What we do...

 

The Air Training Corps isn't about taking life easy, it's about challenging yourself, opening your mind and developing your skills. So it's just as well we boast THE widest range of activities of any youth organisation - it's one of the reasons why we really are the UK's best kept secret. Set out here are just a few examples of the sort of training that Air Cadets are experiencing every week...

 

 

 

ADVENTURE TRAINING

 

Adventure Training is an essential part of the ATC's training syllabus and the place where team effort really matters - as an Air Cadet you build new friendships and learn to rely on the other people you're with to get the job done. Our adventure training activities also let you show off - and develop - your leadership qualities.

 

There is a wide range of adventurous activities to get stuck into, so there is something for all tastes. If climbing isn't for you perhaps canoeing is. Sometimes what's on offer depends on the squadron you attend, but everything you do is supervised by qualified trainers who will ensure you get the most out of it. You could experience kayaking, hill walking, camping, caving, mountain biking, offshore sailing and winter sports to give just a few examples. Generally speaking, you name it and we do it!

 

For more information about adventurous training in the ATC, check out our national website.

 

 

SHOOTING

 

Whatever level you are as a cadet, you'll have the opportunity to try your hand at military skills and drills. And a key part of that is target rifle shooting. Marksmanship goes a long way back in the history of ATC and is one of our most popular activities. Think you can concentrate on distant targets and fire with consistent accuracy? It's not easy. It requires focus, agility and a very steady hand. But we’ll teach you to handle a variety of weapons safely.

 

As an Air Cadet you'll experience different types of weapons and could even take part in shooting competitions once you have proved your skills. Ranges come in different shapes and sizes but all are in controlled conditions with full training on any weapon that you handle - safety is our top priority. To start with you'll be firing at targets that are fairly close - around 25 yards away. As you advance through weapons and your skill builds, you will fire at targets at further distance.

 

For more information about shooting activities in the ATC, check out our national website.

 

 

FIELDCRAFT

 

Everyone in the ATC gets excited about fieldcraft. But what is it? Put simply, it's the skills you need to survive and navigate yourself around outdoors, in unfamiliar places. It means sorting food, shelter, protection from the weather and getting from A to B as quickly and effectively as you can. This is one example of where Air Cadet training gets closer to what RAF personnel do in their training. The principle is the same - think on your feet, adapt to your situation and work to your team's strengths.

 

For more information about what fieldcraft training involves in the ATC, check out our national website.

 

 

RAF AND SQUADRON CAMPS

 

Camps get you out and about and give you a taste of what RAF personnel experience. They're also some of the most enjoyable and memorable things you'll do. Usually based around adventurous activities (especially fieldcraft), this is where you take control of your new abilities and put them to the test. Your first taste might be weekend camps, run by your squadron. These allow time for more intensive training than during your regular meets, but can fit into a weekend and not interfere with school holidays. You could be doing all kinds of things like orienteering, over-night exercises or other specialised training.

 

ANNUAL CAMPS: In addition, every year you're given the opportunity to attend a camp on an operational RAF station. These camps last a week (normally Saturday to Saturday or Wednesday to Wednesday) with the purpose of getting you even closer to Service life. As an Air Cadet, you'll fit right in. You sleep in RAF accommodation blocks, eat at the airmen's mess and visit the various sections around the station. You'll meet the base personnel, as well as take part in various activities, sports and social activities. There will be drill, uniform and room inspections, and everything will earn points for you as an individual and for your team. Cadets over 16 may receive a work experience placement whilst on the camp where they see first-hand exactly what a job within the Royal Air Force involves. Everyone will normally get a flight in one of the Air Experience Flight's Tutor aircraft and being on an RAF station puts you in a perfect position to get opportunity flights on other aircraft which may have a few spare seats. Helicopter flight anyone?

 

OVERSEAS CAMPS: This is where it gets really interesting! Once you've attended annual camp, proven yourself as a leader and have reached the age of 15, you're ready for an overseas camp at one of our RAF stations in Gibraltar, Cyprus or Germany.These camps are more relaxed as all of you involved are pretty experienced by this point. There's less focus on drill and inspections and more on the other aspects of camp, such as work experience with RAF personnel and looking around local towns (like Limassol in Cyprus) and exploring historical sites. An overseas camp opportunity is not to be missed and it's not surprising that places are limited. Applying for one is just the beginning - you may have to fend off competition from within your own squadron to get an interview. Only after this will you discover if you've been chosen to attend overseas camp and become the envy of your unit!

