Honours & Awards

The Cadet program recognizes various positive qualities such as citizenship, physical fitness, etc with national honours and awards.

Further details are documented in CATO 13-16.

Lord Strathcona Trust Fund Medal

The Lord Strathcona Trust Fund Medal, most commonly referred to as the Lord Strathcona Medal is the highest award, which can be bestowed upon a cadet in recognition of exemplary performance in physical and military training.

The recipient must have a complete knowledge of the activities of the cadet movement and must meet the following requirements:

• have a high level of physical fitness;
• have attended at least one summer training course of three weeks duration for Air Cadets;
• have qualified to a training level not below Level 3 in the Air Cadets;
• have met all requirements of their corps’ mandatory training program and attended at least 75 per cent of the scheduled training parades in the year of nomination;
• have met all requirements of their corps’ optional/support training program and participated in at least 50 per cent of scheduled activities in the year of nomination;
• have completed three years as a cadet;
• be regarded by peers and supervisors as exemplifying the model cadet.

Royal Canadian Legion Cadet Medal of Excellence

The Royal Canadian Legion (RCL) Cadet Medal of Excellence is awarded in recognition for individual endeavours in citizenship that meet or enhance the aims and objectives of the cadet movement. The program is wholly sponsored by the RCL.

The main objective in awarding the RCL Cadet Medal of Excellence is to emphasize the citizenship aspects of the cadet program. To be eligible for consideration, a cadet must meet the following conditions:

• met all requirements of the corps/sqn annual mandatory and optional training programs;
• participated in a minimum of three community service events, in addition to those supported by the cadet corps/sqn;
• regarded by peers and superiors as exemplifying the model cadet; and
• enhanced the cadet corps/sqn through:
  • co-operation with peers and subordinates,
  • comradeship,
  • promoting goodwill and morale within the corps/sqn,
  • aiding in the development of group identity and cohesiveness,
  • supporting and assisting fellow unit members, and
  • his/her involvement in the local community.

The Colonel-Robert-Perron Award for Excellence in Physical Fitness

The Colonel-Robert-Perron Award for Excellence in Physical Fitness (Perron Award) is a national award, which is presented annually to the cadet who attains the highest physical fitness test score.

The Perron Award is based on the four fitness testing components within the Army Cadet Fitness Test, described in CATO 41-03, and graded using the Perron Award Scoring Matrix.

Any cadet who has achieved the Proficiency Level 2 or higher can voluntarily undergo the physical fitness test and apply for the Perron Award.

The fitness test is comprised of the following components which are to be conducted in accordance with CATO 41-03:

• 20 meter shuttle run (20 MSR)
• push-ups;
• sit-ups;
• standing long jump.

Air Cadet Service Medal

To qualify for this award, a serving cadet must have successfully completed four years of honourable service with no serious infractions, and be recommended by the Cadet Squadron Commanding Officer.

Former Air Cadets applying for the Medal will complete and submit the Application for Air Cadet Service Medal Form (Former Cadets).

Please bring completed application to the attention of squadron staff.