Adult Volunteers

Adult volunteers can do many things on a squadron. They can offer occasional help as a member of the Civilian Committee, who are involved in fund raising, controlling and accounting for non-public funds and offer advice and direction to the Commanding Officer.  

All staff volunteering with the cadets are DBS checked.

Every squadron has a Civilian Committee and they set their own timetable to meet. Members can be parents, members of the local community, ex-service personnel and anyone who is interested working for the benefit of our cadets. The Civilian Committee will make new members welcome and you will soon feel part of the organisation.

Civilian Instructors

Civilian Instructors (CIs) undertake many varied roles on a Squadron and can commit as much time as they wish. No formal qualifications or prior experience are needed – just lots of enthusiasm and a desire to work with our cadets to help them achieve their dreams.

CIs can perform most roles on a Squadron and can gain qualifications as they learn. Most CIs have areas of specialty such as first aid, outdoor pursuits, sports, shooting etc.

Your hobbies can also form part of your CI skill set. Perhaps you have an interest in teaching the cadets to learn radios, run sport events, field craft, aeromodelling or aircraft recognition.

Uniformed Staff

Many CIs go on to train and become a uniformed member of staff. To wear the RAFAC uniform, you will have attended residential training courses and passed assessment courses, which are also required to progress through the rank structure.

Uniformed staff perform a variety of duties.  Most squadrons are lead by a uniformed member of staff who has been awarded their Cadet Forces Commission.  A traditional RAF rank structure is mostly followed by the ATC.  The ATC also has adult Warrant Officers, Flight Sergeants & Sergeants who look after drill, discipline and training.

Uniformed staff also have roles at Wing level, often working with Sectors of squadrons, mentoring staff and performing management roles in areas such as flying, first aid, shooting, field craft etc.

Adult uniformed staff can also claim up to 28 days volunteer allowance annually.

Chaplains

If you’re a minister or priest of any religion you can apply to become a chaplain at any of our ATC squadrons up and down the country. There are openings for lay ministers such as readers, lay preachers and others who fulfill an authorised ministry in the pastoral work of the parish, circuit or district.

Where appropriate to meet the needs of cadets from non-Christian faiths, clerics from other religions may also be appointed. As an Honorary Chaplain within the ATC you don’t wear a uniform but are recognised by a Chaplain’s badge worn on your lapel and the larger edition worn on your preaching scarf.

Your role in the squadron is in offering guidance and leadership to cadets and members of staff on moral and spiritual matters. The commitment expected of a chaplain is a regular monthly visit to your unit to lead what is termed ‘the Padre’s hour’ and conduct the formal Enrollment Service when new cadets are received into full membership of the organisation. 

Interested?

You can find your nearest Squadron in Bedfordshire & Cambridgeshire Wing on our Wing Map page, or you can visit the Air Cadet website to find out more about joining or to find your local Air Cadet Squadron using the Squadron finder.