Staff Cadet to Uniformed Staff

[anon64740550]

I am seeking to be enlightened with the knowledge of if you can go straight from staff cadet to uniformed staff member, weather SNCO or Officer?

[SgtCW]

I’ve just gone recently from cadet to staff SNCO it’s defiantly possible to do either route, is there anything specific you’d like to know?

[anon64740550]

Yes, preferably I’d go straight to officer. I have heard that you have to do some course, is this the Initial Officer Training Course from the RAF or different?

[Squadgy]

To get a commission you need to attend OASC for a shortened version of the regular OASC and includes and interview, planning ex, leadership exercises (currently due Covid replaced with an interview with the Regional Commandant but should be reinstated soon).

If that is passed you would be commissioned as an Acting Pilot Officer and within 12 months you would attend the five day long Officer Initial Course at Cranwell (this is presently delivered virtually but will return to F2F in the next few weeks), to confirm your commission and become a Pilot Officer.

[anon64740550]

So do I just submit some form to someone and start the process? Or do I need to be recommended/selected?

[AlexCorbin]

It’s not that simple and there are slight variances wing to wing.
You need to have this chat with your OC when you reach about 19 years old

[AeroMusician]

OASC has been shortened for regulars too.

They are planning on keeping Region Boards for the foreseeable. No return date to OASC planned as of yet. (Source: RC LASER’s Sharepoint Announcement 09/08/21)

[AeroMusician]

Some wings/region will want you to attend a Pre-Uniformed Staff Course to prepare you for the process as well. Other than that its a butt-load of forms and interviews with WSO, Wg Cdr and then RC. But as @AlexCorbin has said, you need to speak with your OC first once you hit 19 and they will be able to kick things off.

If you pass, you’ll be appointed effective your 20th Birthday as A/Plt Off and then need to attend OIC at RAFAC TA within 12 months.

[themajor]

Commission

@ACP 20 PI 201 Commissioning into the Cadet Force Commission (CFC)

Be an ex-cadet who has reached the rank of CWO, FS or Sgt and who has served as a cadet for a minimum of 4 years and is aged between 20 and 25. If the time limit is exceeded, ex-cadets must be appointed as either a CI or SNCO, and serve at least 3 months, prior to putting in a commissioning application.

All applicants, in the categories above, will be required to attend the OASC for a 2-day selection process, unless they have previously completed OASC successfully.

A person who has an interest in being commissioned should approach their Officer Commanding (OC) to begin the process. If approved, the OC should provide a short written narrative of recommendation to their particular Wg HQ. The applicant, or their OC, should approach their Wing HQ with a view to attending the locally-run Staff Development Course/Pre-Uniformed Course.

SNCO

@ACP 20 PI 301 Establishment and Appointment into the RAF Air Cadets –WOs SNCOs And SNCOs Aircrew (ATC)

A Squadron CO/OC VGS may nominate a suitable, mature candidate of good character and bearing for appointment as a SNCO (ATC) by forwarding a written narrative to Wing HQ/HQ 2FTS. The nomination is to be made against an establishment vacancy (filling the post of Officer, Discip, Band or appropriate VGS post). Potential SNCO adult members of staff may be recommended for appointment following ATC cadet service, CI service or upon leaving commissioned service. SNCOs (ATC) may also be appointed as direct entrants and it is not necessary for an applicant to have previously served in any capacity before their appointment. Initial appointments will be in the rank of Sergeant (ATC) or Sergeant Aircrew on a VGS - on probation for the first year.

Applicants may be appointed between the ages of 20 and 65 years.