CANCDTGEN 024/24 - FAQ

CJCR Gp O 5002-6, Cadet Selection Process Q&A

Q1. Why is this process being implemented, and does this only apply to training opportunities?

A1. The Cadet Selection Process is a formalized way to ensure transparency and fairness at each stage of an opportunity for which a cadet may need to be selected. This is not restricted solely to training opportunities but can be used for any opportunity or experience. Whether cadets need to be selected for a sports competition, leadership appointment, Cadet Training Centre course, etc. this five-step Cadet Selection Process is scalable, and it can be applied to all opportunities for cadets. Details governing the selection process for a specific opportunity will be described in the applicable, forthcoming Cadets and Junior Canadian Rangers Group Instructions as necessary.

Q2. Is this going to cause a burden on corps/squadron staff?

A2. No, following this process will simplify the work required by the corps/squadron staff members. This will ensure a fair and equitable opportunity for cadets to participate in a selection process. In addition, it will negate potential conflicts of interest and administrative work down the line that might have occurred if the process was not followed.

Q3. Why are we implementing a new process?

A3. In many ways the Cadet Selection Process is not new. This is a process that has generally been in use in many instances by corps/squadrons and it is now being formalized. For example, when selecting a biathlon team for the Stage II competitions:

1. Identification of Needs – the corps/squadron requires six teams of two cadets, and an individual cadet to compete at the Stage II competition;
2. Notification – cadets are advised at the end of the parade night that there will be tryouts for the biathlon team on a specific date;
3. Application – cadets interested in the opportunity will sign their names up on the sign-up sheet;
4. Review – tryouts are conducted, and times/scores are evaluated by corps/squadron staff; and
5. Selection and Notification of Cadets – the teams are selected, and feedback is given to cadets.

As you can see, each corps/squadron has implemented similar processes for a variety of opportunities. The current Cadets and Junior Canadian Rangers Group Order was drafted to ensure all steps are followed to maintain transparency and fairness in selection processes. Observations among cadets and staff have shown that when a process like this has not been followed, cadets have missed out on opportunities to apply and be considered. Formalizing this process will aid in preventing those inequities from occurring.

Q4. Why is the corps/squadron Commanding Officer not supposed to be part of the selection board for a corps/squadron level selection?

A4. The intent of the Cadet Selection Process is to ensure fairness and transparency in all instances where a selection is required. If the Commanding Officer of a corps/squadron is the selection authority, they should not be a board member who recommends a selection. In this instance, this could imply bias if the Commanding Officer is also a board member.

Q5. Why would any information related to a selection process be designated as Protected A?

A5. Sensitive information is designated by the level of harm an individual may experience if it were to be seen by someone not authorized to see it. In the case of cadet selection process documentation, harm that would result from compromise would be minimal. Information on the proper handling and storage of sensitive information can be found in CATO 12-31, Access to and Security of Sensitive Information.

Q6. There are no specific details for the selection process for summer training courses. How would I find this?

A6. The Cadet Selection Process is an overarching policy on what the cadet selection processes could look like, regardless of the opportunity. Specific requirements for future opportunities will be detailed in the applicable Cadets and Junior Canadian Rangers Group Order or Cadets and Junior Canadian Rangers Group Instruction related to that opportunity.

Cadets and Junior Canadian Rangers Group Order 5511-3, Cadet Promotions – Corps/Squadrons Q&A

Q7. Why are promotions now being tied to leadership appointments?

A7. The intent is for cadets at the rank of Petty Officer 1^st Class/Warrant Officer/Flight Sergeant and above to be assigned responsibilities and leadership roles within the corps/squadron, in line with the principle of Cadets Leading Cadets. As leadership assignments and leadership appointments are already a part of the Phase Four/Gold Star/Proficiency Level Four training programs, the intent is to tie the existing training to the promotion criteria. A variety of leadership appointments are included in Cadets and Junior Canadian Rangers Group Instruction 50-56, Corps/Squadron Leadership Appointments, to ensure all cadets can be selected for a leadership appointment which fits their skills, interests, and availability, while challenging them to improve their leadership skills.

Q8. Does the requirement to be selected for a leadership appointment for promotion to Petty Officer 1^st Class/Warrant Officer/Flight Sergeant and above place a limit on the number of cadets at that rank which a corps or squadron may have?

A8. No. Other than promotion to Chief Petty Officer 1^st Class/Chief Warrant Officer/Warrant Officer 1^st Class where only one leadership appointment occurs, there is no limit on the number of cadets who may be promoted to each cadet rank. Corps/squadron Commanding Officers may fill as many leadership appointments as they require to meet the needs of their corps/squadron. For example, a cadet may be selected for a leadership appointment as an instructor and the number of instructors at a corps or squadron is not limited, therefore multiple cadets may be promoted to the rank associated with the leadership appointment. The intent is for cadets to be provided with responsibilities, in the form of the leadership appointments, to coincide with specific ranks.

