Building Leaders for Tomorrow: Celebrating Cadet Week with The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada
The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada (QOR) has a storied history as Canada’s oldest continuously serving infantry regiment, formed on April 26, 1860. While our museum collections at Casa Loma showcase the heroic deeds of our Riflemen in every major conflict, one of our proudest—and oldest—traditions is our deep connection to the Royal Canadian Army Cadets. As we celebrate Cadet Week, we look back at the generational calling of the young men and women who have trained under the banner of the QOR, learning leadership, citizenship, and physical fitness.
A Century-Old Blueprint for Leadership
The relationship between the Regiment and youth leadership dates back well over a century. Through the Regimental Museum and Archives, we track the proud lineage of several affiliated cadet corps that have shaped thousands of Canadian youth:
- 17 Upper Canada College Cadets: Boasting a rich history, the Upper Canada College Cadet Corps maintained a dedicated lineage of Cadet Commanding Officers spanning from 1893 to 1988, with many “Old Boys” moving on to distinguished service directly within the QOR.
- 96 Trinity College School Cadet Corps: Another foundational program whose alumni historically stepped forward to wear the QOR cap badge on active service.
- 2554 (Calgary) Army Cadet Corps: Marking our historical ties to Western Canada, where the Regimental Museum itself was originally established in 1956 before its move to Toronto in 1970.
- 2881 (Queen’s Own Rifles) Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps: Carrying the designation proudly into modern training, embodying the regimental motto In Pace Paratus—In Peace Prepared.
From Cadets to Community Leaders
The Army Cadet program isn’t just about military drill; it is about building the foundation of Canadian citizenship. Cadets learn self-reliance, outdoor survival skills, and community teamwork. For many, it serves as the ultimate stepping stone. Generations of young Canadians have started their journey in these very cadet corps, developing skills that eventually led them to join the Canadian Forces Reserve or excel in civilian leadership roles.
Are you or your child interested in leadership, adventure, and making lifelong friends? Check out the Army Cadet online application site.
