How to Join
If you are not in the area supported by 62 Squadron (primarily Grimsby, Smithville, Jordan) you can find a squadron near you with the registration tool here. Online Registration Tool
Squadron Headquarters is in Grimsby at Mountain Ridge Community Centre, 105 Mountain Street on most Friday evenings between 6:30 - 9:30 p.m. September to June.
Requirements
Joining Air Cadets is easy, wherever you may be in Canada. The requirements for membership are:
- Must be between 12 and 18 years of age
- Canadian Citizen or Landed Immigrant
- Be of good moral character
- May not belong to another Cadet organization
Documentation
You will be required to:
- To fill out an Application for Membership (signed by a Parent or Legal Guardian).
- To present ORIGINALS AND submit PHOTOCOPIES of
- Proof of age (birth certificate or passport)
- Eligibility for provincial health insurance or equivalent (health card)
- To read, review, and sign a Cadet Code of Conduct.
New Recruit Training
A new Cadet starts training with the Squadron as an Air Cadet Recruit and undertakes some fundamentals of drill as well as general cadet knowledge it is designed to allow the recruit to feel better equipped to become a part of the Squadron. The recruit program introduces recruits to the orders and regulations of the Air Cadets. Upon successful completion of the program, recruits are placed into their appropriate level for training, either Level One, Level Two, or Level Three training, depending upon their age.
The first step in becoming an Air Cadet is the completion of the recruit training. This normally takes approximately 6 to 8 weeks and is designed to welcome the recruit into the Squadron and provide the new cadet with an introduction to the customs and formalities of the cadet organization. The recruit learns about military time, basic drill, rank structure, Squadron history, how to wear a uniform, and an introduction to all of the many activities that go on in the Squadron.
All recruits are expected to be dressed to Squadron standards:
- Clean and pressed white dress shirt
- Black tie (optional)
- Black or dark blue pants (dress pants preferred)
- Black shoes (dress shoes preferred, able to use dark-colored shoes if requested)
After the completion of the recruit training and being sworn in, usually about 6 to 8 weeks after joining, the recruits will carry out a swearing-in procedure to become an Air Cadet (no longer a recruit). At this time they will also receive their first rank slip-ons to wear on their uniform.
Cadets will be issued a uniform on loan from the Department of National Defence at some point during recruit training if their attendance and behavior are acceptable.
- Uniforms remain the property of the Department of National Defense and must be returned to 62 Squadron in good condition when the Cadet leaves the unit.
Finally, when all of the recruit's paperwork has been completed the recruit is free to join any of the regular cadet programs such as the drill team, the band, or sports competitions to name a few.
To help introduce new recruits and their parents to the cadet program a special information night is held before the start of the training year in September. If this has already passed please reach out for information.
If you have any questions please contact the Squadron at [email protected] or drop by during a Friday Parade night.