CS Knowledge Base

Within the framework of the training programme Air Training Corps cadets have the opportunity of taking part in many activities. On most Squadrons the only compulsory activities in the ATC year are attendance at various church parades, usually ATC Sunday (to celebrate the founding of the Air Training Corps on 5 February 1941, see below) and Remembrance Sunday. Many wings also insist that attending Wing Parade is compulsory.

Squadrons usually meet or parade during the evening, twice a week. Parade nights always begin and end with a parade.^{[citation needed]} First parade is usually used as an opportunity for uniform inspection and to instruct cadets on the evening's activities, while final parade is usually used as an opportunity to inform cadets of upcoming events that they may wish (or may be required) to take part in. On some squadrons subscriptions, or 'subs,' are paid on a per-parade night basis.^{[citation needed]} On other squadrons, subs are paid monthly either in person or by automated standing order. Subs vary from squadron to squadron and are set by the civilian committee in consultation with the squadron's Officer Commanding and other staff. Each night's activities, between first and final parade, are normally structured into two sessions with a break in between.^{[citation needed]} The activities are normally pre-planned and may include lessons, drill, aviation-type activities such as aero-modelling, radio communications and map reading. Some squadrons will include physical training. Some nights are used for fieldcraft training or exercises – sometimes colloquially referred to as 'greens nights'.^{[citation needed]}

Cadets at all levels of the Air Training Corps have the opportunity to participate in the sport of rifle shooting. Since the ATC was originally a recruiting organisation for the Royal Air Force it made good sense for marksmanship to be on the training syllabus. Shooting remains one of the most popular cadet activities. Cadets have the opportunity of firing a variety of rifles on firing ranges. Cadets first train with and fire either the L144A1 Cadet Small Bore Target Rifle (CSBTR) .22 rifle or .177 air rifles. They can then progress to the L98A2GP (GP standing for Cadet General Purpose), a variant of the 5.56 mm L85A2, with the selector switch removed and locked on repetition. The 7.62 mm Parker Hale L81A2 Cadet Target Rifle is also used at long ranges for competition shooting such as ISCRM. Although safety has always been the main concern when shooting, with everything done by the book, recent years have seen the introduction of a wider range of training courses for staff involved in shooting to improve quality and safety even further. There are many competitions, from postal smallbore competitions to the yearly Cadet-Inter-Service-Skill-at-Arms meet (CISSAM or commonly pronounced "siss-amm")and the annual Inter-Service-Cadet-Rifle-Meet (ISCRM or commonly pronounced "iss-crum") at Bisley, the home of UK shooting.^{[citation needed]} There are currently four types of marksman award that a cadet can achieve, ranging from "Trained Shot", through "Marksman" and "Advanced Marksman", up to "Competition Marksman". To achieve these awards the cadet needs to undergo a special shooting "marksman" practice and then achieve a high enough qualifying score depending on the award specified.^{[citation needed]} The top 100 cadets in the ISCRM competition are awarded the prestigious "Cadet 100" marksman award, and the top 50 cadets in the CISSAM competition are awarded the equally prestigious the "Cadet 50" award.^{[citation needed]}

The Air Cadets, as a uniformed youth organization, sets itself and its members very high standards, including dress and behaviour. Drill is a vital part of encouraging teamwork. All ATC squadrons practice drill as a means of instilling discipline and teamwork and a means for Officers and NCOs to develop the ability to command and control. It is also used in formal parades and for moving around military bases and moving cadets in a smart, uniform manner. There are also drill competitions: inter-Squadron, inter-Wing, and inter-Region Exhibition drill competitions.^{[citation needed]} Air Cadet drill is taken from the RAF Drill Manual (AP818). All drill instruction should be solely conducted by a qualified Drill Instructor (DI). However, as not all units have access to a DI other WOs, SNCO (ATC) will assume this responsibility. More often than not, cadet NCOs will instruct drill within their squadron and drill competition squads must consist of only cadets, led by a cadet drill co-ordinator.^{[citation needed]}

Cadets participate in various forms of drill, some of which include:^{[citation needed]}

• Static Drill
• Basic Drill - Quick & Slow Time
• Banner Drill
• Ceremonial Parades
• Band Drill
• Rifle Drill

