Personnel


Squadron Staff	NCOs	Cadets

The cadets are the most important members of 32F Squadron, and the Corps - without the cadets there would be no 32F Squadron and no Air Training Corps.

At 32F Squadron, we aim to keep cadets occupied with exciting activities and events as often as we can in order that they can gain the responsibility to look after themselves and other younger and more junior cadets.

New Recruits in 32F Squadron start off by completing a short 2-stage training course, during which time they can decide whether they like being an Air Cadet, or not

The 1st stage of this training course teaches the basics of cadet life - a bit about aircraft, the history of the Air Cadets, who the various people in the Squadron are and also a bit of the first steps in marching and formation drill.

At this stage the new recruits become 2nd class cadets and are able to take part in most activities available to Air Cadets. They will also be issued with their free (YES!!...FREE) uniform.

The second stage looks at maintenance of their uniform, basic training for expeditions, first aid, the history of the RAF, safety in and around the range and a bit more advanced stuff in formation drill.

New recruits should complete our training course in around 8 weeks and after this time they will be enrolled officially into the Squadron, becoming First Class Cadets, which will allow them to take part in absolutely everything that the ATC has to offer.

Most of the activities in the Squadron are geared up for the cadets, from flying and gliding, sports, weekend camps, annual camps at RAF stations, parachuting and hang-gliding courses, competitions against other squadrons and whatever else you can think of.

Cadets in 32F Squadron will belong to one of two flights - 'A' Flight or 'B' Flight and get involved in inter-flight competitions such as sports and target shooting for the honour of their flight winning the monthly inter flight trophy.

Normally selected for promotion from cadets who have been in the Squadron for a couple of years (although it has been known to promote more junior cadets). NCOs have shown that they like doing what they do, attend the Squadron all the time, that they can handle a bit more responsibility, can look after the more junior cadets and can act as instructors both at the Squadron and when away at camps.

NCOs at 32F are promoted both on merit and what they can offer the Squadron - so it should not be seen as simply being a reward for past efforts, but an indication that the Squadron staff think that you have the potential to do so much more in the future.

NCOs have a very responsible position within the Squadron and although still cadets themselves they should have the ability to use their initiative, act responsibly and still make sure that they and others can have a good time.

NCOs over the age of 18 years are classified as 'probationary staff members' and are ranked as Instructor Cadets (eg Instructor Sergeant or Instructor Flight Sergeant)

Members of staff in 32F, and in the Air Training Corps as a whole, are all vetted, by the RAF's security services (the Defence Vetting Agency) and also the Criminal Records Bureau, to ensure their suitability to work with young people and because of these stringent checks the appointment of new staff members can sometimes take quite a long time, while clearance is obtained

However, without them the Air Cadet organisation and 32F simply could not function. From all the administration of events such as flying and gliding, weekend camps, visits to RAF stations, adventure training and sports to simply making sure that cadets can get to the right place to take part in an event, means that the role of a staff member in the ATC can be an arduous one and take up quite a bit of your spare (?) time.

Officers in the organisation are commissioned into the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Training Branch - RAF VR(T) - and undergo training at RAF Cranwell where all the RAF's regular officers are selected and trained.

To become an officer in the RAF VR(T) you must first convince your Squadron Commander and Wing Staff Officer that you are a suitable candidate. Having done this you need to be interviewed by a selection board chaired by the Wing Commander at Wing Headquarters and then, if recommended by Wing, go forward to a second interview by a Regional selection board, chaired by the Regional Commandant - usually a Group Captain.

On approval from this board and following the administrative process you will be appointed as a Pilot Officer in the RAF VR(T).

Officers normally deal with administrative and management issues within the Corps as well as the normal instruction and training of cadets.

Adult NCOs are vitally important uniformed members of the Air Training Corps. The Adult NCO undergoes training at the Air Cadet Training Centre at RAF Cranwell.

Becoming an Adult NCO follows a similar process to that of an officer except that there is no second interview process at Regional Headquarters. In this instance the interview board at Wing Headquarters have the final say on recommending an Adult NCO for appointment. The initial appointment is normally in the rank of Adult Sergeant

Adult NCOs normally deal with drill and discipline type duties issues within the Squadron as well as the normal instruction and training of cadets. Adult NCOs can progress from Adult Sergeant, to Adult Flight Sergeant to, ultimately Adult Warrant Officer - with a further training course at RAF Cranwell required before appointment as AWO.

Do not wear uniform, but are still recognised as valuable members of the staff team.

Civilian Instructors are selected by the Squadron Commander, in order to help out with the training and instruction of cadets within the Squadron. CI courses are available, and tend to be organised by Wing Headquarters and regional Headquarters, however 32F and many other Squadrons have their own training programmes for staff members