The Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Training Branch), often abbreviated to RAFVR(T), was a Volunteer Reserve element of the
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force (RAF) is the United Kingdom's air and space force. It was formed towards the end of the First World War on 1 April 1918, becoming the first independent air force in the world, by regrouping the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) and ...
specifically appointed in a cadet training role within the
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Members of the RAFVR(T) had no call-up liability and often operated part-time with the
Air Experience Flight
An Air Experience Flight (AEF) is a training unit of the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Training Branch) whose main purpose is to give introductory flying experience to cadets from the Air Training Corps and the Combined Cadet Force. As of 20 ...
s and
Volunteer Gliding Squadrons
Volunteer Gliding Squadrons (VGSs) are Royal Air Force (UK) Flying Training units, operating military Viking T1 conventional gliders to train cadets from the Royal Air Force Air Cadets.
Since 2014, the squadrons operate under No. 2 Flying Trai ...
, which provide flight experience for the
Royal Air Force Air Cadets
The Royal Air Force Air Cadets (RAFAC) is a volunteer-military youth organisation sponsored by the Royal Air Force that manages both the Air Training Corps and RAF Sections of the Combined Cadet Force. The organisation is headed by a former ser ...
.
In December 2017, the Air Force Board determined that RAFVR(T) ranks as part of the Royal Air Force Air Cadets would be removed. This was to make way for the introduction within all MOD-sponsored cadet forces of the Cadet Forces Commission (CFC), which was introduced in 2017 and restated in 2018.
Recruitment and selection
Initial selection
The majority of the pilots who staff the Air Experience Flights (AEF) are former regular service aircrew (RAF, Army or RN), some of them at Air rank serving as supernumerary Flying Officers RAFVR(T); adding much to the wealth and professional experience of the Air Cadet organisation. A few commercial and airline pilots are selected by recommendation. Those with previous military service are not required to undergo selection at the
Officer and Aircrew Selection Centre
The Royal Air Force Officer and Aircrew Selection Centre, at Adastral Hall, RAF Cranwell, Lincolnshire, is the centre through which every potential RAF officer must go to be selected for Initial Officer Training (IOT) and through which potenti ...
(OASC).
Unlike the formal process for regular service, selection is based upon relevant experience and the arm in which the candidate initially wants to serve. This interview is usually chaired by the OC Wing who holds the rank of
Wing Commander
Wing commander (Wg Cdr in the RAF, the IAF, and the PAF, WGCDR in the RNZAF and RAAF, formerly sometimes W/C in all services) is a senior commissioned rank in the British Royal Air Force and air forces of many countries which have historical ...
in the RAF Air Cadets. Others present at the filter interview may include the Wing Executive Officer who is nowadays a civil servant that may also hold the rank of
Squadron Leader
Squadron leader (Sqn Ldr in the RAF ; SQNLDR in the RAAF and RNZAF; formerly sometimes S/L in all services) is a commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many countries which have historical British influence. It is also ...
Air Cadets, and one or more Wing Staff Officers in the rank of
Squadron Leader
Squadron leader (Sqn Ldr in the RAF ; SQNLDR in the RAAF and RNZAF; formerly sometimes S/L in all services) is a commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many countries which have historical British influence. It is also ...
/
Flight Lieutenant
Flight lieutenant is a junior commissioned rank in air forces that use the Royal Air Force (RAF) system of ranks, especially in Commonwealth countries. It has a NATO rank code of OF-2. Flight lieutenant is abbreviated as Flt Lt in the India ...
Air Cadets.
Assessment
The OASC assessment lasts for two days and consists of the following assessments. However, the OASC conducted by RAFVR(T) and RAFAC applicants is shorter, focusing on elements of the Air Cadet Organisation.
# Group Discussion: Candidates will be assessed on their participation in a group discussion covering a number of contemporary issues.
# Group Planning Exercise: Candidates will be assessed on their contribution to a classroom based group planning exercise requiring them to solve a theoretical scenario-based problem.
# Hangar Familiarisation: Candidates will be given an unassessed introduction to the OASC hangar where they will complete a series of physical leadership tasks.
# Leaderless Exercise: Candidates will be assessed on their contribution to a practical exercise as a group in the OASC hangar, without a nominated leader.
# Command Situation Exercise: Each candidate will be given the opportunity to lead the other members of their syndicate in tackling a practical exercise in the OASC hangar. Candidates will be assessed as both leaders and team members.
# Individual Planning Exercise: Candidates will be assessed in a classroom-based individual planning exercise requiring them to solve a theoretical scenario-based problem as individuals.
