New Zealand Air Training Corps

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The Air Training Corps or ATC is one of the three corps in the New Zealand Cadet Forces, the other two being the New Zealand Cadet Corps and Sea Cadet Corps. It is funded in partnership between the RNZAF and communities, and its members are civilians. Members have no obligation to head into the regular force, however some do choose to join the New Zealand Defence Force. Unlike the United States Civil Air Patrol, ATC service does not translate into higher pay, rank, or seniority in the NZDF.

[edit] Organisation

[edit] National

The ATC is managed at a national level by the Commandant (usually a Regular Force Lieutenant-Colonel/Wing Commander/Commander), and his/her Staff at Defence Force Headquarters in Wellington. It is supported by the Air Training Corps Association of New Zealand (ATCANZ).

[edit] Area

The country is divided into 3 areas, Northern (Northern half of the North Island), Central (Southern half of the North Island) and Southern (entire South Island). Each area has a NZCF Training and Support Unit, commanded by an Area Co-ordinator, with Advisors for Air Training Corps units.

[edit] Unit

Typical squadron organisation of an Air Training Corps unit in New Zealand.

Each unit is managed by the Cadet Unit Commander, in partnership with the unit's branch of the ATCANZ. A typical unit has between one and four officers with various roles. The Cadet Unit Commander appoints all personnel in the unit to their positions. Each unit has an Adjutant, Training Officer and Stores Officer. These positions must be filled by a commissioned officer (officers can hold multiple positions if necessary). One or more of the positions may have assistants, the assistants are often junior officers or Cadet Under Officers.

Each unit also has a cadet NCO holding the position of Warrant Officer (who doesn't necessarily hold the rank of Cadet Warrant Officer). If the unit is large enough, each flight of cadets may have a Flight Sergeant. The Warrant Officer is normally responsible for supervising the NCOs in their various tasks, as a result the Warrant Officer can skip the normal chain of command, enabling them to liase directly with the Unit Commander.

How an individual unit is organised varies widely. A unit's organisation depends on its size, number of officers, number of Cadet NCOs, facilities, and the organisational preference of the Cadet Unit Commander.

[edit] Uniform and Insignia

Rank Insignia of a Cadet Flight Sergeant

Rank Insignia of a Cadet Warrant Officer

The uniform worn by ATC members is the same as that of the Royal New Zealand Air Force, except that for all ranks, the lettering on the bottom of the rank insignia shoulder boards reads CADET FORCES rather than NEW ZEALAND to differentiate ATC personnel from RNZAF personnel. Officer Service Dress Uniforms have a shoulder flash reading NEW ZEALAND CADET FORCES, rather than NEW ZEALAND for the same reason. The cadets wear a cloth ATC cap badge on their flight caps, while officers wear the same cap insignia as RNZAF officers. Cadets wear a shoulder brassard. Cadets achievements such as a Duke of Edinburgh's Award, flying/navigation badge, and training level badges are worn on the brassard, as well as the number and name of the squadron they parade with. Officers who were formerly cadets do not wear their cadet awards on their uniform.

[edit] Membership

[edit] Cadet Members

Cadets can join from the age of 13 to the age of 18. Units provide uniform, but may hold bonds to ensure that they are returned. Unit fees are set by each unit annually, but are normally under $100 per year. Cadets may in time be promoted to NCO ranks. Cadet NCO ranks are based on the RNZAF ranks, and are:

Cadet Corporal (CDT CPL),
Cadet Sergeant (CDT SGT),
Cadet Flight Sergeant (CDT F/S),
Cadet Warrant Officer (CDT WO), and
Cadet Under Officer (CDT U/O).

The exception is that Under Officer is not a rank in the RNZAF. In the ATC, NCO ranks are often abbreviated by omitting the "Cadet" prefix. However, not all cadets become NCOs, but all get the chance to train and progress though the different levels of training, Basic, Proficiency, and Advanced levels, by demonstrating knowledge and skills in cadet knowledge, service knowledge, leadership, weapons safety, and aviation.

[edit] Adult Members

Adult Members can serve in two capacities: Commissioned Officers or Civilian Instructors. Officers are commissioned into the New Zealand Cadet Forces, with the post-nominal letters NZCF, at the rank of Pilot Officer, and can be promoted to Flying Officer, and Flight Lieutenant after completing the necessary training and service. The Rank of Squadron Leader is reserved for Unit Commanders who have completed command training. Civilian Instructors are civilians who help train cadets. They do not wear uniform, but they are generally treated similarly to officers by cadets.

[edit] Activities

[edit] Parade Nights

Every unit holds Parade Nights around 2-3 hours long weekly during School Terms. Each parade night usually begins and ends with a parade. The starting parade is used to raise the RNZAF ensign, to inspect uniforms, and to inform the cadets on the parade night's activities. The final parade is used to lower the RNZAF ensign, and to inform the cadets on upcoming events in the unit. Between the parades, the cadets undergo classroom, or practical instruction.

[edit] Flying

Units teach aviation theory as part of the parade nights, and units typically organise practical Flying Training for the cadets in partnership with local Aero Clubs. There is an annual National Aviation Course, comprising of separate Flying and Navigation flights. Those that opt for the Flying component spend two weeks covering both theory and practical lessons in flying, with First Solo being a common achievement. The Navigation component is a 1-week long theoretical and practical course in Aviation Navigation.

[edit] Gliding

As with Flying, Gliding Training is organised by the unit in partnership with local Gliding Clubs. There are 2 concurrent annual 1-week long Gliding Camps, where cadets participate in Gliding.

[edit] Bushcraft

Most units conduct classroom training in bushraft and survival skills, and hold regular Basic and Advanced bushcraft camps in the local area during weekends. There is a national bushcraft course held either at RNZAF Dip Flat in the South Island or at the Waiouru Army base in the North Island.

[edit] Shooting

Units conduct regular range training with smallbore rifles. Some units have their own armouries and ranges at their parade hall. Cadets must pass a TOET (Test of Elementary Knowledge) before being allowed on the range. Cadets who achieve highly on the range may be awarded a marksmanship badge.