134 (Bedford) Sqn - Air Cadets

Venture Adventure

We offer a wide range of fun and challenging activities, suitable for those with no experience and anyone who has already had a go. All Air Cadets can also benefit from training and gain qualifications that will be useful for all career choices, both in and out of the RAF.

Flying and Gliding

As a member of RAFAC, all cadets have the opportunity to fly in the Tutor aircraft. These are flown by volunteer pilots, all of whom are either serving or are ex-service pilots and are located at one of 12 Air Experience Flights around the UK. Cadets are shown how the aircraft flies and are given the chance to control the aeroplane, experience aerobatics or simply enjoy the flight and the view!

Apart from the Tutor, many cadets will get the opportunity to fly in a variety of other RAF aircraft and helicopters, sometimes as supernumerary aircrew. Such flights often take place during Annual Camp and it is not unusual for a number of these flights to include trips overseas. Some of the more fortunate cadets may also have the chance to fly in A Chinook or Hawk.

Those Air Cadets with an aptitude for flying can apply to join the Air cadet Pilot Scheme or for a number of externally sponsored Flying Scholarships. You will need to be 16 or over to start the course and have (or predicted to get) GCSEs at grade C or above in English and Maths. It is also preferred that you have passed a Gliding Scholarship.

Synthetic Training

Space

Learn about the Royal Air Force and defence industry capabilities in satellite communications, rocketry, air and space technology.

What you will study

The Level 2 certificate in space studies was designed in consultation with military space specialists from UK Joint Space, the National Space Centre, teachers and the RAFAC Space Team.

As our parent service has extended its capabilities into new areas and now contributes to the joint service UK Space Command, a new training syllabus and qualification was introduced in September 2024.

It follows the same model as our wider progressive training syllabus where you would work through 3 different tiers to get different badges:

Cyber

For those curious about computer and networking skills, programming, cyber security and cyber warfare.

In RAFAC we are lucky enough to have our own nationwide radio network with frequencies allocated to us from the RAF. Using many different types of equipment, our cadets engage in a broad training syllabus complete with exercises and more.

In addition to this there are other avenues of exploration to follow, from the principles of radar and satellite communications to hands-on technical skills and the internet. There is even the possibility of gaining an amateur licence, a worldwide recognised qualification.

Cyber Training is designed to provide cadets with a solid grounding in Cyber Awareness and Security through an increasingly challenging range of qualifications from Bronze, through Silver to Gold level awards. In addition, RAFAC also facilitates the delivery of the GCHQ/NCSC CyberFirst courses as required by the MOD as well as various cyber skills competitions.

Adventure Training

Adventurous training is a key part of the RAFAC's training syllabus. Through a wide variety of activities, you'll learn key skills like teamwork and leadership, and most importantly, you get to have fun! From canoeing to mountain biking, hill walking to caving, there is something for everyone.

As a squadron, you'll be able to take part in visits to climbing centres or go on hill and lowland walks with qualified staff. The Wing also offers adventure training camps in Windermere (Lake District) - you'll be able to bid for places on these camps. If successful, you'll be immersed in a week of fantastic AT activities!

Shooting and Marksmanship

Rifle shooting is an activity that many cadets enjoy. Safety is paramount within all RAFAC activities and shooting is no exception. All cadets and staff are fully trained on a weapon before being allowed to fire and must retake a Weapon Handling Test (WHT) every 6 months to ensure safety and competency. Cadets can progress their shooting skills through the Progressive Training criteria and can be awarded a range of marksmanship badges from a Trained Shot to an Advanced Marksman upon reaching the published standards.

Through the Progressive Training syllabus, cadet have the opportunity to fire a variety of weapons. These typically involve:

Air Rifle Shooting

Usually run at a squadron level and is normally a cadets first introduction to shooting. Like all of the RAFAC weapons, the Cadet Scorpion air rifle can be fired from 3 positions (prone, kneeling and standing) and cadets will work with their shooting coach to improve their skills. The distances involved range between 5.5m-10m and are normally indoors.

