RAF VR(T)
Encyclopedia
The Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Training Branch), often abbreviated to RAFVR(T) is a voluntary element of the British Royal Air Force
specifically appointed in a training role within the RAFVR. Members of the RAFVR(T) have no call-up liability and often operate part time on Air Experience Flight
s, Volunteer Gliding Squadrons, or more commonly in the local structure of the Air Cadet Organisation - either the RAF Sections of the Combined Cadet Force
(CCF), or the Air Training Corps
(ATC).
Unlike the formal OASC process for regular service, selection is based upon relevant experience and the arm of the Air Cadet Organisation
in which the candidate initially wants to serve. Those intending to serve with an Air Training Corps
unit complete a 30 to 45 minute Wing Board followed by another 30 to 45 minute Regional Board chaired by a Group Captain
serving in the RAFR in the capacity of ATC Regional Commandant and 2 Wing Executive Officers (serving in the RAFR) from the Region. Candidates joining a Combined Cadet Force
unit are recommended by the relevant headmaster and Section Commander to Headquarters Air Cadets before being interviewed by the Regional TEST Squadron Leader
serving in the RAFR. Since October 2007, all candidates that pass their relative selection process are appointed as Officer Cadets until successful completion of the Officers' Initial Course (OIC) at RAF Cranwell
.
As an Officer Cadet RAFVR(T), they wear a completely white rank slide with gilt VRT insignia in the centre. This is accompanied by standard officers' headdress complete with white band or disc. Following completion of their OIC, a newly appointed Pilot Officer RAFVR(T) will then receive their rank slide. Since RAFVR(T) officers will generally be responsible for running either a CCF(RAF) section or an Air Training Corps squadron/detached flight, successful applicants are required to demonstrate qualities of commitment, motivation, extensive knowledge of the RAF and military/civil aviation, all underpinned by a willingness and aptitude to work with young people in an instructional environment. Many have educational or youth work experience and qualifications in specialist areas of outward bound youth work.
Other members of the RAFVR(T) serve as flying instructors on the Volunteer Gliding Squadrons or as pilots on Air Experience Flights - the latter are always former military pilots who have left the regular service and are commissioned into the RAFVR(T) on appointment to the AEF.
worn by regular Royal Air Force
or active reserve Royal Auxiliary Air Force
commissioned Officers, with the exception that gilt "VRT" insignia is worn on the lapels of formal dress uniforms and on top of the rank braid on the epaulettes and tabs of working dress uniforms. Thus the RAFVR (T) follows the traditional dress regulation of the senior air force formation, the RAuxAF, by the placing of its gilt collar lapel "VRT" badges in the position occupied by the "A" badges that are still worn by RAuxAF Officers when in No.1 dress uniform. RAFVR(T) Officers are required to still wear gilt VRT badges on top of rank braid when wearing No.2 dress uniform (or other working dress) at all times. However, when there is a FOD (Foreign Object Damage) risk the entire rank badge may be removed. By contrast, RAuxAF Officers now do not wear their "A" badges on working dress uniform at any time, in response to the expanded use of the active reserves on routine operations and support duties within the regular service.
in Lincolnshire
, usually within the first 12 months of their appointment. This week-long course covers the basic roles and responsibilities of an RAFVR(T) Officer and very few fail. Those successfully completing the course are awarded their commissioning parchment and are confirmed as a commissioned officer (although under the current system, all VR(T) Officers are commissioned from the day that they pass their interview, and the commissioning scroll is dated to that day) and are treated similarly to regular Officers. Another 1-week course at the ATF, the Officers Senior Course, is required for those seeking to command a squadron.
RAFVR(T) officers involved in CCF or ATC Units may undertake extra training before becoming appointed as an Officer Commanding of their Unit, although this training is not compulsory for Officers associated with the CCF. Some also take specialist training for certain activities: physical training (PT) or shooting for example.
