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Air Cadet Discipline and Dress
When looking at a cadets discipline and dress you may think of parades that you have seen on television or you may have been lucky enough to have actually seen them on a parade.
You cannot help but be impressed by the smart turnout and the precision of their drill movements. They could not perform to the very high standards required unless they as individuals have strong personal discipline and are dedicated members of their "team".
An important part of an Air Cadets training involves teaching cadets how to be smartly ‘turned out’, disciplined and a well organised.
Drill is a powerful aid towards teaching these qualities. In a voluntary youth organisation it would seem to be a difficult task to instill discipline. However, it is not really a problem since, after all, you are a volunteer like everyone else in your squadron, who all rely on a much more important type of discipline - SELF DISCIPLINE.
You will be surprised how you can enjoy taking part in drill, especially if you have a good instructor who can make it interesting. Once all of you have mastered the movements and are able to move smartly as "one body", then - and only then you will feel a real sense of pride, you will be alert and carry out orders instantly with precision. As an cadets you would be expected to carry out drills in an aircraft in exactly the same manner. No matter what job you have to do, if you are smart on parade you will develop the right attitudes towards improving your personal standards in all you do.
In the service environment, the immediate reaction to orders given in quick succession - as in drill, will often have to be applied to keep an efficient team together under a strain that would normally break it.
UNIFORM
Another aspect of your personal discipline is your uniform which is your personal responsibility. The way you take care of it can be seen by your very appearance in it. Your reputation for 'turnout' with your instructors will depend upon your attention to detail when wearing uniform, listen to their instructions and get it right first time.
You will now appreciate that there is more to drill than you might think, it is a team effort, more precise than the most highly trained Football team. The concentration of individual effort and the self discipline required by you will be hard to find in any other situation.
Once you and the others in your Squadron have become proficient enough at Drill you may appear in public or take part in parades that include marching through your home town often with a band playing you will be able to control the swing of your arms and the roll of your shoulders allowing you to feel the pride in your squadron and yourself - it takes some beating, and what is more you will enjoy every minute of it.
CARE OF CLOTHING
You are fortunate to have your uniform issued to you free of charge. It must be appreciated that this costs a great deal of money to provide all cadets with uniforms and to carry stocks for exchanges. It follows that it must be treated with respect and taken care of.
If you are to be a credit to yourself and the ATC you must keep it clean, pressed and in good repair at all times.
You do need to learn how to correctly use an iron, do not leave it to others to clean and press for you.
This naturally applies just as much to you when in your civilian clothes, your turnout portrays how well you look after yourself and your standard of personal discipline.
All your clothes need hanging up properly on hangers, not thrown over a chair or dumped on the floor.
You will be expected to hand in a clean uniform when it comes to changing it, which can happen several times during your cadet service.
Talk to your officers or instructor to find out the best and accepted method of cleaning it.
It is understood that young people grow quite rapidly at times, your Supplies Officer will have a system for exchanging uniforms. However, uniform supply is limited, therefore it is your responsibility to maintain the highest standards without defacing the uniform with iron marks or alterations.
HINTS FOR PRESSING UNIFORM
Do not let the hot iron come into direct contact with the material..
It makes it shiny or worse still, may burn it. You will then have to pay for a replacement. Use a damp not wet, non-fluffy cloth, (an old tea towel is ideal), place this on your trousers/skirt then place paper over this.
CARE AND CLEANING OF BOOTS AND SHOES
There are different ideas about how clean your boots should be. It is most likely that you will only have one pair of boots and they have to be worn for all your cadet activities. Ideally if you can manage it a pair of boots for Adventure Training and shoes for Squadron activities. It is very difficult to wear them on an expedition one day and then have them fit for a "drill competition" the next!!
What is important is that both boots and shoes fit you comfortably and are kept in good repair, they are always clean and well polished. The laces must be straight across the eyelet holes, not crossing over them. Should you get your boots or shoes wet, do not dry them in front of a fire or over heat. Leather is a natural material and so must dry naturally. It helps if you stuff newspaper into them to absorb the wet/damp, replacing it after a couple of hours with dry paper.
Always have a spare pair of laces, with you. Only wear thick woolen socks with boots. Black socks are permitted for males, whilst females should wear Nearly Black coloured tights. Cadets are encouraged to purchase shoes for blue uniform, (No2a or No2c uniform) and boots are to be worn normally in No.3 uniform or for Adventure Training only.
PERSONAL TURNOUT
Males
Face clean and shaved if necessary. Hair not over the collar or ears, sideburns not below bottom of ears.
Females
Hair: If your hair is long enough to put up NEATLY, then do so. Try to keep your hair from ‘falling’ as it can be a problem on exercise or the ranges.
Do not wear fancy hair slides, bobbles or fancy scrunchies.
Earrings: ONE pair of plain studs.
It is advisable to remove them whilst on exercise, to prevent loss
NO2A DRESS
NO2C DRESS
NO3 DRESS
GENERAL ADVICE
Body Piercing
It is your personal choice whether you have body piercing. However, for your safety, these should be either removed whilst in uniform, or covered securely with a sticking plaster. There is a real danger of these piercings being caught or becoming infected whilst undertaking most cadet activities.
Rings
One signet ring is acceptable, but ‘Rings on every finger’ does not look right when in uniform. There is also a possibility they may slip off during an exercise or getting caught when weapon cleaning.
Neck Chains and Bracelets
Should not be worn when in uniform, unless they are Medic Alert or similar.
WHEN COMPLIMENTS ARE PAID
National Anthem
When on parade, stand to attention, only Officers and Warrant Officers salute, NCOs will if in charge of a party.
When not on parade, but in uniform, all ranks will salute.
When not on parade, and in plain clothes, all ranks will stand to attention.
If a hat is worn, it will be removed (Females do not remove hats).
Standards, Guidons and Colours
As a squad on the march you will give an ‘Eyes Left’ or ‘Right’.
As an individual, you halt; face passing Standards, Guidons or Colours.
Paying Compliments
Visiting Officers will always notice the standard of saluting in your Squadron; it will be their first impression of you and the Squadron. Make sure it is a good impression.
