JCRATO 64-01 Training

GENERAL

1. All Junior Canadian Rangers (JCR) will be given the opportunity to voluntarily participate in a safe and structured programme within their community.

BACKGROUND

2. The JCR Programme offers a community a unique opportunity to instill in their youth the very best of their culture, traditions, and customs through a safe, structured and well-supported programme. The most valuable skills of the Canadian Rangers are combined with important traditional and life skills learning, in a programme that can be as individual as each community, but has the strength of the experience and support of the Canadian Forces (CF).

PROGRAMME

3. The aim of the JCRs will be met through a structured program that encompasses:

  1. direct learning through instruction, demonstration and practice;
  2. indirect learning through mentoring, peer interaction and role modeling; and
  3. experiential learning through recreation.

4. The training programme will emphasize skill development with the intent of enhancing the positive self-image of the program’s youth members while strengthening their communities.

DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT

5. The JCR Programme is designed and developed to be flexible and culturally/geographically sensitive. The key elements of design and development for this programme are:

  1. participation is valued over performance;
  2. individual progress through skills is permissible; and
  3. the programme must be deliverable by the community with support of the Canadian Ranger Patrol Group (CRPG).

SAFETY

6. Safety for programme participants is paramount. Safe training is achieved through:

  1. competent instruction;
  2. adherence to published training safety policies; and
  3. responsible supervision.

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YOUTH AT RISK

7. The JCR Program is not specifically designed for youth at risk, but it does recognize that youth social issues are predominant in many Canadian communities. In the JCR Program, through sub-programs like Prevention of Harassment and Abuse through Successful Education (PHASE) and the close ties between the program and the community, members are engaged in a meaningful, structured and progressive programme that is designed to empower and support them within their community’s unique heritage.

TRAINING PROGRAMME COMPONENTS

8. The JCR training programme has the following components:

  1. ranger skills;
  2. traditional skills; and
  3. life skills

RANGER SKILLS

9. To assist delivery and ensure quality, skill instruction and practice is structured around progressive development to encourage participation, motivation, a sense of accomplishment and a reasonable degree of competence.

10. Some examples of Ranger skills are:

  1. General Service Knowledge;
  2. teamwork;
  3. first aid;
  4. navigation;
  5. safe firearms handling and marksmanship;
  6. communications;
  7. drill; and
  8. participating in a FTX.

TRADITIONAL SKILLS

11. Designed and developed by the community, it is expected that many of these skills will relate to one or more of these categories:

  1. living on the land (shelters, hunting, fishing, etc.);
  2. safe use and maintenance of small utility vehicles and watercraft;
  3. traditional sports;
  4. traditional arts (music, dance, crafts, carving, etc.); and
  5. discussions with community Elders.

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LIFE SKILLS

12. To fulfill the life skills requirements of the training programme, the community can select from a wide spectrum of topics and activities that address the needs of their youth, and can include:

  1. public speaking;
  2. spirituality;
  3. recreation;
  4. drug, alcohol and substance abuse prevention and education;
  5. healthy living and physical fitness;
  6. citizenship; and
  7. prevention of harassment and abuse program (must be conducted).

FIELD TRAINING EXERCICE (FTX)

13. In concurrence with the principles of experiential education in youth development programmes, great value is found in group-oriented outdoor activity that challenges the mind and body. Using the Canadian Rangers model of an FTX as the basis for practical experience, the JCR Programme intends FTX to be used by a JCR Patrol to instil “real-life” or “hands-on” experience in its members.

14. FTXs take place on the land, and may include an overnight stay. The benefits of these exercises are:

  1. opportunity for sustained and focused training and activities;
  2. effective and efficient use of resources;
  3. facilitation of community involvement in training; and
  4. opportunity for practical application and confirmation of skills.

COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES

15. Throughout the year, opportunities may be presented for the patrol or its members to participate in community events at the discretion of the Patrol Leader and AC. These activities may be solely dedicated to one of the three skills. Examples of community activities JCR Patrols may involve themselves in are:

  1. local traditional sports events;
  2. Remembrance Day ceremonies;
  3. providing assistance at community events; and
  4. supporting community charities through fundraising or volunteer work.