{| align=right
|
They are supported at ATC unit level by fellow RAFVR(T) Officers, as well as uniformed ATC Warrant Officer
s and Non-Commissioned Officer
s and a highly-motivated cadre of Civilian Instructors. Although not in the chain of command the Wings are supported by a Wing Executive Officer of Sqn Ldr Rank in the RAFR. At CCF(RAF) contingents, RAFVR(T) Officers are able to call upon the support of the regular RAF Squadron Leader
tasked with looking after their area, and also upon the services of the regular RAF 'TEST' Sergeant
s mapped to their specific school. VGS
and AEF
Officers are supported directly by HQ Air Cadet Staff, and the Unit's parent RAF Station.
|-
! colspan="3" | RAFVR(T) Ranks
|-
! Commissioned Officer Ranks
! Insignia
! Notes
|-
| Officer Cadet
(Off Cdt)
|
| Officer Cadet until completed Officers Initial Course
|-
| Pilot Officer
(Plt Off)
|
| Junior officer - usually serves as adjutant on an ATC squadron or junior officer in CCF(RAF) section
|-
| Flying Officer
(Fg Off)
|
| Junior officer - usually serves as adjutant on an ATC squadron or junior officer in CCF(RAF) section. May be
commanding officer on some small squadrons/CCF(RAF) sections. Promotion to Fg Off is automatic on completion of two years' service in the RAFVR(T) and successful completion of OIC.
|-
| Flight Lieutenant
(Flt Lt)
|
| Junior officer - usually serves as squadron or CCF(RAF) section commander, however, may be adjutant on large squadrons. The acting unpaid rank of Flt Lt is granted on completion of 9 years' service in the RAFVR(T).
|-
| Squadron Leader
(Sqn Ldr)
|
| First senior officer rank - usually serves as wing staff officer, but may be squadron commander on large squadrons. In CCF(RAF) this rank is usually held by an RAFVR(T) officer acting as Contingent Commander or 2i/c.
|-
| Wing Commander
(Wg Cdr)
|
| Most senior rank - serves as commanding officer of an ATC wing, or CCF Contingent Commander if occupying a post established in the rank of Major and having 20 years' continuous service in the RAFVR(T).
|}
Although the Air Cadet Organisation
has officers with ranks above that of Wing Commander, these ranks are held by members of the RAFR or Regular RAF. The RAFVR(T) currently consists only of commissioned officers. All RAFVR(T) Officers hold a maximum substantive rank of Flying Officer, all other RAFVR(T) ranks above that of Flying Officer are acting (either paid or unpaid) ranks.
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
specifically appointed in a training role within the RAFVR. Members of the RAFVR(T) have no call-up liability and often operate part time on Air Experience Flight
Air Experience Flight
An Air Experience Flight is a training unit of the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve whose main purpose is to give introductory flying experience to Air Cadets or the RAF section of the Combined Cadet Force...
s, Volunteer Gliding Squadrons, or more commonly in the local structure of the Air Cadet Organisation - either the RAF Sections of the Combined Cadet Force
Combined Cadet Force
The Combined Cadet Force is a Ministry of Defence sponsored youth organisation in the United Kingdom. Its aim is to "provide a disciplined organisation in a school so that pupils may develop powers of leadership by means of training to promote the qualities of responsibility, self reliance,...
(CCF), or the Air Training Corps
Air Training Corps
The Air Training Corps , commonly known as the Air Cadets, is a cadet organisation based in the United Kingdom. It is a voluntary youth group which is part of the Air Cadet Organisation and the Royal Air Force . It is supported by the Ministry of Defence, with a regular RAF Officer, currently Air...
(ATC).
Recruitment and selection
Many RAFVR(T) Officers have previous military experience, commissioned, or other ranks service, and many have professional and educational qualifications, but unlike the requirements for joining the regular armed forces, applicants for RAFVR(T) positions are not required to have formal educational or other qualifications. It is also not uncommon to find RAFVR(T) staff hold commissions in the RAuxAF, RAFRO, or other services also. All the Pilots who man the Air Experience Flights (AEF) are former regular service aircrew (RAF, Army or RN), some even at Air Commodore rank serving as supernumary Flying Officers RAFVR(T); adding much to the wealth and professional experience of the RAFVR(T)Unlike the formal OASC process for regular service, selection is based upon relevant experience and the arm of the Air Cadet Organisation
Air Cadet Organisation
The Air Cadet Organisation is the collective name for the UK cadet forces sponsored by the Royal Air Force. The organisation is subordinate to No. 22 Group RAF, with a serving RAF officer as Commandant Air Cadets. The current Commandant is Air Commodore Barbara Cooper CBE...
in which the candidate initially wants to serve. Those intending to serve with an Air Training Corps
Air Training Corps
The Air Training Corps , commonly known as the Air Cadets, is a cadet organisation based in the United Kingdom. It is a voluntary youth group which is part of the Air Cadet Organisation and the Royal Air Force . It is supported by the Ministry of Defence, with a regular RAF Officer, currently Air...
unit complete a 30 to 45 minute Wing Board followed by another 30 to 45 minute Regional Board chaired by a Group Captain
Group Captain
Group captain is a senior commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many other Commonwealth countries. It ranks above wing commander and immediately below air commodore...
