Recruit Training Flight

1. Recruit Training Flight Lesson 1 History of the ATC

2. Aims of the Lesson • To look at how the ATC was founded; • To explore the three Aims; • Introduce the structure; • Introduce the rank and classification structure; • Introduce the concept of Discipline and Drill

3. By the end of the Lesson: • You should know when and how the ATC was formed; • Be able to recognise the Ranks and Classifications used; • Understand the structure of the ATC; • Feel like you are part of an international cadet organisation; • State the difference between self discipline and imposed discipline.

4. Aims of the ATC • The UK Government, through the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and Royal Air Force (RAF) and various other large organisations give a lot of money each year to the ATC. • BUT... What’s in it for them?

5. Aims of the ATC • To Promote and encourage among young people a practical interest in AVIATION and the Royal Air Force • To provide training that will be useful in both civilian and military life • To foster a spirit of adventure and develop qualities of leadership and good citizenship

6. Any Questions

7. Key Dates • 1938 – Plan to form the Air Defence Cadet Corps (ADCC) • 1938 – First Squadron, 1(F) Leicester formed • 1940 – 217 Squadrons with Over 20,000 cadets • 5 February 1941 – ATC is born out of the ADCC • August 1941 – Approval of the ATC Badge, Ensign and Motto • 1943 – First AEF is born with 10 aircraft for cadet use • 1947 – New Royal Warrant issued

8. Key Dates • August 1947 – first International Air Cadet Exchange (IACE) to Canada • 1962 – 21st Anniversary. Corps Banner Presented • 1980/1982 – Girls allowed to join the Corps • 2011 - 70th Anniversary of the Corps & 150th Anniversary of the Cadet Movement

9. The Foundation • Air Training Corps, founded on 5th February 1941 as a result of the Government agreeing to take over the funding and running of the ADCC. • The Government, along with groups of local people (the Civilian Committee) would form squadrons. • The role was to train young MEN in military skills useful to the Royal Air Force • King George VI approved the badge, ensign and motto. • The first 50 Squadrons were given the privilege to have the F after their squadron number, indicating they were a Founder Squadron.

10. The ATC Badge The ATC Ensign Our Motto: “Venture, Adventure”

11. The First Aims • The ATC was originally formed with the aim of training young men for a life in the RAF or the Fleet Air Arm. • Activities included physical fitness, PT, games, athletics, road marches, cross country and shooting. • Flying and Gliding were also major parts of the corps. • Cadets were also given the opportunity to assist Regular Air Force duties, such as helping with aircraft.

12. Flying and Gliding • In 1943 the Government gave the ATC a flight of 10 aircraft for the training of cadets. • Air Cadets in the early days, like today, were also given the chance to fly in service aircraft. • By 1946 the Corps had a fleet of 350 Kirby Cadet gliders. These single seat gliders were used to train cadets in stages. • The first dual seat glider used by the corps was the Slingsby Sedburg in 1950

13. Winch Launched Gliding • In 1982 it was decided to replace the aging fleet of Winch Launched Gliders. • They were replaced by a mixture of the two seat VANGUARD, the VALIANT, which was a single seat and the JANUS. • In 1984, the current WLG the VIKING entered service with the Volunteer Gliding Squadrons.

14. Powered Gliding • In the 1970s Trials were held with the Scheib Falke 25B self launching glider. • This reduced the need for winches and saved time for cadets learning to glide as they could take off under their own power. • The Scheib Falke became the VENTURE Mk 1. • With a bigger engine, the first powered glider to enter regular service with the Corps was the VENTURE Mk 2 • This was the forerunner of today’s VIGILANT, first used in 1990

15. Air Cadets help to refuel an aircraft from Costal Command The Airspeed Oxford, used as an advanced Trainer

16. The First Gliders The Kirby Cadet Winch Launched Glider The VENTURE Mk2 SLG Glider

17. The Current Gliders The VIKING 2-seat Winch Launched Glider The VIGILANT 2-seat SLG Glider

18. Air Cadet Powered Flight The Chipmunk The Bulldog The Tutor

19. IACE • The International Air Cadet Exchange • Began in August 1947 when 2 staff and 46 cadets travelled to Canada for 3 weeks as guests of the Canadian Air League • Today, the IACE covers USA, Israel, Canada, India, Ghana, Japan, Australia, Philippians, Belgium, France, German, Hong Kong, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, South Korea, Singapore, Switzerland and Turkey • YOU could go to any of these counties on exchange!!

