The primary goal of Air Cadets is to provide youth with training in citizenship, leadership, aviation, physical fitness and other valuable subjects and skillsets.
The Cadet program is divided into 5 years of proficiency level training. These levels correspond to the number of years a cadet has been in the program. The training program is designed to meet the developments needs of youths as they progress in age, maturity, and responsibility.
The two main methods to take advantage of all the opportunities provided by the Air Cadet Program is through mandatory weekly local training throughout the year, as well as optional summer training courses.
WEEKLY LOCAL TRAINING
The core training at 741 Squadron is conducted on a Wednesday nights at the St.Thomas Armoury located at 40 Wilson Avenue in St.Thomas, Ontario from September to June from 1830hrs (6:30pm) through 2115hrs (9:15pm).
TRAINING NIGHT SCHEDULE
TIME
ACTIVITY
Arrival
18:30
Squadron Fall-In & Opening Parade
18:40 – 18:55
Period 1
18:55 – 19:25
Transition
19:25 – 19:30
Period 2
19:30 – 20:00
Break (Canteen)
20:00 – 20:15
Period 3
20:15 – 20:45
Squadron Fall-In & Closing Parade
20:45 – 21:00
Dismissal
21:00
MANDATORY TRAINING SUBJECTS
·        Aerodrome Operations
·        Aerospace
·        Air Crew Survival
·        Aviation
·        Biathlon
·        Citizenship
·        Community Service
·        Drill
·        Fitness & Health
·        General Cadet Knowledge
·        Instructional Techniques
·        Leadership
·        Maintenance
·        Marksmanship
·        Meteorology
·        Navigation
·        Professional Development
·        Radio Communications
OPTIONAL TRAINING GROUPS & TEAMS
 Additional training and optional activities are conducted on other evenings and weekends.
Band
Biathlon Team
Drill Team
Effective Speaking
Flight Simulator Club
Orienteering Team
Pilot Ground School
 ACTIVITIES, TRAINING & COMMUNITY EVENTS
Field Training Exercises
Community Parades and Ceremonies
Annual Ceremonial Review
Gliding and Power flight familiarization
Air Cadet League lottery ticket sales
Tag day fundraising
LEADERSHIP & INSTRUCTIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTHS
 The 741 Squadron has a compliment of trained adult staff that are accountable for cadet training and supervision, however, the senior cadets are enabled and encouraged to develop and apply their knowledge and skills by taking on instructional and leadership roles.
SUMMER TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES
Cadets have the opportunity to apply for summer training at one of the many cadet summer training centres (CSTCs) in Canada.
The procedures, documentation and deadlines for summer training applications will be detailed once the courses are officially available for the 2020 season.Â
GENERAL level of training courses are intended to provide Cadets with a rudimentary introduction to life at a summer training centre and to the various streams within the Cadet program.
COURSE
DURATION
UNIFORM BADGE
General Training Course – GTC
2 Weeks
BASIC level of training courses are intended to provide Cadets with a basic introduction to the specialty streams in the Cadet program.
ADVANCED level of training courses are intended to provide Cadets with a thorough immersion in the specialty streams in the Cadet program, enabling them to return as qualified instructors at the Squadron.
COURSE
DURATION
UNIFORM BADGE
Drill & Ceremonial Instructor Course – DCIC
6 Weeks
Fitness & Sports Instructor Course – FSIC
6 Weeks
Survival Instructor Course – SIC
6 Weeks
Air Rifle Marksmanship Instructor Course – ARMIC
6 Weeks
Military Band – Intermediate Musician Course – MB-IMC
6 Weeks
Military Band – Advanced Musician Course – MB-AMC
6 Weeks
Advanced Aviation Course – AAC
3 Weeks
NATIONAL COURSES & SCHOLARSHIPS are senior level courses and opportunities intended to provide Cadets with specialized training in areas in order to become subject matter experts within the Squadron, as well as to investigate potential future careers.