Anyone on here up to date on the latest UAS gen? Some at mine looking to apply and had a few Qs.
University Air Squadrons or Unmanned Arial System?
Former
Which UAS’ do you need to contact? I may be able to point you in the right direction.
Not one in particular, it was more just general Qs about their structure, bursaries promotion etc. Info on RAF website is scant to say the least, and the info on The Student Rooms is all about 10 years old 
UAS Culture will vary from Sqn to Sqn (Uni to Uni), but I can say for definate that the one paired with us is quite stuck up. Very much the old perception of RAF officers that hasn’t been the majority in decades.
If its Bursaries you’re after I cant help, but if it’s the extra pocket money and opportunities you can get that interest you, DM me and I can point you to the UAS’s more succesful, fun, chilled out cousins in the OTC
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I remember having the same issue getting information about UOTC ahead of going to uni. I picked up a glossy leaflet in the ACIO, but it basically just said ‘find us at the Freshers’ Fair’.
I did find them at the Freshers’ Fair, and decided to join the ACF as an instructor and the TA as a fusilier instead. If they’d let me join in advance, that wouldn’t have happened.
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I think It’s part of our founding documents that you have to be Matriculated before Attestment
Although there’s nothing stopping us from recruitment activities before Freshers (Like oh IDK, uni open days.) i think we could probably get a better Junior Coy every year if we did that
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I agree that UAS’ can vary from location to location. We have 2 UAS’ where I am and both seem pretty easy going and one does do a lot more flying than the other.
It may be worth contacting your local UAS and ask them to send some information to you for your Sqn. We have lots of booklets on what the UAS has to offer that they give out on Freshers when they recruit so the information is out there.
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Can a cadet or staff member be both UAS and ATC? We have a Cadet FS and CI both looking to join UAS in Sept and wondered how that would work. Are they service instructors or is UAS different to reserves?
That’s a big no no I’m afraid
As above. When they are attested into the UAS they need to declare they do not hold a commission/enlistment in any other armed force.
They can however, be on the UAS then become a service helper on their ATC unit.
I thought this was specifically excluded?
Alternatively, consider your local reserve unit (Royal Auxiliary Air Force) where we’ll put you through proper training, give you a trade, and likely a fair bit of work whenever you have spare time.
Plus access to the usual AT etc.
And you can be a service helper if you go that route.
I keep losing my people to the regular service as commissioned officers, which shows you just how well we’re developing them!
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Do you hold 2 distinct commissions then, one VR and one CFC?
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I am pretty sure it is
But an OTC (so also UAS / UNU) cadet can be a CI as it’s not a rank.
unless it’s changed again
Ironic that — as enlisted service personnel — they can’t be service helpers / instructors, but can be ‘civilian’ instructors.
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Also a problem that could be solved, fairly simply, by allowing UAS A/Plt Off (and other service equivalents) to be SIs. That should remove the concern about an 18y/o UAS cadet being an SI with cadets older than them under their control.
>not that is a concern I particularly share, but it’s the explanation I was given.
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To the OP’s point
UAS (and the others) sometimes have a patchy relationship with the university administration and the SUs.
But they have a social media presence, even if only facebook, and will do their best to answer questions before you go up.
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Thought I’d include everyone, ACP 20 explicitly forbids University Officer Cadets from being SIs, but so that there’s not like a 2 Year gap between starting Uni and Turning CI Age (this was written before the SC changes and hasn’t been looked at since I believe) University Service Unit Cadets are also explicitly permitted to remain as Staff Cadets
We’re in this weird space between being Military and being Alcoholic Students, (Also it’s much like Cadets where you can just up and leave whenever you want, you don’t need to stay for a year of training or do the full 3 year syllabus)
Edit: relevant section of ACP 20 Chapter 6 (correct as of Dec 2025)
- Cadet members of university cadet units. Cadet members of a University Royal Naval Unit (URNU), University Officers’ Training Corps (UOTC), and University Air Squadrons (UAS) are specifically excluded from being appointed as SIs to ATC Sqns or CCF(RAF) Sections. They may continue as Staff Cadets on their ATC squadron until their 20th birthday, when they can apply for Cadet Force Adult Volunteer (CFAV) service. However, members of university cadet units may be appointed as SIs to VGS and/or AGS to undertake duties commensurate with their skills, experience and training. In accordance with GASO 2101(1) Para 10, UAS members who are members of a VGS and continue to fly VGS gliders will be restricted to flying on the Tutor as passengers on AEF sorties only; they should not undergo the UAS Syallbus of Flying Training. A UAS (former or current) student who wishes to gain a specific commission with the RAFAC will need to attend and successfully pass the Rgn Board (unless they were granted a full bursary) and complete the CIC at the RAFAC CLS.
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