1287 Squadron is one unit within the Air Training Corps. The ATC is one of the largest Youth Organisations in the UK with almost 49,000 Cadets attending over 1000 units (known as Squadrons) spread out over the whole of the country. The Cadets are supported by volunteer Staff of nearly 10,000, plus 5,000 Civilian Committee Members. Cadets can join the Corps between the ages of 13 and 18 years.
As one of these Squadrons, 1287 (Wattisham) Squadron is part of North and Suffolk Wing which is part of the Central and Eastern Region. These squadrons are staffed by both uniformed and civilian volunteers. Cadets participate in many varied training activities including Flying, Gliding, Shooting, Sports, Drill, Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, Rock Climbing, Leadership, Canoeing, Abseiling, Backpacking, Exercises, Aircraft Recognition, Aeronautical Training, Ceremonial Parades, Community work and much much more.
The Squadron:
The basic unit that goes up to make the ATC, and the point at which you will be joining the Corps, is the Squadron. There are two kinds of Squadron:
· Open Squadrons - formed within the local community with a membership open to any young person by the Squadron Commander.
· School Squadrons - formed within a school with a membership restricted to either past or present pupils. Most school squadrons nowadays have relaxed the rules and opened their membership to any young person from the local area.
A Squadron will normally have a minimum of 30 enrolled cadets and will be run by the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Training) (RAFVR(T)) Officers, ATC Adult Warrant Officers (AWOs), and Civilian Instructors (CIs). Some Squadrons may control a detached flight in an area where there are not enough cadets (30) to make a full Squadron.
Civilian Committee:
Each Squadron Commander has a civilian committee, to help organise and run the Squadron. The committee is made up of 5 or more people who meet regularly and take responsibility for a number of things, including:
· Raising funds for Squadron activities.
· Controlling the Squadron finances.
· Obtaining and administrating Squadron accommodation.
What is the ATC?
