Memories are made of this…. (Air Training Corps (ATC))

Member Name: nicola21

Product:	Air Training Corps (ATC)
Date:	10/04/01 (156 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Where else can you go flying for only a few pounds a month?

Disadvantages: None

Between the ages of thirteen to seventeen, I was a member of the Air Training Corps, and within those four precious years, I made some of the best memories that will stay with me for the rest of my life, had some fantastic experiences and met some damn-fine people, many of whom are still close friends.

It isn't a prep for the RAF, which I believe, is a common misconception amongst those who know little about the organisation. It can put you in excellent stead for an RAF career with guidance and support if that is what you are aiming for, but there is no obligation to join the RAF in later life or anything of the sort. Being a member of the ATC was a wonderful time in my life and I do not know how to start to tell you about this. Even thinking about my time with them brings a smile to my face, a tear to my eye and stirs all sorts of emotions from my extensive memories. Okay, I'll start from the basics:

In various cities, towns and even villages all over the country are small MOD barracks where ATC base buildings can be found, often as an attachment to the barracks of the Territorial Army or shared barracks with Army or Navy cadets. The ATC or the RAF cadets, is classed as a military organisation with military values and run voluntarily by ex-servicemen/women or trained volunteers in either military or civilian fields.

Members attend twice-weekly sessions at their local HQ, usually between 7pm - 9:30pm on Monday and Thursday evenings. A small subscription fee is collected monthly at a cost of a few pounds, which only goes towards member activities as this is a voluntary organisation. Everything including the blue and grey uniform which must be worn is free, but you get to like wearing it funnily enough, especially when you get mistaken for RAF officers when you're walking down the street. You would think other youngsters would take the mickey, but
I found them to be strangely respectful of us, because they knew we were doi
ng everything they weren't but they were too proud to put on a uniform.

During these weekly evening sessions, we did pretty much the same as any military organisation did. Mandatory parades and uniform inspections by the Commanding Officer (CO), marching practice and a whole range of activities including anything from leadership exercises, learning about avionics and aircraft, to rifle shooting with live rounds in our own shooting gallery. We took part in Remembrance Day Parades through the town. I laid the wreath from the ATC one year. We had our own local carnival float that we made ourselves. The activities that we all did as a team were endless and I made some excellent friends. Everything was fun, the staff were lovely and had a wonderful relationship with the cadets and the best thing was that there was respect. The cadets learn respect for those in a more authoritative position, and start to learn some very useful attributes to life.

Eligible cadets are between ages 13-18. Those that stay later than 18 are in a suitably high enough rank to stay on. The structure of the organisation is similar to the RAF. Individuals start off as cadets whatever age they join, and it doesn't matter what age you join, although most prefer to have joined younger. Promotion through the ranks is subject to your personal performance and qualities, and whether you are suited to a more authoritative role. Ranks go as Cadet, Corporal, Sergeant, Flight Sergeant, and Cadet Warrant Officer. Each rank takes a different level of effort and is the decision of the CO. In my squadron there were about four military staff, three civilian staff and about 25 cadets, a few of which had been promoted to various levels of authority. Please note that there was no abuse of authority, cadets were not forced to do anything they did not want and there is nothing wrong with learning respect for elders and others that deserve it. In fact, society needs to learn a bit more respec
t and in educating the children, this goal might be achieved.

Along with the weekly activities, there were annual camps to various RAF bases all over the country. Cadets from squadrons in a certain area known as a wing, for example "Dorset and Hampshire" were put together for a week and allowed to do some really fantastic things. One year we went to RAF Sealand in North Wales where we went flying in small two-seater aircraft with a RAF pilot and were allowed to take control and learn to fly. (Although flying happened many weekends locally too). We were taken up in a helicopter, went shooting with more powerful rifles in the RAF's shooting galleries and got tuition from the experts. These were amongst many activities that happened on such camps. It is all character building, which increases your confidence no
end. We spent another week at RAF Benson in Oxfordshire another year, and did more exciting things that other kids our age only dreamed of.

Weekends during the year were often dedicated to going flying and gliding, or partaking in various exercises in orienteering or military exercises at night
on local army Army territory. Everything that an individual does with the ATC is logged in a personal record and you have the opportunity to work up through levels of competence and ability with whatever activity you do. Awards are given out in recognition for wear on the uniform.

Each wing of the ATC allows cadets to train each year for the Nijmegan Four Days Marches held annually in Holland. It is an international event with over 80 000 participants from both military and civilian contingents. One hundred miles around the city are walked by everyone, 25 miles a day for four days. It is a lot harder than it sounds. After six months training in preparation of walking for 25 miles a day every Sunday with intermittent two-day 50 mile marches and three-day 75 mile marches progressively, I was chosen to go as
part of on
e of the military teams and travel to Holland as part of the British Military Contingent.

We spent ten days over there staying at the military camp and had an absolutely amazing time. We met people from all over the world. There were Canadians, Americans, French, Germans, Scandinavians, and people from far
more diverse places than I can remember. People from all military walks of life and civilian too. We all completed the four days and were rewarded by a special medal that I will treasure forever. That week I spent in Nijmegan is the most special memory I have so far in my life. I cannot explain it; it is something you have to experience to understand. Cadets get the chance to do this every year.

The time that I spent with my squadron of the ATC was a fantastic and memorable time that I will never forget for as long as I live. They were the best times of my young life and I am glad my mum pushed me to go. I still remember the first time I walked into the building to enquire about joining. I was 13, and incredibly nervous, but I was soon made to feel at home and went on to have an incredible four years with them. I left, age 17, about to go to university a fearless, happy and much better person for the experience, with my head held high knowing that I could do whatever I wanted in life as
my experiences had given me confidence and an insight on life that I never knew existed before.

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