Most badging updates are made to the new ‘Progressive Training Syllabus’ (PTS) system, enables badge achievement more progressive and appealing to new cadets.
PTS utilises a Blue, Bronze, Silver, Gold tier system; Blue is often achievable within a year, bronze within two and silver and gold badges requiring more time and specialisation in each subject.
Beret
ATC Badge
Position- Affixed to the beret through the pre-cut holes, with the beret then positioned so that the badge is directly over the left eye.
Purpose- To identify cadets as being unique from staff and regular RAF personnel.
Qualification- Issued with uniform.
Right Brassard
Squadron Identification Badge
Position- 6mm below the top of the brassard or covering the button hole (which is never used).
Purpose- To identify the squadron of cadets. This will normally be a number. If the number is followed be an ‘F‘ this is a Founder squadron (one of the first 50 squadrons to be founded). A number followed by a ‘DF‘ designates a Detached Flight (A satellite flight to a larger unit that, if successful, will eventually grow into becoming a squadron). Some squadrons also use roman numerals (i.e. XIX (Crawley) Squadron, originally 19F (Crawley) Squadron), this is to indicate that the squadron was originally a founder squadron, but has disbanded and reformed during its history, meaning that it is no longer eligible for true founder status, and thus use roman numerals as a compromise.
Qualification- Issued with uniform.
Corps Distinguishing Badge
Position- Immediately below the Squadron Identification badge. Due to the variance in the production of badges and brassards, the edges of the badge may end up overhanging the brassard – if this is the case, then the badge may be left to overhang and is acceptable.
Purpose- To identify members of the ATC as being unique and separate from members of the RAF or other uniformed organisations.
Qualification- Issued with uniform.
Classification Badges
(In order of precedence – Highest to Lowest)
– Master (Gold Eagle and Silver Wreath)
– Senior (Four Pointed Star superimposed on a Four Bladed Propeller)
– Leading (Four Bladed Propeller)
– First Class (Four Pointed Star)
Position- Immediately below the Corps distinguishing badge. Leading, Senior and Master badges should be positioned with the top edge of the square flush with the bottom of the Corps distinguishing badge. First Class badges are to be positioned with the four ‘blades’ in a + form, rather than an x, with the uppermost ‘blade’ immediately below the Corps distinguishing badge.
Purpose- To display the classification qualification of a cadet. Classifications are a measure of the knowledge and ability of a cadet, and are often used as requirements to participate in activities.
Qualification- Cadets qualify through continuous assessment of their log books for first class, or completion of exams for Leading, Senior and Master levels.
Air Cadet Leadership
Position- As a classification will be needed to participate in the course, the ACLC badge goes immediately below the classification badge and stays central.
Qualification- Blue, Bronze and Silver levels require assessments to be completed. Gold level is achieved through either the Junior Leaders Course or the Air Cadet Leadership Course (at RAFC Cranwell or CTC Frimley Park)
Road Marching
Position- The badge is positioned 7mm to the left of the musician’s badge (or where it would be located if worn) with the bottom edges of each Badge in line.
Qualification- Successful Completion of RAF WARMA (Bronze and Silver) or the 180km 4 day Nijmegen Marches in the Netherlands (Gold).
Radio Communications and Cyber Badges
Note:
-Radio Communication Badges maintain blue flashes (lightning bolts).
-Cyber Badges have different coloured flashes (lightning bolts) depending on the qualification.
–Blue is for the basic Radio Operator and Cyber Awareness badge.
Position– Blue Badge and Radio Specialist Badges are positioned 7mm to the right of the musicians Badge (or where it would be located if worn) with the bottom edges of each Badge in line.
The Cyber Specialist Badge is positioned 7mm to the right of the musicians Badge (or where it would be located if worn) with the top edge of each Badge in line. Only the highest award in each specialism is to be worn
Qualification- Successful completion of the relevant course, beginning at Squadron level (Basic Operator) and extending to Corps level. Specialisation on either branch.
