I think that one of the reason they exist on the CCF as many started as OTCs pre WW1, and became Junior Training Corps between the wars (Some mad ex-RFC types setup airforce section & called them unofficially as Air Training Corps in the ‘30s which causes havoc & headaches for historians). OTC remained in universities.
The JTCs became CCFs just after WWII in the 1950s I believe.
So really old CCFs will have U/Os & hence cause confusion particularly when the (current) ATC tries to put them in one of their boxes.
From what I’ve come to understand in an RAF section cadet under officer isn’t officially a thing. Or at least it’s not recognised at HQAC etc.
That said I’m aware some schools RAF sections still do it.
Its the unofficial cadet rank after cadet warrant officer.
From what I understand on blues camps and joint activities with other cadet forces the cadet in question reverts back to CWO for the day/week/weekend/summer camp.
Unlike RN and Army sections cadut under officer isn’t a thing that officially recognised.
The bitterness from my C1 line manager when they had to sign off acting Sqn Ldr pay for me and realised I was now being paid substantially more to work for them
For those who enjoy CCF bashing, I will dig out a photograph of our OTC from 1911, at its first inspection. It features a large number of cadets wearing Under Officer rank, including white bands on the hat.
Around 50% of those UOs some have accused of playing at ‘some old school boys own adventure’ [sic] were dead by 1918.
In WW2, so many boys from the same boarding house died in the Battle of Britain that the housemaster killed himself.
Oh, absolutely! Just that CCF-bashing is still a popular sport in here. Certainly no criticism of the ATC and ADCC which has indeed been just as hard hit. But CCF aren’t ‘playing’ either.
Will be interesting to see if that changes with the ASTRA organisational changes.
VCC were formed by some navy or marine officer in the early 1900s i think after either theirs or another sons broke the COs window playing ball games.
Ah there we go…
The VCC traces its history back to the formation of the Royal Marines Artillery Cadet Corps (RMACC) in the Mission Hall, Prince Albert Street, Eastney on 14 February 1901. The new Cadet Corps was then based at the now closed Royal Marines Eastney Barracks in Portsmouth. It was formed, so the story goes, to “gainfully occupy the spare time of sons of senior Non-Commissioned Officers (SNCOs)” after an occasion when the colonel’s office window was broken by a ball kicked by an SNCO’s son playing outside.
I think it’s the order of March type of seniority. I note in the Warrent that the CCF is mentioned as part of individual services rather than as a separate branch.
So would seniority of March go
CCF
VCC
SCC
ACF
ATC
VPC//Fire cdts/Emergency services
I assume it depends if they are marching in a mixed detachment or not, if they are separated out they the individual detachments should parade in the correct order, so ACF would come before the CCF (RAF). CCF (Army) and the ACF would I assume fight it out based upon their cap badges.
I remember back in the day when the RM only went at the front of they were with the RN, if not they slotted in amongst the army.
Technically speaking, all ACF uniformed CFAVs should follow the following path when joining:
PI
PSI (Probationary Sergeant Instructor, Sergeant chevrons on a yellow backing. Usually addressed as “PI” though)
SI
When they are an SI, then can then apply for a commission. Depending on their county, they may either be asked to attend a Pre-CFCB course in their county or brigade, before being appointed as an AUO (Adult Under Officer) and then going to CFCB, or just be appointed as an AUO and go straight to the CFCB. It isn’t unheard of for a PI to be appointed straight to AUO on completion of training if they have already done their interviews within a county and whatnot, but it is rare. It has even happened where one has been appointed as an AUO before attending the AIC (promotion course for SI), but I’ve only seen this once and the person was generally disliked as he tried through his rank/appointment around. This was a few years ago though so might even be against regulations now.
A CUO (Cadet Under Officer) is a different beast. It is now only used for staff cadets, and is quite rare, but it might be used say where a cadet has been RSM for a year or so and you want to give someone else the opportunity to be RSM, so you promote the RSM to CUO. You could also use it where you have two great candidates for RSM, so one gets RSM and the other gets CUO.
