A bit of a wierd question, I know. I recently went to RIAT airshow with my squadron, and whilst I was there I bought a fellow cadet something, as well as some food for my group (with my own money). I was recognised by my CO for this, and was told if I kept this type of behaviour up I would have a chance at being promoted (obviously this won’t be the only thing taken into account). As I am going on holiday soon I won’t be at cadets for a while and was thinking about buying some chocolates for everyone at my squadron. However I’m a bit worried that this type of thing (especially involving purchases) would be viewed as bribery by other cadets and/or my CO. Just need a bit of advice from other cadets, rather than random people who don’t know a thing about the ATC. Thanks!
Small and occasional is my take on it.
Agree.
Don’t go crazy and start buying stuff for folk all the time as people may see you as a push over if they are on hard times.
Personally I wouldn’t buy anything else unless you have one or two close friends on unit then get them something but give it to them in private.
You’ve made your mark with your CO so now you’re on his radar he’ll be watching your behavior, uniform standard etc. you’ve ticked one box in the list for promotion now you need to get the others.
It is your personal perogative to spend your money how you like, but it could be regarded as looking to buy friends or curry favour. It’s one thing if people are stuck for a few pence and you lend it to them, but another entirely to buy things for them.
If I was aware of a cadet doing this I would be questioning it and offering advice about the dangers of being taken for a soft touch. I would also share my concerns with their parents.
In the situation you described at RIAT, the food issue should be brought to the attention of staff as a first off. If I heard that a cadet had paid for them I’d ensure they got their money back from the other cadet at a future point or as a last resort the CWC and I would do the same for staff. It’s all to easy for some to take advantage of people if they feel they are as said a soft touch.
Glass half empty 2, thanks for the advice, but I feel it is necessary to reply to you, specifically, to clear a few things up; at RIAT it was more a case of buying some snacks for the small group I was with using some extra money I had. With regards to me buying something for a specific cadet, I am already close enough with the cadet in question that I don’t think anyone saw it as an attempt to buy their friendship. As I mentioned at the start, I respect and understand your opinion and will take on your advice, (as I will do with Plt Off Prune and Scrounger).
Cool. Nobody else does 
So advising and protecting cadets from being taken advantage of especially in this way, financially, is bad in some way? It is no different to what I would say to my own kids, being a cadet or similar makes no difference.
Going to any event would advise taking your own food for the day (going home will probably include a visit to a chippy) as the food hawkers are not shy in charging silly money (IMO) for food. It’s bad enough when visiting venues, but put this into a context of airshows (with the sole exception of the old days of Mildenhall) with a captive audience and the price becomes even more ridiculous.
So advising and protecting cadets from being taken advantage of especially in this way, financially, is bad in some way? It is no different to what I would say to my own kids, being a cadet or similar makes no difference.
Going to any event would advise taking your own food for the day (going home will probably include a visit to a chippy) as the food hawkers are not shy in charging silly money (IMO) for food. It’s bad enough when visiting venues, but put this into a context of airshows (with the sole exception of the old days of Mildenhall) with a captive audience and the price becomes even more ridiculous.[/quote]
Mate, HQAC at Cranwell in their ivory tower are organising dark forces to turn the internet against you. Don’t rise to the trolls.