967 Sqn Air Cadets

What are you doing this weekend?

Got a question? We’ve got the answer

Having looked around our website, you might now have a question about us. We’ve tried our best to answer all of your questions below. Click on a topic to find out more…

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  • Can Cadets learn to fly?

    Yes, all Cadets will have the opportunity to fly at least once per year with one of our fully qualified instructors. This may be in a Glider or a Powered Aircraft and comes at no additional cost. Additionally, Cadets can apply for scholarships up to Private Pilots Licence level!

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  • Can I be involved in the ACO?

    Absolutely! The ACO is very encouraging of parents who can help informally, and we’re always looking for volunteers. You can join as a uniformed member of staff, a non-uniformed Civilian Instructor or even as a member of a Civilian Committee.

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  • I think I might be interested. What do I do now?

    If you want to join us at Warton then have a look at the ‘Join Us‘ section of our site. If you’re not in our local area then get touch with your local wing or Squadron. They will tell you when and where they meet. You can just go along one evening and find out more on an informal basis, by talking to other volunteers and meeting some of the Cadets. Everyone is really friendly and there to help you. You’ve got nothing to lose and everything to gain!

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  • I’d like to meet new friends too. Is there a social side to it?

    Yes! The civilian committee on each Squadron will be busy organising all sorts of social events, some to raise funds for the Cadets and some just for fun. Most people are surprised to find that as well as enjoying the work they make a lot of new friends and have a great social time when they join as an adult volunteer. Some have even found their future husbands and wives this way!

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  • Will I be paid?

    You will be provided with all the necessary equipment for your role, including special clothing and uniform where applicable. As an officer or non-commissioned officer you can, however, claim for up to 28 days’ pay per year. Don’t forget, you’ll experience many activities and training opportunities, all for free!

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  • Do staff have a police check?

    Yes. Anyone who works with children must be willing to undergo a Criminal Records Bureau check. This is a legal requirement and can take about three months, so until it is complete staff are not be able to take sole charge of Cadets.

    If you’re a new staff member, then don’t worry, during this period there will be plenty to learn and you’ll not lose out.

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  • What happens if I join and then find it doesn’t suit me?

    We like to think that there is something within the ATC to suit everyone, but that isn’t always the case. If you join and find you don’t like it then you can discuss it with the staff and we can try to help you find something to suit. If we can’t then it’s not a problem, we’ll be sorry to see you go, but we understand that the ATC isn’t for everyone.

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  • Do I need to have experience of working with children?

    No, but you do need an understanding of the needs of teenagers. So if you are a parent with children or have had any contact with the children of friends or family, you will have some idea of what’s required. Obviously, if you have any direct experience, such as teaching or sports training, you will have an advantage.

    Even if you don’t have any idea about teenagers, you’ll find you pick it up quickly!

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  • I’m retired but I’d enjoy working with youngsters. Is there an age limit?

    There is no upper age limit as a civilian instructor, although uniformed officers retire at 55. Many of the ATC’s volunteers are retired or semi-retired, which gives them more time to spend with us.

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  • It sounds very energetic. Do I need to be really fit?

    We like our volunteers to be reasonably fit so they can join in the physical activities, but other qualities are equally important. We need people who can deal with paperwork and homesick Cadets at camp just as much as someone who can hike across the hills with them.

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  • I have a full time job / home to run / children. How can I spare the time for voluntary work?

    Most of our volunteers have busy lives too, and many of them work full time. Most activities take place in the evenings and at weekends, and no-one’s expected to take part in everything. Many people get involved initially because their children are Cadets – they start off helping out informally at events and open days. Even if you can only spare a few hours each month then we can find something for you to help with.

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  • Can anyone be a volunteer?

    We welcome all responsible adults (aged 20 years upwards), male or female, from all social backgrounds, cultures and religions. You don’t need to have any prior military experience, just enthusiasm and commitment.

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  • What about disabled people – can they join?

    Absolutely! If you’re disabled you are very welcome provided your handicap doesn’t prevent you from taking part in a reasonable number of activities, or is likely to cause you safety problems. We will be happy to speak to you about this.

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  • How often do you get to go flying?

    You can go at least once a year but as some Cadets focus on other activities sometimes you can fly much more frequently, it’s fantastic!

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  • Is it easy to get on with people and make new friends?

    Yes! Everyone is very friendly and you always feel welcome. As we’re all members of the ATC we have lots in common.

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  • How do I get the uniform?

    The uniform is provided for free but we ask that you look after it. In most cases the only things you’ll have to buy are the shoes and socks or tights.

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  • How much does it cost?

    It only costs £8 a month to belong to our Squadron, which is great value for money considering what you get out of it. Other Squadrons may charge slightly more or less.

    Weekend activities often have small additional costs associated with them to cover transport and catering. This is usually very small, for instance our Warton Wanderer camp costs £15 for the whole weekend including all of your food!

