Where are the rules (Chapter and Verse) on cadets (especially 18 and over) and the consumption (or prohibition of?) of alcohol?
All I can find is ACP 4 and all that stated is cadets 18 and over are not allowed while on duty.
ACP 04 Chapter 5
6. Cadets. In the UK, it is a statutory offence for any person under the age of 18 to purchase, attempt to purchase, or to be provided with alcohol. Cadets are therefore to conform to UK law regarding the possession and consumption of alcohol (or to any more stringent law of a host country when representing the ACO overseas). Cadets on duty aged 18 years and over should not be permitted to purchase, possess and consume alcohol, except with the explicit authority of the commanding officer who is to conform with the specific rules issued by a higher authority for a particular event or activity. However, in granting this permission, it should be noted that any injury sustained whilst under the influence of alcohol is excluded from the ACO personal accident insurance cover which would normally include travel to and from a duty location as well as the activity period itself. It may also be excluded from the normal MOD indemnity extended to adult staff acting in the normal course of their duties. In other words, adult members of staff who grant such permission may be personally liable for any adverse consequences, linked to alcohol consumption, that follow.
Licensing Act 2003 S149(1)
Seems to imply that cadets 18 and over can consume alcohol while off duty.
Is this right? :? :? :? :? Is this a change in policy?
It has been like that for a while (and if I recall) we debated this some time ago.
My interpretation is they can subject to the approval of OC activity subject to any other dictats that come down from on high (for example from stn cdr).
And to be honest, whats the issue with it? If adults can (subject to the situation being appropriate) why not adult cadets (subject to the situation being appropriate - i.e. not getting sloshed, and not appearing in front of the younger cadets stinking of beer!)?
Yeah, pretty sure it’s been that way since the LASER review, before that I believe it used to specify CWO. I think that’s why a lot of camps briefings state that Jonny Staish decrees no alcohol for cadets.
The ‘adult cadet’ dichotomy. We have cadets over 18 who are now, more so than in my day, legally defined as adults working with children and yet the ACO and RAF have not yet woken up to the fact and expect our over 18s to be adults one minute and then treats them like children the next. Am I surprised, not really.
The no alcohol rule was there when I was a 21 year old cadet, but when on camp we would get late passes and go out to the local village for a beer. Everyone knew it went on and unless you came back off your face or couldn’t get up in the morning no one bothered. These no longer happen mainly as on most camps the over 18s are there on their own.
It could also be interpreted as double standards on the part of the RAF.
Some of our cadets are older than some airmen. Over the years, I’ve seen thousands of 18\19yr old ‘young airmen’ getting absolutely off their nipples in the station NAAFI bar and local hostelries, when 21yr old CWO’s were - officially - forbidden from having even a half of lager shandy.
IMHO, an adult is an adult is an adult. Let’s start treating our older cadets like the adults they are or, bin cadet service upon attaining the age of 18 and take them on as staff.
[quote=“Gunner” post=1556]It could also be interpreted as double standards on the part of the RAF.
Some of our cadets are older than some airmen. Over the years, I’ve seen thousands of 18\19yr old ‘young airmen’ getting absolutely off their nipples in the station NAAFI bar and local hostelries, when 21yr old CWO’s were - officially - forbidden from having even a half of lager shandy.[/quote]
Agreed was in that situation myself as a 21 yr old CWO! My mate was doing phase 2 at Halton when we were there on camp and we couldn’t even go for a beer and catch up! That was frustrating to say the least!
Agree on both counts! I think some staff are better at treating the over 18 cadets like young adults whereas some are awful and on the flip side some over 18 cadets obviously act more like adults than others!
Agree on both counts! I think some staff are better at treating the over 18 cadets like young adults whereas some are awful and on the flip side some over 18 cadets obviously act more like adults than others![/quote]
Massively agree. I hated being an ‘Instructor Cadet’ and I’ve always thought that cadet ‘service’ should end at eighteen. I’ve just never been able to work out how you would get people onto staff easily at that point, but I suppose it would be no different to what happens at twenty now, really.