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The Air Training Corps (ATC), commonly known as the Air Cadets, is a cadet organisation based in the United Kingdom. It is a voluntary youth group which is part of the Air Cadet Organisation (ACO) and the Royal Air Force (RAF). It is supported by the Ministry of Defence, with a regular RAF Officer, currently Air Commodore Dawn McCafferty, serving as Commandant Air Cadets (Cmdt AC). The cadets and the majority of staff are civilians and, although a number of its members do go on to join the RAF or other services, the ATC is not set up as a recruiting organisation.

The ATC has around 35,000 cadets, aged between 13 to 20 years, within 1009 Squadrons. Its cadets are supported by a network of around 10,000 volunteer staff and around 5,000 civilian committee members.

Aims and motto
The Aims of the Air Training Corps as set out in the Royal Warrant and approved by HM the Queen are:
 * To promote and encourage among young men and women a practical interest in aviation and the Royal Air Force.
 * To provide training which will be useful both in the Services and in civilian life.
 * To foster the spirit of adventure and to develop the qualities of leadership.

The Air Training Corps motto is "Venture Adventure".

HRH The Duke of Edinburgh has served as honorary Air Commodore-in-Chief since 1953.

"Father of the air cadet movement"
Air Commodore Sir John Chamier is affectionately known as the father of the air cadet movement. He was the son of a Major General and joined the army himself as a regular officer. After service attached to the Indian Army, he joined the Royal Flying Corps (the forerunner of the Royal Air Force) where he served as a pilot in World War I.

He transferred to the Royal Air Force in 1918 and eventually retired from the service in 1929. His love of aviation and his tremendous capacity for hard work was such that, following his retirement, he became the Secretary-General of the Air League - an organisation made up of people who could see a bright future for aviation and who wanted to make the British public aware of its potential.

Against a background of rising interest in aviation and with the clouds of war beginning to form over Europe, Air Commodore Chamier thought of the idea of starting an aviation cadet corps. He knew that in the 1914–1918 war, in desperate moments, hand picked young men with only a few hours of training were sent to do combat in the air - only to fall victim to well trained enemy aviators. He knew also that the winning of air power would need the services of many highly skilled and highly trained men using the best equipment and that the sooner such training could be started the better.

Air Defence Cadet Corps
The Air Defence Cadet Corps (ADCC) was set up in 1938 by Air Commodore Chamier.

Its purpose was to train young men in various aviation related skills. These skills were eventually destined to be used by RAF and Fleet Air Arm.

The corps was extremely popular with thousands joining up all eager to help Britain prepare for World War II.

In 1941, in order to provide the means of giving part-time air training to young men destined for the Royal Air Force, the ADCC was formally established as the Air Training Corps by Royal Warrant. The ATC still continues today training young people in all types of life skills.

The Air Training Corps is Established
In 1941 the government realized the true value of the work done by the ADCC and agreed to take over its control. This meant a number of changes to the corps, and in fact brought about the birth of a completely new organization, called the Air Training Corps. So on 5 February 1941 the Air Training Corps (ATC) was officially established, with King George VI agreeing to be the Air Commodore-in-Chief, and issuing a Royal Warrant setting out the Corps' aims.

The number of young men responding to this new ATC was spectacular. Within the first month the size of the old ADCC had virtually doubled to more than 400 squadrons and after 12 months it was about 8 times as big. The new ATC badge was designed and, once approved by the King, it was published in August 1941. The motto ' Venture Adventure ', devised by Air Commodore Chamier, was adopted by the ATC and incorporated into the badge.

The new ATC squadrons adapted their training programmes to prepare young men for entry to the RAF. Squadrons arranged visits to RAF and Fleet Air Arm stations as part of the cadets' training and to let them fly as much as possible. Everybody wanted to fly but, with so few flights available, many cadets were disappointed. One solution designed to get cadets airborne was to introduce them to gliding. This would give cadets a chance to get the feel of an aircraft in flight and allow them to handle the controls. This obviously could not happen overnight. It would be many years before this dream could be realized.

