Rank Structure

Air Cadet Ranks

Cadets who excel in activities and show signs of leadership potential have the opportunity to progress through Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) ranks.

Note: Cadets without rank (Cdt) do not wear any insignia and are often referred to by their Surname. All cadets above the age of 18 have will include the prefix “Staff” to his/her Rank, and also wear rank slides on their epaulettes with “Staff Cadet” embroidered below the insignia.

Air Cadet Ranks
Cadet Corporal	Cadet Sergeant	Cadet Flight Sergeant	Cadet Warrant Officer
Cdt Cpl	Cdt Sgt	Cdt FS	CWO
“Corporal”	“Sergeant”	“Flight Sergeant”	“Warrant Officer”

Air Training Corps Adult Volunteer Ranks

All staff start off as a Civilian Instructor (CI). It is a non-uniformed role and CIs will normally help with instructional duties and/or administration on units.

Those staff who are able to commit to more responsibility can opt to go into uniform as either an ATC Senior Non-Commissioned Officer (SNCO) or a Commissioned Officer.

ATC SNCOs also are involved within instructional duties but also are responsible for monitoring the drill, dress and discipline aspects of the Air Training Corps.

Non-Uniformed	ATC Senior Non-Commissioned Officer Ranks
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Civilian Instructor	Sergeant ATC	Flight Sergeant ATC	Warrant Officer ATC
CI	Sgt (ATC)	FS (ATC)	WO (ATC)
“Sir/Ma’am”	“Sergeant”	“Flight Sergeant”	“Sir/Ma’am”

RAF Volunteer Reserve (Training) Commissioned Officer Ranks

All Air Training Corps Officers are commissioned into the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve Training Branch (RAFVR(T)) and typically hold command positions. It is common to find Junior Officers based at Squadron or Detached Flight level whereas Senior Officers will be placed at Wing level and above.

Outside of the RAFVR(T) but still within the Air Training Corps chain of command are the ranks of Group Captain and Air Commodore. Group Captains are in charge of each geographical region. The Air Commodore sits at the head of the organisation as Commandant Air Cadets.

Junior Officers
Officer Cadet	Pilot Officer	Flying Officer	Flight Lieutenant
OCdt	Plt Off	Fg Off	Flt Lt
“Sir/Ma’am”	“Sir/Ma’am”	“Sir/Ma’am”	“Sir/Ma’am”
Senior Officers			Air Rank
Squadron Leader	Wing Commander	Group Captain	Air Commodore
Sqn Ldr	Wg Cdr	Gp Capt	Air Cdre
“Sir/Ma’am”	“Sir/Ma’am”	“Sir/Ma’am”	“Sir/Ma’am”