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General Information Uniform
Every parade night, cadets are expected to wear some kind of uniform. These include Working Blues for casual standard parade nights; Wedgewood Blues, for special occasions; No. 1 Blues are also worn on special occasions, but by staff and Cadet Warrant Officers; also DPM Combat uniform is worn when participating in shooting, and low light navigational exercises.
Classifications
First Class Cadet A cadet is certified First Class on passing examinations in first aid, the history of the RAF and ATC, weapons handling on the .22 No.8 rifle, basic airmanship, initial expedition training, and communications. All of these examinations are set within the Squadron. On passing their First Class, a cadet will receive a four pointed star to put on their brassard (a brassard is worn on the right arm of the shirt or jumper). |  | Leading Cadet
On becoming First Class, a Cadet will become eligible to begin his or her Leading cadet training. During this training, Cadets will learn about Advanced Airmanship, Basic Navigation and Principles of Flight. Twice year, Cadets will get the chance to sit an exam in all of these subjects, set by HQAC (Headquarters Air Cadets). After passing all three subjects, cadets will receive a badge with an embroidered four-bladed propeller. After qualifying to be Leading, a Cadet may start his or her Senior Cadet Training.
|  | Senior Cadet
After gaining the Leading Cadet qualification, cadets are eligable to start training for the senior classification. This takes the form of training in two subjects, chosen by the individual cadets.
|  | Staff Cadet
The Staff Cadet examination is split into two parts, which can only be taken at 15½ and 16 years of age respectively. The first of these is very much like the Senior examination, and again two different subjects must be chosen. The second part of the examination consists of an assessment of teaching ability, and a verbal examination on more detailed knowledge of the Corps. This examination is usually conducted by a member of Wing staff. On passing both parts of this examination, cadets wear a yellow lanyard on the left arm, with no classification badge on the brassard.
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Ranks
Corporal
Corporal is the first NCO rank, and can sometimes be gained after just one year as a Cadet (average is about two years). A cadet holding the rank of Corporal can be referred to as a Junior NCO (JNCO), and acts as the liaison between the Cadets and the NCOs. Although any cadet who is First Class or above is eligible to be an NCO. The promotion to Corporal is made by individual Squadron Commanding Officers, and selection is based purely on merit, and leadership potential. The rank slide for a Corporal consists of two silver downward chevrons, and is worn on the epaulettes.
|  | Sergeant
Sergeant is the first Senior NCO (SNCO) rank and in some cases cadets may be promoted to Sergeant after only a year as a Corporal. The rank slide for this rank consists of three silver downwards chevrons. Again promotion to this rank is made by the Squadron Commanding Officer. In a relatively big Squadron, a Sergeant might be expected to be second in charge (2IC) of a Flight (subsection of a large squadron).
|  | Flight Sergeant
This is the highest rank appointment that can be made by a Squadron Commanding Officer. The rank slide for a Flt Sgt is similar to that of Sergeant (see above), but has a silver crown above it. In any Squadron which is split up into flights, a Flt Sgt would be expected to be in charge (IC) of one flight.
|  | Cadet Warrant Officer
Promotion to CWO can only be made by a Wing Commanding Officer. Each Wing has its own allocation of how many CWOs they may have. Each may have one CWO per Squadron, plus two thirds. The result of this is that most squadrons have two CWOs, some have only one, and a few have none at all. The rank slide for CWO consists of a silver crown, surrounded by laurel branches (branches similar to the UN crest). In order to be a CWO you must be over the age of 18, and most Wings insist that you be a Staff Cadet. A CWO is not normally in charge of a flight, but instead takes charge of all the flights in a squadron.
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For information on the placement of brassard badges, download:
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