Adult Recruitment

Squadron staff are drawn from all walks of life and all backgrounds. They have a wide range of skills, of interests, of military or cadet experience — but all have in common the development and welfare of young cadets. 1921 is always keen to hear from potential adult staff — and there is a reward for you too: share in the satisfaction of helping the next generation to grow, and build your own leadership portfolio at the same time. Work with the cadets of today, and shape your own skill development and qualifications.

Each Squadron or Unit is led by Commissioned Officers from the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Training Branch). They are supported by Adult Warrant Officers (and other Adult NCOs), who take responsibility for drill and discipline on a Squadron. Civilian Instructors help to run the Squadron, and often play a hands on role in instruction and running of the day to day life of the Squadron.

In addition to the staff working on parade with the Squadron, there are also opportunities for those who wish to help in a support role. Each Squadron must have a Civilian Committee, who take responsibility for the overall management of the Sqn, and assist the Officer Commanding as they see fit.

All adult staff are volunteers. They join a Squadron initially after consultation with the Officer Commanding, and submit to Ministry of Defence security checks and Criminal Records Bureau clearances. At first, adults interested in a direct role (i.e. not Civilian Committee) will serve as Civilian Instructors, before applying to other forms of position with the Air Cadets if they want to. Prospective members of the Civilian Committee are invited to contact the Officer Commanding or Chair of the Civilian Committee to find out more.

Commissioned Officers:

Adults have the opportunity to take the Queen’s Commission in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Training Branch). This is a non-combatant role, and does not tie members of staff in to being called up by the Royal Air Force. Officers undergo interviews before a Commissioning Board to determine their suitability for command, and then play a key role in the running of a Squadron. Squadron Commanders and members of Wing Staff are generally all commissioned officers in the RAF VR (T).

Non-Commissioned Officers:

For those who wish to take up a Non-Commissioned appointment, staff places within the Air Training Corps are available. Adult Warrant Officers are the highest ranking NCOs on a Squadron, and generally take responsibility for drill, discipline and armaments. They serve as the Commanding Officer’s second in command, and often will have previous military or cadet experience.

Other adult ranks are available for interested members of staff, who can be appointed as Adult Sergeants, and later promoted to Adult Flight Sergeants. These NCOs assist in the running of the Squadron, and help provide a positive example of uniform, dress and discipline to the cadets.

Civilian Instructors:

Not all staff have an interest in wearing a uniform and becoming part of the Air Cadet Organisation’s military hierarchy. For many of these adults, serving on a Squadron as a Civilian Instructor is both rewarding and ideally suited to their lifestyle. Civilian Instructors bring a wealth of experience in different sectors to a cadet Squadron — some bring experience of the military or cadet forces with them, others bring management and leadership skills from their employment, while others bring sports or hobby skills to the Squadron. Whatever your interest, the Squadron will welcome you as a Civilian Instructor.

Squadron Civilian Committee:

The Air Training Corps is structured in such a way that as well as the military influence there is an allied civilian structure. In fact the Civilian Committees are the backbone of the Corps and determine the running of the ATC from Squadron level through to representation on the Air Defence Council. Each ATC Squadron has a Civilian Committee, made up of parents and friends of the Squadron. Their role is to ensure the Squadron maintains direction, assisting the Commanding Officer and raising funds for Squadron activities or materials.

Committees meet to their own timetable, usually once per quarter, under the direction of a Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer. Most Squadron Civilian Committees will be very pleased to accept offers of extra help — even if you cannot commit to regular or long term assistance.

This page updated Sep. 6, 2010