Welcome to the 6F (Romford) Squadron recruitment Pack

IntroductionThank you for showing interest in joining the Air Training Corps. This welcome pack will give you all the information you should need on what we do and what you can get out of the corps.

The Air Training Corps is a national organisation with over 40,000 members. As an organisation we run numerous activities which you will see in this pack. Many of these activities are included in the cost of your subs and you will get to experience things that you would not otherwise get to do. Being a part of the Air Training Corps helps build skills and knowledge which will benefit you throughout life.

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Contents

Why Join the ATCActivities within the ATCTrainingTestimonialsContact usLinksWhat to do next?Exit

Why join the ATCWe could fill a whole book with the advantages of joining the ATC, so we’ll concentrate on the few which will most likely appeal to you.

• ActivitiesWhat did you do this weekend? Cadets across the country were busy taking part in numerous fun activities. Rather that playing on the computer, would you rather be flying for real? Or shooting with a real weapon, or how about spending the weekend on an Army training area, avoiding capture from enemy forces? All of these are activities you could be regularly taking part in, and it doesn’t stop there. Through the cadets would could find yourself on expeditions abroad, recently London wing have been to Sri Lanka and South Africa. Rather stay in the UK? No problem, annual camp sees around 30 cadets from around London spend a week on an RAF base somewhere in the UK. You will live like the regulars, eat in the mess and visit the sections of the base to see what life in the RAF is like. In the evenings you will take part in activities from a night exercise, to bowling and, of course, the end of camp disco.You will also spend time learning navigational skills and camp craft as part of your Duke of Edinburgh award. You will also be taking part in Parades, in your best uniform impressing the public with your marching skills. Lets not forget that from the age of 16 you could complete a gliding scholarship, finish in you flying solo, before you can learn to drive, you could be flying a glider on your own.That’s just a few of the main activities we do, you will be able to take part in many more enjoyable activities not available to many others your age.

Why join the ATC• Friends

There are over 40,000 members of the Air Training Corps, through camps and wing activities you will meet many like minded people, some of which you will build strong friendships with. Romford is a medium size squadron of friendly cadets from the local area, but you will also meet other cadets when you attend annual camps. Many people who have been in the cadets have lifelong friends that they met during there time as a cadet.

• ProspectsIt might not even be something that you have considered, but being in the cadets opens up endless prospects which help you in your later life. When job hunting, Air Cadets is something employers look for on a CV, the skills you learn through the cadets, like Leadership, Discipline and initiative. Not only that, but activities you complete in the Air Cadets can help to, such as Duke of Edinburgh Award, Sports Coaching or Refereeing Courses. The Training programme you undergo also helps towards completing a BTEC award.That’s to name just a few of the many reasons you should and will enjoy joining the Air Training Corps.

Activities• Within the ATC you can take part in any number of great

activities. Click on any from the list below to find out more.

Shooting Flying Gliding

Ceremonial Duke of Edinburgh

Annual Camps Basic Military Skills Overseas Camps

Sports

ShootingEligibility: Complete Initial Weapons Training (IWT) and pass Weapons Handling Test (WHT)

You will have plenty of opportunities in the Corps to shoot. The squadron has our own set of No 8 .22 rifles, which you will learn to shoot during your basic training course. We regularly shoot these weapons on squadron nights so you will be able to hone your skills and gain the your marksman. At wing shoots, you will get to fire the L98A2 Cadet GP rifle, you will also learn how to strip down and clean the rifle after use. All shooting activities is run and staffed by Qualified and competent staff. Each person, Cadet and staff, who shoot must complete training on that rifle and have a current WHT passed within the past 3 months.