20. The 21st Anniversary • 21st Anniversary of the Corps was on 5th February 1962 • To mark the occasion, the Corps was presented with it’s first Banner by the Air Commodore-in-Chief, HRH The Duke of Edinburgh ATC Banner. Incorporating the ATC Badge, the Duke of Edinburgh's Cipher. The pike is topped with the Astral Crown

21. Duke of Edinburgh’s Award • The ATC first introduced the award in 1960 • The Award consists of 3 levels, Bronze, Silver and Gold • Cadets attaining Gold are presented with their certificate at a Royal Place • The ATC remains the largest provider of the DofE

22. Females Join the Corps • In 1980, the first females were allowed to join the Corps. • They initially wore the same uniform as the male cadets and too part in all the activities • Today females make up a large proportion of the ATC, with all activities open to both males and females

23. The Corps Today • The Corps today has around 45,000 members including Cadets, Civilian and Uniformed Staff • Although we do not recruit for the RAF direct, we gain access to many facilities and activities that would not be available to young people outside the corps! • The Corps now offers a range of academic and vocational qualifications to both cadets and staff! • WE ARE BIGGER THAN THE ROYAL AIR FORCE!

24. What Will the Future Hold??

25. Structure of the Corps

26. Regional / Wing Structure Regional Headquarters Commanded by Regional Commandant in the Rank of Group Captain (RAFR / RAFVR(T) Wing Headquarters Commanded by Wing Commander RAFVR(T) Wing Staff Wing Executive Officer (Squadron Leader RAFR) Wing Staff Officers (Usually Flt Lt or Sqn Ldr) Wing Warrant Officer Wing Administration Staff Regional Staff Assistant Regional Commandant Regional Warrant Officer Regional Staff Officers (Usually in the rank of Squadron Leader RAFVR(T) ) Regional Administration Staff Sector A group of a small number of squadrons, usually supervised by a Squadron Leader RAFVR(T) Squadron Usually Commanded by a Flight Lieutenant RAFVR(T) Detached Flight Controlled by a Squadron, but usually commanded by a Junior Officer (RAFVR(T))

27. Squadron Structure Squadron Commander Squadron Committee Squadron Padre Squadron Officers Squadron Warrant Officer (SWO) Non-Commissioned Officers (ATC) Civilian Instructors Senior Cadet Cadet Non-Commissioned Officers Cadets

28. The Squadron • The main unit of the ATC is the Squadron • Usually, the squadron will be commanded by a Flight Lieutenant, Commissioned in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Training Branch) • Squadrons over 120 cadets may be commanded by a Squadron Leader • The Officer Commanding (OC) will be assisted by Squadron Officers, Warrant Officer, NCOs (ATC) and Civilian Instructors

29. The Squadron • There must also be a Civilian Committee and a Padre (the military term for a religious minister) • In a “blue sky” squadron, there would be enough staff for each one to have a unique role, with Officers being in charge of most areas and NCOs being in charge of Drill and Discipline. • In reality, many staff take on more than one role and fill there roles their experience is best suited to.

30. Affiliation / Parenting • All Cadet Squadrons will have a RAF Station which they are affiliated to. • Squadrons may share a “Parent Station” with others in the Wing, Region or Corps • That station may provide: • Stores / Equipment • Transport • Health & Safety • Weapons Checks & Ammunition • Staff & Instructors

31. Roles on the Squadron Flying / Gliding Officer DofE Officer Camps/Courses Officer Radio Officer Sports Officer Can you think of any more???? • Officer Commanding • Adjutant • Training Officer • Squadron Warrant Officer • Shooting Officer • Adventure Training Officer • Projects Officer • Quartermaster • Drill Instructor • Fieldcraft Instructor