Q9. For promotion to the rank of Petty Officer 2^nd Class/Sergeant/Sergeant do cadets need to be selected for a leadership appointment?

A9. No. Corps/squadrons may assign cadets to a Petty Officer 2^nd Class/Sergeant/Sergeant leadership appointment, however this is not a criteria for promotion to the rank of Petty Officer 2^nd Class/Sergeant/Sergeant.

Q10. Promotion requires successful completion of the preceding training year; for example, promotion to Master Cadet/Master Corporal/Flight Corporal requires cadets to have successfully completed Phase Two/Red Star/Proficiency Level Two. How does this affect promotions for cadets who may be placed directly in Year 2 training, Phase Two/Red Star/Proficiency Level Two, upon registration?

A10. In accordance with Cadets and Junior Canadian Rangers Group Order 5002-2, Training Year Placement, cadets who are placed in a higher training Phase/Star/Proficiency Level upon registration are considered to have achieved the lower training requirements for the purposes of promotion criteria. To be promoted to the next rank, the cadet must meet all promotion criteria as detailed in section 6, Rank Promotion Criteria of CJCR Gp O 5511-3, Cadet Promotion – Corps/Squadron. A cadet may not skip a rank or be promoted to a higher rank without first meeting all promotion criteria for that rank.

Q11. Can cadets skip a rank if they are selected for a leadership appointment which is identified as two or more ranks above their current rank?

A11. No, cadets may only be promoted to the next higher rank once they have met all the rank promotion criteria in accordance with section 6, Rank Promotion Criteria of Cadets and Junior Canadian Rangers Group Order 5511-3, Cadet Promotions – Corps/Squadron. Depending on the size and the needs of each corps/squadron, a cadet may be under-ranked for the leadership appointment they are selected for if they have not yet met all criteria for promotion to the next rank.

Q12. What are the training requirements for promotion to Chief Petty Officer 2^nd Class/Master Warrant Officer/Warrant Officer 2^nd Class and Chief Petty Officer 1^st Class/Chief Warrant Officer/Warrant Officer 1^st Class?

A12. In accordance with section 6, Rank Promotion Criteria of Cadets and Junior Canadian Rangers Group Order 5511-3, Cadet Promotions – Corps/Squadron, there are no unique training requirements for promotion to Chief Petty Officer 2^nd Class/Master Warrant Officer/Warrant Officer 2^nd Class and Chief Petty Officer 1^st Class/Chief Warrant Officer/Warrant Officer 1^st Class.

Q13. We use alternate rank terminology at my corps in line with our affiliated unit. Are we still allowed to make use of this terminology?

A13. Yes, alternate rank terminology may still be used by corps/squadrons and must be approved by the Regional Cadet Support Unit Commanding Officer. Alternate rank terminology is only for use at cadet activities that occur at the corps/squadron and will not be used at Area, Regional, or National level activities. All ranks in Fortress will reflect the standardized ranks outlined in Cadets and Junior Canadian Ranger Group Order 5511-3, Cadet Promotion – Corps and Squadrons. Corps and squadrons are to ensure cadets are aware of the standardized ranks so that they are able to use them when attending activities outside of the corps/squadron.

CJCR Gp Instr 50-56, Corps/Squadron Leadership Appointments Q&A

Q14. Why are we tying Corps/Squadron Leadership Appointments to cadet promotion?

A14. Having senior cadets fill Corps/Squadron Leadership Appointments will provide cadets with an opportunity to contribute to the operation of the corps/squadron, and an opportunity to gain experience in a long-term leadership role. This will also improve consistency across corps/squadrons, areas and regions so that cadets of equal ranks will have similar leadership experiences. Participating in this process will also provide the cadets with an experience like that of applying for a job, which prepares them for the transition to adulthood.

Q15. How does this process compare to the Merit Review Board process?

A15. This process is very similar to the Merit Review Board process in that it includes an identification of needs, an application review, and an interview. During phase one of this process, interviews are conducted for entry onto the Rank Eligibility Lists for Petty Officer 1^st Class/Warrant Officer/Flight Sergeant and above. The second phase of this process includes selecting cadets for specific Corps/Squadron Leadership Appointments.

Q16. What is the minimum score for a cadet to be added to the rank eligibility list?

A16. Cadets must score a minimum of 50%. This would be an average of “capable” on the score sheet. The corps/squadron Commanding Officer, as the authority for promotions and appointments, may include a cadet in the Rank Eligibility List who scored below 50%, however the Commanding Officer must provide justification on the Rank Eligibility List Summary form for this decision.

Q17. How long are rank eligibility lists valid for?

