521 Aurora Squadron
Royal Canadian Air Cadets

Optional Training

Mondays
• Drone Club 1800-1930
• FTX Planning 1800-1930 (When needed)
• Extra’s 1800-2100 (As needed)

Tuesdays
• Special Ops 1 1800-1930
• Special Ops 2 1930-2100

Wednesdays
• Drill Team 1800-2000
• Flag Party Practice 1800-1900 (*Wednesday prior to CO’s Parade only)
• Effective Speaking 1800 – 2000 (October to March)

Fridays
• Range 1800-2100

Flag Party
The Flag Party is a small squad within the squadron that has the ceremonial task of presenting the flags. They carry three flags, the Canadian Flag, the Royal Canadian Air Cadet, and the Squadron Banner; while the rear guards carry Lee Enfield rifles. The rifles used by the guards are Lee Enfield .303 caliber which are now decommissioned Drill Purpose rifles.

Cadets who form the flag party are chosen for their competence in drill and discipline along with dress and deportment. They practice advanced marching and stationary drill as well as flag and rifle drill. The flag party is a great opportunity for cadets willing to put in the extra effort to be part of this elite squad. As such it is expected that all members of the Flag Party be on the squadron Drill Team.

Flag Party tryouts will begin in September and we will have regular Flag Party practices weekly on Wednesdays until October, practices will then be on the Wednesday prior to CO’s parade each month.

OIC – CV Weiher & Capt Kathrens

Range
The cadet program seeks to provide youth with a realistic outlook on firearms by teaching them the proper use and safe handling of firearms for recreational purposes only. The marksmanship program is patterned on Olympic-style competitive shooting with an emphasis on the safe handling and care of firearms. All sea, army and air cadets are taught the basics of the air rifle as part of their mandatory local headquarters training that takes place at the corps and squadron level. Corps and squadrons are then able to choose to take part in further training to compete in local, zone, provincial and territorial and national level competitions.

Safety is of paramount importance to the Canadian Cadet Marksmanship training program.

Supervisory staff is made up of staff who have completed an intensive training program. These qualified Range Safety Officers are highly skilled at preventing injury, and loss of property. 521’s range team is made up of 5-8 members, only the unit’s top marksmen will make it to competition.

Range will be held on Friday nights from 6pm to 9pm throughout the training year unless other weekend activities are planned.

Instructors – CI Rego & CI Warkentin

Effective Speaking
The Effective Speaking Program is an Air Cadet League (ACL) sponsored activity and is in addition to the Cadet Training program as prescribed by the Department of National Defense (DND). The ACL believes that this program provides an important skill which will benefit Cadets in their future undertakings.

We encourage all cadets to participate in this program as it is meant to augment the training goals of the cadet program by increasing their self-confidence; and increase their ability to reason, organize, and express ideas.

Effective Speaking starts will run from October 12th, 2022 to February 23rd, 2023 and will be held on Wednesday nights from 6pm-8pm.

Instructor – CI Warkentin

Drill Team
At the heart of a Squadron’s esprit de corps on parade is drill. Some of the skills you will learn are personal discipline, coordination, and teamwork. Drill is an important part of cadet training. Drill promotes discipline, alertness, precision, pride, steadiness, and the cohesion necessary for success within a group. From a leadership perspective, drill is an excellent vehicle to help enhance some personal attributes. A senior cadet’s assertiveness, confidence in his/her abilities while speaking in front of a group, and supervisory skills while correcting personnel on their dress and personal drill all benefit from drill instruction.

It is mandatory for all members of Flag Party to be on the drill team and HIGHLY recommended for all cadets with parade positions to be on the Drill Team. Drill Team may start in October, practices will be on Wednesday nights from 6pm to 8pm, with additional nights to be added closer to competition.

A sub-component of the Drill Team is the Rifle Drill team. This elite drill team squad will begin practicing in March from 7:30pm to 9pm.

OIC – CV Weiher & Capt Kathrens

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