32. The Commissioned Officer • Is Commissioned in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve in the Training Branch. • Hold a Queen’s Commission • Is there to organise, instruct and look after the welfare of all cadets and staff on the squadron • Is to be Saluted • Is to be addressed as Sir or Ma’am

33. The Warrant Officer • Is appointed into the ATC • Their Warrant is signed by the Minister for Defence or the Air Commodore • Will generally be in charge of Drill and Discipline • Should scare you! • Is to be called Sir or Ma’am and referred to as Mr or Mrs/Miss/Ms • Head the Squadron NCO team

34. The Non-Commissioned Officer • Is appointed to the rank within the ATC • Is to be addressed by their Rank at all times • Is usually concerned with running activities and Drill and Discipline • Are part of the Squadron NCO team, including the Cadet NCOs

35. The Civilian Instructor • Give up their time completely free! • May go into uniform later • May have BEEN in uniform • Are there to Instruct cadets in all manner of subjects • Are Civilian members of the ATC, hence they do not wear uniform • Are to be addressed as Sir or Ma’am (like JAM) • ARE TO BE OBEYED

36. The Civilian Committee • Are made up from Local Notables and/or Cadets Parents • Are responsible for fund raising, squadron accounts and cadet welfare, together with the Padre and OC • The OC and Padre sit on the committee, but cannot vote at meetings, they are Ex-Officio • Must have at least 4 members • Are elected, including into executive positions such as Chair

37. The Civilian Committee • Squadron Chairs form the Wing Committee • The Wing Committee looks after the accounts, fundraising and welfare for the whole wing • They help squadrons with no committee • The Wing Chairs form the Regional Committee • Regional Committee looks after the Regional accounts, fundraising and welfare • Regional Chairs sit on the Air Cadet Board

38. Cadet Progression • There are two paths for a cadet to progress down. • One is the Classification system. Cadets pass exams and complete project work and first aid at each level in order to gain the next Classification. • The other is the Rank system. Cadets can be promoted based on a combination of their leadership, teamwork, dress and deportment, attendance and many other factors. • The OC will decide on promotions and in some cases demotion. • Cadet NCOs have earned their Rank, respect that!

39. Classifications Instructor Cadet Master Air Cadet Senior Cadet Leading Cadet 1st Class Cadet 2nd Class Cadet

40. Cadet Rank Structure Corporal Cpl Sergeant Sgt Flight Sergeant FS Warrant Officer CWO Staff Cadet: A Cadet who has reached their 18th Birthday

41. Duties of a CWO or Cdt NCO Organise an Event Inspect Uniforms (Sgt and above) Attend Events Take Drill Teach Lessons Assist Staff Lead Help New Cadets Communicate BE A GOOD ROLE MODEL!!

42. Staff NCO Rank Structure Sergeant Sgt (ATC) Flight Sergeant FS (ATC) Warrant Officer WO (ATC) Note: Warrant Officers are not NCOs. They are a Rank apart and hold a Warrant from the Sovereign Royal Arms – Warrant Officer who has previously served as a WO in RAF or WO1 in Navy, Army or Marines

43. Officer Rank Structure (VR(T)) Junior Officers Officer Cadet Pilot Officer Flying Officer Flight Lieutenant

44. Officer Rank Structure (VR(T)) Senior Officers Squadron Leader Wing Commander

45. Where Do We Fit In?

46. Any Questions

47. ATC Uniform • The ATC uniform is in the main issued free of charge • Cadets can exchange uniform for free if it is genuinely worn out or does not fit anymore • Cadets asking to exchange uniform they have damaged or defaced may be asked to pay for a replacement • As it is issued free, you must maintain the uniform correctly and must not alter its appearance other than by addition of approved badges

48. ATC Uniform • ATC Uniform is to be worn only for approved activities • ATC Uniform is to be returned when you leave the corps. If it is not returned, you will be liable for any costs for replacement • Uniform is NEVER to be worn once you have left the Corps • Uniform is a way of dressing, not to be confused with UNIFORMITY. You may wear your uniform in a different way to another cadet, however on a formal parade, all cadets are to be dressed the same

49. ATC Cap Badge

50. No 2 Dress (Winter) Male Female Informal Formal Informal Formal