So You Want To Be An NCO?

There are no formal rules about exactly what is required for each level of promotion, only loose guidelines. So, for those of you whom are looking for promotion in the future, here are the type of things the Commanding Officer is looking for in an NCO...follow these guidelines, and you could be on your way to getting those stripes!

Cadet Corporal

  • minimum Leading Class Cadet
  • minimum of 15 years of age
  • attended at least one weekend camp
  • attended or due to attend a Wing JNCO course
  • regularly partakes in squadron activities or fundraising events
  • partaking in DEA Award
  • pass Individual Drill Test
  • competency in taking Flight drill
  • pass Basic ATC Knowledge Test

Cadet Sergeant

As for Cadet Corporal, plus:

  • minimum Senior Cadet
  • minimum of 15 years of age
  • attended at least one week-long RAF Camp or Green Camp
  • attended or due to attend a Wing SNCO course
  • passed a drill competency test under supervision of Sqn Discip NCO
  • competency in teaching drill
  • able to supervise JNCO's
  • ability to do some basic classroom training for First Class Cadet
  • able to explain basic Corps structure
  • regularly partakes in squadron activities or fundraising events

Cadet Sergeant

As for Cadet Corporal, plus:

  • minimum Senior Cadet
  • minimum of 16 years of age
  • attended at least one week-long RAF Camp or Green Camp
  • attended either a Squadron or Wing SNCO course
  • passed a drill competency test under supervision of Sqn Discip NCO
  • competency in teaching drill
  • able to supervise JNCO's
  • ability to teach a variety of classroom training
  • sound knowledge of Corps structure and basic understanding of ATC admin
  • regularly partakes in squadron activities or fundraising events

Instructor Cadet Warrant Officer

As for Instructor Cadet Flight Sergeant, plus:

  • Staff Pt I or Staff Pt II level
  • minimum of 18 years of age
  • sound knowledge of ATC administration
  • pro-actively organising various activities

We invite cadets to attend an interview and undertake some leadership tests and does require knowledge of the Squadron, the Wing and Corps, and is not as easy as some may think.

If the candidate is unsuccessful, they will be told were they have to improve and they will be monitored accordingly.

If the candidate passes, they will subject to further training, and a 3 month probationary period.

Contrary to popular belief:

a) Promotion is not automatic.

b)Cadets have to work hard to achieve it.

c)Not everyone is suitable for promotion.

d)Not everyone is suitable to progress beyond their current rank.

e)There is no “I am next in line to be promoted because I have been in this rank the longest”.

f)Once promoted you cannot rest on your laurels.

g)The higher you go, the harder you are expected to work.

h)The higher you go, the more responsibility you are given and must show.

i)The higher you go, the more commitment is expected.