Draft:Vernon CTC
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| Vernon Cadet Training Centre | |
|---|---|
| Vernon Cadet Camp | |
| Active | Founded in 1949 as Alberta - British Columbia Western Command Trades Training Camp |
| Country | Canada |
| Type | Cadet Training Centre |
| Size | Estimated 1,500 Cadets each summer |
| Part of | Regional Cadet Support Unit (Pacific) |
| Motto(s) | Without Equal |
| Commanders | |
| Commanding Officer | Major J. MacDonald |
| Deputy Commanding Officer | Lieutenant-Commander J. Chidlow |
| Regimental Sergeant Major | Chief Petty Officer 1st Class S. Wist |
Vernon Cadet Training Centre (CTC) (French: Centre d'entrainement des cadets (CEC) Vernon) is a major Cadet Training Centre located in Vernon, British Columbia at Vernon Military Camp. Vernon CTC is a part of Regional Cadet Support Unit (Pacific), and his the biggest Cadet Camp in Western Canada, training Cadets from Corps / Squadrons from British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Northern Ontario.
History
[edit]1949 - 52: Alberta - British Columbia Western Command Trades Training Camp
[edit]From 1949 to 1952, the Alberta–British Columbia Western Command Trades Training Camp operated out of the Vernon Military Camp as a key postwar initiative to train youth and service personnel in essential military trades. Established under Western Command, the camp offered cadets and junior soldiers instruction in mechanical, electrical, and communications trades—skills that were critical to both military and civilian life in the aftermath of World War II. Housed in former wartime barracks, the camp combined technical training with military discipline and leadership development. It drew participants mainly from Alberta and British Columbia, and its popularity grew steadily, with hundreds attending each summer. This period laid the foundation for Vernon's reputation as a centre for practical, skills-based cadet training in Western Canada.
1953 - 1954 Western Command Trades Training Centre
[edit]The quarter masters (QM) Quonset huts on the north side of the camp across the street from B3 were torn down this year. Cadets were now given a $100.00 training bonus for completion of course. Maj General Chris Vokes visited the camp for the second year in a row. Fridays became 'Mothers Day', the evening busy will all aspects of uniform care and the barracks given special attention for Saturday morning inspections. The winner of the cleanest barracks was declared on Saturdays, these company's were entitled to fly their company pennants for the week. In mid July the PPCLI from the regular army arrived to stage a recruiting drive at Polson Park, with a 45-man platoon giving vagarious demonstrations.
1955 - 1961 Vernon Cadet Trades Training Centre
[edit]From 1955 to 1961, the Western Command Trades Training Centre for Cadets at Vernon Military Camp continued to grow as one of Canada's most important summer training programs for Army Cadets in British Columbia and Alberta. This period marked a peak in participation, with over 1,700 cadets attending each summer by the mid-1950s. The camp offered six-week courses focused on practical military trades such as vehicle maintenance, radio operation, electrical systems, and general engineering, alongside traditional cadet training like drill, fieldcraft, and physical fitness.
1962 - 1996 Vernon Army Cadet Camp
[edit]From 1962 to 1996, the Vernon Military Camp transitioned from a regional Army trades school into one of Canada's premier Cadet Training Centres (CTCs), serving youth from across British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. During this period, the camp was officially renamed Vernon Army Cadet Summer Training Centre (VACSTC) and continued its legacy of providing advanced summer training programs for Army Cadets.
Throughout the 1960s and 70s, the centre moved away from purely trades-based instruction and began offering a wider range of courses, including Leadership and Challenge, Expedition, Drill and Ceremonial, and Marksmanship. The facility grew to accommodate over 1,200 cadets each summer, along with hundreds of staff cadets and officers. Many of the WWII-era buildings remained in use, giving the site a unique historical character, while ongoing renovations modernized key infrastructure.
By the 1980s and 90s, Vernon CTC had developed a strong reputation nationally. It hosted large-scale parades, regional competitions, and even international cadet exchanges. The camp emphasized leadership development, physical fitness, outdoor adventure, and citizenship, making it a well-rounded program for youth seeking personal growth, discipline, and camaraderie. This era solidified Vernon as not just a training facility, but a rite of passage for generations of Western Canadian cadets.
1997-2014 Vernon Army Cadet Summer Training Centre
[edit]From 1997 to 2014, the Vernon Army Cadet Summer Training Centre (VACSTC) continued to evolve as one of Canada's largest and most respected Army Cadet summer training centres. During this period, the centre adapted to the changing needs of the Canadian Cadet Organizations by expanding its course offerings, updating infrastructure, and placing greater emphasis on leadership, inclusivity, and adventure-based training.
Programs such as Basic Drill and Ceremonial, Leadership and Challenge, Expedition Instructor, and Air Rifle Marksmanship became staples of the training cycle. The camp also introduced more advanced and specialized leadership roles for staff cadets, allowing experienced youth to take on instructional and command responsibilities. These roles were vital in fostering peer-led learning and leadership development.
