Air Training Corps (Air Cadets) (Air Training Corps (ATC))

Member Name: dooshbag08

Product:	Air Training Corps (ATC)
Date:	17/07/09 (72 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: team building confidence building make new friends a great experience

Disadvantages: none

==What is the ATC?==
The Air Training Corps is A youth organistation which allow people of 13-20 to get the experience of discipline and the chance to make friends.
It is a great way to build confidence. There are over 1,000 squadrons in britain. mine is 1123 hooton park Sqn.
You have the ability to earn ranks at you cadets (Corpral, Sergeant and Flight Sergeant) when you reach 20 you are able to apply to be an adult instuctor.

==Ranks NCO's and WO==
Corpral=Cpl
Sergeant=Sgt
Flight Sergeant=Flt Sgt
Warrant Officer=WO

==Adult Staff==
Officer Cadet=Off Cdt
Pilot Officer=Plt Off
Flying Officer=Fg off
Flight Lieutenant =Flt Lt
Squadron Leader=Sqn Ldr
Wing Commander= Wg Cdr
Civilian Instructor=CI
Chaplain

==My knowledge==

Now as most of you probably heard about tow months ago I joined the Air Cadets...I have benefited from it so much!

Air Cadets are respected I have noticed and always earn money for their squadron or Various Charities...I recently spent a weekend at the Wirral Dog Show Picking up poles that the dogs knocked over, setting up tents and taking them down, walking dogs and all of that lark with a few other cadets from my Squadron....All of us had such an amazing time and we raised roughly £350 for the sqaudron. That'll buy us a new minibus!! wahoo!

This opens many doors for you (Or your child) You take B-Techs which are equvalent to so many GCSE's You can learn to Fly and Shoot Rounds. You can get your Duke of Edinburugh (Bronze, Silver and Gold) you can do so many things and even if you dont want to koin the RAF it still goes on your CV and shows you are capable of commitment.

There are many places you can go too! My first camp which is coming up at the end of August is to nescliff and i have been convinced to go because it is 'so much fun'. From what i heard they go out at midnight and play hide and seek in the fields...in the dark...Im thinking i would rather stay in bed other wise i might fall asleep in a puddle of mud But no it really does sound fun.

The great thing about this is there are no bullies and the Squadron is like one big happy family. Everyone accepts you for who you are and do not judge you. I made friends easily there and now im very confident around them because at first i was quiet and just went and sat talking to a lad that goes to my school (His mom my support teacher is flight lutenant and his Step-dad is the boss dude cant remember is rank oh dear! :O] But now i am very confident and i talk to Every one...even staff that walk in and out...they cant shut me up so they tell me off.

There are competitions held between squadrons, the latest being who can make the best catapult...we named ours after roman and greek gods cus we're cool like that. I am in the Project team where we desgin our catapult and make the journal and all that stuff but there is the modeling team and Air reccie which they do somethin totally different.


They do athletics and all different sports, its girls team and boys team and the ocasional mix...we go against different squadrons in our wing and nobody ever plays to win they play o have fun.....but it does get a little violent.


You can enroll as staff my science teacher has just signed up as the swimming teacher. It is honestly the best experience i have had so far.

Its disipline based because it is a military organization but you will be surprised how respectful all the cadets from every squadron i have met are!

We like to do alot of charity work which is great because it gets us known and recognised.


It is for ages 13-20 years the oldest we have at the moment is 18 and he is Flight sergeant Dunn...scary dude when he yells but he is like a big brother...he saw me getting picked on in the street and stood up for me...see like one big family.

Its a great laugh and gives you confidence i mean take me for example, i was quiet shy and never spoke to anybody now i dont shut up i can yap all day if i wanted to...im also more confidet in myself and im happy that i have found a place where i can be myself and not feel out of place.

==How To Join==
You can go on the Cadet website, just type air cadets in google and click the first one it should come up with a buch of stuff, i dont really know because i joined a different way. If there is an air show close by there should be a ATC signing up tent or somebody you know maybe...thats how i joined...My support teacher is Flt Lt

Written by
Cadet Williams
of
1123 Hooton Park Sqaudron



also posted on ciao under rockchick2k7

Summary: join if your are of the right age deffinatley worth it