I am a cadet about to turn 18 and I am in application to join the RAF and should (hopefully) be ‘gone’ by the end of the year, and I am considering becoming a CI as I feel like I have done all I will do in my ‘cadet career’, and would like to ask, I know CI’s don’t have to commit but is it worth being a CI for 6 - 12 months.
If you meet the requirements for Staff Cadet then I would go with that. It’ll be less admin and if you choose CI you may have to move to a different squadron (Regions seem to vary in their level of enforcement of this).
I assume you’ve spoken to your OC already? If not, that’s where you should start. Either route you will need to be proactive and take ownership of getting through the process.
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I’d be inclined to agree with @Jimothy.
Go for Staff Cadet as it is the simpler process if you want to stay involved, and you can always transition to CI later if you want.
I’ve put together some guidance for my cadets so they can make an informed decision of what they’d like to do, screenshotted below.
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Agree with the above.
there is little to be gained being a CI for 6-12 months if you are intending to leave the organisation for the RAF.
there will be several hoops to jump through, most of which admin related and for little if any gain (depends on how much you like putting on the uniform).
there is very little difference (if any) between the two roles.
while you feel you have achieved all you can as a Cadet, you’ll not achieve anything different as a CI in that time.
Rather than look at what you can achieve personally, consider what you can offer to the rest of the Squadron - namely supporting the NCO team.
the only benefit i see in transferring to CI sooner rather than later is if the RAF application fails and you do not end up joining up. thus in 12 months time you’ll be “stuck” as a Cadet until 20 (once the decision has been made to be Staff Cadet you cannot then decide to be a CI when it suits you)
This is incorrect,
The minimum age to be a CI if a currently serving cadet is 18. that doesn’t mean they can only become a CI at 18.
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oh - hands up, i was under the impression a Cadet approaching 18 had to make the decision one way or another.
I thought you could move acres at any time post 18? Or has it changed again?
I agree with @mprentice1 here, at age 18 the default is Leave / Staff Cadet
Then from age 18 you have the option to convert to CFAV, but will likely require a move to an alternate unit.
Some Scenarios…
At 18 I might be still earning to drive so become a staff cadet, 9 months letter I’ve got my licence and a car, so now I review and decide nothing left for me to achieve so I’ll take the CFAV Option.
I’m approaching my 18th birthday, just been promoted to CWO and eyeing up a place on IACE, so I complete the staff cadet route. In summer 27 (aged 19) I return from exotic IACE location and move to a CFAV role from 1 Sep 27
I’m in the other camp and would go CI over staff cadet, especially if there isn’t anything specific you want for your cadet carer.
Your thinking about it early, the process can be pretty seamless, the moving to another Sqn is very region dependant.
Is it worth it for 6-12 months though? Is the individual or the Sqn likely to get much value out of the appointment in that limited time?
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my thoughts exactly.
if moving Squadron it can easily take 6 months to get up to speed, and a further 6 to get established - so what does a new unit gain before the new CI disappears?
if staying, I am not sure what the individual gains as a CI over being a Cadet, even less so if the Cadet is a SNCO. they’ll still be able to attend events, acting as “directing staff” still able to to take a “lead” on events, arguably as a CI they should leave running the event to the Cadet NCOs.
other than the ability to claim mileage (home to duty) and not pay subs, i am lost what someone 18 gains over a limited 12 month period…
the only advantage would be if a Squadron was particularly short staffed and as a CI could be immediately appointed to a role account (Adj/Trg) as they get automatically a@rafac email address - but if in such a situation, there are cases where 018 Cadets have access to these accounts too due to Staff shortages on Sqns
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No brainer. Had a similar conversation about yr ago with a cadet (not on my sqn).
Stay as staff cadet, if feasible / acceptable to sqn. Minimal paperwork / faff, no potential need to move sqns. Use your knowledge & any cadet quals to benefit your sqn.
Assess RAF application - you should be able to firm up recruitment aspects by end of summer(?). If RAF application accepted but delayed, then perhaps reconsider - but all in all, you won’t be bringing much the table as a CI for a limited period of time.
There’s always the possibility of being selected for IACE / ACPS, etc., as a cadet.
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