serving in the RAFR in the capacity of ATC Regional Commandant and 2 Wing Executive Officers (serving in the RAFR) from the Region. Candidates joining a Combined Cadet Force
Combined Cadet Force
The Combined Cadet Force is a Ministry of Defence sponsored youth organisation in the United Kingdom. Its aim is to "provide a disciplined organisation in a school so that pupils may develop powers of leadership by means of training to promote the qualities of responsibility, self reliance,...
unit are recommended by the relevant headmaster and Section Commander to Headquarters Air Cadets before being interviewed by the Regional TEST Squadron Leader
Squadron Leader
Squadron Leader is a commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many countries which have historical British influence. It is also sometimes used as the English translation of an equivalent rank in countries which have a non-English air force-specific rank structure. In these...
serving in the RAFR. Since October 2007, all candidates that pass their relative selection process are appointed as Officer Cadets until successful completion of the Officers' Initial Course (OIC) at RAF Cranwell
RAF Cranwell
RAF Cranwell is a Royal Air Force station in Lincolnshire close to the village of Cranwell, near Sleaford. It is currently commanded by Group Captain Dave Waddington...
.
As an Officer Cadet RAFVR(T), they wear a completely white rank slide with gilt VRT insignia in the centre. This is accompanied by standard officers' headdress complete with white band or disc. Following completion of their OIC, a newly appointed Pilot Officer RAFVR(T) will then receive their rank slide. Since RAFVR(T) officers will generally be responsible for running either a CCF(RAF) section or an Air Training Corps squadron/detached flight, successful applicants are required to demonstrate qualities of commitment, motivation, extensive knowledge of the RAF and military/civil aviation, all underpinned by a willingness and aptitude to work with young people in an instructional environment. Many have educational or youth work experience and qualifications in specialist areas of outward bound youth work.
Other members of the RAFVR(T) serve as flying instructors on the Volunteer Gliding Squadrons or as pilots on Air Experience Flights - the latter are always former military pilots who have left the regular service and are commissioned into the RAFVR(T) on appointment to the AEF.
Uniform
RAFVR(T) members wear the same uniformRoyal Air Force uniform
The Royal Air Force uniform is the standardised military dress worn by members of the Royal Air Force. The predominant colours of Royal Air Force uniforms are blue-grey and Wedgewood blue. Many Commonwealth air forces' uniforms are also based on the RAF pattern, but with nationality shoulder...
worn by regular Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
or active reserve Royal Auxiliary Air Force
Royal Auxiliary Air Force
The Royal Auxiliary Air Force , originally the Auxiliary Air Force , is the voluntary active duty reserve element of the Royal Air Force, providing a primary reinforcement capability for the regular service...
commissioned Officers, with the exception that gilt "VRT" insignia is worn on the lapels of formal dress uniforms and on top of the rank braid on the epaulettes and tabs of working dress uniforms. Thus the RAFVR (T) follows the traditional dress regulation of the senior air force formation, the RAuxAF, by the placing of its gilt collar lapel "VRT" badges in the position occupied by the "A" badges that are still worn by RAuxAF Officers when in No.1 dress uniform. RAFVR(T) Officers are required to still wear gilt VRT badges on top of rank braid when wearing No.2 dress uniform (or other working dress) at all times. However, when there is a FOD (Foreign Object Damage) risk the entire rank badge may be removed. By contrast, RAuxAF Officers now do not wear their "A" badges on working dress uniform at any time, in response to the expanded use of the active reserves on routine operations and support duties within the regular service.
Training
All RAFVR(T) officers are required to attend and pass the Officers' Initial Course (OIC) held at the Adult Training Facility (ATF), a lodger unit at RAF CranwellRAF Cranwell
RAF Cranwell is a Royal Air Force station in Lincolnshire close to the village of Cranwell, near Sleaford. It is currently commanded by Group Captain Dave Waddington...
in Lincolnshire
Lincolnshire
Lincolnshire is a county in the east of England. It borders Norfolk to the south east, Cambridgeshire to the south, Rutland to the south west, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire to the west, South Yorkshire to the north west, and the East Riding of Yorkshire to the north. It also borders...
, usually within the first 12 months of their appointment. This week-long course covers the basic roles and responsibilities of an RAFVR(T) Officer and very few fail. Those successfully completing the course are awarded their commissioning parchment and are confirmed as a commissioned officer (although under the current system, all VR(T) Officers are commissioned from the day that they pass their interview, and the commissioning scroll is dated to that day) and are treated similarly to regular Officers. Another 1-week course at the ATF, the Officers Senior Course, is required for those seeking to command a squadron.