# Interview: Candidates will be interviewed individually by a board of senior officers, including a senior member of the ACO. This will determine their motivation, suitability and understanding of the ACO and its parent service.
Officer Cadets
Candidates who passed the OASC boarding process were appointed as Officer Cadets in the Air Cadets. Candidates joining a
Combined Cadet Force
The Combined Cadet Force (CCF) is a youth organisation in the United Kingdom, sponsored by the Ministry of Defence (MOD), which operates in schools, and normally includes Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force sections. Its aim is to "provide a ...
unit were recommended by the relevant headmaster and Section Commander to Headquarters Air Cadets before being interviewed by the Regional TEST
Squadron Leader
Squadron leader (Sqn Ldr in the RAF ; SQNLDR in the RAAF and RNZAF; formerly sometimes S/L in all services) is a commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many countries which have historical British influence. It is also ...
serving in the RAFR. Since October 2007, all candidates that passed their relative selection process were appointed as Officer Cadets until successful completion of the Officers' Initial Course (OIC) at
RAF Cranwell
Royal Air Force Cranwell or more simply RAF Cranwell is a Royal Air Force station in Lincolnshire, England, close to the village of Cranwell, near Sleaford. Among other functions, it is home to the Royal Air Force College (RAFC), which trai ...
.
As an Officer Cadet Air Cadets, they wore a completely white rank slide with gilt VRT insignia in the centre. This was accompanied by standard officers' headdress (complete with white band whilst at ATF). Following completion of their OIC, a newly appointed Pilot Officer Air Cadets would then receive their rank slide. Since Air Cadets officers would generally be responsible for running either a CCF(RAF) section or an Air Training Corps squadron/detached flight, successful applicants were required to demonstrate qualities of commitment, motivation, and some knowledge of the RAF and military/civil aviation, all underpinned by a willingness and aptitude to work with young people in an instructional environment. Many had educational or youth work experience and qualifications in specialist areas of outward bound youth work.
Other members of the Air Cadets served as flying instructors on the
Volunteer Gliding Squadrons
Volunteer Gliding Squadrons (VGSs) are Royal Air Force (UK) Flying Training units, operating military Viking T1 conventional gliders to train cadets from the Royal Air Force Air Cadets.
Since 2014, the squadrons operate under No. 2 Flying Trai ...
or as pilots on Air Experience Flights; the latter were in most cases former military pilots who have left the regular service and were commissioned into the RAFVR(T) on appointment to the AEF.
Uniform
Air Cadets members wear
the same uniform as
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force (RAF) is the United Kingdom's air and space force. It was formed towards the end of the First World War on 1 April 1918, becoming the first independent air force in the world, by regrouping the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) and ...
commissioned Officers
An officer is a person who holds a position of authority as a member of an armed force or uniformed service.
Broadly speaking, "officer" means a commissioned officer, a non-commissioned officer, or a warrant officer. However, absent context ...
, with the exception that gilt "AIR CADETS" insignia is worn on the lapels of formal dress uniforms, and gilt "Air Cadets" insignia on top of the rank braid on the epaulettes and tabs of working dress uniforms and combat uniforms. Air Cadets Officers are required to still wear gilt Air Cadets badges on top of rank braid when wearing No.2 dress uniform (or other working dress) at all times (excepting those in the CCF who are not permitted under Joint Service Regulations (JSP 313) to wear metal titles on combat uniform). However, when there is a FOD (
Foreign object debris
In aviation and aerospace, foreign object debris (FOD), is any particle or substance, alien to an aircraft or system, which could potentially cause damage.
External FOD hazards include bird strikes, hail, ice, sandstorms, ash-clouds or obje ...
) risk the entire rank badge should be removed.
Flying badges
Similar to pilots in the regular RAF, those in the RAFVR are given their own unique flying badges based on the nature of their flying.
* Air Experience Pilots wear a badge styled on the RAF Pilot badge, but with blue swift's wings instead of white, and the central lettering 'RAF' is replaced with 'VR' for Volunteer Reserve.
* Glider Pilot badges are also near identical, though with a blue laurel wreath surrounding the letter 'G' for glider.
Training
All Air Cadets officers are required to attend and pass the Officers' Initial Course (OIC) held at the Adult Training Facility (ATF), a lodger unit at
RAF Cranwell
Royal Air Force Cranwell or more simply RAF Cranwell is a Royal Air Force station in Lincolnshire, England, close to the village of Cranwell, near Sleaford. Among other functions, it is home to the Royal Air Force College (RAFC), which trai ...
in Lincolnshire, usually within the first 12 months of their appointment. This week-long course covers the basic roles and responsibilities of an Air Cadets Officer and very few fail the course. Those completing the course are awarded a Cadet Forces Commission. A second 1-week course at the ATF, the Squadron Commanders' Course, is required for those seeking to command an Air Cadets squadron.
