Join Us as a Member of Staff
If you’re aged over 20 and are keen to help young people develop then the ATC is the place for you. We welcome applications from any responsible adult - male or female – from all social backgrounds, cultures and religions. You do not have to have had any military experience.
So what are your options?
Civilian Instructor
Civilian Instructors (CIs) are unpaid, non-uniformed volunteers who can give as much or as little time as they can manage. They work with the cadets, passing on any skills or experience that they have but do not need to have any formal qualifications.
We will offer you the training and support to fulfil your role within the Squadron, offering various courses to help your personal development as well as the development of the Squadron, including the mandatory BASIC (Basic Adult Staff Induction Course) and Techniques of Instruction courses.
You will get the opportunity to gain NVQs, as well as courses such as Mountain Leader Awards, Single Pitch Awards (rock climbing) as well as more specific training according to the role you take up in the Squadron.
As a CI, you are fully involved with Squadron activities but do not have to wear a uniform.
CIs are the backbone of any Squadron as you have the most contact with the cadets.
All staff, including CIs, are required to complete an Enhanced Disclosure from the Criminal Records Bureau. For more info on this process, visit http://www.crb.gov.uk
Once you are a CI, should you want to get more involved, you may apply to become an Adult SNCO or Commissioned Officer in the Training Branch of the RAF Volunteer Reserve.
Our volunteers say they gain a huge sense of achievement from helping young people realise their potential. Why not give it a try?
Contact the Squadron to find out more.
Adult SNCO
Adult Senior Non-Commissioned Officers (Adult SNCOs) are responsible for drill, dress and discipline matters on a Squadron.
To apply to become Adult SNCO, you must have first completed at least 3-6 months as a Civilian Instructor (see above). Your Squadron Commander will then interview you and, should he think you have what it takes, will nominate you to Wing.
You will then attend a Wing board and if they approve your application, you will go into uniform, usually at the rank of Adult Sergeant, or higher depending on whether you have had previous regular military experience. When you get your Sergeant's rank tapes you will also be given an RAF uniform and will wear ATC (Air Training Corps) on your shoulder.
When initially appointed, you will be expected to attend the 5-day Senior Non-Commissioned Officer Staff Initial Course at the Adult Training Facility at RAF College Cranwell, Lincolnshire during your 12 month probationary period. On completion of the SSIC, you will be officially appointed as an Adult Sergeant for a 4 year period.
“The SSIC was intensive but the sense of achievement on finally being appointed as an Adult Sergeant at the end of the course was amazing! You learn the skills needed to carry out the discipline role within an ATC Squadron such as drill, dress and welfare, as well as becoming proficient in skills that can also be used in civilian life such as instructional technique. It increases your confidence no end!" - ASgt Simon Greensmith, 481 (West Bromwich) Sqn
You will be expected to give a minimum of 12 hours of your time per month for Air Cadet duties and will normally attend the Squadron twice a week between 7-9.30pm on a Tuesday and Thursday. You may also be asked to take part in weekend activities which are a big part of Squadron life.
With the uniform comes more responsibility and a bigger challenge for you. Your duties could cover any aspect of Squadron life from parade nights to adventure training and seven major sports to radio communications, shooting, Duke of Edinburgh's Awards, bands and the respected academic syllabus.
Along the way you will help young people aged 13-20 to learn and to become good citizens but you will also develop your leadership skills and have the opportunity to pick up qualifications in things like Mountain Leadership and First Aid. You will also be given the opportunity to gain NVQs and attend a number of courses specific to your role in the Squadron.
Promotion can take you through the ranks of Adult Sergeant, Adult Flight Sergeant and to Adult Warrant Officer and you can apply for a commission (become a Commissioned Officer) at any time.
Taking up a uniformed post does not mean that you will be deployed to any war zone! You are a member of the ATC and your job is to train the future generations of cadets here at 481.
You may be eligible to claim up to 28 days pay a year.
Contact the Squadron to find out more.
Commissioned Officer
The role of Commissioned Officers in the ATC is to ensure that the Squadron is run effectively and that we get the best out of our staff and cadets.
To become an Officer in the Air Cadets you first join as a Civilian Instructor (see above) or serve as an Adult SNCO (see above) to gain experience. After 3-6 months you are interviewed by your Squadron Commander and then go before a Commissioning Board at Wing then Regional HQ. When you take the Queen's Commission in the Training Branch of the RAF Volunteer Reserve you are given an RAF uniform with VR(T) on the shoulder.
You will be expected to give a minimum of 12 hours of your time per month for Air Cadet duties and will normally attend the Squadron twice a week between 7-9.30pm on a Tuesday and Thursday. You may also be asked to take part in weekend activities which are a big part of Squadron life.
You will be expected to attend the Officers' Initial Course at the Adult Training Facility at RAF College Cranwell, Lincolnshire within your first year and the Officers' Senior Course at a later date. The courses are geared towards developing your leadership skills and are very worthwhile.
"The Course was fantastic. We spent a lot of time learning about the theory of leadership before being let loose on various exercises to put all the theory into practice. It's hard work but worth it. I learnt so much in the space of a week." - Flt Lt Andy Thompson, Former Officer Commanding 481 (West Bromwich) Sqn
As with all other staff, you will be given the opportunity to develop yourself through the training offered by the Corps and can work towards NVQs as well as activities such Mountain Leadership or Canoeing.
Promotion can take you through the ranks from Pilot Officer and Flying Officer to Flight Lieutenant to Squadron Leader and even Wing Commander and the higher up this chain you go, the more responsibility you take on!
Taking up a uniformed post does not mean that you will be deployed to any war zone! You are a member of the RAFVR(T) and your job is to train the future generations of cadets here at 481.
You may be eligible to claim up to 28 days pay a year.
Contact the Squadron to find out more.