ENHANCED TRAINING

16. The opportunity for Enhanced Training may be offered to an individual JCR, or a designated group of JCRs, following a needs assessment conducted by the CRPG JCR Staff in concert with the subject patrols and their communities. This needs assessment must address:

  1. the reasons Enhanced Training is deemed necessary for this situation;
  2. the type of training required to alleviate the specific conditions, or to benefit the overall condition of the training programme;
  3. the source of the training expertise and resources in the proposed training; and
  4. the connection between the proposed Enhanced Training and the objectives and principles of the JCR Programme.

EMPLOYMENT - STAFF JCR

17. Staff JCR may be employed at ETS to provide instructional, supervisory and administrative services.

18. Pay for a staff JCR while employed at an ETS is detailed in QR (Cadets). A staff JCR is not eligible for pay level or incentive pay category increases. The rates are fixed for the rank held. A staff JCR is not entitled to any payment of a training bonus.

19. Prerequisites for employment of staff JCR are:

  1. JCR must have attended at least one previous ETS; and
  2. be recommended by their AC and /or Patrol Leader and authorized by the CRPG.

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COMPONENT ASSEMBLY

20. Skills training - is assembled within the programme with respect for the programme format. (40 % Ranger, 60% Traditional and Life skills).

21. FTXs – includes up to six days per year inserted into the schedule by the AC and CRPG JCR staff, for practical application of skills and as an opportunity for experiential learning. Training is scheduled within the FTX with respect for the programme format.

22. Community activities - are inserted into the schedule by the AC and/or the CRPG.

23. Enhanced Training - planned, prepared and conducted by the CRPG, and assembled to best meet the needs of the participating Patrols.

TRAINING YEAR

24. For planning purposes, the JCR Patrol training year begins in September and will typically run through to the end of June, but may continue to the end of August.

RESPONSIBILITIES

25. D Cdts / JCR Coord is responsible to ensure and manage resources to design and develop training support material, in consultation with Programme stakeholders.

26. CRPG are responsible to support JCR training through direct and indirect assistance as required (including direct instruction of JCR), as well as consulting on, and distributing nationally funded instructional support material. Additional or supplementary support material may be produced by the CRPG at their discretion and through their resources. Additional support through the Canadian Ranger Patrol co-located with a JCR Patrol may be provided at the discretion of the CO CRPG.

27. AC are responsible for providing instructional support for training where not provided by the CF, as well as providing a location for training.

PROGRAMME OBLIGATION

28. The community accepts the obligation to create a training programme in consultation with the CRPG that respects the principles described within this document. This infers that each training session or FTX will adhere to the programme format and expectations, and will be conducted in the most safe and efficient manner possible.

TRAINING STANDARDS

29. The JCR Programme is a participation-based training program that emphasizes skill development. There are no Training or Qualification Standards in the training program. At the discretion of the “Patrol Leader”, (Canadian Ranger, JCR Instructor or AC, as applicable) members may voluntarily participate in qualification courses or training, in skills applicable to the program.

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PROGRAMME EVALUATION

30. The community - should evaluate the program regularly to ensure that the activities and training being offered are meaningful and challenging to the participants. A good tool for evaluation at this level is measuring the positive impact of the JCR Programme on the JCR's regular life.

31. The CRPG JCR Staff - is responsible for evaluating the JCR Programme at each Patrol on an annual basis for safety, efficiency and responsibility to the programme aim and objectives. The primary purpose for the evaluation is to assist communities in improving the programme offered. The evaluation will usually occur on a FTX. The evaluation criteria are:

  1. the level of support and involvement of the community (through the AC and participation of volunteers);
  2. the ability of the Patrol to train in a safe and organized manner
  3. the level of participation and competency of the Patrol members (commensurate with experience in the programme) in the Ranger Skills; and
  4. the reasonable adherence to the division of Ranger, Traditional and Life Skills in the training schedule.

32. CRPG-wide results of this evaluation will be communicated to other stakeholders at annual JCR Working Groups (WGs) and through the annual Performance Management Indicator (PMI) Report.

ANALYSIS AND VALIDATION

33. Programme validation is the responsibility of D Cdts and will be conducted on a regular basis, through a process including all programme stakeholders.

34. Programme analysis, and the consequent identification of new needs and requirements is an ongoing process addressed at annual JCR WGs.

APPROVAL

35. Approval must be obtained for conduct of all activities specifically described in this document.

OPI: D Cdts 4
Date: January 2006
Amendment: Original