1206 (City of Lichfield) Squadron

Structures; Ranks and Badges

 

Ranks and Classifications

 

Everyone in the Air Cadets can be identified by the badges of rank that they wear. Cadets are given a rank as well as a classification.

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From lowest to highest, the classifications go as follows;\

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• Junior Cadet

• Second Class Cadet

• First Class Cadet

• Leading Cadet

• Senior Cadet

• Master Air Cadet

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From lowest to highest, the ranks go as follows;

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• Cadet Corporal

• Cadet Sergeant

• Cadet Flight Sergeant

• Cadet Warrant Officer

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Badges

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An Air Cadet 'brassard' including the Nijmegen badge, a communications badge and a Wings Marksman badge

The brassard's main purpose is to distinguish which service and squadron or unit the cadet belongs to, as well as his or her classification. It is also one of two parts of uniform that shows any awards the cadet has achieved in the Air Training Corps.

The positioning of a variety of badges on the brassard e.g. Music, Marksman, First Aid etc.

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Badges on the brassard;

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The brassard is to be fitted over the right sleeve of the jersey or shirt and positioned above the elbow. The top of the brassard is to be fixed by a fabric strap to the riht shoulder strap of the jersey or shirt. The location of the badges on the brassard are as follows;

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Identification Badge

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The identification badge (Squadron number) is to be worn centrally on the brassard, 6mm below the top edge of the brassard. In this position it covers the button hole. 

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Distinguishing Badge

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The distinguishing (Air Training Corps) is to be worn centrally on the brassard, immediately below the identification badge.​

 

Classification Badges

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The First Class, Leading and Senior Cadet badges are to be worn centrally on the brassard, immediately below the distinguishing badge. Only one classification badge is to be worn at a time and it should be the highest classification the cadet holds.​

 

Bandsman Badge

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The Bandsman badge is to be worn on the brassard, in a central position 75mm above the lower edge. Bandsman's badges are only worn in this space where higher priority badges have not been gained. There are four bandsmen badges; Drummer, Trumpeter, Instrumentalist and Piper.

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Communications Badge

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The Communications Badge is to be worn on the brassard with the  base of the badge 9cm from the bottom edge and the top right hand corner 6mm from the right hand edge of the brassard.​

 
Badges for Shooting

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Only one Marksmanship badge is to be worn and is to be for the highest level for which the Cadet is qualified. The appropriate badge is to be positioned 6mm from the left hand edge of the brassard.

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Nijmegen Badge

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This badge is to be worn on the left hand side of the brassard with the base of the badge 9cm from the bottom edge and 6mm from the left hand side of the brassard. It is earnt by participating in the Nijmegen Marches as part of an Air Cadet team.

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First Aid Badge

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The St. John Ambulance First Aid Badge is to be worn on the right hand side of the brassard so that it is highly visible. 

The Green Activity First Aid Badge should be worn instead of the Red Youth First Aid badge if it has been awarded.

 

Leadership Course Badge

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The Leadership Badge is only to be worn by cadets who have successfully completed the Air Cadet Leadership Course. The badge is to be worn in a central position on the brassard immediately below the classification badge. The badge is not to be worn if the Junior Leadership Lanyard has been awarded.

Extras; NOT worn on the Brassard:

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Instructor Cadet Lanyard

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The yellow lanyard is worn with the cord fastened over the left shoulder, under the shoulder strap and fasten to a small raised, RAF crested black button sewn centrally on the bottom edge of the left shoulder patch of the jersey - in shirt sleeve order it is fastened to the button of the left breast pocket of the shirt.

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Junior Leaders Lanyard

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Cadets who graduate from the Junior Leaders Course will be awarded a maroon lanyard. This will be worn as the same manner as the Instructor Cadet lanyard. If a Cadet is qualified for both lanyards, only the Junior Leader lanyard should be worn.

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QAIC Lanyard

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'Qualified Aerospace Instructors Course' lanyard. Cadets who graduated from QAIC will be awarded this blue lanyard.

It is to be worn in the same way as the other two lanyards, however is the most senior of the three. 

If a cadet is qualified for both lanyards, the QAIC lanyard should be worn.

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Rank Slides

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Cpl, Sgt, FS and CWO badges are to be worn on the shoulder straps of either the jersey or the shirt, depending on the mode of dress.

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Duke of Edinburgh Badge

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'D of E' badges are to be worn centrally on the right shoulder patch of the jersey, 1cm above the lower edge of the patch. Only one D of E badge is worn at a time i.e. when the Silver is gained, it replaces the Bronze.

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Cadet Flying Badges

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Gliding, Flying Scholarship and Cadet Navigator badges are to be worn on the left shoulder patch of the jersey as follows;

• When only one of these badges is worn, it is to be worn centrally, 1cm above the lower edge of the patch

• When more than one badge is authorised, the Flying Scholarship or Cadet Navigator badge is worn centrally 1cm above the Gliding badge, and the bottom edge of the Gliding badge is to be worn 1cm above the lower edge of the patch

• Cadets are restricted to wearing only 2 of the flying badges, one to represent their highest level of attainment in gliding and conventional flying