The early 2000s saw improvements to barracks, dining facilities, and training equipment, along with a growing focus on health, safety, and modern instructional methods. Vernon CTC became known for its mix of military precision and a supportive, youth-focused atmosphere, where cadets could grow in confidence, resilience, and teamwork.
Throughout this time, cadets from across Western and Northern Canada—and occasionally from other countries—gathered in Vernon each summer, building friendships and memories that often lasted a lifetime. By 2014, the centre had trained tens of thousands of young Canadians, firmly cementing its role in the national cadet program.
2014-2016 Vernon Cadet Summer Training Centre
From 2014 to 2016, the Vernon Cadet Summer Training Centre (VCSTC) continued to serve as a key summer hub for Army Cadet training in Western Canada, while undergoing changes that reflected a broader shift in the national Cadet Program. During these years, the centre offered a wide range of courses focused on leadership development, physical fitness, marksmanship, expedition training, and drill and ceremonial skills. The camp maintained its reputation for delivering high-quality instruction in a structured, supportive environment.
However, this period also marked the beginning of a national restructuring of the Cadet Program, driven by operational reviews and changing resource allocations. Cadet training across Canada was being evaluated for efficiency, consistency, and relevance to modern youth development goals. As a result, while VCTC still hosted hundreds of cadets each summer, discussions began about consolidating training centres and redistributing certain course offerings across regions.
Despite these looming changes, the camp environment remained vibrant. Cadets continued to arrive from across BC, Alberta, and other Western provinces, and staff cadets played a central role in course delivery and camp life. Parades, sports, field training, and leadership challenges remained core components of the experience. For many, these final years of Vernon as a large-scale cadet training centre were among the most memorable, as the camp maintained its strong traditions while quietly approaching the end of an era.
Structure
[edit]The Structure of the CTC is a battalion sized army unit made up of 4 companies.
Alpha Company
[edit]Alpha Company (A Coy) is the company making up Drill and Ceremonial Instructor (DCI) and Introduction to Drill and Ceremonial (IDC).
- Company Platoons
- 1 Platoon
- 2 Platoon
- 3 Platoon
- 4 Platoon
Bravo Company
[edit]Bravo Company (B Coy) is the Marksmanship company overseeing the Air Rifle Marksmanship Instructor (ARMI) Course and Introduction to Marksmanship (ITM) Course
- Company Plattons
- 5 Platoon
- 6 "Big Duke 6" Platoon
- 7 Platoon
- 8 Platoon
Summer Training
[edit]Courses
[edit]| Course | Element | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Expedition Team Member | Army | 2 Weeks |
| Introduction to Drill and Ceremonial | Common | 2 Weeks |
| Introduction to Fitness and Sports | Common | 2 Weeks |
| Introduction to Marksmanship | Common | 2 Weeks |
| Introduction to Survival | Air | 2 Weeks |
| Air Rifle Marksmanship Instructor | Common | 4 Weeks |
| Drill and Ceremonial Instructor | Common | 4 Weeks |
| Expedition Team Leader | Army | 4 Weeks |
| Fitness and Sports Instructor | Common | 4 Weeks |
Advanced Training
[edit]Commanding Officers
[edit]- 1949: Lieutenant-Colonel (LCol) Eric W. Cormack, CM, OBE, ED, CD
- 1950: LCol Jack Frederick Villiers, ED
- 1951 - 1952: LCol David F.B. Kinloch, CD
- 1953: LCol L.J.L. St.Laurent, OBE, ED
- 1954: Brigadier (Brig) W.J. Megill, DSO, CD
- 1955 -1956: Brig George Kitching, OBE, DSO, CD
- 1956: LCol J.C Cave, CD
- 1957 / 1959 / 1960 - 1961: Brig Joseph W. Bishop, OBE, CD
- 1958: LCol John H. Mooney, CD
- 1960: LCol W.G.A. Lambe, ED, CD
- 1962: Brig. E.D. Danby, DSO, OBE, CD
- 1963: LCol J.M. Reynolds, CD
- 1964: LCol J.A. Cook, CD
- 1965: LCol W.H.V. Matthews, MC, CD
- 1966: LCol J.S. Edmondson, CD
- 1967: LCol R.F. Bruce, MBE, CD
- 1968 - 1976: LCol C.V. Lilley, OMM, MC, CD
- 1976 - 1979: Col Jake Beer, MBE, CD
- 1980 - 1981: LCol D.D. Snow, CD
- 1982 - 1983: LCol D. Ardelian, CD
- 1984 - 1985: LCol B.M. Munro, CD
- 1986 - 1988: LCol R.E. Clark, MMM, CD
- 1989 - 1992: LCol Mike M. Neil, CD
- 1993: LCol M. Lacroix, CD
- 1994 - 1997: LCol D.B. Walton, OMM, CD
- 1998 - 2001: LCol F. Daigneault, CD
- 2002 - 2005: LCol T.W. Kopan, CD
- 2006 - 2009: LCol A. Dengis, CD
- 2010 - 2012: LCol L. Johnson, CD
- 2019: LCol Miroslav Novak
- 2020 - 2021: COVID Cancelled
- 2022 - 2024: LCol Ken Prince, CD
- 2025: Major J. MacDonald