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Selection For Promotions

This document aims to help parents and cadets understand how promotions, awards, and selections for camp are determined. This is to ensure that everyone has the information they need to understand the process, to learn where they can improve, and to eliminate any concerns of favoritism or unfair process. Ranks, awards, summer courses, and positions of responsibility are earned on the basis of qualification and merit.

References

The references for the procedures used at 810 Squadron are derived from two sources:

  1. Cadet Administrative and Training Orders (CATOs) – published by the Department of National Defense. These order detail requirements and procedures for all aspects of cadet training across Canada and supersede all other cadet orders.
  2. Squadron Standing Orders – published by the Commanding Officer. These orders outline specific requirements and are based upon and amplify CATOs.

Cadet Rank Structure and Badges

Ranks must be earned on the basis of qualification and merit. National Standards of qualification are established by the Director of Cadets to:

  • determine the level of QUALIFICATION of a cadet
  • ensure that every cadet is given the same basic opportunity of being promoted within the squadron
  • ensure that all air cadets promoted possess the same basic qualifications and a similar degree of experience
  • ensure that successful completion of the mandatory aspect of air cadet training serves as the common standard on which cadets are evaluated

Promotion Criteria

Prerequisites for promotion in rank are based on:

  1. National Standards of qualification established by the Director of Cadets (found in CATO 13-02);
  2. Local Standards of merit established by the Squadron Commanding Officer (CO) and training staff, found in standing orders. These standards of merit are required to guide squadron staff in making recommendations for promotion as outlined in CATO 13-02.

Read this carefully…

Meeting the national prerequisites assures ELIGIBILITY for promotion, however, it does not necessarily mean promotion. Although qualified to be a sergeant, for example, this does not mean that a position is immediately available. If there are more candidates for promotion than there are positions available, an individual will be competing with other qualified cadets.

a. Selection Process

  1. Staff determine who is eligible by determining what cadets meet National Standards for promotions, such as completion of Level training and time in rank, if applicable;
  2. Staff determines the merit of those who are eligible by applying Local Standards.

b. National Standards

  1. National Standards determine the level of qualification of a cadet. They ensure that every cadet is given the same basic opportunity to be promoted if they meet the basic requirements. They also ensure that all cadets promoted within the Cadet Movement across the country possess the same basic qualifications and a similar level of experience. For example, all cadets who hold the rank of Corporal across Canada should have completed Level One, according to the National Standard.

National prerequisites are based on performance during the mandatory part of air cadet training. The fact that a cadet is a member of the Band or the Drill Team or any other optional activity will not be considered at this point, as national criteria for rank appointment. Only those that have successfully completed their Proficiency Level of training will be considered. However, if a cadet finds himself/herself in competition with other qualified cadets, involvement in optional activities might be considered by the Commanding Officer. Involvement in optional activities is part of the local standards. Meeting the national standard ensures that a cadet is eligible for promotion but does not ensure the cadet will be promoted. CATO 13-02 specifies that promotions are not automatic. The final decision for any cadet rank promotion rests with the Sqn CO.

  1. The following are National Standards for promotion
Promotion to:

Required Time in Rank

Required Level Completed Other Criteria
LAC 5 months participation in mandatory training Nil Be recommended by their Level Officer
Corporal Hold the rank of LAC Complete Level One Be recommended by their Level Officer
Flight Corporal 6 months service as aCorporal Complete Level Two Be recommended by their Level Officer
Sergeant

6 months service as a

Flight Corporal

Complete Level Three Be recommended by their Level Officer
Flight Sergeant

6 months service as a

Sergeant

Complete Level Four

1) Demonstrate enhanced proficiency

in most subject areas

including leadership and instructional techniques and

2) Be recommended by their Level Officer

Warrant Officer

Second Class

6 months service as a

Flight Sergeant

Complete Level Four Be identified as a successful candidate through the merit review board process

Warrant Officer First

Class

6 months satisfactory service as WO2 Complete Level Four

Be identified as a successful candidate

through the merit

review board process

  1. Quota – The number of cadets a squadron can have holding each rank depends on the number of cadets in the squadron. The table below shows the number of each rank the squadron is allowed based on strength (total number of cadets). Ref: CATO 51-02.
Strength Cpls F/Cpls Sgts F/Sgts WO2 WO1
29 and under No limit No limit No limit No limit No limit 1
30 to 59 No limit No limit No limit No limit No limit 1
60 to 89 No limit No limit No limit No limit No limit 1
90 to 119 No limit No limit No limit No limit No limit 1
120 to 149 No limit No limit No limit No limit No limit 1

c. Local Standards:

Local Standards are established by the CO and training staff in order to:

  • establish the merit of a cadet,
  • assist Level Officers in making recommendations for promotion,
  • assist Level Officer to provide concrete positive feedback as well as areas for improvement to each cadet.

Our Local Standards incorporate leadership and attitude assessments based on:

  • Initiative
  • Response to Direction
  • Interpersonal Skills
  • Leadership
  • Motivation

In addition, Level Officers assess cadets based on participation in Level Training in the areas of:

  • Preparation
  • Constructive participation
  • Focus and attention
  • Demonstration of respect for classroom rules
  • Meeting the standard of performance

These criteria are well-defined and ensure the fairest way to determine promotions. The matrices for each of these assessments are provided on Feedback.