Cadet Nerice Blake

Shooting i believe is one of the best activities that you can take part in at cadets. There are many different rifles you can shoot from your standard no.8 rifle to a semi-automatic L98 A2. You can also achieve awards of marksmanship and go to various different indoor and outdoor ranges! It's brilliant :D

Air Experience Flight (AEF)Eligibility: Complete Basic Training

On a nearby RAF base you will take part in a 30min flight each time you attend. During the time you will get to take the controls. On your first flight the pilot will teach you basic turns and controls of the aircraft. Each subsequent time you will be taught a bit more. If you want, the pilot is also likely to let you experience the thrill of aerobatics, completing Loop-the-loop and barrel rolls.

Glider Induction Course (GIC)Eligibility: Complete Basic Training

When you go gliding, you will spend the day at the aerodrome during which time you will get around 3 launches and 20min flying time. During the flight you will get to take the controls and learn turns and basic flying controls. You will experience the thrill of a winch launch feeling acceleration similar to that of a supercar and climbing to 1,000ft in a matter of seconds. While you are not flying you will be part of the gliding experience, moving around gliders and connect them to the cable for launch.

Gliding Scholarship (GS)

Eligibility: Age 16

During the course you will develop your flying skills and learn the techniques of the winch launch and landing. After you show you are competent in this and completing emergency drills you’re pilot will get out the glider and you will complete a circuit solo, earning you your wings.

Cdt Sam Austin

The Gliding Scholarship is a great way for cadets to get some hands on experience in the air as they learn to fly a glider and if maybe experience solo flight.The Gliding Scholarship also opens up many other doors in the ATC towards higher gliding qualifications and is a real "leg up" when applying for a Flying Scheme.

Annual CampsEligibility: Complete Basic Training

Each summer you will have the chance to attend an annual camp. About 30 cadets from around the London Wing will go to an RAF base in the UK, under the control of a staff team from squadrons in the Wing. It will be a different camp each year, and varies from bases in Cornwall, Scotland, and even northern Ireland. During the week on base you will visit different RAF sections, this is great if you are thinking of joining the RAF, but even if not it will not fail to interest you. There is also emphasis on ensuring each cadet enjoys the week away, with evenings activities from bowling, quasar and a disco.

Duke of Edinburgh AwardEligibility: Bronze - 14 Years of ageSilver – 15 Years of ageGold – 16 years of age

The squadron is an active member in the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme. This is a nationally recognised youth achievement award. During each stage of the award you will take part in 4 sections, covering volunteering, Skills, usually shooting and Physical. As well as this you will complete a self-sufficient expedition. This starts as a 2 day, one night expedition increasing by one night at each level.

Overseas CampsFrom time to time there are Wing and Corps run camps abroad. Recent camps attended by members of our squadron include The Falklands and South Africa. The wing has also recently been on expedition to Sri Lanka and there are plans to run an expedition to Everest Base camp. Eligibility for these camps vary depending on the location and purpose of the camp.

What our cadets SayCdt Jennifer HowlettGoing to South Africa with the London Wing Cadets was the best experience of my life so farThe challenge of the 71 km trek across the Drakensburg mountains, zip lining and cuddling baby cheetahs all added up to a journey I will never forget.

Ceremonial

Eligibility: Complete Basic Training Course and be competent at drill

If you have seen on TV the Lord Mayors Parade, or the Cenotaph on remembrance parade, there is a chance you’ll have seen some members of 6F (Romford) each year we send some lucky cadets to attend these events. We also take part in local remembrance and Battle of Britain Parades. A chance to show off your skills and care of uniform to family and friends in the public eye.

Basic Military SkillsEligibility: Complete Basic Training

During the course of each year the squadron runs a number of Basic Military training weekends. During these you will travel to an Army training area and be taught, and have chance to practice military skills of cam and concealment, ambush and living in the field. Nights will be spent either in a troop shelter, or sleeping under a bivi-sheet in the open area. Living off ration packs you will get experience of what it is like to be in real combat while in a safe and controlled environment.

Sports and FitnessEligibility: Complete Basic Training

Sgt Rizwan AhmedFootball, Rugby, Hockey, Netball, Athletics, these are just some of the sporting activities you can do in the Air Training Corps, and up to a national level. There are a range of activities with build team work, competition and long lasting friendship even outside the ATC.