Band Badges
Position-The Musician’s badge is positioned on the centre line of the Brassard with the top edge of the badge 71mm from the bottom edge of the Distinguishing Badge.
Qualification- Cadets may either qualify by giving evidence of reaching Grade 3 with a musical instrument, or by playing with a marching band of the ATC and suitably demonstrating competency to the Wing band master.
Note:
– Percussionist-Untuned (Drum)
– Percussionist-Tuned (Bell Lyre)
– Brass Player (Crossed Trumpets)
– Piper (Bag Pipes)
– Other (Bell Lyre)
Marksmanship Badges
In order of precedence – (Highest to Lowest)
– Cadet 100 & 50 (Marksmen and Writing)
– Competition Marksman (Two Rifles and Crown)
– Advanced Marksman (Single Rifle and Crown)
– Marksman (Single Rifle and Star)
– Trained Shot (Single Rifle)
Colours for these badges are specific to a particular weapon system:
– Blue = Air Rifle
– Bronze = Small Bore (e.g. L144)
– Silver = Service Rifle (e.g. L98 A2)
– Gold = Target Rifle (e.g. L81)
Position- Only one Marksman Badge is to be worn and is to be for the highest level award for which the cadet is qualified – the ascending levels of precedence being Squadron, Wing, Region, Corps, Cadet Fifty and Cadet Hundred. Thus, a cadet who has gained a Squadron Marksmanship Badge for Full Bore Rifle shooting and a Regional Marksmanship Badge for Air Rifle shooting is to wear the Regional Marksmanship Badge. Annual re-qualification is not necessary.
The appropriate Badge is to be centrally positioned with the bottom edge of the Badge centre 35mm from the bottom edge of the Brassard.
The Cadet 50 or 100 Badge (and accompanying Year Badge) is to be positioned on the bottom centre edge of the Brassard in place of any other Marksmanship Badges which are to be removed. Cadets awarded the Cadet 50 and Cadet 100 may wear either Badge, but not both.
Qualification- Cadets earn badges when meeting criteria specified in the relevant manuals and by completing specific lessons. Cadet 100 and 50 badges are earned for finishing in the top 100, or 50 positions at the ISCRM (Inter Service Cadet Rifle Meeting) or CISSAM (Cadet Inter Service Skill at Arms Meeting) competitions, respectively.
First Aid
Position- To be positioned on the left-hand side of the Brassard with the base of the badge 15mm from the Brassard bottom edge and 40mm from the left- hand edge of the Brassard.
Qualification- Cadets are to pass the relevant course (Heartstart for Blue, Youth First Aid for Bronze, Activity First Aid for Silver and a week First Aid Course for Gold)
Right Shoulder Patch (Jerseys Only)
Duke of Edinburgh Award Badges (DofEA)
Position– On the right-hand side of the Brassard with the base of the Badge 15mm from the bottom edge, and 40mm from the right-hand edge of the Brassard.
Qualification- The cadet must have completed their Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, but can do it with any centre (i.e. a school) and request the badge from their unit. Pre-DofE (Blue) can be completed over a number of weeks at Squadron.
Left Shoulder Patch (Jerseys Only)
Flying and Gliding Badges (Wings)
Conventional Flying – (Order of precedence – Highest to Lowest):
– Air Cadet Pilot Scheme
– Air Cadet Navigation Scheme
– Aviation Training Package (ATP) Flying Wings
Gliding – (Order of precedence – Highest to Lowest):
– Glider Instructor Wings
– Glider Pilot Wings
– Gliding Scholarship Wings
– Aviation Training Package (ATP) Gliding Wings
Position- Cadets are restricted to wearing only 2 of the flying badges on the Jersey: one to represent achievement in gliding; and one in conventional flying. In the case of gliding only, the Badge indicating the highest level of attainment is to be worn.
