienteering (finding your way with a map and compass)
• Biathlon (skiing and target shooting)
• Marksmanship (target shooting)

Corps rules and discipline

Our Corps rules are called Standing Orders. We review them with cadets a few times each year. The rules cover appearance, behaviour, training, chain of command, building security, and smoking, alcohol, and drugs.

When a cadet breaks a rule, our goal is to help them fix the behaviour. It is not to punish them. Staff always start with the smallest step that works. Possible steps are:

• A staff member talks with the cadet about the problem.
• The Commanding Officer gives the cadet a written warning.
• The cadet does extra training.
• The cadet loses a leadership role or one rank.
• The cadet is sent home from a course or activity.
• The cadet is suspended from cadets for a period of time.

In very serious cases, a cadet can be removed from the Cadet Program.

Your cadet has rights in this process. We will tell you about repeated problems or serious incidents. Your cadet can have a parent, guardian, or adult they trust with them when staff talk to them about a problem. Your cadet can tell their side of the story. They can also ask for a review of a decision.

Cadets must not smoke, vape, drink alcohol, or use drugs at cadet activities. Staff must report illegal acts to the police. Examples are theft, damage to the Carleton Street Armoury, and drug possession.

All discipline follows the national cadet rules on conduct. These rules are called Conduct and Performance Interventions (order 5019-3). You can read our Standing Orders at any time. Ask the Commanding Officer.

Summer training

Cadets can apply for free summer courses. The courses happen at Canadian Armed Forces bases across Canada. There are courses for junior and senior cadets. Courses are 2 to 6 weeks long. Cadets get a training bonus of $60 per week. Spots are limited. Not every cadet who applies gets a course.

How we choose cadets: Staff look at attendance, attitude, performance, and readiness. Then we rank the cadets. We send the list to the Department of National Defence. For most advanced courses, cadets also have an interview with a selection board. The board has cadet officers and members of the Army Cadet League of Canada. Read more about selection boards.

Corps Support Committee

The Corps Support Committee is a group of volunteers. Most members are parents of cadets. The committee helps with things the Department of National Defence does not pay for. This includes fundraising, extra supervision, running events, and transportation. The committee also helps our officers with paperwork.

This is your chance to be part of your cadet’s experience. Most jobs take very little time. The more parents help, the easier it is for everyone.