Uniform of the Air Cadet Organisation
Encyclopedia
All cadets and uniformed staff members of the Air Cadet Organisation
(ACO) wear a uniform based on the one worn by regular members of the Royal Air Force. Cadets, SNCOs (ATC) and WOs (ATC) are subject to ACO regulations, with Officers adhering to RAF regulations (being commissioned officers of the RAF).
As with the RAF, there are several uniform modes available to all personnel, depending on the circumstances under which it is worn.
(ATC) and Officers of the ATC
wear uniform - civilian instructors, chaplains and members of the civilian committee do not normally wear uniform, although a uniform of sorts has been issued to civilian instructors in the form of a polo shirt and sweatshirt (previously identified by either an armband or lapel pin). Those entitled to uniform have it issued free of charge by the supply squadron at a local RAF station, which in the case of cadets comes via their squadron's stores. Cadets and SNCOs/WOs (ATC) are then entitled to free replacements as needed.
Uniformed staff wear the appropriate uniform for their rank in the regular RAF, with the rank insignia appropriate to their RAF rank, with the exception of Warrant Officers (who wear a crown as their rank insignia). They are distinguished by gilt pins on their rank slides (No 2 or 3 dress) or lapels (Nos 1, 4 and 5 dress), with the designation "ATC" for SNCOs/WOs and "VRT" for commissioned officers.
No 1 uniform is usually worn at formal events, such as parades. Commissioned Officers are issued No 1 SD after their Initial Officers' Course at RAF Cranwell, The following personnel are not issued No 1, but may acquire it privately:
The uniform consists of jacket and trousers (worn with a standard No 2 shirt) with the appropriate No 1 SD hat, black shoes (DMS or Oxfords) and gloves (for officers and WOs, optional for NCOs).
After obtaining permission from Wing COs, cadet bands are sometimes permitted to wear white belts and gloves when on formal duties.
Cadets wear No 2 (with jumper) or No 2a (without jumper) uniform for formal occasions. This is sometimes incorrectly known as No 1 uniform, as it is generally worn at occasions when regular RAF personnel (and ATC staff) would normally be wearing No 1 uniform.
For normal duties, cadets wear a version of the RAF No 2c uniform (as worn by RAF Airmen in technical trades). Cadets never wear the RAF No 2b uniform (short sleeve wedgewood shirt and no tie). Cadets' version of the RAF No 2c uniform, known as "working blues" or "Number twos", is the same as the No 2a uniform but worn with a dark blue open-necked shirt and no tie. The stable belt may be worn.
At any time during the year (but most commonly done in the summer for comfort), the officer commanding a unit may authorise "shirt-sleeve order", in which the jumper is removed and sleeves are smartly rolled up to just above the elbow. If wearing a Wedgewood Blue shirt with a tie, cadets do not roll the sleeves up. Brassards, lanyards and rank slides are transferred to the shirt, but Duke of Edinburgh's Award and flying badges are not worn.
(issued) or a Forage Cap (purchased privately). The shoes are either DMS for all ranks, or optional Oxford pattern for commissioned officers and optional ankle boots DMS for WOs & SNCOs .
No 3 uniform may be acquired by members of the ATC for certain duties, such as shooting and fieldcraft. It is worn with the issued beret for all ranks. Officers wear the Royal Air Force force identifier and Tactical Recognition Flash (TRF), non-commissioned staff wear the Air Cadets force identifier and SNCO TRF and cadets wear the Air Cadets force identifier and Cadet TRF.
Cadet forces version of the No 3 uniform consists of:
There is also a two part waterproof suit (jacket and trousers) in DPM pattern for foul weather, and a number of cold weather undergarments such as a fleece jacket
and a Norwegian shirt.
As DPM uniform has only recently started to be issued to cadets, and privately sourced uniform is still being worn by most, the wearing of DPM uniform across the ATC is far from standardised. Recent guidelines encourage the wearing of the union flag (previously forbidden) and RAF pattern stable belt by Cadets and Staff.
