Headdress

A variety of headdresses are worn by the Royal Canadian Army Cadets.

• Beret - The beret is the most common form of headdress worn by cadet corps in Canada. The colour black is worn by Armored and Artillery, rifle green by Infantry, scarlet by Military Police, and maroon by Airborne cadet corps.

​​

• Glengarry, Balmoral, and Caubeen -  These are usually worn by kilted regiments and their respective pipe bands. These regiments generally wear green berets in place of their other headdresses when in their Field Training Uniform (FTU). These pieces of headdress are often considered regimental kit and are typically not issued to junior ranks.

​

• Forage Cap - is also a form of headdress typically worn by worn by Governor General's Horse Guards (G.G.H.G) and Governor General's Foot Guards (G.G.F.G) affiliated cadet corps.

​

All forms of headdress are accompanied with a cap-badge or cap-brass. The cap-badge or cap-brass is representative of the cadet corps' affiliated regiment or will be the standard Royal Canadian Army Cadet badge. The Royal Canadian Army Cadet badge is colloquially known by cadets as the "cookie-cutter" badge. For example, Cadet Corps that are affiliated with the Royal Canadian Dragoons wear a cap-brass with a Springbok.

​

Full Dress Uniform

​

All cadets are issued with a standard, rifle green tunic, which, apart from the material and colour, mimics the style of Canadian Expeditionary Force tunics during the First World War. The tunic is accompanied by a waist belt secured by loops sewn onto the tunic itself.

​

Although unofficial in the Cadet Administrative Training Orders (CATO), upon a promotion to a certain rank, appointment, membership to the drill team, flag party or other circumstances the Cadet may be issued a white or black parade belt with either the regiment's brass buckle, or the standard Canadian Forces brass buckle.

 

The top button of the tunic is always left undone, and a tie is worn with an issued short sleeve collared shirt. Special cases such as rank, appointment, regimental standing orders, or weather may call for the wear of the tunic without a tie, or with an ascot (Under discretion of the Commanding Officer of Unit or CSTC).

 

All badges showing a Cadet's corps, achievement, and rank are sewn directly onto the tunic. Cadet Medals are worn on the right side. This is in accordance with national direction that only Orders, Decorations, or Medals that are part of the Canadian Honours System are worn on the left.

 

Parade boots

​

In 2017, Cadets Canada released a Multipurpose Boot, designed to eventually replace both Parade Boots and Combat Boots. However, most corps still use the Canadian Forces Parade Boots. (as of 2019). Cadets are issued with one pair of Canadian Forces parade boots, or the Multipurpose Boots. These boots come in three main variations. They are typically referred to as:

​

• Parade boots (1st Gen) - These parade boots are similar in appearance to British ammunition boots. They have an American Biltrite oil and acid resistant sole and steel toes. They were typically manufactured by Boulet but are not longer in production, but are still issued by some Cadet Corps. These boots are regarded as being louder, easier to polish, and longer lasting by cadets.

​​

• Hybrid boots (2nd Gen) - Hybrid boots have a steel toe and are similar in appearance to parade boots. These boots are current issue by both the Canadian Forces and Army, Air and Sea Cadets.

​​

• "Moon" boots (3rd Gen) - The "Moon" boots feature a clunky and heavy Vibram sole. They are drastically different in appearance to parade boots and hybrid boots. These boots are also current issue by both the Canadian Forces and Army, Air and Sea Cadets.

​

Cadet Field Training Uniform (FTU)

​

Cadets are issued a pair of pants and a tunic that is olive drab in colour and is the exact cut of Canadian Forces uniforms of 2000-2010. Cadets are authorized to wear the FTU, depending on the supply of the unit or Cadet Summer Training Centres (CSTC), according to their duties and/or at the discretion of their Commanding Officer. The Cadet Field Training Uniform has rank slides on the centre of the chest, while the OG-107 Combat Uniforms have rank slides on the shoulders. The Cadet Field Training Uniforms can be easily identified by the "Cadets Canada" logo embroidered on the large pocket covers on the shirt and the pants.

Some cadet corps (depending on budget and other expenditures) provide combat boots free of charge to their Cadets. Others may purchase their own pair of boots from Army Surplus stores, private trades, or have them handed down from retired Cadets. Due to shortages in black CF Mark III and Mark IV boots, some cadets have been requested to purchase proprietary boots (ex. S.W.A.T.), or used tan Canadian Forces boots. However, cadets are not to be required to purchase their own combat boots. They must be issued to be considered a mandatory requirement. With the introduction of Multipurpose Boots in 2017, cadets are able to wear the same boots from their parade uniform on their C-5 dress, if they are Multipurpose Boots.

The tunic has two drawstrings; one at the hem and one at the waist to give the tunic a form fitting appearance. The trousers are to be bloused above the boot with blousing bands, or with the included drawstrings at the bottom of each pant leg.