SQUADRON STAFF

SQUADRON STAFF Staff at squadrons are made up of uniform Cadet Forces Adult Volunteers (CFAVs) who are either commissioned officers or non-commissioned officers, non-uniform CFAVs who are known as Civilian Instructors and Padres.
COMMISSIONED OFFICERS Staff who have completed their probationary period as a Civilian Instructor can apply for a RAF Air Cadets officers commission. Applicants for a commission will have a commissioning board and if successful will become an Officer Cadet holding the rank of Acting Pilot Officer until they successfully complete the Initial Officers Course at RAF College Cranwell when they will become substantive in the rank. Commissioned Officer ranks follow the rank structure of that of the RAF up to the rank of Wing Commander though squadron staff usually consist of officers of the rank Pilot Officer, Flying Officer and Flight Lieutenant.
SENIOR NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS	Senior Non-Commissioned Officers (SNCOs) like Commissioned Officers are CFAVs who have completed their probationary period and applied for the role. They will have undertaken a board before completing the course at RAF College Cranwell. The staff NCO ranks in the RAF Air Cadets start at Sergeant rank, after four years in the rank if the staff member has completed key elements they may be promoted to the rank of Flight Sergeant. After a further four years at the rank of service as a Flight Sergeant, if they meet further elements, they may be promoted to the rank of Warrant Officer.
CIVILIAN INSTRUCTORS The first role as a Cadet Forces Adult Volunteer is usually that as a Civilian Instructor, their role is vital to the success of the squadron. While referred to as non-uniform they are issued with RAF Air Cadet branded polo tops and sweat tops so that they can easily be identified as a staff member. Civilian Instructors do not require to have experience with either the Armed Forces or the Cadet Forces nor do they need to have any teaching experience as this will be provided to them.
PADRES	Padres are CFAVs who are appointed through the Wing Chaplain to the squadron to provide welfare support to the staff and cadets through spiritual guidance. Padres may wear religious cloth but will wear the badge issued to all padres.