I have been at 6F (Romford) for 3 years and in this time I have represented whole of London against teams from around the UK at Cross Country. I have also participated an athletics and 5-a-side competition which is run annually across London Wing.

During Squadron nights we run two different types of sport – Fitness training and team sports. If you like pushing yourself we also run hard battlefield PT which involves log runs, press ups and leopard crawls. So why not come down and prove yourself, and have fun at the same time.

TrainingDuring your time in the Air Training Course you will take part in ongoing training. The most important part of this will be the first 8 weeks. This will form your Basic Training. The purpose of the training course is to allow you to become a competent and well rounded cadet. This will involve a variety of activities as listed in the attached training programme. This document is to give you an overview of the activities and a brief description of what you will be doing.

Physical trainingWhile in the Air Training Corps you will participate in physical training, this will range from the popular ‘bleep test’ to assault courses at various military establishments around the country. There is no minimum fitness standard you must achieve although we are looking for motivated determined individuals.ShootingYou will be introduced to the .22 in No.8 rifle and be taught in the safe usage of this weapon. As part of this training you will be taught to not only fire the weapon but to strip, clean and handle the weapon in a safe and confident manor.Teamwork and leadershipTeamwork and leadership will play an important part in your cadet career, not only will this equip you with transferable skills that help you in all walks of life but it will increase your chances of getting promoted to an NCO position. At first this will consist of simple tasks where you will work as a team to complete an objective in a fictitious scenario. As you progress the tasks will get progressively more complex and you get a chance to take the role of team leader. The Air Training Corps also offers courses specific to this skill set including NCO courses, the air cadet leadership course and the junior leader’s course. You will be taught the correct method for briefing, leading and debriefing a team.

TrainingAdventure trainingAdventurous Training is an essential part of the Air Cadet's training syllabus and the place where team effort really matters - you'll build new friendships, and learn to rely on the other people you're with to get the job done. It also lets you show off your leadership qualities.As part of your course you will attend a weekend activity where you will learn the fundamental skills for use on expeditions. The planning and preparation stages for an expedition as well as the practical skills that you will use during an expedition such as navigation, packing a rucksack, camp craft and the country code

DrillWhen a group of twenty cadets walk on to a parade square they are all individuals, but as soon as a session of drill begins the cadets become a team, following the orders given by one person. Instead of twenty individual feet hitting the ground, there is only one sound. This is the result of practice and teamwork.Drill is also used when you are moving around in large groups in a smart, orderly fashion. Whatever the reason for a drill it's an impressive sight and shows civilians and members of the Forces just how well disciplined you are.As a cadet you'll participate in various forms of drill, such as:

–Foot Drill –Basic Drill (both quick & slow time) –Banner Drill –Band Drill

With a few years experience, and if you've attained a Non-Commissioned Officer rank, you could pass on your knowledge and experience to other cadets, instructing them on how to participate in a drill squad, taking charge of a drill squad yourself, or even playing a major part in ceremonial drill. Being a Standard Bearer at a Remembrance Day parade is a real moment of pride and achievement for a cadet.

TrainingAfter completing the Basic Training you will become a First Class Cadet. After this your training continues as you progress up the classifications. Starting with Leading Class Training, then Senior, followed by instructor cadet training. These you will find less intense than the basic training course and are assessed with multiple choice tests. This training will teach you a range of skills from navigation to propulsion. Each subject is taught by a member of staff who is skilled and enthusiastic on that subject.

The training programme is structured so that you will also gain extra qualifications which will assist you outside the cadets in both looking for work or going into further education

Testimonials Please read below from one of our senior cadets Flight Seargent Gibb about her time at the squadron.