Admittance of females to the Air Training Corps
Prior to the 1980s females were unable to join the ATC, although they were able to join an attached unit (if there was one at that location) of the Girls Venture Corps (GVC) which had been formed in the early years of the Second World War, the GVCAC still exists (nowadays at separate sites) although in greatly reduced numbers due to competition from the ATC.

Organisation
Within the Corps there are four levels of command. From top, down, they are: Corps, Region, Wing and Squadron. The Squadrons are the focal point for the majority of members of the Corps.

National level
The ATC is the largest part of the Air Cadet Organisation (ACO), along with the RAF sections of the Combined Cadet Force. It is divided geographically into six regions (each commanded by an RAFR Group Captain), each of which are sub-divided into wings. There are currently 36 wings, most named after the one or two counties that they operate in. Wings are further sub-divided into squadrons.

Headquarters Air Cadets (HQAC), based at RAF Cranwell, controls the organization; and there are subordinate HQs at Region and Wing levels staffed by officers of the RAF Reserve and civil servants. A regular RAF Air Commodore serves as Commandant Air Cadets. The Current Commandant Air Cadets is Air Commodore Dawn McCafferty. The Chief of Staff is a retired Group Captain in the RAF Reserves. The current Chief of Staff is Group Captain John Lawlor.

The ACO forms one of the seven functional areas of No 22 (Training) Group Royal Air Force, which is responsible for the recruitment and selection of all RAF personnel and for the policy and delivery of RAF non-operational training (including Flying Training). No 22 Group is led by the Air Officer Commanding No 22 Group RAF.

Two Air Cadet National Adventure Training Centres are controlled by HQAC - at Llanbedr, Gwynedd, Wales and Windermere, Cumbria, England. These provide a range of adventure training courses and accommodation for squadron and wing expeditions. HQAC also controls 28 Volunteer Gliding Squadrons around the UK, through the Air Cadet Central Gliding School at RAF Syerston, and 12 Air Experience Flights.

Structure
The Air Training Corps is formed of six Regions across the United Kingdom and each of these Regions are made up of five or six Wings.

Regions

 * Central & East Region
 * London & South East Region
 * North Region
 * Scotland & Northern Ireland Region
 * South West Region
 * Wales & West Region

Squadrons
The first 50 squadrons formed have their squadron numbers followed by an F to show they are "founder" squadrons. Only 30 are still in existence, as the other 20 have disbanded over time. XIX Crawley Squadron regained their number after the original Squadron was disbanded, but were not allowed the F so instead requested and were allowed to be the only Squadron to use Roman numerals.

In towns not large enough to sustain a squadron of 30 cadets, or as a supplement to an existing squadron in a larger town or city, a Detached Flight may be formed. This operates much like any other unit, but is technically a component part of a nearby larger squadron. There are 39 Detached Flights currently. They have their squadron numbers followed by the letters "DF" to show they are a detached flight. A full list of current ATC units can be found on the Air Cadet Organisation website (see external links).

Cadets
From the age of 13, and subject to successfully completing lessons in a number of subjects, Junior Cadets can be enrolled as a First Class Cadet. Cadets can stay in the corps up until age 20. Prior to mid May 2007 they must have reached the rank of Cadet Sergeant by age 18 to be eligible to remain in the Corps after this age (the requirement to have reached a specific rank by age 18 was revoked in mid-late May 2007 after the policy had been in place for some 3½ years. Cadets not of the rank of Cadet Sergeant must, however, apply for an extension if they wish to stay beyond their eighteenth birthday). Those who stay on beyond 18 are known as Staff Cadets. All cadets over the age of 18 must complete a duty of care course within 6 months of their 18th birthday.