RAFVR(T) officers involved in CCF or ATC Units may undertake extra training before becoming appointed as an Officer Commanding of their Unit, although this training is not compulsory for Officers associated with the CCF. Some also take specialist training for certain activities: physical training (PT) or shooting for example.
{| align=right
|
They are supported at ATC unit level by fellow RAFVR(T) Officers, as well as uniformed ATC Warrant Officer
Warrant Officer
A warrant officer is an officer in a military organization who is designated an officer by a warrant, as distinguished from a commissioned officer who is designated an officer by a commission, or from non-commissioned officer who is designated an officer by virtue of seniority.The rank was first...
s and Non-Commissioned Officer
Non-commissioned officer
A non-commissioned officer , called a sub-officer in some countries, is a military officer who has not been given a commission...
s and a highly-motivated cadre of Civilian Instructors. Although not in the chain of command the Wings are supported by a Wing Executive Officer of Sqn Ldr Rank in the RAFR. At CCF(RAF) contingents, RAFVR(T) Officers are able to call upon the support of the regular RAF Squadron Leader
Squadron Leader
Squadron Leader is a commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many countries which have historical British influence. It is also sometimes used as the English translation of an equivalent rank in countries which have a non-English air force-specific rank structure. In these...
tasked with looking after their area, and also upon the services of the regular RAF 'TEST' Sergeant
Sergeant
Sergeant is a rank used in some form by most militaries, police forces, and other uniformed organizations around the world. Its origins are the Latin serviens, "one who serves", through the French term Sergent....
s mapped to their specific school. VGS
VGS
VGS may refer to:*US-skacore band Voodoo Glow Skulls*Volunteer Gliding Squadron*Virtual Game StationPlaces:* Vince Genna Stadium, a baseball park in Bend, OregonSymbols:* VGS means gate to source voltage in field effect transistors...
and AEF
Air Experience Flight
An Air Experience Flight is a training unit of the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve whose main purpose is to give introductory flying experience to Air Cadets or the RAF section of the Combined Cadet Force...
Officers are supported directly by HQ Air Cadet Staff, and the Unit's parent RAF Station.
Ranks
{| class="wikitable" style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto"|-
! colspan="3" | RAFVR(T) Ranks
|-
! Commissioned Officer Ranks
! Insignia
! Notes
|-
| Officer Cadet
Officer Cadet
Officer cadet is a rank held by military and merchant navy cadets during their training to become commissioned officers and merchant navy officers, respectively. The term officer trainee is used interchangeably in some countries...
(Off Cdt)
|
|-
| Pilot Officer
Pilot Officer
Pilot officer is the lowest commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many other Commonwealth countries. It ranks immediately below flying officer...
(Plt Off)
|
|-
| Flying Officer
Flying Officer
Flying officer is a junior commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many countries which have historical British influence...
(Fg Off)
|
commanding officer on some small squadrons/CCF(RAF) sections. Promotion to Fg Off is automatic on completion of two years' service in the RAFVR(T) and successful completion of OIC.
|-
| Flight Lieutenant
Flight Lieutenant
Flight lieutenant is a junior commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many Commonwealth countries. It ranks above flying officer and immediately below squadron leader. The name of the rank is the complete phrase; it is never shortened to "lieutenant"...
(Flt Lt)
|
|-
| Squadron Leader
Squadron Leader
Squadron Leader is a commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many countries which have historical British influence. It is also sometimes used as the English translation of an equivalent rank in countries which have a non-English air force-specific rank structure. In these...
(Sqn Ldr)
|
|-
| Wing Commander
Wing Commander (rank)
Wing commander is a commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many other Commonwealth countries...
(Wg Cdr)
|
|}
Although the Air Cadet Organisation
Air Cadet Organisation
The Air Cadet Organisation is the collective name for the UK cadet forces sponsored by the Royal Air Force. The organisation is subordinate to No. 22 Group RAF, with a serving RAF officer as Commandant Air Cadets. The current Commandant is Air Commodore Barbara Cooper CBE...
has officers with ranks above that of Wing Commander, these ranks are held by members of the RAFR or Regular RAF. The RAFVR(T) currently consists only of commissioned officers. All RAFVR(T) Officers hold a maximum substantive rank of Flying Officer, all other RAFVR(T) ranks above that of Flying Officer are acting (either paid or unpaid) ranks.