I have been a part of the Air Training Corps for 5 years now and have reached the rank of Cadet Flight Sergeant. After joining just after my 15th Birthday and doing my first weekend camp after only a few short weeks of being a cadet, I was hooked. I have got so much out of cadets and it has been beneficial to me for so many reasons. It has helped me with my outside career as well as giving me many different experiences that I would never have had the chance to do unless I was a cadet. I have gained various different qualifications such as first aid and have been trained with weapons and how to fire them safely. I have also been flying and gliding, taking control of the aircraft whilst in flight. Achieving my Bronze and Silver Duke of Edinburgh Award even after being injured, it was my team who helped me finish the task. I have been wall climbing, artificial ice climbing, camping, biviing (sleeping under a bivi sheet in the open air), 36, 24 and 8 hr exercises on different military establishments. Various different squadron event such as the squadron BBQ, Presentation evenings, Squadron Quiz nights, Fund raising functions, and my favourite bit the annual Dining in night, where all the girlies put on pretty dresses and the boys put on a tux, we sit and have a meal together cooked by Miss White, then there are various speeches that are read out by the Officer Commanding, Senior NCO etc. Then we retreat and have mess games and a disco and time to relax in each others company before we break up for Christmas Taking part in all activities are a huge privilege and I am honoured to take part in the Ceremonial Duties that we do, ranging from Remembrance Sunday Parade and Battle of Britain Parade and many more. We also teach and learn different drill on the squadron. By drill I mean marching, the cadets are taught how to march and as they improve they are given harder challenges and more complex manoeuvres to remember and learn. During my 5 years with the Air Training Corps I have many memories that will stay with me forever but my biggest achievement within the corps and my most treasured memories are those from the Falkland Island where 9 very lucky cadets where taken 8000 miles south of Britain. We arrived at Ascension Island for our linking flight only to find ourselves with a 13 hour delay into the Falklands because of bad weather. This turned out to be a blessing in disguise because we had those 13 hours to explore the Ascensions, it was absolutely fantastic, the heat, as we were on the equator was amazing and the island itself was magical. We went down to the beech and over looked the bluest sea I have ever seen with the softest sand I have ever felt. Our time was up all too quickly and we were boarding the next flight to the Falklands.We arrived at RAF Mount Pleasant and were taken to our rooms and settled in, we arrived in the middle of the morning, after a few hours sleep, we went to the Typhoon hanger and learnt how they worked, watched them take of and land. In the evening we all dresses smartly and went for dinner with Air Commodore Gordon Moulds CBE. Over the next nine days we packed as much in as we possibly could. We climbed Mount Harriet, visited the Rapier Battery and played football with Air Commodore Moulds. I have also flown a Hercules along side a pilot from the RAF driven large plant machinery, dumping and loading bulk building materials. We went to Darwin and Goose Green and visited the memorial grounds which whilst we were there made the hairs on the back of our necks stand up. We went to the Bomb Disposal pad and all had a ride in the tanks. We were lucky enough to watch an airfield attack with the Hercules, Typhoons and the tanks. After a busy 10 days in the Falklands we left to go home.

Contact us• Address

6f(Romford) Squadron ATCTA Centre312 London RoadRomfordEssexRM7 9NH

• TEL: 01708 749141• Email: 6@aircadets.org – Please use subject ‘New Recruit

information’• Parade times: Mondays and Thursdays 1900 - 2130

Links

• www.6fsquadron.co.uk

• www.aircadets.org

• www.theaward.org

What to do next?• Hopefully by now you are interested in joining the Squadron. In order to

register your interest in attending the next recruit flight please click here to email your contact details. Alternatively you can call the squadron during parade times, please see the contacts page for details.

• After you have done this, please access the files saved in the ‘Forms’ folder. File Named ‘Joining Forms’ should be printed, completed and signed to be returned to the squadron by post 2 weeks prior to your course start date. Please note this is a admin requirement and failure to submit may result in postponement of your training course.– If it is already less than 2 weeks to go till the next training weekend, don’t worry, it might

not be too late. Please call the squadron during parade time and we will do our best to get you on the course.