Royal Canadian Sea Cadets | |
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Royal Canadian Sea Cadets Ensign.
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Active | 1905 - Present |
Country | Canada |
Type | Youth Organization |
Part of | Canadian Cadet Organization |
Headquarters | Ottawa, Canada |
March | Quick: Heart of Oak |
Commanders | |
Honorary Admiral | HRH the Duke of Edinburgh PC, KG, KT, OM, GBE, AK, ONZ, QSO, GCL, CC, CMM, CD, ADC |
Royal Canadian Sea Cadets (RCSC) is a Canadian national youth program sponsored by the Canadian Forces and the civilian Navy League of Canada. Administered by the Canadian Forces, the program is funded through the Department of National Defence with the civilian partner providing support in the local community. Cadets are civilians, they are not members of the Canadian Forces.
Along with the Royal Canadian Army Cadets and Royal Canadian Air Cadets, Royal Canadian Sea Cadets is a Canadian Cadet Organization. Although the RCSC and the other cadet programs are sponsored by the Canadian Forces and the civilian Leagues, cadets are not regular members of the Forces, and are not expected to join the regular Canadian Forces. In keeping with Commonwealth custom, the Royal Canadian Sea Cadets stand first in the order of precedence, before the Royal Canadian Army and Air Cadets. This is in keeping with the Royal Navy's status as the Senior Service, a tradition common to most Commonwealth navies.
Boys and girls aged 12 to 18 may join the RCSCC. There is no enrolment fee and uniforms are loaned at no charge. The organization and rank system is similar to that of the Royal Canadian Navy. Cadets are appointed to non-commissioned member ranks, and are technically so, members of the 5th Canadian Naval Reserve level. Adult leadership is provided by members of the Canadian Forces Reserve Subcomponent Cadet Organization Administration and Training Service, composed mostly of officers of the Cadet Instructor Cadre(CIC) Branch, supplemented, if necessary, by contracted Civilian Instructors, authorized adult volunteers, and, on occasion, officers and non-commissioned members of other CF branches. The CIC Branch is specifically trained to serve the Royal Canadian Sea, Army, and Air Cadet training programs, and like all reservists come from all walks of life and all parts of the community. Some are former cadets, and many have former regular or reserve force service.
The badge is the service crest of the RCSC, and is worn on cadet issued parkas. It is also depicted on the Royal Canadian Sea Cadet ensign.