1. THE AIR TRAINING CORPS ORGANISATION

2. The Squadron This is the basic unit that makes up the ATC – and the point at which you will have joined the Corps, is the Squadron. 2 Types- Open Squadrons Formed within the local community with a membership open to any young person approved by the Squadron Commander. The majority of Squadrons are Open Squadrons. School Squadrons Formed within a School with a membership restricted to either past or present pupils. Most School Squadrons nowadays have relaxed rules and opened their membership to any young person from the local area.

3. The Squadron is run by: - RAF Volunteer Reserve (Training) Officers. ATC Warrant Officers (WO ATC). ATC SGT’s & FLT SGT’s (SNCO’s ATC). Civilian Instructors (CI). Some Squadrons control Detached Flights – these are units who have not enough cadets to make a full Squadron.

4. The Civilian Committee Each Squadron Commander has a Civilian Committee to help organise and run the Squadron. The Committee is made up of 5 or more local people who meet regularly and look after a number of things, including: Raising Funds for the Squadron. Controlling the Squadrons Finances. Obtaining & Administrating Squadron Accommodation. Helping with Cadet Welfare problems. These people do a great deal of work on behalf of the cadets and will often turn to you for help where required. Chaplains Some Squadrons have Chaplains – these people meet cadets and join in with the Training Programme where required.

5. Classification & Rank You enter your squadron as a Second Class Cadet and you will follow the Basic Training syllabus which when complete you will have become a First Class Cadet and receive the badge on the right to sew onto your brassard. This training is designed to give you the skills and knowledge you will need before attending RAF Stations and joining in the activities of the Squadron.

6. First Class Badge Leading Cadet Badge Senior Cadet Badge Staff Cadet Lanyard

7. Cadet Ranks Every CWO & NCO in the Corps is expected to: Bear an appropriate share of the responsibility for the morale, discipline and control of all cadets junior to him & her. Show pride in the Corps and take an active interest in its good name and efficiency. Be smart in appearance and set a high standard of personal behaviour.

8. CPL – CORPORAL. JNCO – Junior Non-commissioned Officer SGT - SERGEANT. SNCO – Senior Non-commissioned Officer FLT SGT - FLIGHT SERGEANT. SNCO – Senior Non-commissioned Officer CWO – CADET WARRANT OFFICER. SNCO – Senior Non-commissioned Officer Instructor Cadets will have a normal rank slide with Instructor Cadet written below it. This applies to NCO/CWO aged 18+

9. Adult Staff Ranks Adult Sergeant SGT (ATC) SNCO Adult Flight Sergeant FLT SGT (ATC) SNCO RAF Cap Badge Worn (Metal) Warrant Officer WO (ATC) SNCO Warrant Officer WO (ATC) SNCO Ex. Service Equivalent Only RAF WO Cap Badge Worn (Metal)

10. Officer Ranks ATC Officers can be easily identified by the VRT badge worn on the rank slides :ATC Officers can be easily identified by the VRT badge worn on the rank slides : Pilot Officer Flying Officer Flight Lieutenant Squadron Leader Wing Commander RAF Officers Cap Badge

11. Higher Ranks (RAF) Group Captain Air Vice Marshall Air Chief Marshall Air Commodore Air Marshall Marshall of the Royal Air Force

12. Compliments Ensure that you: Call an Officer Sir or Ma’am (pronounced Jam). Call WO ATC & CI’s Sir or Ma’am. Call Flt Sgt ATC & Sgt ATC Flight Sergeant or Sergeant. Call Cadet NCO’s by their appropriate titles eg, Cpl,Sgt etc. Also note that you should always stand to Attention whilst speaking to your superiors & salute Officers at ALL times when you are wearing your Beret.

13. Wing & Wing Committee Squadrons that are located into a certain geographical area are controlled by a Wing – this is run by a Wing Commander and his Staff. (Wing Staff Officers). Regions & Regional Councils The whole of the UK is divided into 6 Regions, each Region being controlled by a Group Captain who is a retired RAF Officer. He has Regional Staff working for him & a Regional Council for support.

