Air
Cadets - A Cadet's View
Hello and a very warm welcome to the Air Training Corps. an organisation whose aims are to promote and encourage among young people a practical interest in aviation and the Royal Air Force, to provide training which will be useful both in service and civilian life and to foster the spirit of adventure and develop the qualities of leadership and good citizenship.
You can join a local Squadron of like minded young people and their adult staff and you will, over the years, be able to take part in all the activities they offer and become an integral part the Squadron. What you get out of the Air Cadets is directly related to what you put in. More effort - more results.
When
you first start there is a short time of settling in. This is where we
see if you like us and we like you. It is where we see if you will
settle into the Squadron and that you really want to be a part of it.
Some young people leave within the first few weeks - that’s fine - if it’s
not for you then all you have to do is tell the staff. 
We
hope you will stay and in a few weeks be issued with your uniform. The
uniform (except shoes) is issued on loan to you free of charge. It is
expensive so please look after it and remember that if and when you leave it
must be returned to the Squadron. 
Many
Squadrons run an intensive introductory programme for new starters designed
to give you the basic training in a shorter time. Such things as
uniform upkeep, drill and deportment, safety, weapon handling, basic
adventure training, airmanship and our rules and regulations could all be
covered. Remember, that although we are a youth organisation we do
have connections to the Royal Air Force, indeed they pay for your uniform,
your Squadron building and the flying you will be doing shortly as well as
other things. We expect cadets to be smart and tidy and to wear their
uniform with pride. We expect good manners and good behaviour as well
as loyalty to your Squadron and the Corps. If you do not feel that you
can do these things then you should not join. These are qualities which will
stand you in good stead in later life. 
Some
cadets, maybe not much older than you, will have been promoted to become Non
Commissioned Officers — Corporals, Sergeants, Flight Sergeants or Cadet
Warrant Officers. They have earned their authority. One day you may become
an NCO so please treat them with respect and carry out any instructions from
them. It’s how it is and it works well.
Although
we are connected with the Royal Air Force you are under no liability to join
the Services. Many of our cadets do go on to join not only the RAF but the
Army or the Navy. Others go on to join the Police or go onto University and
into many careers. All will have found their training and experiences in the
Air Cadets an advantage.
There
is a structured training programme of aviation subjects on the Squadron
which leads to classifications and even the BTEC in Aviation Studies. But
it’s not all academic. There is sport, shooting, flying, adventure training,
the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme, leadership training, the International
Air Cadet Exchange Scheme, Junior Leaders Course and more.
Flying
in powered aircraft or gliders is an experience many young people can only
dream of. You can do it for real. Opportunities exist in sport not only on
your own Squadron but to represent your Wing, the Region or even the Corps.
Can you imagine the pride of wearing your Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award on
your shoulder patch? It commands respect because it has to be earned. You
will be even more proud when you receive the award at one of the Royal
Palaces. You may be selected for the International Air Cadet Exchange and
visit one of 11 countries such as India, America, Canada. Many courses are
available to you and there are opportunities to visit RAF Stations and
weekly camps. You should be convinced by now.
