Activities include flying, gliding and parades.

Adult staff

Being an Adult Staff member on 398 Squadron

There are 8,500 men and women who give up their free time to the Air Training Corps (ATC). All are volunteers who serve with their local ATC squadron, starting as a Civilian Instructor but often going on to take on a uniformed role. Either as an Adult NCO or as a Commissioned Officer in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Training). Equally as important are the members of the Civilian Commitee, who assist with finances, dealing with the local council, fund raising and other activities for the Squadron.

All adult staff go through security assessments by the MOD, criminal record checks by the Police and must pass a probationary period before becoming full staff members. Officers, Warrant Officers and Adult NCOs all attend initial courses run at RAF Cranwell, run by Headquarters Air Cadets. The members of staff offer many years of experience and knowledge, enthusiasm to get things done and the skills to make sure that every activity is safe and rewarding for the cadets.

Commissioned Officer RAFVR(T)

Each Squadron has several Commissioned Officers, the most senior being the Commanding Officer (a Flight Lieutenant) and one or more junior officers (Flying Officers or Pilot Officers).

All officers are commissioned in the RAFVR(T) - which is the RAF Volunteer Reserve (Training). They will already be CI's before applying, but they also have to go through selection procedures run by the Air Training Corps and the RAF and pass a course run at RAF Cranwell.

Adult NCOs and Warrant Officers (ATC)

The Adult NCOs (Non-Commissioned Officers) and Warrant Officers has a pivotal role within the Squadron. They are responsibile not only for the smooth running of the squadron and for cadets' welfare (as are all staff) but also for the Squadron's standards of dress, discipline and drill.

Adult NCOs start as Sergeants, moving up to Flight Sergeant and then Warrant Officer as they gain experience and length of service. Adult NCOs are often very experienced and knowledgable about the ATC and with the Commanding Officer have a large input into how the Squadron is run.

Civilian Instuctor

All Civilian Instructors offer both their time and their individual skills to help the cadets take part in activities. Examples are teaching cadets subjects such as propulsion or airframes, organising and running projects or activities or helping with the general running of the Squadron.

Whatever skills you may have, the most important thing is the time you can give to the cadets.

Civilian Committee

Quite simply, without their Civilian Committees, ATC squadrons could not run. While the RAF does provide some basic funding, the Civilian Committee play a vital role in organising fundraising to provide more activities and facilities for the cadets. While the Commanding Officer runs the Squadron, the Civilian Committee supports him and provides help and advice on finances, dealing with issues such as leases or a squadron owned minibus.