14. HQAC (Headquarters Air Cadets ) All 6 Regions are controlled by a regular RAF Air Commodore and his staff who are based at RAF College Cranwell in Lincolnshire. He is called the Commandant of the ATC and is responsible to the AOC and Commandant of RAFC Cranwell for the command, administration, discipline and training of all ATC Units in the UK. For matters connected with the well being and encouragement of the ATC, the Air Force Board is advised by the Air Cadet Council.

15. Air Commodore-in- Chief Air Force Board of The Defence Council AC Council Chaplains Committee Air Cadet Council RAF PTC Command HQAC 6 Regional Headquarters Wing Headquarters Squadrons Detached Flights Corps Chaplain Regional Chaplains Regional Councils Wing ChaplainsWing Committees Squadron Chaplains Squadron Committees ATC Structure

16. Who Pays for the ATC? The money that is available for the ATC comes from 2 sources: Ministry of Defence (MOD) – this is called Public Money. Cadets Subscriptions & Fund raising – this is called Non Public Money. Public Money: Training. Flying & Gliding. Uniforms. Shooting. Accommodation. Squadron Administration.

17. Non Public Money: The General Purpose fund. Controlled by the Air Cadet Council for use with sport & welfare for Corps/Region. The Regional Fund. Used for Adventure Training Equipment for the Region. The Wing Fund. Used for Sporting events & prizes/medals etc in the Wing. The Squadron Fund. Controlled by the Squadron Commander and used to support: Duke of Edinburgh Award. Specialist Training Equipment. Sporting Activities. General Cadet Welfare.

18. Dress & Discipline The Royal Air Force is justly proud of its achievements and traditions. Its members reflect that pride in their behavior, appearance and dress - above all, a willingness to obey orders instantly and without question. These qualities are necessary in any civilised community, providing a code of behavior for all to follow. They are particularly necessary in a military service where efficiency and swift reactions are vital. Discipline has loosely been described as “organized good manners”, and although this is by no means a complete definition, it certainly covers a large part of the subject. In a highly technical service like the Royal Air Force, a high degree of self-discipline is required, and it is this which is fostered in the Air Training Corps. Self discipline is the ability to display responsible and sensible behavior without supervision or the fear of punishment. The Royal Air Force, the parent Service of the ATC, looks at each cadet to uphold its good name.

19. What is Uniform? The ATC uniform is a way of dressing, decided by those in authority and approved by HM The Queen. Because it is “uniform” -the same for all -deviations from or additions to, the approved pattern are forbidden. Nor is any ornament, emblem or badge to be worn unless officially authorised. Ornamental chains, tie pins and trinkets, if worn, are not to be visible.

20. Members of the Air Training Corps are normally to wear uniform while on duty. In the main, this means when: Attending, or traveling to or from, an authorised meeting or parade. Sometimes exceptions to this rule will have to be made according to the type of activity, security considerations, or local circumstances. Do not worry if this sounds confusing -adult staff will always give you clear guidance.

21. Cadets in uniform are seen much more often in the public than regular members of the Royal Air Force. They will realize, therefore, that it is essential that they behave well, wear the uniform exactly in accordance with the regulations, and so uphold the good name of the Corps and the Royal Air Force. At all times the uniform is to be: Clean, Complete and Properly pressed.

22. Saluting The manner in which Salutes are given and returned has long been recognised as a reliable indication of the Morale & loyalty of a unit. Cadets should understand that in saluting an officer they are: Recognising a person in authority who holds the Queens Commission. Giving an outward sign of their loyalty to the Queen. Expect a Salute in return as acknowledgement of the compliment paid to Her Majesty. Cadets should salute when: You are in uniform and wearing Head dress (Beret/Peak cap). When an Officer enters the room – stand to the position of Attention. When you enter an Officers room. If in a group, the most Senior cadet will salute only If you are not in Head dress – stand to attention and give the Officer Eyes Right/Left. A vehicle has a flag on it with Stars – Senior Officer cars on RAF Stations – do not salute it if it is empty. ALWAYS PAY COMPLIMENTS! If your hands are full, stand to attention and give eyes right/left.