As for the other point of combining the upper levels of cadets, that works well for the CCF. We retain our individual identity as single service sections within a wider combined contingent. This makes it a lot easier for my RAF Section to go on RN and Army courses, greater staff crossover for things like DofE, shooting, AT, fieldcraft etc. whilst still able to parade in blues, go flying, and do the RAFAC syllabus.
I’m sure if this model was extended to the community cadet forces, where you have true volunteers, rather than CCF who often have staff pressganged into being a CFAV and in some contingents the kids are forced into joining for at least a year, you could get the benefits of the CCF close working with other sections whilst also getting rid of some of the bad habits (Long hair/white socks) and bringing in the many benefits the ATC has over the CCF
I can’t see any reason why an amalgamated cadet force couldn’t still focus on those aspects?
In fact, giving Air Cadets access to the AAC and FAA (is it still called that?) might do more to improve our record in getting cadets in the air…
@EarlGrey The military has changed, evolved, amalgamated and disaggregated, over the centuries. Just thinking about the RAF how many Groups have been and gone and or been combined? Did these have traditions or whatever?
The RAF was formed as a result of the amalgamation of the RFC and RNAS and has undergone many changes since, a number of which Lord Trenchard would have been instrumental in making happen.
Traditions remain, change or become reinvented.
The most certain thing is if you don’t change or adapt, you are only going one way. I love the Air Cadets and like you have many good memories of what I did as a cadet, but I fully recognise if more youngsters are going to get similar opportunities things have to change and the best way for that is some degree of amalgamation, because as I have seen over the last few years the RAF hasn’t been up to the job and I know talking to people I know in the ACF, they feel let down by the Army,.
Looking forward to the first real shambles - you know, one of those where everyone just falls about laughing at how badly something just went…
Might we need to focus on NCOs as key to rebuild & recruitment? Can see some Squadrons needing to have staff acting as Cadets, to give NCOs practice at marching us all into the furniture…
Looking forward to a few more gliders - maybe one per Region some time this year, then one per Wing the year after? Well, I can dream…
Pipe dream.
One for the whole Corps… ground based display model…
…
1:72 scale 
