Ranks

This section contains information to help new Cadets to become familiar with the structure of a Squadron and to help recognise the ranks.

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• Squadron Structure

Squadron Leader (Sqn Ldr)
Flight Lieutenant (Flt Lt)
The Officer Commanding (OC) a Squadron is usually a Flight Lieutenant or, if the Squadron is very large, a Squadron Leader.

Flying Officer (Fg Off)
Pilot Officer (Plt Off)

ATC Positions:

Adult Warrant Officer (AWO)
Adult Flight Sergeant
Adult Sergeant
Civilian Instructor (CI)

Cadet Positions:

Cadet Warrant Officer (CWO)
Flight Sergeant (F/Sgt)
Sergeant (Sgt)
Corporal (Cpl)
Cadets
Probationers

Civilian Structure:

Civilian Committee
Parents & Friends (Some Sqns)
Sqn Chaplain

• Officer Ranks

Note: Officers belong to the RAFVR(T) and Adult NCO’s belong to the ATC

Wing Commander
Squadron Leader
Flight Lieutenant
Flying Officer
Pilot Officer

• ATC Ranks

Adult Warrant Officer
Adult Flight Sergeant
Adult Sergeant
Civilian Instructor

• Cadet Ranks

Promotion to Cadet Warrant Officer is decided by a panel at Wing level. Prospective candidates will be a Flight Sergeant, preferably holding the Staff Cadet classification and will be required to attend an interview at Wing HQ
Flight Sergeant is the highest a Squadron CO can send a cadet. If a squadron is split up into flights then a Flt/Sgt will be the non-commissioned officer in command (NCOIC) of a flight
A Sergeant is a SNCO and a cadet is promoted to this position after he or she has reached the rank of Corporal. Appointment is made by Squadron CO and staff.
Corporal is the first NCO rank that a cadet can obtain. A Corporal is referred to as a Junior NCO (JNCO) and acts as a liaison between cadets and Senior NCOs (SNCO). Selection is purely on merit and not on classification.

• Cadet Classifications

Staff Cadet - minimum age 15 years 6 months. Must have completed at least 2 years enrolled service, plus must meet a number of other criteria.
To be eligible to sit the Senior Cadet examinations, a cadet must have been appointed as a Leading Cadet and have completed the appropriate syllabus training including a further 25 hours of work in a functional flight
To be eligible to sit the Leading Cadet examinations, a cadet must have been appointed as a First Class Cadet and have completed the appropriate syllabus training including at least 25 hours of work in a functional flight.
To be eligible to sit the First Class Cadet examination cadets must be enrolled and must have completed the 16 week First Class Training Course (FCTC).

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