 

 

SPORTS

 

If you enjoy sport you will be at home in the ATC. All units compete in seven major sports: football and rugby if you're male; netball and hockey if you're female; and athletics, cross-country and swimming for everyone. If you enjoy these sports you could find yourself competing at local, regional or national level. In addition there are also a huge variety of other sports participated in at unit and Wing levels, including 5-a-side, table tennis, volleyball and many more. These tend to be played more for local pride and fun rather than being truly competitive. It does not matter if your not designed to be the next Olympic star... the opportunities are there, enjoy yourself!

 

 

LEADERSHIP

 

You may have more talent for leadership than you think - and the ATC is the place to develop it. Leadership qualities are in all of us and the physically demanding seven-day summer cadet leadership course will help bring them out. Make it through and you’ll be a more confident and responsible cadet having learnt the full benefits of working in and leading a team. Then, for an extra challenge, you could find yourself at the Cadet Training Centre at Frimley Park in Surrey. All cadet forces throughout the UK (and some from overseas) attend courses there. Really flex your skills and you could come out with a trophy for your achievements.

 

 

ACADEMIC TRAINING AND QUALIFICATIONS

 

A key part of the cadet experience is your progress through the training syllabus. Set out in stages for you to work through, it enables you to open up more possibilities for activities, specialist technical training and rank promotion. Your academic training includes lectures and hands-on projects. You also get outdoors and 'actually do it' as much as possible.We expect a lot from you - it's a serious commitment to be a cadet - but once you've experienced it yourself we know you wouldn't have it any other way.

 

As you become more experienced as a cadet, the opportunities will arise for you to complete vocational qualifications called BTECs. These are equivalent to many extra GCSEs and can really give you a boost when it comes to finding a job or applying to university.

 

 

DUKE OF EDINBURGH'S AWARD

 

You may of heard of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE), but don't know what it is or whether it's for you. Well, it's for everyone who likes a challenge. Their mission is simple - 'to inspire, guide and support young people in their self-development, and recognise their achievements'. It probably won't surprise you to learn that the ATC is the DofE Award's largest participant. So if you want to achieve it, here's the place to do it.

 

The DofE takes you through a programme of activities that will leave you a more confident, motivated and capable person. If you're 14 or over, then you can begin. There are three levels which, when successfully completed, lead to a Bronze, Silver or Gold DofE Award. And it's never too late to get in on the action - depending on your age you may be able to jump straight in at Silver or Gold level!

There are four sections at Bronze and Silver level and five at Gold:

  • Volunteering - Get involved providing services to individuals or the community and make a difference to other people's lives

  • Physical - Get active and improve your skills and fitness in sport, dance or other physical activities - it's your choice

  • Skills - Find new interests and get new talents (or perfect existing ones), with increased practical and social skills

  • Expedition - Get outdoors and plan, train for and complete an adventurous journey in the UK or abroad - an unbeatable experience

  • Residential - Only at Gold level. Getting to the Gold level is a big deal and this last stage could see you going to another country, sharing tasks and activities with people you've never met. It'll test your mettle, and set you up for what life throws at you in the future

It's not a walk in the park. You'll get your Duke of Edinburgh’s Award through persistence and commitment - but as an Air Cadet you'll already know all about that. Over time you'll develop personally and welcome each new challenge. At the end of it all you'll have the world’s leading achievement award for young people under your belt, recognised by employers and universities alike.

But there's one person who'll truly appreciate that achievement the most - you.

 

 

PARADES AND DRILL

 

As an Air Cadet you are an ambassador for the Royal Air Force in your local area, and you can expect to represent the service at parades in your town - Remembrance Day in November, for example. As such you need to look the part and so one of the first things you will learn when you join the ATC is drill - the ability to march smartly as part of a squad. For those with an interest, there are drill and marching competitions, or you may wish to get involved with a marching band.

 

 

INTERNATIONAL AIR CADET EXCHANGE

 

The IACE scheme links Air Cadets around the world. For 15 days every July and August we exchange cadets so each gets a taste of the other's culture. The first exchange was in 1947 between the UK and Canada. Now, more than 20 countries are involved in the scheme. Places are limited but it is another amazing opportunity only available with the Air Training Corps.