NAVY LEAGUE CADET CORPS 193 CODIAC MONCTON NEW BRUNSWICK

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1 Period (45 Minutes)
 
The approach should be using the Presentation and Practical Activity methods.

1. Mast
2. Canadian Flag
3. Navy League Flag
4. Prep INTRODUCTION
 
What - Cadets will learn about the ceremonies of Colours and Sunset and how they are performed.

Why - It will give the cadets a sense of naval tradition and introduce them to the ceremonial aspect of cadets.

Expectations - At the end of this period, the cadet should be able to actively participate as a member of a colour party for colours and sunset

The Ceremony of Colours – What it is and why we do it.

The Royal Canadian Navy performs the act of Colours every morning at 0800 hrs. Historically, the Ensign (National Flag) was raised to indicate friend or foe to other ships. Today, it is used for ceremonial and traditional purposes.

Personnel for Colours

The ship’s company (cadet corps) will muster on the drill deck approximately 15 minutes before Colours (depends on the corps CO). Cadets are used for the following positions:

a) The National Flag or Ensign– on the main halyard (usually the centre of the mast)
b) The Navy League Cadet Flag – on the starboard outer halyard (when facing the mast)
c) The Preparatory Pennant – on the port outer halyard (when facing the mast)
d) Boatswain – handles the pipes

***Are there any questions?***

The procedure for Colours

• “5 minutes to Colours - “prep” flag closed up (all the way to the top)

• Sir/Ma’am” - announced by the cadet on the Ensign

• “1 minute to Colours - announced by the cadet on the Ensign

• Sir/Ma’am” - ship’s company turns to face the mast by parade (commander (XO, cox’n, etc))

 

• “Colours, Sir/Ma’am”

      - “Prep” flag dipped 4 feet (or 1/3 from the top)

      - announced by the cadet on the Ensign

      - after parade commander says “very good”, bos’n pipes the still

      - after the still, members outside of a division salute as the Ensign and NL Cadet flag are               raised

 

• “Carry on, Sir/Ma’am”

        - announced by the cadet on the Ensign
        - parade commander responses with “Carry on”
        - bos’n pipes the carry on
        - after the pipe, members saluting come back to attention, cadet strikes the “prep” flag (all             the way down)
        - “prep” flag is secured

***Are there any questions?***

The Procedure for Sunset - performed at sunset on a ship, and at a pre-set time when on
shore. Personnel required are the same for sunset as it is for colours

The procedure for sunset is also very similar to that of colours, with the following exceptions:

• the word “Colours” is replaced with “Sunset”

• the ensign and NL Cadet flag come down instead of go up

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CONCLUSION

The ceremonies of Colours and Sunset are practiced by navies around the world, as well as by
every Navy League Cadet Corps in the country. By practicing these ceremonies, we are paying
our respects and showing our loyalty to our country, as well as honouring the customs and
traditions of the Royal Canadian Navy.

TESTING

The performance required for promotion to Ordinary Cadet requires the cadet to participate in
the ceremonies of Colours and Sunset. This can be accomplished through a regular training
night routine. The standards required for a New Entry Cadet’s performance should be kept
simple and that experience will be gained as the training year progresses​

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