HISTORY        RANKS       STRUCTURE        UNIFORM

In 1938 Air Commodore JA Chamier, at that time the Secretary-General of the Air League, formed the Air Defence Cadet Corps.  His idea was to attract and train young men who had an interest in aviation, from all over the country.  He planned to set up Squadrons in as many towns and cities as possible, and ask local people to organise and run them.  Young men rushed to join this new organisation in their thousands in an attempt to help their nation in preparation for war.

Each squadron's aim was to prepare cadets for joining the RAF or the Fleet Air Arm and they tried to give the cadets as much service and aviation background as possible, as well as giving instruction in drill, discipline, how to wear the uniform and how to behave on RAF stations.  Cadets were also encouraged to take part in activities such as shooting, camping and of course flying.

At the beginning of the 2nd World War the government received many good reports as to the quality of cadet entering the RAF and the Fleet Air Arm and was so impressed that it asked the ADCC to begin training young men who were waiting to be called into service.

Towards the end of 1940 the government realised the true value of the work done by the ADCC and agreed to take over it's control, so on Feb 5^th 1941, the Air Training Corps was officially established, with King George VI  kindly agreeing to be the Air Commodore in Chief. 

The response to the new Air Training Corps was spectacular and within one month the size of the old ADCC had virtually doubled to more than 400 Squadrons.  Within a year it was about 8 times as big.

In August 1941 the ATC motto of "Venture Adventure" was devised by Air Commodore Chamier and incorporated into the badge.

In 1943 an ATC Flight of 10 aircraft was set up for the purpose of giving Air Experience Flights to cadets.  These 10 aircraft were Oxfords and Dominies and were used to give cadets flying experience.  The Corps also allowed cadets to go flying in RAF aircraft on normal service flying and introduced a scheme of Overseas Flights to places like India and Egypt.  As well as the ATC Flight the Corps' association with gliding began to grow and a fleet of some 350 Kirkby Cadet gliders spread between 84 Elementary Gliding Schools.

With the end of the war the government announced that the Air Training Corps would be retained and would become a part of the recently formed Reserve Command.  This helped the Corps enormously, as now it was actually a part of the RAF, rather than just an orginisation with close links to the RAF.

At this time a Royal Warrant setting out the Corps aims was established: which, after a few minor alterations over the years, are still

To promote and encourage among young people a practical interest in aviation and the Royal Air Force.

To provide training which will be useful in the Services and civilian life.

To foster the spirit of adventure and develop qualities of leadership and good citizenship

On the death of King George VI, HRH Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh became Air Commodore in Chief of the Air Training Corps and on 5th February 1962, the 21st Anniversary of the Corps, he presented the Corps with it's first banner.  This banner can now been seen on display in the Central Church of the RAF, St Clement Danes in London.

Since this time the strength of the Corps has settled around 30,000 cadet members and this number was supplemented in 1980 when girls were finally admitted into the Corps on a trial basis.  Girls were fully integrated into the Corps in 1982 and wore the same uniform and underwent the same training as the boys.  They were to take part in all ATC activities and have the same opportunities for flying and gliding.

In 2003, changes in the structure of the Air Training Corps meant that cadets over the age of 18 years of age were classified as 'probationary staff members' and were ranked as Instructor Sergeants (and above).  In this same restructuring the posts of Adult Sergeant and Adult Flight Sergeant were created to allow a 'career' progression path for Adult NCOs, who previously were appointed to Adult Warrant Officer with no prospect of promotion.

Over 60 years since Air Commodore Chamier gave the Corps 3 years to prove itself, the ATC is now strong and active.  It has changed considerably from those early days, of training for entry into the RAF, but it is still aimed at capturing the imagination and enthusiasm for aviation among the young people of the country.  The Corps will, through it's range of many activities, continue to produce a setting for the youth of the UK to show it's finest qualities.

Quick Facts

The predecessor of the ATC was the Air Defence Cadet Corps.

Air Commodore JA Chamier is known as the 'father of the air cadet movement'

When the ADCC was founded, the first 50 Squadrons to be formed were named FOUNDER SQUADRONS.  32F is a founder Squadron and the 1^st Scottish Squadron to be formed.  32F are officially known as 1^st Glasgow Squadron.

The Air Training Corps was formed on 5th February 1941.

  On 5^th Feb 1962 (the 21^st Anniversary of the formation of the ATC) HRH Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, presented the Corps with it's own banner for the first time.

In 1980, girls were admitted into the Corps for the first time.

In 2003, Instructor Cadets were introduced to the Corps, as well as an Adult NCO rank structure.