Target Rifle Shooting

The next stage in shooting development is the L144A1 target rifle. This weapon is a .22 small bore calibre target rifle and is designed to fire accurately at both 25m & 100m. Again, cadets receive both training and coaching on this rifle as they progress in their training.

Service Rifle shooting

This is the final stage of Progressive Shooting within the RAFAC. The Cadet Service rifle is the L98A2 weapon which is based on the Army SA80 rifle. This semi-automatic rifle can be fired at distances of 25m to 300m as well as being used for both live fire and blank fire exercises. The rifle has a full bore calibre of 5.56mm and cadets must be at least 14yrs 6 months and physically capable of holding the rifle in order to gain their WHT.

Competition Shooting

Across the complete range of cadet shooting, cadets can enter both local and national competitions to show their skills and to gain a Corps level Marksmanship badge.

Drill and Ceremonial

What's the point of drill and parade? You may think it doesn't have much to do with things like adventurous training, or leadership. That's not the case at all! It shows how disciplined and organised you can be as an individual, remembering instructions and carrying them out accurately. More importantly, it shows your

ability to work in a team and is a way of displaying the high standards of dress and behaviour which air cadets are renowned for.

When a group of twenty cadets walk on to a parade square they are all individuals, but as soon as a session of drill begins the cadets become a team, following the orders given by one person. Instead of twenty individual feet hitting the ground, there is only one sound. This is the result of practice and teamwork.

Drill is also used when you are moving around in large groups in a smart, orderly fashion. Whatever the reason for a drill it's an impressive sight and shows civilians and members of the Forces just how well disciplined you are.

As a cadet you'll participate in various forms of drill, such as:

With a few years experience, and if you've attained a Non-Commissioned Officer rank, you could pass on your knowledge and experience to other cadets, instructing them on how to participate in a drill squad, taking charge of a drill squad yourself, or even playing a major part in ceremonial drill. Being a Standard Bearer at a Remembrance Day parade is a real moment of pride and achievement for a cadet.


Road Marching

Do you enjoy getting out and about and keeping fit? Do you enjoy working as a team, seeing new places, and pushing yourself to achieve your best? If so, Road Marching may just be the activity for you! Road Marching events are a great way to meet cadets from around the UK and even around the world, as you have the opportunity to take part in events such as the RAF WARMA two day march, International Waendel Walk, Nijmegen, and more!

There are a variety of badges that can be gained when you take part in road marching:

Camps

As a member of the RAFAC, all cadets have the opportunity to experience camps, whether that be a weekend camp, an annual camp to an RAF station or Adventure Training Centre, or an overseas camp. Camps get you out and about and give you a taste of what RAF personnel experience. They're also some of the most enjoyable and memorable things you'll do. Usually based around adventurous activities (especially fieldcraft), this is where you take control of your new abilities and put them to the test.

Once you're used to local camps you'll want more. Every year, you're given the opportunity to attend a camp on an operational RAF station. These camps last a week (normally Saturday to Saturday or Wednesday to Wednesday) with the purpose of getting you even closer to Service life. As an air cadet, you'll fit right in. You'll sleep in RAF accommodation blocks, eat at the airmen's mess and visit the various sections around the station. You'll meet the base personnel, as well as take part in sports, quizzes, aircraft recognition competitions and any social activities which may be available. There will be drill, uniform and room inspections, and everything will earn points for you as an individual and for your team.

Each RAF station has an Air Cadet Liaison Officer (ACLO) who will ensure that the camp runs smoothly and that you get support and as many opportunities to do things as possible.

Overseas Camps

This is where it gets really interesting! Once you've attended annual camp, proven yourself as a leader and have reached the age of 15, you're ready for an overseas camp at one of our RAF stations in Gibraltar, Cyprus or Germany.

These camps are more relaxed as all of you involved are pretty experienced by this point. There's less focus on drill and inspections and more on the other aspects of camp, such as work experience with RAF personnel and looking around local towns (like Limassol in Cyprus) and exploring historical sites.

An overseas camp is a must and it's not surprising that places are limited. Applying for one is just the beginning - you may have to fend off competition from within your own squadron to get an interview. Only after this will you discover if you've been chosen to attend overseas camp and become the envy of your squadron!