Drill & discipline is the responsibility of the WOs and/or NCOs on a squadron.^{[citation needed]} Once a cadet has gained a few years of experience and has attained NCO rank, the cadet will pass on knowledge and experience to other cadets, such as instructing cadets how to participate in a drill squad, taking charge of a drill squad or flight or even taking a major part in ceremonial drill such as a Standard Bearer at Remembrance Day Parades. Some Wings run Drill courses in order to improve NCO drill.^{[citation needed]}

Adventure Training is defined as:

"Challenging outdoor training for Personnel in specified adventurous activities, involving controlled exposure to risk, to develop leadership, teamwork, physical fitness, moral and physical courage, among other personal attributes and skills vital to operational capability.^[2]"

It is an important part of ATC activities and can help develop teamwork as well as leadership skills.^[3]

Within the ATC there are many opportunities to take part in adventure training, such as hillwalking, canoeing, kayaking, camouflage and concealment expeditions, hiking, and camping. All activities of this kind are supervised by appropriately qualified staff (Mountain Leader for Hill walking, British Canoe Union (BCU) instructors for canoeing and kayaking). There are also nationally run courses such as Parachuting, Basic Winter Training and Nordic Skiing to name a few. Adventure training can take place as part of regular squadron parade nights, weekend and week-long centres. There are also two national ATC adventure training camps. NACATC (National Air Cadet Adventure Training Centre) Llanbedr in Snowdonia and NACATC Windermere^[4] in the English Lake District. Here cadets stay for a week participating in various activities in adventure training. There is a wide-ranging Adventure Training syllabus in the ACO – although specifics depend upon the squadron.^{[citation needed]}

Leadership training is an important part of many squadrons' training programmes, with training available at higher levels too. Most wings run NCO courses (also run on a regional basis), designed to help newly promoted NCOs to perform their duties well, or to train those eligible for promotion, these are normally two days in length.^[8]

The Air Cadet Leadership Course is run by the Combined Cadet Force (RAF) at RAF Cranwell. Successful completion of this leads to the award of the Cadet Leadership badge.^[8]

In the Air cadets, there are four levels of leadership, Blue, Bronze, Silver and Gold (ACLC). With each stage the leadership tasks get more difficult and more knowledge is expected. Both Blue and Bronze can be taught and assessed on the squadron, and will consist of a number of lessons spread out over the syllabus. Silver is taught and assessed at wing level, having one day with multiple lessons.^{[citation needed]} Gold is taught and assessed on Corps (national) level, Gold leadership or the Air Cadet Leadership Course (ACLC) is a 10-day course, that comprises taught lessons, practical lessons and demonstrations, multiple high level Command tasks/practical leadership exercises (PTEs) Physical exercises intended to tire you and strain you (to see how you lead when your tired, worn out and under stress) two nights camping and assessments. ACLC is taught at RAFC Cranwell by leadership experts.^{[citation needed]}

Junior Leaders

Cadets over the age of 17 and of the rank of at least Cadet Corporal can complete a leadership course called Junior Leaders, abbreviated simply to, 'JL'. This course requires over a hundred hours of planning and a high degree of physical fitness.^[9] Upon completion, the cadet is awarded a maroon lanyard (which replaces the yellow Instructor Cadet lanyard on the cadet's uniform) and a green and wedgwood blue DZ Flash for wearing on the DPM or MTP uniform^[10] as well as qualifying for the ILM level 3 diploma in Team Leading.^[8][9]

The course culminates in the award of a Level 3 Certificate in Leadership & Management from the Institute of Leadership and Management.^[11][12] Some JL's once completing the course, come back to the following year's Course as a Qualified Junior Leader, (QJL).^{[citation needed]}

The course is also open to Sea Cadets and Army Cadets.^[13]

Structure

This course is run in three phases and split into 8 separate training weekends and a 10-day test phase.

Phase one covers the core skills of management, life skills, armed forces knowledge, L85 weapon handling, interview skills, social skills, public speaking, project management, elementary infantry tactics, Fitness, and teamwork.^[10] At the end of Phase One, they are tested on their knowledge on air power which they will have to study for before hand.^{[citation needed]} They will also have to complete a presentation on a pre-chosen topic and pass an L85 weapons handling test, and remain physically fit throughout the whole course.^{[citation needed]}

Phase two is where cadets develop their tactics and leadership development (TLD). During this phase Cadets have to be able to use their skills in real life fieldcraft scenarios and receive coaching by members of the Regular and Reserve Forces. The emphasis is on leadership under high pressure, within the context of combat scenarios.^[10] By the end of Phase Two, they must have also submitted the workbook for the ILM Level 3 diploma.^{[citation needed]}