A17. Rank eligibility lists are valid for the training year in which they are conducted. However, a corps/squadron CO may choose to conduct selection boards after 1 May for use during the next training year.

Q18. Is there a file review?

A18. No, a cadet’s file is intended to be used for administrative purposes, not as a component of selection. Cadets will submit an application package, in the form of a resume and cover letter, which should include any relevant qualifications or achievements that would normally be captured in a file review. Additionally, cadets may request their Cadet Information Card, Cadet Participation Evaluation Reports, Staff Cadet Performance Evaluation Reports, or letters of reference to include with their application, if they wish.

Q19. How will cadets know how to write a resume and a cover letter?

A19. A lesson has been developed to teach cadets these skills. The Instructional Guides include a fillable cover letter and resume template to assist cadets. These will be published in the Publications Library and linked to the Training Management Guide. (You are now leaving Canada.ca. Link accessible only on the Cadet365 SharePoint)

Q20. Will I have enough Corps/Squadron Leadership Appointments for my cadets?

A20. There are a wide array of Corps/Squadron Leadership Appointments available to select cadets into. Many of the Corps/Squadron Leadership Appointments also have the flexibility to appoint more than one cadet to the position, indicated by the words “as required” in the “Number of Positions” section.

Q21. Where can the Terms of References for the Corps/Squadron Leadership Appointments be found?

A21. Terms of Reference can be found on Cadet365 at the following link: Cadet Leadership Appointments – Nominations aux postes des leadership des cadets. (You are now leaving Canada.ca. Link accessible only on the Cadet365 SharePoint)

Q22. Can corps/squadrons decide which positions are within which tiers?

A22. No. The positions are assigned to specific tiers based on the required knowledge, skills, and attributes that cadets must know to be successful in the position.

Q23. Do I have to use every position? My corps/squadron doesn’t have enough cadets to fill everything.

A23. No. The leadership appointments are approved positions that you may fill, provided you have a need and qualified cadets to fill them. To assist in determining which positions you may want to use, sample organizational charts have been made for small, medium, and large corps/squadrons, which are located in the Training Management Guide. (You are now leaving Canada.ca. Link accessible only on the Cadet365 SharePoint)

Q24. Are cadets able to express interest in other corps/squadron leadership appointments after they are selected for one?

A24. Yes. Once a cadet has been selected for a corps/squadron leadership appointment, they may be considered for other appointments within in same tier, or a higher tier when eligible.

Q25. Can cadets be moved laterally within the same rank tier, against their wishes to accommodate another cadet’s request?

A25. Any changes to a cadet’s position should be made with their input. The goal is to encourage cadets to participate in an area of the program that interests them and will help them achieve their personal goals.

Q26. Why are the forms Protected A?

A26. Sensitive information is designated by the level of harm an individual may experience if it were to be seen by someone not authorized to see it. In the case of leadership appointment process documentation, harm that would result from compromise would be minimal. Information on the proper handling and storage of sensitive information can be found in CATO 12-31, Access to and Security of Sensitive Information.

Q27. How do I store Protected A information?

A27. Information on the proper handling and storage of sensitive information can be found in CATO 12-32, Access to and Security of Sensitive Information.

Q28. There are only six positions at the CPO2/MWO/WO2 tier. Does this mean I can only have six cadets at that rank?

A28. No. There are no limits on the number of cadets that can be promoted to CPO2/MWO/WO2, as long as there is a leadership appointment available. For example, a large corps/squadron may wish to have two Senior Training Cadets, where each is responsible for separate training years.

Q29. My squadron has used the term Squadron Commander or Squadron Warrant Officer for the highest-ranking cadet. Why is the term now Squadron Chief Warrant Officer?

A29. Through both research and consultation, it was determined that the term Squadron Chief Warrant Officer best reflects the position in the Royal Canadian Air Force. This term is also in line with Coxswain and Regimental Sergeant Major, that are used in Sea Cadets and Army Cadets. Within the Royal Canadian Air Force, the Squadron Commander is an officer position with command authority over all members of the unit. Therefore, the use of the term Squadron Commander is not appropriate for cadets, who follow a Non-Commissioned Member rank structure.

Q30. My squadron has used the term Deputy Squadron Commander for the second highest-ranking cadet. Why is the term now Squadron Warrant Officer?

A30. Through both research and consultation, it was determined that the term Squadron Warrant Officer best reflects the position in the Royal Canadian Air Force. This term is also in line with the term Company Sergeant Major, that is used in Army Cadets. Within the Royal Canadian Air Force, the Deputy Squadron Commander is an officer position with command authority over subordinate members of the unit. Therefore, the use of the term Deputy Squadron Commander is not appropriate for cadets, who follow a Non-Commissioned Member rank structure.