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  • What sort of expeditions can be done through the Air Cadets?

    There are a huge amount of expedition opportunities, some overseas, but the most well known and popular option is the Duke of Edinburgh Award which entails overnight expeditions. They’re great fun. But there are lots of other expeditions that pop up regularly.

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  • Is there a good balance between the exciting activities and more serious disciplined activities?

    Yes, there are lots of opportunities to do fun activities as well as the more serious side of things, but the focus is always on enjoying yourself while improving your skills.

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  • How long does an Air Cadet session last as I have homework and other commitments?

    Each session lasts around two and a half  hours, usually from seven to nine thirty in the evening. This gives you plenty of time to complete homework and to deal with other commitments.

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  • How many times a week does the ATC meet?

    The Squadron meets twice a week on a Monday and Thursday evening. There are also events on most weekends. Cadets can take part in as many or as few activities as they wish.

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  • How old must I be to join?

    You can join as a Cadet when you’re 13 and usually leave when you’re 20. The latest age you can be to join is 17.

    From the age of 20 you can become a member of Squadron staff.

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  • What sort of activities do the air Cadets do?

    We get to do a huge variety of activities such as flying, gliding, target shooting, adventure training, sports, camps, drill, academic studies and lots of other things. There’s never a dull moment.

    have a look around our website to find out more about what we do.

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  • How much time does my son/daughter have to commit each week?

    Typically Cadets will attend the Squadron twice a week for up to 2½ hours a night. Outside of these evenings, there are many activities to do at weekends and in the school holidays. The amount of time a Cadet wants to commit to is up to them.

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  • How much does it cost to be an Air Cadet?

    Most ACO activities are centrally funded through the RAF which helps to keep costs down. Cadets may be required to pay towards some activities, for example an annual camp might be £40 – a small amount considering what’s involved. Most Squadrons also charge subscriptions of around approximately £10 per month to cover running costs, transport etc.

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  • Who leads and supervises the Cadets?

    All Squadrons are commanded by an Officer of the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Training Branch) who is assisted by Adult Non-Commissioned Officers and Civilian Instructors. All staff have had criminal records checks to work with young people and are fully qualified in the activities they’re involved in.

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  • What uniform do Cadets wear?

    Cadets wear blue uniform for classroom activities and green uniform for field exercises.

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  • Why do Cadets wear uniform?

    The ACO is a military youth organisation affiliated to the Royal Air Force and therefore Cadets wear the same uniform as regular RAF personnel.

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  • Do I have to pay for uniform?

    Most uniform is issued by the Squadron for the length of time they are a member. Cadets may have to purchase items such as shoes or boots but these can be purchased cheaply from military surplus stores.

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  • Are Cadets expected to join the military?

    No. Although the ACO receives some funding from the RAF, we are not a recruiting organisation. While some Cadets do choose to join the military, the training provided by the ACO is held in high regard by civilian employers too and there is no pressure on Cadets to consider a Service career.

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  • At what age can a Cadet join?

    Cadets can join us at the age of 13, however some activities such as gliding scholarships have a minimum age of 16 for application.

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  • Do I have to buy a uniform?

    The ATC will provide you with your uniform, the only thing you’ll need to buy is a pair of shoes and either some black socks for the boys or ‘Barely Black’ tights for the girls.

    In your first month we’ll provide you with a Squadron polo shirt to wear, so you won’t need to buy anything until you’re absolutely sure the ATC is for you.

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  • How many weekends will I have to give up?

    The ATC can take up as much or as little of your time as you wish. There is something going on almost every weekend, but you decide what you want to do.

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  • Do I have to join the RAF?

    Absolutely not. The ATC is not a recruitment organisation for the RAF, although membership is looked upon favourably by the RAF should you decide to join up.

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  • How can I contact you?

    There are 3 ways to get in touch:

    • Come and see us.
      By far the best way is to come down and see us. We’ll show you around, answer your questions and you can get stuck in straight away. You can find us on Bank Lane in Warton, find a map here.
    • Give us a call.
      If you want to ask us a question before coming down then give us a call. We have an answering machine 24/7, leave a message and we’ll call you back or if you want to speak to someone then give us a call during our parade times.
      Tel 01772 63 10 10
    • Use our online form.
      Our Contact Us form allows you to send us a message, we’ll get back to you quickly.

     

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  • Where is 967 Squadron?

    You can find us on Bank Lane in Warton. There’s a map here

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  • Can’t find an answer to your question?

    We’re always adding to our FAQ page. If you have a question that we haven’t answered then there is a good chance that there are others with the same question. Let us know what your question is, we’ll answer it for you and update our FAQ.

    Ask your question here.

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  • When do you parade?

    967 Squadron parades Monday and Thursday night from 1900 – 2130 (that’s 7pm until 9.30pm).

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  • What age can I join?

    Cadets can join the ATC from the age of 13. From the age of 20 you can become a staff member.

    Old enough? Why don’t you join us?

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