FIELD TRAINING EXERCISES

Field Training Exercises, known as FTX’s are weekend activities conducted outside of the Local Headquarters, usually at an outdoors facility or a Scouts Canada Camp.  The aim of these exercises is to support the regular Wednesday night training to teach outdoor survival skills, land navigation, leadership and radio communications among other things.  These classes are part of the mandatory cadet training program at all levels geared to the cadets’ level of skill and experience.  Providing this instruction allows practical, experiential learning in an outdoors environment rather than in a boring classroom that is not conducive to learning skills such as these.  The key is learning these skills in safe and controlled environment with trained, competent and experienced adult leaders.

In addition, training in the field allows cadets to test their leadership abilities, build character, improve physical fitness and can help to overcome fears thereby building confidence in them.  As important, these exercises are fun, challenging, safe and give some cadets opportunities that they may not otherwise be able to partake in.  For the Squadron these weekends are key to building morale and esprit de corps.

Exercises occur during the training year (September-June), with one exercise per season, including winter, where there are opportunities for some cadets to sleep outside in tents.  Typically the Squadron will stay in hard accommodation (buildings with often limited facilities) or soft accommodation (tents, field shelters or improvised shelters) depending on the facilities available and the training objectives.  Except for extreme conditions the training will not be impacted by weather.  Snow, rain and sun offer unique experiences to the cadets can regardless of the weather if the cadets are equipped we will conduct training.  Typically great memories come from weekends where the Squadron has overcome adversity which the weather has been known to provide.

While out, like any other training activity, meals are included.  During field weekends meals can include catered food, fresh prepared rations cooked by staff and the cadets themselves as well as military field rations-boil-in-bag.  In all cases, cadets are well fed with nutritious meals geared to providing them with the energy that they’ll need for a busy weekend.

Until recently – cadets would wear their own clothing suitable to the environment and the forecasted weather conditions.  Cadets could also purchase, at their own expense, surplus combat clothing (with some restrictions) which allows them to wear their rank and is fast drying and long-wearing, saving their street clothes.

However in 2022 – we began issuing out Field Training Uniforms to cadets – clothing made specifically for cadets to wear in such conditions.  With boots, long cargo pants and tunic shirts w lots of pockets – these are an easy to wear and clean uniform for everything from field training to range.

Field training weekends are highlights of the training year which provide lasting memories while imparting skills, knowledge and experiences in a challenging, safe and fun endeavour.