What is the Air Training Corps?

The Air Training Corps is a national voluntary youth organisation sponsored by the Royal Air Force. Cadets can join any time from their 13th birthday to their 18th birthday and stay until they are 20. Activities undertaken include flying (both powered and in the organisation's own fleet of both conventional and self-launching gliders), sport, adventurous training, drill, academic training in military and aviation related subjects, fieldcraft, leadership and citizenship training and, of course, having fun. The highlight of the year is annual camp, where cadets spend a week on an active RAF station experiencing RAF life for themselves.

Whilst the Air Training Corps is not a recruiting organisation for the Royal Air Force, many cadets have an interest in a military career and a large proportion of the RAF's intake of pilots are ex-cadets. We do not, however, require that an individual have any particular intent to persue a career in the armed forces.

The corps has a very strong equal opportunities policy and all teenagers are eligible to join and fully participate, irrespective of gender, race, religion, disability or indeed anything else.

Staff

A squadron is run by a selection of staff. Typically there will be several officers, each of whom will hold a commission in the Training Branch of the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. There will also be a Warrant Officer, appointed by Headquarters Air Cadets down at Royal Air Force College Cranwell, a number of Civilian Instructors - non-uniformed volunteers who assist with the training of the cadets, a squadron padre and a civilian committee. The role of the committee is to look after the financial aspects of running the squadron, from collecting subscriptions to organising fund-raising events.

All our staff are volunteers and do not get paid for running the squadron.

Ranks and Classifications

All cadets hold a rank and a classification - obviously, every cadet has to start at the bottom and work up! The cadet rank structure mimics that of the Royal Air Force NCO rank structure and promotion from Cadet to Corporal and beyond is decided on merit.

Classifications are based on the training the cadets undertake in the academic subjects. The first and most important hurdle to pass is the First Class test. Once a cadet has completed the entire academic programme, they will have earned the classification of Staff Cadet and will usually then assist with the training of the younger cadets.

More information can be found on the Official Air Cadets Website