Category: Special Announcements

EDIT: If you (cadets) did not update or input your email address on Registration/Annual Validation Form on Tue/Wed, please visit here to complete a quick form. Microsoft Teams invites will be sent out this weekend, priorities going to Level Two and Level Four. Be sure to accept the invite well before the start of your training session.

As we approach the beginning of our training year, we would like everyone to start preparing for our new virtual training. This year, we will be introducing virtual training using Microsoft Teams as the medium, which should be familiar to most.

While we wait until training begins, we would like all cadets to take the time to create their own Microsoft Teams account that will be used to access our Teams page. We are asking that each cadet created their own account (that is, not use any school account) in order to keep other work-related activities separate from cadet activities. When creating your email (or using an existing email), please refrain from using vulgar and offensive words, and keep it appropriate.

During registration, please provide use your (the cadet) Microsoft Teams email, and we will provide an invite link to the 754 Phoenix Teams page. If you are not able to create an account, or will have difficulties accessing any virtual training this year, please let us know during registration.

We look forward to seeing you on registration night!

-754 Phoenix

We have been forced to delay our registration by one week – it will now occur on Tuesday 20 October for returning cadets and siblings, and on Wednesday 21 October for new cadets. There is a small chance we will receive faster approval, so keep the 13th and/or 14th free just in case – we will keep the existing signup open. We will send a last-minute email if that occurs.

The Canadian Cadet Organization has very strict guidelines for starting our operations – this includes physical inspections of all spaces we use. As we were only able to inspect our facilities beginning in October due to SD43 policy, the authorization for in person activities will not take effect until the 20th. All units in British Columbia have to get authorization from our Commander to ensure all operations meet the regulations put in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

We will be starting a new signup for returning cadets and parents on the 20th – the link will be available in the next 24 hours and will be posted to the Contact Us! – Join Us! page where the old link was.

Registration for new cadets and transfers will be on 21 October starting at 6:30 pm, with no signup.

SPRING AND SUMMER 2020 ACTIVITIES CANCELLATION

1. In addition to direction delivered at refs D to H, Comd Natl CJCR Sp Gp has made the decision to cancel all in-person activities related to the Cadet and JCR programs through to 31 Aug 20. This includes, but is not limited to local training, corps and squadron trips, cadet summer training and activities, in-person training for Cadet Instructors Cadre officers, and, in coordination with the Canadian Army, the JCR enhanced training sessions.
   
2. Cadets and Junior Canadian Rangers will not be penalized for missing the remainder of the 2019-2020 training year, and will be credited as having this year’s training completed.
   
3. Our goal over the coming months is to focus and remain connected with the cadets. Staff at the corps/squadron level will be seeking, where possible, innovative and meaningful ways to connect with cadets virtually. We will seek to explore options for new experiences online and looking for alternatives to in-person training activities. Maintaining the link with our cadets and staff is a priority.
   
4. For the summer, the Natl CJCR Sp Gp staff will begin planning to explore innovative ways to take advantage of this pause in training to implement new and exciting solutions for our program. You can expect to hear more about this in the weeks to come as we will be looking at options for alternative employment opportunities.
   
5. The decision to cancel activities ensures the safety and security of everyone who participates in our programs and will ensure that the Cadet and Junior Canadian Rangers, like the Canadian Armed Forces, do not become a vector to spread COVID-19. It will also ensure that valuable resources, from medical support to facilities, can be made available to the CAF to assist Canadians when they need it the most.
   
6. This was not an easy decision, nor was it made in isolation. The Command Team of the National Cadet and Junior Canadian Rangers Support Group have consulted with many advisors and stakeholders, and have been closely monitoring the actions of like-minded youth organizations.
   
7. We understand many will be disappointed with this news. However, the strength and resilience of the men and women who not only support and lead this program, but also participate in it will prevail. This is our role to play in demonstrating leadership and citizenship in the face of adversity. Canada’s Cadets and Junior Canadian Rangers are all up for the challenge.
   
8. The Natl CJCR Sp Gp continues to collaborate with the Department of National Defence and CAF as well as with other federal departments in order to maintain proper situational awareness on the COVID-19 situation in Canada and globally to synchronize interdepartmental response under the lead of Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada. As a result, the situation is continuously being monitored and further decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis.
   
9. Additional details related to the impact of this decision and way forward will be communicated to all in the weeks ahead.
   
10. All available and updated information for the Natl CJCR Sp Gp response to COVID-19 can be found on the CCO net at: http://collaboration.cco.nat/sites/NAT/SitePages/covid19.aspx​​​, DWAN: https://collab.cadets.gc.ca/sites/NAT/SitePages/covid19.aspx

Regional Cadet Support Unit Pacific
PO Box 17000 Stn Forces
Victoria BC V9A 7N2
27 March 2020

Dear parents/guardians,
The safety and welfare of all who participate in our programs is always our top priority; as such, we take very seriously our responsibility to protect cadets from any real or apparent health or safety concern. Upon careful review of a number of factors, including the potential for risk of exposure and further transmission of COVID-19, the Commander of the National Cadet and Junior Canadian Rangers Support Group has extended the cancellation of all cadet activities, including local training, through April 30, 2020. Prior to April 30, 2020, Cadets Corps and Squadrons will receive further direction on what is to come.

As you can imagine, decisions to cancel, postpone or reschedule activities and events are never taken lightly. This decision is being made to protect cadets, their families and staff from the unnecessary risk of exposure and the possibility of quarantine.

Rest assured that we are committed above all to the safety and security of all who participate in our programs, but we will continue to explore unique and challenging opportunities for the youth of the Cadet and Junior Canadian Rangers programs.

We will remain in close contact with other youth organizations and school boards. The National Cadet and Junior Canadian Rangers Support Group is taking unprecedented precautions to protect the safety and well-being of all who participate in our programs, in an effort to reduce the possibility of both exposure and further transmission of COVID-19. We will continue to monitor the actions taken by other like-minded youth organizations and will adjust our plans accordingly.

Your understanding with regards to this matter is greatly appreciated.

Sincerely,

D.B. Henderson
Commander
Commanding Officer

I would like to take a moment to address all cadets of 754 Squadron during this unsettled time.

We know that this period in time has been, and will continue to be, unlike any other you have experienced in your cadet career, whether you are a first year LAC or a sixth year Warrant Officer. Many of you are disappointed that events that you train for and look forward to all year have been postponed or cancelled. We share your disappointment, but we must all make sure that the health and well-being of the whole Squadron, and society outside of the Squadron, is paramount.

As of this moment, we are standing down from training until at least 30 Apr 20. At that time, our National HQ will be making further decisions on future activities, including flying, ACR, and summer training courses. We will share any information we receive as soon as we can.

In the meantime, over the coming days and weeks we will be compiling training materials on the internet, and trying to keep you connected with Phoenix Squadron. Please keep check the Squadron website for updates.

As cadets and officers, we are trained to follow orders from our military chain of command; we now require you all to follow orders from our federal, provincial, and local authorities in respect to preventing the transmission of the COVID-19 virus. In that way, we will get back to regular Squadron operations as soon as possible.

Like the Phoenix, we will rise from this experience stronger and more dedicated.

Regards,

Captain DJ Angst, CD
Commanding Officer

ALL CADET ACTIVITIES SUSPENDED UNTIL 30 APR 20

in response to developments in the outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), the National Cadet Headquarters has CANCELLED ALL CADET ACTIVITIES, including local training, until 30 Apr 20. Prior to that date, further direction will be provided, including the potential for this cancellation to be extended.

All personnel will follow the directions of national, provincial, and local authorities to prevent the further spread of the virus.