Glossary of Terms

Like any organization, the Cadets have their own specialized terms and expressions.

15 Medicine Hat Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron
Acronym Description
2IC Second In Command
2LT Second Lieutenant
Acronym Description
AATC-AM Advanced Aviation Technology Course – Aircraft Maintenance (Summer Training Scholarship)
AATC-AO Advanced Aviation Technology Course – Airport Operations (Summer Training Scholarship)
AAC Advanced Aerospace Course (Summer Training Scholarship)
AC Air Cadet (First rank for a new cadet: No rank badge)
ACLC Air Cadet League of Canada
ACO Area Cadet Officer
ACO (Air) Area Cadet Officer (Air Cadets) - An officer in the Canadian Forces Regular or Reserve component employed at a Regional Headquarters and responsible for training and administering Air Cadets.
ACR Annual Ceremonial Review (Final Ceremonial Parade of the Training Year)
ACSTC Air Cadet Summer Training Centre
AIC Athletic Instructor Course (Summer Training Scholarship – discontinued)
Acronym Description
BAC Basic Aviation Course
BATAC Basic Aviation Technology & Aerospace Course
BDCC Basic Drill and Ceremonial Course (Summer Training course that is no longer offered)
BFSC Basic Fitness & Sports Course (Summer Training course that is no longer offered)
BSC Basic Survival Course (Summer Training course that is no longer offered)
Acronym Description
C365 Cadet 365
CANCDTGEN Canadian Cadet General Order
Capt Captain
CATO Cadet Administrative and Training Orders
Cdt Cadet
CFB Canadian Forces Base
CI Civilian Instructor (Paid adult position)
CIV Civilian Volunteer (True Volunteer)
CMDR Commander
CO Commanding Officer
CO’s Parade Commanding Officers Parade (monthly full dress parade)
Cpl Corporal
CTC Cadet Training Centre
Acronym Definition
DCO Deputy Commanding Officer
DCIC (or simply DCI) Drill And Ceremonial Instructor Course
DEU Dress Environmental Uniform
DET Detachment
DND Department of National Defense
Dress The clothing type worn by cadets - such as full, civilian, summer, ceremonial and FTU. Full dress is the complete uniform.
Duty Flight Flight assigned to do chores on parade night
Acronym Definition
ETA Estimated time of arrival
EO Enabling Objective
Acronym Definition
FCpl Flight Corporal - Cadet rank
Flight Group of cadets usually lead by a FSgt or Sgt
FSgt Flight Sergeant - Senior Cadet NCM rank
Flt Flight (refers to the parade groups of Griffon, Hawk or Band)
Flt Comd Flight Commander - Cadet parade position (Not associated with individual rank)
Flt 2IC Flight Second In Command - Cadet parade position (Not associated with individual rank)
FTU Field Training Uniform
FTX Field Training Exercise - can include Survival Exercise
FHQ Field Headquarters (used on FTXs Only)
FSI Fitness and Sports Instructor
Acronym Definition
GCK General Cadet Knowledge
GMT Greenwich Mean Time - the Greenwich meridian is the accepted time reference.
GPS Glider Pilot Scholarship
GPTC Glider Pilot Training Course
Gp Inst Group Instruction
Gp Orders Group Orders
Acronym Definition
HQ Headquarters
Hrs Hours - as in 1400hrs or 2pm
Acronym Definition
IACE (ICE) International Air Cadet Exchange
IAW In Accordance With
IMP Individual Meal Packet - full meal in a bag, main portion is a boil-in-the bag entree.
Acronym Definition
LAC Leading Air Cadet - a cadet rank
LT Lieutenant
2LT Second Lieutenant
LHQ Local headquarters - or local cadet offices
Acronym Definition
MAJ Major
Mess Dinner Formal Dinner following the traditions of the RCAF
MRO Monthly Routine Orders
MRE Meal Ready to Eat (civilian equivalent to IMP)
MB-BMC Military Band - Basic Musician Course
MB-IMC Military Band - Intermediate Musician Course
MB-AMC Military Band - Advanced Musician Course
MovO Movements Officer
Acronym Definition
NLT No later than
NCM Non-Commissioned Member - cadets (e.g., Sgt, Flt Sgt, WO1, WO2)
NCO Non-Commissioned Officer - cadets (e.g., WO2, WO1)
Acronym Definition
OCdt Officer Cadet - lowest ranking officer
OIC Officer in Charge - refers to officer responsible for an event
OPI Officer of Primary Interest (this is the Officer that will take ultimate responsibility)
Acronym Definition
Parade Opening and Closing ceremonies on a cadet night
PHASE Promoting Healthy and Safe Experiences
PMV Personal Motor Vehicle
PO Performance Objective
PO: EO: Performance Objective / Enabling Objective
PPTC Power Pilot Training Course
PB-BMC Pipe Band - Basic Musician Course
PB-IMC Pipe Band - Intermediate Musician Course
PB-AMC Pipe Band - Advanced Musician Course
Acronym Definition
QR Cadets Queen's Regulations and Orders for Canadian Cadet Organizations (will be renamed upon passing of Queen Elizabeth II)
R
RCAF Royal Canadian Air Force
RCACS Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron
RO Reviewing Officer
RSO Range Safety Officer
Acronym Definition
Sgt Sergeant
SSC Squadron Sponsor Committee
Sqn Comd Squadron Commander - the cadet in the squadron assigned to the top parade position
Sqn Dep Comd Squadron Deputy Commander - the cadet in the squadron assigned to the second highest parade position
Sqn Squadron
SupO Supply Officer
StdsO Standards Officer
SIC (or simply SI) Survival Instructor Course
SWO Squadron Warrant Officer - a parade position not a rank
Acronym Definition
TrgO Training Officer
U
UCCMA Unit Cadet Conflict Management Advisor (formerly UHRA)
UHRA Unit Human Rights Advisor
W
WO Warrant Officer, sometimes pronounced Whoa
WO1 Warrant Officer First Class - top cadet NCO rank
WO2 Warrant Officer Second Class - NCO rank below WO1
WRT With Regards To
WngComd Wing Commander
Z
Zulu Time Another name for Greenwich Mean Time (GMT)

How Much does it cost?

There is no initial cost to joining. Through a combination of fundraising and funding provided to us by the Department of National Defense, the cadet program is one of the only programs in Canada for young people that costs nothing at all! The uniform, your training, your weekend activities, and even summer training camps are covered. We only ask that you help the squadron in fundraising whenever you can.

We accept new recruits throughout the training year from September - June.

Why Join 15 Medicine Hat Air Cadets?

Air Cadets is open to youth ages 12–18 and is completely free to join.

At 15 Medicine Hat RCACS, cadets build confidence, leadership skills, and lifelong friendships while taking part in exciting hands-on experiences. From aviation and aerospace training to outdoor survival, teamwork, and fitness activities, there is something for everyone.

Interested in flying or earning your pilot’s license? Curious about wilderness training or precision marksmanship? Fascinated by space, astronauts, aerospace innovation, or improving your fitness and healthy living? Want to be part of a team that challenges and supports you?
Then RCACS is for YOU!

Air Cadets offers opportunities to grow, lead, explore, and succeed — all in a safe and structured environment.

If you're ready to challenge yourself, try something new, and open up a world of opportunity, we’d love to welcome you!

15 Medicine Hat Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron Poppy Ceremony