All cadets and uniformed staff members of the Air Cadet Organisation (ACO) wear a uniform based on the one worn by regular members of the Royal Air Force. Cadets, SNCOs (ATC) and WOs (ATC) are subject to ACO regulations, with Officers adhering to RAF regulations (being commissioned officers of the RAF). As with the RAF, there are several uniform modes available to all personnel, depending on the circumstances under which it is worn.
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Cadets, SNCOs (ATC), WOs (ATC) and Officers of the ATC wear uniform - civilian instructors, chaplains and members of the civilian committee do not normally wear uniform, although a uniform of sorts has been issued to civilian instructors in the form of a polo shirt and sweatshirt (previously identified by either an armband or lapel pin). Those entitled to uniform have it issued free of charge by the supply squadron at a local RAF station, which in the case of cadets comes via their squadron's stores. Cadets and SNCOs/WOs (ATC) are then entitled to free replacements as needed.
Uniformed staff wear the appropriate uniform for their rank in the regular RAF, with the rank insignia appropriate to their RAF rank, with the exception of Warrant Officers (who wear a crown as their rank insignia). They are distinguished by gilt pins on their rank slides (No 2 or 3 dress) or lapels (Nos 1, 4 and 5 dress), with the designation "ATC" for SNCOs/WOs and "VRT" for commissioned officers.
No 1 uniform is usually worn at formal events, such as parades. Commissioned Officers are issued No 1 SD after their Initial Officers' Course at RAF Cranwell, The following personnel are not issued No 1, but may acquire it privately:
The uniform consists of jacket and trousers (worn with a standard No 2 shirt) with the appropriate No 1 SD hat, black shoes (DMS or Oxfords) and gloves (for officers and WOs, optional for NCOs).
After obtaining permission from Wing COs, cadet bands are sometimes permitted to wear white belts and gloves when on formal duties.
Cadets wear No 2 (with jumper) or No 2a (without jumper) uniform for formal occasions. This is sometimes incorrectly known as No 1 uniform, as it is generally worn at occasions when regular RAF personnel (and ATC staff) would normally be wearing No 1 uniform.
For normal duties, cadets wear a version of the RAF No 2c uniform (as worn by RAF Airmen in technical trades). Cadets never wear the RAF No 2b uniform (short sleeve wedgewood shirt and no tie). Cadets' version of the RAF No 2c uniform, known as "working blues" or "Number twos", is the same as the No 2a uniform but worn with a dark blue open-necked shirt and no tie. The stable belt may be worn.
At any time during the year (but most commonly done in the summer for comfort), the officer commanding a unit may authorise "shirt-sleeve order", in which the jumper is removed and sleeves are smartly rolled up to just above the elbow. If wearing a Wedgewood Blue shirt with a tie, cadets do not roll the sleeves up. Brassards, lanyards and rank slides are transferred to the shirt, but Duke of Edinburgh's Award and flying badges are not worn.
Uniformed staff wear No 2/2a (long sleve, with tie) or No 2b (short sleve, without tie) uniform for normal duties, with or without a jumper and/or GP Jacket. They do not wear a brassard. Male and Female Officers wear their No 1 SD Cap (issued) or a Forage Cap (purchased privately), Male and Female NCOs and WOs wear a beret (issued) or a Forage Cap (purchased privately). The shoes are either DMS for all ranks, or optional Oxford pattern for commissioned officers and optional ankle boots DMS for WOs & SNCOs .
No 3 uniform may be acquired by members of the ATC for certain duties, such as shooting and fieldcraft. It is worn with the issued beret for all ranks. Officers wear the Royal Air Force force identifier and Tactical Recognition Flash (TRF), non-commissioned staff wear the Air Cadets force identifier and SNCO TRF and cadets wear the Air Cadets force identifier and Cadet TRF.
Cadet forces version of the No 3 uniform consists of:
There is also a two part waterproof suit (jacket and trousers) in DPM pattern for foul weather, and a number of cold weather undergarments such as a fleece jacket and a Norwegian shirt.
As DPM uniform has only recently started to be issued to cadets, and privately sourced uniform is still being worn by most, the wearing of DPM uniform across the ATC is far from standardised. Recent guidelines encourage the wearing of the union flag (previously forbidden) and RAF pattern stable belt by Cadets and Staff.
No 4 Uniform is an interim mess dress, for those staff who do not have No 5s. The No 4 uniform consists of the jacket and trousers of the No 1 uniform, worn with a white Marcella shirt and black bow tie, with appropriate No 1 SD hat and black shoes.
No 5B uniform may be acquired privately by staff for functions. Those who do not have No 5B will wear No 4 dress.
Members of the CCF(RAF) wear the same uniform as their counterparts in the Air Training Corps with one exception. CCF (RAF) cadets wear the RAF Other Ranks cap badge in their berets as opposed to the Air Training Corps cap badge.
Members of VGSs and AEFs wear flight suits (known as No 14 dress) for flying duties. For non flying duties, staff wear standard ACO uniform and cadets wear the uniform appropriate to their parent organisation (ATC or CCF).