Fieldcraft

Fieldcraft training allows cadets to develop their personal skills and knowledge in a wide range of activities which relate directly to working and living in a field environment. In addition, it offers a wide range of opportunities for leadership at all levels. As fieldcraft training is a core cadet activity, cadets will progress through the 22 fieldcraft lessons, which vary from field administration, building a shelter, movement at night, cooking in the field and movement with weapons.

Levels of Fieldcraft ability

Through the course of a cadet career, cadets will move through three stages of ability for the fieldcraft syllabus. These are:

Military Skills

Military Skills builds upon and develops what cadets have learnt during their fieldcraft training. Military Skills also introduce the use of weapon handling and the knowledge and application of basic tactics. These events are run at a both Wing and Corps level.

Fieldcraft Instructors

To allow cadets to participate in any fieldcraft training, all staff are required to carry out further specialist training to ensure that the cadets and staff are familiar with all the skills required and to ensure compliance is met in line with RAFAC policies and guidance.

Staff cadets can now undertake a Fieldcraft Instructors Course which must be signed off by the Wing Fieldcraft Officer. This course is open to staff cadets who have shown strong knowledge of the fieldcraft syllabus and safe system of training.

As a Qualified Fieldcraft Instructor you can undertake the teaching of the basic fieldcraft syllabus.

The Fieldcraft Instructors Course can also be undertaken on the Junior Leaders Course, as part of its syllabus.

DofE Award

The Royal Air Force Air Cadets is one of the largest providers of the Duke of Edinburgh's Award. The Award is a voluntary, non-competitive programme of practical, cultural and adventurous activities for young people aged 14-25. There are three levels available to undertake - Bronze, Silver and Gold. The RAFAC also offers the 'Pre DofE' Blue Award for cadets who are too young to begin their Bronze.

The Duke of Edinburgh Award comprises of four sections: Expedition, Physical, Volunteering and Skill. For those at Gold Level, a Residential must also be undertaken. All sections of the Duke of Edinburgh Award can be completed through Air Cadet activities. More information can be found by visiting the Duke of Edinburgh website: http://www.dofe.org/ (opens in a window).

Training And Education

As well as the great experiences and adventures you'll have as an air cadet, you can also gain qualifications that will help with your education and careers.

Our training and education provides:

· a progressive programme which is enjoyable, exciting and challenging

· opportunities to gain recognised qualifications

As you complete the training and qualifications available, you'll earn badges to show your progress. Leadership training

You can really prove your worth as leader - a skill that will build your confidence and your ability to deal with different kinds of people. If you can handle it you could get to the Junior Leaders course - it's gruelling but what you get out of it will be invaluable to you for the rest of your life. BTECs

BTECs are a widely recognised qualification. The BTEC in Aerospace Studies is being finalised to replace our BTEC in Aviation Studies.

Other BTECs available are:

Leadership and management qualifications, from the Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM) are available to cadets and adult volunteers.

Level 3 Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)

Cadets over 16 can undertake this qualification. The content of the Air, Space and Cyber projects are decided by the cadet themselves. The qualification is equivalent to half an A-level and has UCAS points for higher education.

First Aid

First Aid training is an essential part of the Air Cadet training syllabus and is mandatory for all our staff and cadets. This training and knowledge fulfils our obligation to broaden citizenship skills and also equips our people with skills that can be used when things go wrong.

The Cadet Progressive Training syllabus for First Aid is broken down into four levels:

City & Guilds

Adult volunteers can benefit from vocational qualifications in management.

Sports

Feeling competitive? As an air cadet you can take part in seven main sports at different levels - athletics, cross country, football, rugby, hockey, netball and swimming. Whatever you do it'll help improve your physical fitness levels and your team skills. If you're good enough at your favourite sport we'll notice and can help you take it to the next level.

There are frequent tournaments between squadrons, where the best players are selected to represent the wing. The same then happens for the region, with wings competing against each other and the best players making up the regional team. If you make it through each of those selections, then you're good. Really good. You'll be at the top of your game and will have a shot at representing the entire cadet corps, nationally and even internationally.