I’d never seen cadets officers wear them either until rejoining recently, had always seemed like an extravagant purchase when you’re only wearing them once/twice a year, and they’re voluntary… But as the OP says, they’ve been gifted a set.
Depends how Social your Wing is, I wear No5’s more often than I wear No1’s!
What are these VR(T) officers and SNCO(ATC) creatures you speak of…? 