709 Toronto Signals, Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps (709 RCACC), is one of the hundreds of Army Cadet Corps in Canada that are part of the Canadian Cadet Organizations (CCO), a national youth programme operated by the Department of National Defence (DND). Like the Canadian Armed Forces, the CCO has the same elemental formations, but focused upon youth training known as the Royal Canadian Sea Cadets, the Royal Canadian Army Cadets, the Royal Canadian Air Cadets and the Junior Canadian Rangers. Our national programme is for youth aged 12 to 18 years. To operate and fund the CCO programmes, DND partners with the Navy League of Canada, Army Cadet League of Canada and the Air Cadet League of Canada.
Located in central Toronto, in the Eglinton Avenue West and Dufferin Street neighbourhood, we welcome youth from all communities who have a desire to join a youth programme that will provide them with a variety of challenges and fun. 709 Toronto Signals has approximately 100 Cadet members, and trains on Wednesday evenings at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School, located at 636 Glenholme Avenue, Toronto.
Our formal Headquarters is located at Fort York Armoury, 660 Fleet Street, Toronto, which is also the home of our Canadian Armed Forces affiliated unit, 32 Signal Regiment, Royal Canadian Corps of Signals, who provides a variety of support to 709 Toronto Signals. Some optional training activities will take place at Fort York Armoury on a weekly basis.
Originally formed on September 1st, 1957, as the 8th Signal Regiment Cadet Corps, we were affiliated with the 8th Signal Regiment, Royal Canadian Corps of Signals, a predecessor of today’s 32 Signal Regiment. On April 1st, 1965, the Cadet Corps was designated the Toronto Signal Regiment Cadet Corps. On April 12th, 1972, the Cadet Corps was designated as 2605 Toronto Communication Regiment Cadet Corps, affiliated with 709 Toronto Communication Regiment. On May 13th, 2007, the Cadet Corps was designated with it current name, 709 Toronto Signals, thus aligning its name with the affiliated unit. Since this time, 709 Toronto Communication Regiment has been designated as 32 Signal Regiment, but 709 Toronto Signals has maintained the Regiments last historic name before its 32 Brigade designation.
709 Toronto Signals, like all Army Cadet Corps, is composed of four levels known as “Star”, which identify the year of training the Cadet members are in. Starting from entry level, we have Green Star, Red Star, Silver Star and Gold Star, which are the senior Cadets who may also staff the Headquarters Troop.
Corps Officer Staff
- Major R. Rangel-Bron, CD – Commanding Officer
- Lieutenant Navy J. Vu – Deputy Commanding Officer, Gold Star Level Officer
- Captain B. Ash – Training Officer, Fire Warden, Safety Officer
- Captain E. Edelsward – Junior Officer Development, Master Cadet Level Officer, Officer Rep Cadet Mess Committee & Adult Mess PMC
- Lieutenant A. Monteleone – Administration Officer, Assistant Operations Officer for Exercises
- Lieutenant J. Magtira – Staff Instructor
- Private R. Tremblay – Staff Instructor
- Civilian Instructor Bochenek – Operations Officer for Exercises
- Civilian Instructor A. Chan – Range Coach, Sports and Recreation Officer, Flag Party Advisor
- Civilian Instructor D. Fisher – Green Star Level Officer
- Civilian Instructor D. Lowry, CD – Supply Officer, Silver Star Level Officer, RSO
- Civilian Instructor D, Valentine – Administration Officer Advisor, RSO
- Civilian Volunteer L. Gazzellone – Red Star Level Officer; Webmaster
Corps Cadet Staff
- Warrant Officer R. Darawsha- Regimental Sergeant-Major
- Sergeant H. Kyazike – Drill Sergeant Major
- Master Corporal J. Darawsha – Carruthers Troop Commander
- Master Corporal M. Rush-Sinkia – Carruthers Troop 2nd In Command
- Sergeant R. Rajbally – Mercury Troop Commander
- Corporal S. Bayona – Mercury Troop 2nd In Command
- Sergeant S. Kafri – Administration NCO
- Corporal J. Wilson – Quartermaster NCO
- Sergeant S. Kafri, Master Corporal M. Rush-Sinkia, Corporal S. Bayona – Corps Cadet Correspondents
- Sergeant S. Kafri – Cadet Webmaster Assistant
- Master Corporal M. Rush-Sinkia – Cadet Mess PMC
- Corporal J. Wilson – Cadet Mess VPMC
- Master Corporal J. Bradley – Cadet Mess Secretary
- Cadet E. Igoden – Cadet Mess Treasurer
- Corporal J. Welner – Corps Flag Party Commander
- Master Corporal D. Serwanga – Corps Flag Party 2nd In Command
- Master Corporal J. Bradley, Corporal Y. Miao, Cadet E. Tregabova – Corps Flag Party Escorts
Corps Support Committee (CSC)
We are fortunate to have great support from members of the community as members of the Corps Support Committee (CSC). Members of the CSC come from all segments of our community – parents, business and retired military to name a few. All CSC Members undergo an in-depth Volunteer Sector Screening and background check by the Canadian Armed Forces and municipal Police Services.
If you are interested in assisting the youth of this community you are invited to join the 709 Toronto Signals Corps Support Committee.
2023 – 2024 Corps Support Committee
- Ms. N. Kabugo – Chair
- Ms. M. Lima – Treasurer
- Vacant, TBD – Secretary
- Vacant, TBD – Canteen Coordinator