Cadet NCOs
As Cadets become more experienced, and if suitable, they can be promoted by their Squadron's Commanding Officer (CO) to the status of Cadet NCOs. Promotion to the ranks of Corporal, Sergeant and Flight Sergeant is at the discretion of the Commanding Officer. They (or a representative) will make a decision based on merit and leadership potential - many squadrons have formal selection procedures including interviews, whilst others select by observing potential during normal training. Promotion to Cadet Warrant Officer is decided by a panel at Wing level. Prospective candidates will be a Flight Sergeant, preferably holding the Master Cadet classification and will be required to attend an interview with the Wing Commander or their representative. Cadets who reached the rank of Cadet Warrant Officer were formerly allowed to remain an Air Cadet until they were 22 years old, however all cadets must now leave by age 20.

The NCO ranks within the ATC mirror those of the RAF's non technical/flying trades and are, in ascending order of seniority:

Staff (previously Instructor) Cadets
All cadets who are over the age of 18, must complete a "BASIC" (Basic Adult Staff Induction Course) or "Duty of Care" course and have the prefix "Staff Cadet" before their rank. These Cadets wear a rank slide with the words 'STAFF CADET' embroidered below their rank insignia (or on plain slides for those of cadet rank). A staff cadet has extra responsibilities over under-18 year olds which include a duty of care to the younger Cadets and NCOs. Staff Cadets are required to attend training to aid them in their transition from 'child' to 'adult'.

Cadet classifications
Not all cadets who join the ATC can expect to receive promotion. However, all cadets can progress through the training system and, by passing exams, achieve different classifications. The classification levels are Junior Cadet, Second Class Cadet (this is automatically achieved on enrollment), First Class Cadet, Leading Cadet, Senior Cadet, Master Air Cadet and Instructor cadet. For each of these qualifications cadets study a variety of subjects. An overview of the required standards is shown below, some units may also add further criteria such as first aid qualifications before allowing a cadet to complete all of the exams.

These subjects are studied using tuition from the instructors, and/or self-study from Air Cadet Publications or ('ACPs'). Each successive qualification generally allows a cadet greater participation. For example, cadets must be First Class before they can take part in some activities such as UK annual camps, while Leading Cadets can participate in overseas activities. Cadets who have achieved the Master Air Cadet classification have completed their academic training and can attain a BTEC Award in Aviation Studies. Subsequent (and optional) successful completion of the Cadet Methods of Instruction Course entitles the cadet to wear a yellow lanyard over the left shoulder and take on instructional roles. These cadets are known as Instructor Cadets.

Adult staff
The staff who run the ATC at unit level come in 3 types: commissioned officers, senior NCOs and civilian instructors (CIs). All uniformed staff must attend training courses run by the RAF at the ATC Adult Training Facility, RAF Cranwell (ATF), usually within a year of appointment, with further courses as they progress up the rank structure.

*Ex-regular WO, or (formerly) granted to other ATC WOs for long service, and may still be found as such.

Officers
Officers are commissioned into the Training Branch of the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve - the RAFVR(T). Unless an officer has previous service, he or she is commissioned as a substantive Pilot Officer, termed Officer Cadet until the Officers Initial Course (OIC) at RAF Cranwell is completed. Unlike RAF Officer Cadets at the RAF College or RAFVR Officer Cadets of the University Air Squadron, RAFVR(T) Officer Cadets are, in fact, commissioned and as such are entitled to proper paid compliments. In coming years this is likely to change and the non-commissioned Officer Cadet RAFVR(T) rank will be introduced, bringing the RAFVR(T) in line with the RAF and RAFVR. Promotion to Flying Officer normally occurs after two years. Former regular commissioned officers usually start at Flying Officer, subject to certain conditions. After 9 years commissioned service, or upon becoming Officer Commanding of a squadron and completing an Officers' Senior Course (OSC), the rank of Flight Lieutenant (acting paid) is bestowed - Squadron Commanders who have yet to complete OSC may hold the rank of Flight Lieutenant (acting unpaid). Squadrons are usually commanded by Flight Lieutenants, who are also found as Wing and Regional staff officers along with Squadron Leaders and Wing Commanders. Particularly large squadrons are sometimes commanded by Squadron Leaders (usually when the squadron has 100 or more cadets).

