Uniformed

What is the Air Training Corps?
The Air Cadets is a National Youth Organisation sponsored by the Royal Air Force. It is open to young people between the ages of 13 and 18.

Training Programme
Marksmanship involves learning the normal safety precautions, gaining knowledge in good positioning and breathing and general target practice and competitions. Cadets learn basic foot drill, parade drill and inspection procedures. As cadets move through the ranks they will move on to drill instruction. Both marksmanship and drill helps to instil self-discipline and good conduct among the cadets.

Citizenship training can take the form of instruction and practice in public speaking and debating, visits to and talks by local bodies e.g. Police, Ambulance, Mountain Rescue, and organised assistance to the local community e.g. car parking at local events and fund-raising.

Most people think ‘flying’ means going on holiday. They can never take control of an aircraft themselves. Cadets can do that on their first flight. When gliding, they will also get the opportunity to take control and once they are 16 they can apply for a gliding course and attempt to gain their solo wings.
 

Classifications
All cadets have a classification and these are awarded for academic achievement in RAF/Aviation related subjects. When a cadet joins the Squadron they become a Second Class Cadet, thereafter they achieve First Class Cadet, Leading Cadet, Senior Cadet and Staff Cadet classifications by passing exams.

The subjects covered include Airmanship, Map Reading, Principles of Flight, Propulsion, Aircraft Handling, Expedition Training, The RAF and the Rifle.

Ranks
Promotion has to be earned, and is not an academic award. Although every cadet can attain each of the four classifications, only a limited number will ever be promoted and very few will reach the highest ranks. Cadets who show a level of maturity, responsibility and common sense, higher than their comrades, and who are good attendees, will be considered for promotion.

There are four ranks that can be attained and from Cadet, they can achieve Cadet Corporal, Cadet Sergeant, Cadet Flight Sergeant and Cadet Warrant Officer.

Adventure Training covers anything outdoors and adventurous. It might be climbing Ben Nevis, hiking across Sutherland, skiing in Bavaria, canoeing on Loch Calder, parachuting in Weston-on-the-Green or mountain biking around Speyside. It is great fun, very popular with the cadets and good for developing teamwork and leadership skills.  There are lots of sporting activities to get involved in. Football and rugby for the boys, netball and hockey for the girls, cross country running, athletics and swimming. Talented cadets can end up representing Scotland & Northern Ireland against the rest of the UK.

Cdt Michael Norburn practices for the long jump

Other activities include annual camps on RAF Stations in the UK and overseas, the International Air Cadet Exchange scheme, the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme and Leadership Training.