Phase three consists of 10 days^[9] at a graduation camp (eight days completing a field exercise, followed by a day of R&R and then a day of awards with a graduation dinner).^[9] All participants have to have a twelve-hour period to lead a section. It is during these days that the skills and knowledge gained by the cadet over the previous months is put to the test.^[10]

Finally by the end of Phase Three, they must have raised at least £250 for the John Thornton Young Achievers Foundation (JTYAF).^{[citation needed]}

The Air Training Corps is the single largest operating authority of the Duke of Edinburgh's Award system and celebrated its 50th year of providing this opportunity to its cadets in 2006.^{[citation needed]} The Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme is a voluntary, non-competitive programme of practical, cultural and adventurous activities for young people aged 14–25.^{[citation needed]} The Award programme consists of three levels, Bronze, Silver and Gold. Each has differing criteria for entry and the level of achievement necessary to complete each award.^[14] Air Cadets who meet the age criteria can join the award scheme.^{[citation needed]}

Cadets are often encouraged to achieve the Bronze, Silver and Gold awards as they progress through their cadet careers. Some cadets aged 16 or over were formerly able to participate in the Duke of Edinburgh's Millennium Volunteers Award.^{[citation needed]} As of 2012, this has been taken over by another authority and whether cadets will be able to undertake it is under review.^{[citation needed]}

The Award is widely recognised by employers as it helps demonstrate that award holders are keen to take on new challenges, have a higher level of self-confidence than many of their peers, leadership qualities and the experience of teamwork.^{[citation needed]}

Sport plays a key part in the activities of every squadron. Seven sports are played competitively between squadrons. Cadets who show talent can be selected to represent their Wing, Region or the Corps in competitive matches; these cadets are awarded wing, regional or corps 'Blues'. The main sports played are:^{[citation needed]}

• Rugby Union
• Hockey
• Netball
• Association football
• Swimming
• Athletics
• Cross-country running
• Orienteering

Other sports are also played, sometimes in matches between squadrons, including volleyball, five-a-side football, table tennis, etc. Cadets also use various sports to take part in the physical recreation section of the Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Orienteering in the ATC only came about in 2006 where cadets from the different wings go to the cadet orienteering championships.^{[citation needed]}

Various units send two teams to the annual Nijmegen Vierdaagse Marches where on successful completion of the event they are awarded a medal.^{[citation needed]}

The Qualified Aerospace Instructors Course (QAIC) has been available since September 2008. The course is held at RAF Linton-on-Ouse, and as of 2011, also at MOD Boscombe Down (as of RAF Linton-on-Ouse's closure in December 2020, the North centre was moved to Inskip Cadet Centre as of QAIC 14). The course is held from early September to Easter of the following year, beginning with a selection weekend in early September, and seven total weekends (as of QAIC 8, prior to this there were only six training weekends) from late September until early March.^[15] QAIC aims to "deliver an aerospace course to senior cadets of the ACO that combines academic and synthetic training in aerospace based subjects combined with personal development training".^[16] The course is split into QAIC North, at RNAS Inskip (HMS Nightjar) and QAIC South at MoD Boscombe Down.^[17]

The course culminates in a 'Graduation Week' which is organised to coincide with the Easter holidays to avoid clashing with school programmes. After completing training in various modules, they carry out examinations in all modules (air traffic control, air power, flight simulators, aerodynamics, and Instructional Teaching and Presentation Skills (ITPS)); satisfactory performance in all exams results in the cadet being awarded the pale blue QAIC lanyard and flight suit badge. Upon completion of the course, graduating students are offered affiliated membership to the Royal Aeronautical Society.^[18][19]

Cadets who pass the course are known as Qualified Aerospace Instructors (QAIs), and wear a light blue lanyard over their left shoulder.^{[citation needed]}

An extensive range of communication training is offered where appropriately skilled instructors and equipment are available. This can range from hand-held radio operating procedures to long-distance HF radio and networked digital communication, and even encompasses publishing online.^{[citation needed]}

The Basic 'blue' Radio Certificate is the first step, followed by the Full Radio Operator 'bronze' Certificate. These qualifications have been part of the curriculum since 2000. Cadets are then encouraged to pursue this training further across a range of mediums and technologies. Once a sufficiently broad spectrum of skills have been mastered and validated by the Wing Radio Communications Officer the cadet is awarded the Air Cadet Communicator Certificate and the Communicator Badge, which is worn on the brassard.^{[citation needed]} Communication training provides valuable practical lessons in information handling and management, develops interpersonal skills and meets one of the Corps' prime objectives: 'providing training useful in both civilian and military life'.^{[citation needed]}