Single Badge. When a single Badge is worn, it is to be positioned centrally 1cm above the bottom edge of the patch of the left shoulder of the jersey. – Squadron (Single Rifle)
Double Badge. When Badges from both categories are worn, the Gliding Proficiency Badge is to be positioned centrally 1cm beneath the Badge awarded for conventional flying. When the Glider Pilot Badge or the Glider Instructor Badge has been awarded, however, this is to be positioned centrally 1cm above the conventional flying badge.-
Qualification- ATP Wings are awarded when cadets complete the necessary elements on the Part Task Trainer (PTT) and fly in either a glider or conventional aircraft. Senior cadets may apply for the Pilot and Navigation schemes through the ATC. Although the Gliding Scholarships were more common, due to recent changes in the glider fleet these are now very rare and are usually completed at Central Gliding School at RAF Syerston.
Lanyards
Position- The ceremonial braid of the lanyard should be draped over the left shoulder, underneath the epaulette and the remainder of the lanyard brought under the left arm, through the loop on the front braid and affixed to either the left shirt pocket button (underneath the pocket flap) or to a RAF Tropical (Black) button sewn onto a jersey, centrally and immediately underneath the left shoulder patch.
On a female shirt, there are no pockets and so the alternative option is to affix the lanyard in reverse, holding the ceremonial braid near the left epaulette and pulling it under the left arm, before looping it through the end of the lanyard and affixing it to the button that holds the epaulette in place. Note that AP1358c makes no clear reference to the situation, but this has become the normal procedure for most females in the corps who have qualified for the lanyard.
QAIC and JL lanyards take precedence over MOI lanyards. QAIC and JL are rare qualifications for a cadet to achieve, hence the attainment of both is rarely an issue. Therefore it is up to cadets to decide upon which lanyard they’d rather wear, if they should ever attain both. Regardless, only one may be worn at a time.
Qualified Aerospace Instructors Course (QAIC)
Qualification- Candidates must have graduated from the Qualified Aerospace Instructors Course, a Corps level course accessible to senior cadets.
Junior Leaders Course (JL)
Qualification- Candidates must have graduated from the Junior Leaders Course, a Corps level course accessible to senior cadets.
Cadet Method of Instruction Course (MOI, cMOI)
Qualification- Cadets must complete the MOI course, run at wing level.
Left Brassard
Position- The centre of the badge to be central to the brassard both centrally and horizontally. The badge can be worn for the time that the cadet remains the representative for their Lord-Lieutenant, Station Commander or Mayor (usually one year). The badge is then removed when the cadet has finished their tenure.
Lord-Lieutenants Cadet
Purpose- To display that the cadet is the cadet escort to the Lord-Liuetenant of their Lieutenancy Area.
Qualification- The commanding officer of a cadets squadron will put an application forward for a senior cadet whom they think will make a suitable representative to the Lord-Lieutenant of their local Lieutenancy area. The Lord-Liuetenant will then choose a representative from the applications from local squadrons, this process may vary from area to area.
Station Commanders Cadet
Purpose- To display that the cadet is the cadet escort to the Station Commander of their local RAF Station.
Qualification- The commanding officer of a cadets squadron will put an application forward for a senior cadet whom they think will make a suitable representative to the Station Commander of their local RAF Station. The Station Commander will then choose a representative from the applications from local squadrons, this process varies from area to area, and not all RAF Stations may have a Station Commanders Cadet position established.
Mayors Cadet
Purpose- To display that the cadet is the cadet escort to the Mayor of their local Area.
Qualification- The commanding officer of a cadets squadron will put an application forward for a senior cadet whom they think will make a suitable representative to the Mayor of their local area. The Mayor will then choose a representative from the applications from local squadrons, this process varies wildly from area to area, and is not always an established position in every mayors office.
Update- None Expected.
Notes
Badge Positions- Badge positions are periodically changed, hence there may be several, conflicting pages online. The ultimate document that determines badge position for the ATC is currently AP1358c. Please ensure that you ensure you find the most recent revision.
Microlight Badges- These have since been incorporated into the ACPS badge, hence is no longer a unique badge.
1004 (Pontypridd) Sqn ATC 