Uniform

When you join the Squadron you will be issued with all the uniform you need absolutely free. The only items you may have to purchase yourself are shoes and boots, but often these are available at a minimal charge. Your uniform should be cared for and should be worn on every parade night. The trousers should have a single crease down the front and back of each leg, and shoes should be polished. If you grow out of your uniform it will be replaced free of charge.

Badges

There are various badges that will see cadets wearing. Generally these either relate to Classification of the Cadet, or Rank. These can be viewed as independent aspects, with the former reflecting progress on the training structure, and the latter denoting responsibility and promotion.

Cadet Classification

1st Class Cadet

The first step up the Training Structure is to become a 1st Class Cadet, which is recognised through the badge shown on the right, following success in the associated examination. To be eligible to sit the First Class Cadet examination cadets must be enrolled and must have completed the syllabus for the subjects.

Leading Cadet

To be eligible to sit the Leading Cadet examinations, a cadet must have been appointed as a First Class Cadet and then have completed the appropriate Leading Cadet syllabus training including at least 25 hours of project work.

Senior Cadet

To be eligible to sit the Senior Cadet examinations, a cadet must have been appointed as a Leading Cadet and have completed the appropriate Senior Cadet syllabus training including a further 25 hours (or more) of project work.

Staff Cadet

To be eligible to sit either Part 1 or Part 2 of the Staff Cadet examination, cadets must have:

1. Been appointed as a Senior Cadet.
2. Reached the age of at least 15 years 6 months.
3. Completed at least 2 years enrolled service.
4. Attended at least one Corps annual camp.
5. Completed the Staff Cadet syllabus including approved citizenship training and a further 25 hours (or more) of project training.
6. Completed the First Class Shot Test within the last 12 months.

Cadet Rank

Corporal

Your initial promotion takes you to the first level of being an NCO (Non Commissioned Officer), which is the rank of Corporal, denoted by the badge shown on the right. 

Sergeant

The next rank up is Sergeant, denoted by three stripes.

Flight Sergeant

The next higher rank is Flight Sergeant, with the stripes topped by a crown.

Cadet Warrant Officer

The highest cadet rank is Cadet Warrant Officer, which is denoted by this distinctive crest.

As well as these Classification and Rank badges, there are also a number of others available for sporting achievements, shooting, completing leadership courses, music, flying, gliding, D of E and communications. All of these are worn with the appropriate piece of uniform to show what you have achieved within the ATC. Examples on the right are the D of E (Gold) and the ATC Marksman.

Getting a shine on those shoes!

Have you ever wondered some cadets have such a shiny toe cap when in uniform?

To produce a good shine on a shoe or boot takes effort and patience.

1. First take a shoe cap you are cleaning and spread a thick layer of black polish (not liquid polish) over it. Let the polish dry (about 4 to 6 minutes).
2. Dip a soft, clean cloth in water (but not dripping) and wrap around your index finger. (The wet cloth stops the fine coats of polish sticking to the cloth and encourages the polish to stick to the leather.)
3. With a small circular motion, buff the dried polish with the wet cloth until a shine starts to develop.
4. Still using the damp cloth on your finger, apply a thin layer of polish in a circular motion and keep on rubbing lightly until you get a hazy shine.
5. Make sure the cloth remains damp and build up a shine with other thin layers of polish applied in circles with light pressure.
6. Keep building up thin layers of polish until you have a completely smooth surface with a glossy shine.
7. When you are satisfied with the shine on the toe cap, a final polish with a clean, dry, soft cloth, will give you shoes or boots to parade in.

Rank Flowchart

The flowchart below shows the progression through the ranks and associated age constraints.

Getting a good crease on those trousers!

The traditional method of getting a good crease on your trousers is to use starch and a hot iron, however this can damage the material and make the trousers itchy. A steam iron is often just as effective, or, if available, the latest and most successful method is simply to run a set of hair straighteners down the crease

The Grob Tutor

This is the aircraft which is used to train Cadets. It is strong, maneuverable, and perhaps most importantly has a fantastic safety record. This aircraft is capable of performing aerobatics and can provide a thrilling flying experience

Gliders

We fly the Vigilant motor glider (above) from Little Rissington airfield near Bourton-on-the-Water. It is able to take off under its own power, and then the engine is idled to turn it into a glider. It is a fantastic aircraft to fly in as there is good all round visibility from the cockpit and it handles beautifully

We also fly another type of glider called the Viking. This is a conventional glider launched by a winch, and is flown by us from Hullavington airfield, just off the M4. There is an article written by one of the cadets that describes this in greater detail.

Standing Instructions

Like every military unit, we have a set of Standing Instructions. These are the basic rules which must be followed whilst on the squadron. They deal with aspects such as uniform standards, behaviour, fire regulations, and parade times. The full version is available on the squadron notice board.

Publications

Click here to access the latest Air Cadet publications. These cover the various training topics such as History of Flight, Communications, Air Navigation etc that you will be learning. You should note that some of these files are quite large, and also that HQ ACO requests that you do NOT maintain local copies of these files, but instead refer to these on-line entries on their site, so that you do not inadvertently refer to obsolete versions.

Glossary of Terms

This section defines various terms, abbreviations and acronyms that you may encounter.

Ranks

Appointments

Appointments

Other terms

Click here to see a further Aviation Glossary on the RAF website