A very extensive and interesting curriculum of Cyber Security Courses is available to Cadets. In joint award with the Blue Radio Operator, 'blue' Cyber Security is also awarded.^{[citation needed]}

The Cyber Security Courses can range from basic Anti-Virus protection to large scale hacking programmes. Most Cyber Courses take place on the Squadron HQ however the more advanced courses take place at the No.2 Radio School situated in RAF Cosford.^{[citation needed]}

Cadets often volunteer to help at various national and local events. For their services, a small payment is usually offered to their squadron's funds. Typical examples of such work include car parking duties at events and delivering copies of Gateway Magazine to RAF married quarters.^{[citation needed]}

The largest example of cadets involved in volunteer work is at the Royal International Air Tattoo, an annual air display held at RAF Fairford. Each year several hundred air cadets volunteer to stay on the base in temporary accommodation. During the course of the event they help with duties such as selling programmes, crowd control and clearing litter.^{[citation needed]}

Members of squadron bands may be entitled to wear specific band badges, subject to passing the appropriate assessment as per ACP 1812.^{[citation needed]}

• A Drummer's badge is a blue, bronze, silver or gold drum, displayed in the middle of the brassard.^{[citation needed]}
• A Piper's badge depicts a blue, bronze, silver or gold set of pipes, again displayed in the middle of the brassard.^{[citation needed]}
• A Buglers badge depicts two blue, bronze, silver or gold crossed trumpets, displayed in the middle of the brassard.^{[citation needed]}
• A Bandsman's badge, is a blue, bronze, silver or gold bell lyre, displayed in the middle of the brassard. It is given to any other bandsmember that doesn't play drums, bagpipes or bugle.^{[citation needed]}

The Pipe Major's badge, composed of four inverted chevrons surmounted by a bagpipes is not permitted to be worn at any level. However, the standard Royal Air Force Blue Drum Major rank slides, consisting of four inverted chevrons surmounted by a drum, may be worn by Drum Major's when acting as such.^{[citation needed]}

Air Training Corps squadrons each have a chance annually to win the two most prized trophies in the corps. The Sir Alan Lees trophy is awarded by the commandant Air Training Corps to the squadron with the best statistics and overall impression when inspected. The Morris Trophy is awarded to one of the six regional candidates upon inspection by the commandant.^[22]

The Foster Trophy is awarded to the cadet who has achieved the highest academic results in the entire corps over their time in the Air Training Corps, after finishing the cadet syllabus that leads to a BTEC Level 2 Certificate in Aviation Studies. In addition, there are also trophies presented annually by the Royal Air Forces Association (RAFA). These trophies include the 'Sir Douglas Bader Wings Appeal Trophy' for the ATC squadron collecting the most money on a per capita basis, the squadron achieving second place is awarded the 'Sir Augustus Walker Trophy'. The 'Sir Robert Saundby Trophy' is awarded for collecting the highest net Wings Appeal amount.^[33]

The Quinton Memorial Trophy is a national award presented annually to the adult non-commissioned officer (NCO) who has gained the top academic results in the senior non-commissioned officer (SNCO) initial courses held at the Air Cadet Adult Training Facility, Royal Air Force College Cranwell (RAFC). This trophy is named in honour of Flight Lieutenant John Quinton.^[a][34]

Cadets can also qualify for various other BTEC awards through the training that is carried out at their squadrons. There are many additional courses and awards that can be gained.^{[citation needed]} The recognised qualifications are:

• BTEC Level 2 Diploma in Aviation Studies for Air Cadets - equivalent to 4 GCSE A-C grade (administered by Headquarters Air Cadets).
• BTEC Level 2 Extended Certificate in Aviation Studies for Air Cadets - equivalent to 2 GCSE A-C grade (administered by Headquarters Air Cadets)
• BTEC First Diploma in Public Services - equivalent to 4 GCSEs A-C grades (administered by the Cadet Vocational College).
• BTEC First Diploma in Music - equivalent to 4 GCSEs A-C grades (administered by Cadet Vocational College).
• BTEC Certificate in Aviation Studies - equivalent to 2 GCSEs A-C grades (administered by Headquarters Air Cadets)
• ILM Certificate in Team Leading - Level 2 (administered by Cadet Vocational College).