NCOs and WOs
Adults may also be appointed as senior NCOs, these being ranks within the ATC meaning that they are not part of the RAF. Adult NCOs/WOs are uniformed in the same way as their RAF counterparts with two exceptions: a small gilt ATC badge is worn on the rank badge and Warrant Officers wear a different rank badge (unless they have previous regular or active reserves warranted service). Until recently, the ranks of adult NCOs/WOs were Adult Sergeant, Adult Flight Sergeant and Adult Warrant Officer (abbreviated to A/Sgt. A/FSgt, AWO), however this has been changed since it was not deemed necessary to point out that these NCOs were adults. The ranks of Adult NCOs/WOs are now: These are abbreviated to Sgt (ATC), FSgt (ATC) and WO (ATC) respectively.
 * Sergeant (ATC)
 * Flight Sergeant (ATC)
 * Warrant Officer (ATC)

Civilian Instructors and Chaplains
Civilian Instructors, known as CIs, play an important role in training cadets. These are non-uniformed members of the squadron staff who are neither commissioned officers, nor appointed as Senior NCOs. CIs are nonetheless important, and undertake many of the same duties as their uniformed counterparts. Unlike Adult NCOs and Officers, CIs should not wear uniform and do not form part of the chain of command in the squadron.

Similarly, ATC Chaplains are usually civilian members of the local clergy (although forces chaplains may join as Service Instructors). Civilian Chaplains also do not normally wear uniform, and are generally addressed as 'Padre' by all ranks.

ATC Chaplains hold an Honorary position on the Squadron, and thus, unlike their regular military counterparts, are not commissioned officers.

Service Instructors
Members of the full time Armed Forces often assist at ATC Squadrons in the role of Service Instructor – they engage in instructional duties which are often related to their serving role. Service Instructors wear the uniform of their parent unit and are addressed appropriately.

Civilian committee
For each level of command there is an associated Civilian Committee (Civ Comm). Both Squadrons and Wings have a civ comm. The Wing Committee is drawn from squadron civ comm members and there is an annual AGM at Squadron/Wing level. The Regional Chairman, elected (for 3 years) by the Wing Chairmen in a region, sits on the Air Cadet Council.

The job of the civilian committee is to manage the financial resources of the squadron/wing, and to support the squadron/wing commander (The Officer Commanding or OC). The uniformed officers and instructor staff in the ATC have no financial responsibilities, but they need finance to manage and provide cadet activities e.g. annual and overseas camps, and adventure training.

There are a minimum of 5 members to any Civ Com, and at the annual general meeting a chairman, treasurer and secretary must be elected. The OC and Chaplain are ex-officio members of the Civ Comm and there is usually someone to take minutes. The Civ Com is responsible for overseeing the initial unit formation and direction, and cadet welfare matters. The primary function is to manage the squadron/wing's finances (in particular fund raising).

The ATC is a charitable organisation. The Royal Air Force provides funds for a few of the key activities such as flying and glider pilot training. These finances are known as 'public funds'. The great range of other activities offered by the ATC, however, are financed from 'non-public fund', which is financed by way of fundraising at a local level.

Events undertaken by cadets in order to fundraise often include:
 * Cadets packing bags for money at the local supermarket;
 * General 'spare change' collections at local events.
 * Marshalling duties at public events

Squadrons and ATC Wings are generally "charities excepted from registration" Charities Act 2006 section 3A. This means they enjoy all of the legal benefits of a registered charity without the burden of registration.

Activities
Activities undertaken by cadets in the ATC include:
 * Flying
 * Air Experience Flights
 * Gliding
 * Marksmanship (Shooting)
 * Drill
 * Adventure Training
 * Climbing
 * Fieldcraft
 * First Aid
 * Communications
 * Leadership Training
 * ACO Cadet Leadership
 * Land Command Leadership Course (Nesscliffe)
 * Cadet Leadership Course (CTC Frimley Park)
 * Junior Leaders
 * Aerospace Development
 * Qualified Aerospace Instructors
 * Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme
 * Sports
 * Rugby Union
 * Hockey
 * Netball
 * Association Football
 * Swimming
 * Athletics
 * Cross-country running
 * Orienteering
 * Music

Trophies
ATC 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 to the Squadron with the best statistics and overall impression when inspected. The Morris Trophy is Awarded from the 6 regional candidates upon inspection by the Commandant.