, for those staff who do not have No 5s. The No 4 uniform consists of the jacket and trousers of the No 1 uniform, worn with a white Marcella shirt and black bow tie, with appropriate No 1 SD hat and black shoes.
(RAF) wear the same uniform as their counterparts in the Air Training Corps with one exception. CCF (RAF) cadets wear the RAF Other Ranks cap badge in their berets as opposed to the Air Training Corps cap badge.
s and AEF
s wear flight suits (known as No 14 dress) for flying duties. For non flying duties, staff wear standard ACO uniform and cadets wear the uniform appropriate to their parent organisation (ATC or CCF).
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...
(ACO) wear a uniform based on the one worn by regular members of the Royal Air Force. Cadets, SNCOs (ATC) and WOs (ATC) are subject to ACO regulations, with Officers adhering to RAF regulations (being commissioned officers of the RAF).
As with the RAF, there are several uniform modes available to all personnel, depending on the circumstances under which it is worn.
Air Training Corps
Cadets, SNCOs (ATC), WOsWarrant 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...
(ATC) and Officers of the ATC
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...
wear uniform - civilian instructors, chaplains and members of the civilian committee do not normally wear uniform, although a uniform of sorts has been issued to civilian instructors in the form of a polo shirt and sweatshirt (previously identified by either an armband or lapel pin). Those entitled to uniform have it issued free of charge by the supply squadron at a local RAF station, which in the case of cadets comes via their squadron's stores. Cadets and SNCOs/WOs (ATC) are then entitled to free replacements as needed.
Uniformed staff wear the appropriate uniform for their rank in the regular RAF, with the rank insignia appropriate to their RAF rank, with the exception of Warrant Officers (who wear a crown as their rank insignia). They are distinguished by gilt pins on their rank slides (No 2 or 3 dress) or lapels (Nos 1, 4 and 5 dress), with the designation "ATC" for SNCOs/WOs and "VRT" for commissioned officers.
No 1 (Service Dress) Uniform
- SNCOs and WOs (ATC)
- Cadet Warrant Officers
- Lord Lieutenant's Cadets
- Band Members
The uniform consists of jacket and trousers (worn with a standard No 2 shirt) with the appropriate No 1 SD hat, black shoes (DMS or Oxfords) and gloves (for officers and WOs, optional for NCOs).
After obtaining permission from Wing COs, cadet bands are sometimes permitted to wear white belts and gloves when on formal duties.
No 2a
- RAF wedgewood blue shirt with tie
- RAF No 2 Dress trousers (male cadets), RAF No 2 dress skirts (female cadets);
- RAF Blue-grey belt with a polished brass/staybrite buckle (male cadets), optional (if not on formal parade) RAF Purse Belt (female cadets) or RAF Stable belt (both genders)
- RAF jumper (No 2 dress), onto which is sewn the highest Duke of Edinburgh's Award badge achieved (right shoulder patch) and flying and gliding "wings" (left shoulder patch)
- RAF BeretBeretA beret is a soft, round, flat-crowned hat, designated a "cap", usually of woven, hand-knitted wool, crocheted cotton, or wool felt, or acrylic fiber....
with ATC cap badge (a white metal badge comprising a falcon surrounded by the words "Air Training Corps") - A brassardBrassardA brassard or armlet is an armband or piece of cloth or other material worn around the upper arm, used as an item of military uniform to which rank badges may be attached instead of being stitched into the actual clothing...
, which is worn by all cadets on the right arm, and includes the Air Training Corps distinguishing badge, squadron number, classification badge and most other proficiency badges - Black leather shoes (ideally RAF pattern or similar) are required but not issued
- Cadets also wear a lanyard if qualified to do so
- Cadet NCOs wear the appropriate rank slides on the epaulettes of their jumper or shirt
- Lord Lieutenant's cadets wear a separate brassard with distinguishing badge and sqn number on the left arm during time in office
- Cadets are also issued a blue waterproof jeltex jacket for outdoor wear in foul weather, the only insignia worn on this jacket is a rank slide if entitled.
