Local Headquarters Training
 

Overview - Each army cadet corps meets one night a week from September to June. Although it is best for a new recruit to join in September, a corps will usually accept recruits at any time of the training year. Once enrolled, an army cadet is expected to attend the weekly training night and work towards achieving one of the four star levels. In addition to the evening training, there are many weekend activities that an army cadet may participate in. These weekend activities will differ from corps to corps and may include outdoor activities or competitions with other army cadet corps.

Ranks - The cadet program is designed to be led by peers. This means that cadets may be appointed to leadership positions using the rank structure of the Canadian Army. Each appointment to a higher rank brings with it increased responsibility such as dress and deportment, leading other cadets, or delivering instruction to junior star levels. Holding a Non-Commissioned Officer rank teaches confidence and provides cadets with the opportunity to learn valuable skills that will assist them to become responsible young adults.
 
Adventure Training and Expeditions - An element of Adventure is included at every level of the Army Cadet program. For younger cadets, the local and zone adventure will challenge them. For older cadets the regional and national expedition programs provide progressive challenge and opportunity.

Types of Training

There are three main types of training that an army cadet corps will undertake:
 
Mandatory Training is the Star training that occurs at all army cadet corps.

Common Training (also called Directed Optional) are those activities that are fully funded by the Canadian Forces (CF), and include activities like competitions between different cadet units in first aid, drill, band, shooting or biathlon. Not every army cadet corps enters teams to compete, but for those that do, the costs are included in the funding for common training.

Optional Training activities receive no funding from CF and must be raised by the local sponsoring committee. They might include citizenship tours, poppy sales, and special banquets.