Air Cadets officers involved in CCF or ATC units may undertake extra training before becoming appointed as an Officer Commanding of their unit, although this training is not compulsory for officers associated with the CCF. Some also take specialist training for certain activities: physical training (PT) or shooting, for example.
They are supported at ATC unit level by fellow Air Cadets officers, as well as uniformed ATC
Warrant Officer
Warrant officer (WO) is a rank or category of ranks in the armed forces of many countries. Depending on the country, service, or historical context, warrant officers are sometimes classified as the most junior of the commissioned ranks, the mos ...
s and
Non-Commissioned Officer
A non-commissioned officer (NCO) is a military officer who has not pursued a commission. Non-commissioned officers usually earn their position of authority by promotion through the enlisted ranks. (Non-officers, which includes most or all enli ...
s and a cadre of
Civilian Instructor
Civilians under international humanitarian law are "persons who are not members of the armed forces" and they are not "combatants if they carry arms openly and respect the laws and customs of war". It is slightly different from a non-combatant, b ...
s. Although not in the chain of command, the wings are supported by a Wing Executive Officer of Sqn Ldr Rank in the RAFR. At CCF(RAF) contingents, Air Cadets officers are able to call upon the support of the regular RAF
Squadron Leader
Squadron leader (Sqn Ldr in the RAF ; SQNLDR in the RAAF and RNZAF; formerly sometimes S/L in all services) is a commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many countries which have historical British influence. It is also ...
tasked with looking after their area, and also upon the services of the regular RAF 'TEST'
sergeant
Sergeant (abbreviated to Sgt. and capitalized when used as a named person's title) is a rank in many uniformed organizations, principally military and policing forces. The alternative spelling, ''serjeant'', is used in The Rifles and other uni ...
s mapped to their specific school.
Volunteer Gliding Squadron
Volunteer Gliding Squadrons (VGSs) are Royal Air Force (UK) Flying Training units, operating military Viking T1 conventional gliders to train cadets from the Royal Air Force Air Cadets.
Since 2014, the squadrons operate under No. 2 Flying Trai ...
(VGS) and
Air Experience Flight
An Air Experience Flight (AEF) is a training unit of the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Training Branch) whose main purpose is to give introductory flying experience to cadets from the Air Training Corps and the Combined Cadet Force. As of 20 ...
(AEF) officers are supported directly by HQ Air Cadet Staff, and the unit's parent RAF station.
Ranks
Notable members
*
Sir Patrick Moore
Sir Patrick Alfred Caldwell-Moore (; 4 March 1923 – 9 December 2012) was an English amateur astronomer who attained prominence in that field as a writer, researcher, radio commentator and television presenter.
Moore was president of the Brit ...
– joined the RAFVR(T) post-
World War II
World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposin ...
, reaching the rank of Squadron Leader
[Guardian Obituary 9 December 2012: http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2012/dec/09/sir-patrick-moore]
See also
*
Air Cadet Organisation
The Royal Air Force Air Cadets (RAFAC) is a volunteer-military youth organisation sponsored by the Royal Air Force that manages both the Air Training Corps and RAF Sections of the Combined Cadet Force. The organisation is headed by a former serv ...
**
Air Training Corps
The Air Training Corps (ATC) is a British volunteer-military youth organisation. They are sponsored by the Ministry of Defence and the Royal Air Force. The majority of staff are volunteers, and some are paid for full-time work – including C ...
**
Combined Cadet Force
The Combined Cadet Force (CCF) is a youth organisation in the United Kingdom, sponsored by the Ministry of Defence (MOD), which operates in schools, and normally includes Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force sections. Its aim is to "provide a ...
*
Air Experience Flight
An Air Experience Flight (AEF) is a training unit of the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Training Branch) whose main purpose is to give introductory flying experience to cadets from the Air Training Corps and the Combined Cadet Force. As of 20 ...
*
Volunteer Gliding Squadrons
Volunteer Gliding Squadrons (VGSs) are Royal Air Force (UK) Flying Training units, operating military Viking T1 conventional gliders to train cadets from the Royal Air Force Air Cadets.
Since 2014, the squadrons operate under No. 2 Flying Trai ...
References
{{reflist
External links
RAFVR(T) Website(RAFVRT.org)
ACO Website(aircadets.org)
Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force Air Cadets
Air Cadet organisations
British Cadet organisations
Youth organisations based in the United Kingdom