User:RocketJock/Australian Air Force Cadets

Introduction
The Australian Air Force Cadets (AAFC) is a government sponsored youth organisation aimed at providing young adults with exposure to a wide variety of adventurous activities within a military context.

The Aims of the AAFC are to:
 * give cadets a foundation of RAAF knowledge and discipline;
 * develop the qualities of leadership, self-reliance and initiative;
 * develop character and good citizenship in the widest sense;
 * develop and interest in the Royal Australian Air Force and aviation generally;
 * instil a knowledge of aviation history; and
 * encourage cadets to continue an active interest in aviation into their adult life. (POLMAN, Ch2)

Overall administration
The AAFC is supported by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and is administered through Director of Reserves – Air Force (DRES-AF), subject to the orders and directions of Chief of Air Force (CAF). Command of the AAFC lies internally with Commander–AAFC (CDR-AAFC), who is a uniformed member of the AAFC.

The AAFC is governed by the Cadet Forces Regulations (CFR) and the Australian Air Force Policy Manual (POLMAN). CDR-AAFC exercises command of the AAFC through the issuing of Routine Instructions (RIs), which contain amendments and additions to current policy to serve as an interim record between revisions of the POLMAN.

Training philosophies, syllabi and other operational policies are detailed in additional AAFC manuals.

National
NATHQ & structure Support Wings

Regional
WGHQ & structure Support Flights

Local
SQNs & structure

Parade nights
Each Squadron parades once per week during the school term. During a typical parade night a cadet experiences:
 * opening parade - a formal military start to the evening, where attendance is marked and uniforms are inspected;
 * home training - lessons where instruction is provided in the subjects that make up each stage of training (as detailed in the Manual of Cadet Training);
 * canteen/break - most units will set aside a time for a break and chance for cadets to socialise informally. Often units run a canteen, the profits from which help fund future activities and projects;
 * final parade - a formal military end to the evening, essentially a muster parade where attendace is rechecked and final announcements are made regarding upcoming events.

Attendance at weekly parade nights is the only compulsory aspect of cadet membership. It is expected that cadets attend ~75% of parade nights and that prior notification is provided for periods of non-attendance.

Shooting
Cadets have access to shooting either privately sourced bolt action .22LRs or the ADF in-service rifle, the F88 Austeyr. All cadets must complete firearms safety training and demonstrate satisfactory safety skills in the practical test before they are permitted to participate in rifle shooting activities.

22LR shooting takes place as either Squadron-organised activites servicing the members of that unit or Wing-organised activites with places available for cadets from that region. Cadets shoot at ranges owned local gun clubs, at Defence establishments or locations administered by other government services external to the ADF (eg correctional facilities). 22LR range days are controlled by appropriately qualified adult AAFC members.

F88 shooting takes place at Defence establishments and the activities are controlled by members of the ADF. Cadets attending F88 shoots must also meet the requirements of a specialised F88 safety course.

Cadets that have developed good marksmanship skills have the opportunity to represent their Squadron at the annual Wing Competitions.

Service Dress
The Service Dress (SD) uniform is supplied at public expense for wear by AAFC adult staff and cadets. It is dual-purpose, it can be worn as both a ceremonial and every day work uniform depending on the accoutrements worn with the uniform.

The SD uniform is based on the RAAF uniform of the same name, differing only with the addition of AAFC-specific badging. SD consists of:
 * trousers, Air Force Blue;
 * shirt, blue/grey (either long or short sleeve);
 * tie, Air Force Blue (only worn with long sleeve shirt or v-neck jumper);
 * belt, Air Force Blue with chrome buckle;
 * shoes, black patent leather or plain black leather (although cadets often wear black boots);
 * socks, black;
 * rank slides, Air Force Blue (with ‘AAFC’ stripe at bottom);
 * headdress:
 * hat furfelt, khaki;
 * cap SD, Air Force Blue (adults staff and senior cadets only);
 * cap garrison, Air Force Blue.
 * jumper, Air Force Blue (optional);
 * namebar, gold with crest (optional, worn above wearer’s right pocket flap);
 * qualification badging (as entitled);
 * ribbons/medals (as entitled, medals for ceremonial wear only).

[example picture]

Work Dress
The Disruptive Pattern Camouflage Uniform (DPCU) is supplied at public expense for wear by AAFC adult staff and cadets. It is worn when working environment and activity dictates (ie fieldcraft activities/camps, rifle shooting, any other occasion where SD is likely to be soiled).

The DPCU uniform is based on the ADF camouflage uniform of the same name, differing only with the addition of AAFC-specific badging. DPCU is made from AUSCAM patterned material and consists of:
 * trousers, DPCU (bloused over boots);
 * smock, DPCU (worn untucked);
 * boots, black or brown (as issued);
 * rank slides, DPCU;
 * headdress:
 * hat furfelt, khaki;
 * hat utility, DPCU (boonie-style).
 * ‘Air Force Cadet’ tape, DPCU (worn above wearer’s left pocket flap);
 * ‘Air Force Cadet’ patch (worn on upper left sleeve);
 * name tape, DPCU (optional, worn above wearer’s right pocket flap);
 * shirt utility, DPCU (optional, worn under smock);
 * jumper, DPCU (optional).

[example picture]

Tropical Dress
Supplied as alternative to SD for tropical regions Available as opt-in for adult staff in areas outside tropics at member’s own expense

Mess Dress
The Mess Dress (MD) uniform is available for wear by entitled members of the AAFC at their own expense. Cadets of (or above) the rank of Cadet Sergeant and adult staff of (or above) the rank of Sergeant (AAFC) are entitled to wear MD at service balls, dinners and dining-in nights. Those who do not opt for MD are entitled to wear ceremonial SD.

The MD uniform is based on the RAAF uniform of the same name. It comes in winter and summer variations. Summer MD consists of a white jacket. Winter MD consists of an Air Force Blue jacket for officers; for other ranks the white jacket is worn (ie no change from summer MD). MD consists of:
 * jacket, Air Force Blue or white (as dictated by season and entitlement);
 * shirt, marcella, long sleeve, turn-down collar (worn with cufflinks and studs);
 * trousers, Air Force Blue;
 * bowtie, black;
 * cummerbund, Air Force Blue (unit specific motifs worn on reverse as tradition);
 * shoes, black patent leather;
 * socks, black;
 * rank boards, MD with gold lace braid (with ‘AAFC’ stripe at bottom);
 * qualification badging (as entitled);
 * medals, miniatures (as entitled).

[example picture]