No 2c
For normal duties, cadets wear a version of the RAF No 2c uniform (as worn by RAF Airmen in technical trades). Cadets never wear the RAF No 2b uniform (short sleeve wedgewood shirt and no tie). Cadets' version of the RAF No 2c uniform, known as "working blues" or "Number twos", is the same as the No 2a uniform but worn with a dark blue open-necked shirt and no tie. The stable belt may be worn.
At any time during the year (but most commonly done in the summer for comfort), the officer commanding a unit may authorise "shirt-sleeve order", in which the jumper is removed and sleeves are smartly rolled up to just above the elbow. If wearing a Wedgewood Blue shirt with a tie, cadets do not roll the sleeves up. Brassards, lanyards and rank slides are transferred to the shirt, but Duke of Edinburgh's Award and flying badges are not worn.
Staff
Uniformed staff wear No 2/2a (long sleve, with tie) or No 2b (short sleve, without tie) uniform for normal duties, with or without a jumper and/or GP Jacket. They do not wear a brassard. Male and Female Officers wear their No 1 SD Cap (issued) or a Forage Cap (purchased privately), Male and Female NCOs and WOs wear a beretBeret
A beret is a soft, round, flat-crowned hat, designated a "cap", usually of woven, hand-knitted wool, crocheted cotton, or wool felt, or acrylic fiber....
(issued) or a Forage Cap (purchased privately). The shoes are either DMS for all ranks, or optional Oxford pattern for commissioned officers and optional ankle boots DMS for WOs & SNCOs .
No 3 (DPM) Uniform
Cadet forces version of the No 3 uniform consists of:
- DPM Light-weight Jacket (Normally referred to as a DPM Shirt).
- DPM Jacket.
- DPM trousers.
- Issued BeretBeretA beret is a soft, round, flat-crowned hat, designated a "cap", usually of woven, hand-knitted wool, crocheted cotton, or wool felt, or acrylic fiber....
with appropriate cap badge. - Black leather combat boots.
- 2.5 inch belt (Olive green belt for field exercises).
- RAF Stable belt (barrack dress).
There is also a two part waterproof suit (jacket and trousers) in DPM pattern for foul weather, and a number of cold weather undergarments such as a fleece jacket
Polar fleece
Polar fleece, usually referred to simply as "fleece," is a soft napped insulating synthetic fabric made from Polyethylene terephthalate or other synthetic fibers. One of the first forms was Polar Fleece created in 1979 by Malden Mills, now Polartec LLC., a new, light and strong pile fabric meant...
and a Norwegian shirt.
As DPM uniform has only recently started to be issued to cadets, and privately sourced uniform is still being worn by most, the wearing of DPM uniform across the ATC is far from standardised. Recent guidelines encourage the wearing of the union flag (previously forbidden) and RAF pattern stable belt by Cadets and Staff.
No 4 (Interim Mess) Uniform
No 4 Uniform is an interim mess dressMess dress
Mess dress is the military term for the formal evening dress worn in the mess or at other formal occasions. It is also known as mess uniform and mess kit...
, for those staff who do not have No 5s. The No 4 uniform consists of the jacket and trousers of the No 1 uniform, worn with a white Marcella shirt and black bow tie, with appropriate No 1 SD hat and black shoes.
No 5B (Mess) Uniform
No 5B uniform may be acquired privately by staff for functions. Those who do not have No 5B will wear No 4 dress.Combined Cadet Force RAF Sections
Members of the CCFCombined 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,...
(RAF) wear the same uniform as their counterparts in the Air Training Corps with one exception. CCF (RAF) cadets wear the RAF Other Ranks cap badge in their berets as opposed to the Air Training Corps cap badge.
Volunteer Gliding Squadron and Air Experience Flights
Members of VGSVolunteer Gliding Squadron
Volunteer Gliding Squadrons are Royal Air Force Flying Training Units , operating military Viking TX.1 and Vigilant T.1 gliders to train Air Cadets from the Combined Cadet Force and the Air Training Corps....
s 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...
s wear flight suits (known as No 14 dress) for flying duties. For non flying duties, staff wear standard ACO uniform and cadets wear the uniform appropriate to their parent organisation (ATC or CCF).