What do they do?

The foreward by our Commandant, on the Air Cadet Organisation website, provides a good summary, repeated here for convenience:  

Foreword by Air Commodore Jon Chitty, Commandant Air Cadets

Welcome to the Air Cadets - 'The Next Generation'. Cadets in your local Air Training Corps (ATC) and Combined Cadet Force (CCF(RAF)) are enjoying flying, gliding, going on camps, taking part in all kinds of action, adventure and sports. It’s great fun too, with the opportunity to enjoy an enviable social life and make many new friends...

Air Cadets, aged 13 to 20, and their supporting staff get the opportunity to participate in a large range of stimulating and rewarding activities. Where else could you learn to fly aerobatics, visit Royal Air Force Stations, tour foreign countries, play sports from local to International level, learn the skills to lead expeditions, become a target shooting marksman, gain your Duke of Edinburgh's Awards, canoe through white water, assist your community, join a band, learn aviation subjects, go caving, parachute, climb, sail, ski...

 

Air Commodore Jon Chitty RAF
Commandant Air Cadet

Who supervises them?

A Squadron will be run by RAFVR(T) Officers, ATC Adult Warrant Officers (AWOs), and Civilian Instructors (CIs).

Are the cadets safe?

Safety is paramount, and the cadets are well supervised by suitably qualified staff in any activities where there are potential hazards. As you would expect, with activities such as shooting, cadets have to undergo training, and demonstrate sufficient understanding and competence before they are allowed to handle live ammunition.

You can also be assured that all staff within the ACO, whether uniformed or not, are subject to in depth Police and Security checks prior to joining a Squadron or taking part in Corps activities.

Parental Consent

Parents/Guardians are expected to give their consent to allow cadets under the age of 18 to participate in Flying and shooting and will therefore be given the necessary documentation by the squadron in the initial recruitment process.

Specific events may also involve additional parental consent forms as appropriate eg Rock-Climbing. 

Parental Support

We are happy to welcome personal visits by potential cadets (ideally accompanied by a parent or guardian) during one of our parade nights. We recruit throughout the year although some squadrons have specific entry dates. Just come along with your son or daughter and see what you think - there is no obligation to join - or particular requirements for parental involvement.

We will be able to discuss what we do, show you a video of Air Cadet activities and answer any queries you may have. Please also see a further item below regarding opportunities for getting involved more.

Cost of membership

All cadets are expected to pay subscriptions, currently £12 per quarter. Uniform is issued free and cadets are expected to return all kit on completion of service.

Many activities such as Gliding, Flying and Shooting are free. Where cadets are asked to pay towards a camp or activity, the cost is minimal, covering basic expenses such as transport costs and basic messing. Assistance can be given to many air cadet activities and no cadet should ever be denied participation in an event due to funding.

Are there constraints on who can join?

The only hard constraints are in terms of age of joining; the ATC is open to all from the age of 13 to 20.

There are NO minimum standards such as physical fitness or ability. You may also be interested to know that there are a fair number of cadets within the ACO with disabilities, and this generally is not a problem unless it prevents them undertaking a significant proportion of activities, or is likely to put either them or other cadets in danger.

What Commitment is required?

Cadets are expected to take an active part in the Squadron activities and should ideally attend both parades per week, but once a week is acceptable if constrained by school work and other commitments.

Can I talk to the Squadron staff?

Our staff are always available at any time during a parade evening and the CO is happy to be contacted at any time if you have a query.

How can I help?

We are always actively seeking staff and members for the running of the squadron and also with our Civilian Committee which is responsible for the finance and upkeep of our squadron - a similar role to that of school governors. We therefore welcome all offers of help, either informal or for more formal commitment in joining us and running the squadron.

Supporting staff get the opportunity to participate in a large range of stimulating and rewarding activities. More information is available on the ACO official web site.

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