The Canadian Forces Army Reserve and Army Cadets

September 2005

Army Reserve

The Army Reserve is a component of the Canadian Forces. Service in the Army Reserve is voluntary and not for any fixed period. Reservists are enrolled to serve on a part-time basis with pay primarily in or near their home town. Typically, this begins with recruit training, which may occur on a full-time basis over the summer or a part-time basis over the winter. Once "basic" is finished, the Army Reserve soldier begins training with their unit on a part-time basis. With the RHLI, this is almost every Tuesday evening from September to June, and usually one weekend a month. Taking courses for advanced skills or promotion can add to this employment. At time of writing, a private soldier past "basic" will earn approximately $80.00 per full day of service.

Army Reserve soldiers form a back-up force to the Regular Army on a volunteer basis. A mandatory call-up of Canada 's Army Reserve would require an Order-in-Council, an action of the Privy Council. This has not occurred since 1939.

The Army Reserve augments Regular Force units for operational commitments, such as those for United Nations or North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) or joint Allied missions in such places as Bosnia, Afghanistan, the Middle East, Sierra Leone and others from time to time. Reservists also provide assistance during national emergencies or disasters such as the Winnipeg floods of 1997, the Ice Storm of 1998 and Swissair Flight 111 recovery operations. Thousands were standing by in the event of disruptions following the Year 2000 (Y2K) millennium rollover. In addition, reservists often participate in cultural, festive and other public events across the country.

Reservists come from all walks of life, and include professionals, students, civil servants, labourers, business people and academics. Many are also former members of the Regular Force.

Army Cadets

Army Cadets are a civilian organization for youths 11 to 17 which receive sponsorship from Army Reserve units but are not part of the Armed Forces. The RHLI sponsor two such Cadet Corps - 2379 Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps (RCACC) in Burlington and 62 RCACC in Hamilton . They will be represented on parade for the RHLI Freedom of the City. Army Cadets receive training in such things as citizenship, leadership, self-confidence, first aid, and outdoor living within a military-like structure that includes marching, saluting and similar requirements. Army Cadet corps are lead by members of the Cadet Instructor Cadre (CIC). CIC officers are commissioned officers of the Canadian Forces, but their cadets are not members of the Canadian Forces in any manner. More information can be found at www.cadets.ca . To find out more about the 2379 Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps in Burlington click here.