Royal Canadian Sea Cadets - General Information

General Information

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 members of the Forces, and are not expected to join the 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 RCSC. 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. 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.