Additionally cadets are open to achieving trophies such as the Foster and Currall Trophies. The Foster Trophy being awarded to the cadet who has achieved the highest academic results in the entire Corps over his/her time in the ATC, after finishing the cadet syllabus that leads to achieving a Btec in Aviation.

In addition to the trophies mentioned above there are also trophies presented annually by the Royal Air Forces Association. 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.

The Quinton Memorial Trophy is a prestigious national award, presented annually to the adult Non-Commissioned Officer who has gained the top academic results on the Senior Non-Commissioned Officer Initial Courses held at the Air Cadet Adult Training Facility, Royal Air Force College, Cranwell.

The trophy is named in honour of Flight Lieutenant John Alan Quinton, an RAF navigator on a Wellington aircraft, which was flying an air cadet on an Air Experience Flight in 1951. During the flight, the aircraft was involved in a mid-air collision and Flight Lieutenant Quinton gave the only parachute within reach to the cadet pushing him out of the aircraft. His quick and heroic actions saved the life of the cadet but cost him his own.

Such an act of heroism and humanity ranks with the very highest traditions of the Royal Air Force and for his courageous and selfless action, Flight Lieutenant John Alan Quinton was awarded the George Cross.

Annual camps
The ATC runs numerous Annual camps each year, run on RAF Stations so that cadets may get a taste of service life. Annual camps are organised at Wing level with place for all squadrons, so that every cadet who wishes to take part and who has achieved at least the First Class qualification may attend. Cadets usually stay in RAF barrack blocks and eat in the station's mess facilities. The itinerary is always packed with typical ATC activities such as air experience flying, shooting, adventure training and, of course, drill. Cadets will also have the opportunity to visit various sections of the station and meet the people who work there.

Overseas camps
For older and more experienced cadets who have achieved the Leading Cadet qualification and attended a UK Annual Camp, the corps also offers overseas camps. These are more expensive than UK camps, as the cost of flights has to be paid for, and are generally more relaxed and seen as a reward for hard working and long serving cadets. Since the end of the Cold War, and the closure of RAF stations in Germany, the number of overseas camp opportunities has decreased. As of 2007 the destinations for overseas camps are:


 * RAF Akrotiri on Cyprus. A 10 day camp over the Easter school holiday period and at select other times of the year.
 * RAF Gibraltar in Gibraltar.
 * JHQ Rheindahlen in Germany.
 * USAF Ramstein in Germany. A camp at the base during the summer.
 * International Four Days Marches in Nijmegen, The Netherlands, annually in July, where cadets complete a 165 km walk over 4 days.

Work Experience camps
Another - newly introduced - option for more senior cadets are Work Experience Camps - whilst annual camps aim to give cadets a general taste of service life, the Work Experience Camps cater to cadets who are interested in a specific trade, such as the RAF Regiment or RAF Police.

Other camps
Cadets may also have the opportunity to attend other sorts of annual camp, such as a locally (i.e. wing or squadron) organised camp - often based around adventure training or fieldcraft, or as guests on a camp run by one of the other cadet forces such as the Army Cadet Force or Sea Cadet Corps. There is also the Music camps for band members.

Uniform
All cadets are issued with a uniform similar to that worn by the RAF, with the standard uniform consisting of a dark blue shirt and brassard, grey trousers (male cadets) or skirt/slacks (female cadets), blue-grey jumper (when required) and a dark blue beret. Black shoes are provided by the cadet.

Cadets are also issued with a light blue shirt and tie for formal occasions, and are usually either issued with or privately acquire a DPM (camouflage) uniform. Cadets may wear other specialist uniforms, such as flight suits, when required.

Branding
Advertising material such as leaflets and official websites brand the Air Training Corps and Combined Cadet Force together as The Air Cadet Organisation (or ACO). The members of the ACO have also come to be known as the Royal Air Force Air Cadets.