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AWARDS

As you progress through your time with the RAF Section you will have ample opportunity to attain a number of awards: Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme; BTEC in Public Services, Music and shortly to be introduced a BTEC in Aviation Studies. For the top cadet each year there is the ultimate accolade of being selected as the Best Cadet and the award of the coveted Sir John Thomson Memorial Sword or for the Best RAF Section the award of the Air Squadron Trophy.

Duke of Edinburgh ’s Award Scheme

This activity will be controlled and executed by your school/college. Situations vary from school to school but normally the time spent in the CCF will count towards the majority of the DofE requirements. Skills, Physical Recreation, Service, Expeditions and the Residential Project can all be achieved through membership of the CCF. You will progress through Bronze, Silver and on to the ultimate award, Gold. You will undoubtedly have a teacher or CCF officer in charge of DofE at your school so it is probably best to contact him or her for more details.

BTEC

Public Service/Music

To earn a BTEC First Diploma in Public Service or Music you must successfully complete a series of assignments. Full details on how you can participate can be found on www.cvqo.org but the vast majority of activities you do in the cadets will count towards the award which equates to 4 GCSEs at A* - C level, or 4 Standard Grades levels 1-3 in Scotland.

INTERNATIONAL AIR CADET EXCHANGE

Places on the IACE are limited with the CCF normally being allocated 12 places for a mixture of male and female cadets. Only the very best of cadets are selected for this so here is your opportunity for a CHANCE OF A LIFE TIME EXPERIENCE. Countries visited in the recent past have included USA, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Isreal, Sweden, Turkey, Belgium, Germany and Ghana to name but a few. Exchanges will include some military activity but are largely cultural and adventurous in nature with opportunities to meet high ranking officers and even Presidents! On a recent visit to Israel , for example, the President spent an hour talking to cadets. Selected cadets will be chosen on merit but you should be the best RAF cadet within your contingent and will always have been recommended for consideration by the CCF Contingent Commander or RAF Section Commander. In most cases, but not all, an interview will be carried out by your school TEST Squadron Leader but the final decision on selection will be taken by Wing Commander CCF at HQ Air Cadets. Full details can be found on the link but you must be over 17 and have passed the Advanced element of the Syllabus of Training. There is a cost involved – you will have to pay your airfare to your destination country and take some money for your own use but everything else will be provided by your host nation.

AIR SQUADRON TROPHY

The Air Squadron Trophy is awarded annually to the Best RAF Section participating in the Ground Training Competition. Each CCF Area will hold an area competition to determine the best 2 RAF Sections to go forward to the National Final which is held in March of each year. Each team will comprise 13 cadets – a leader plus 12. The final competition consists of 7 elements: First Aid, Shooting, Fitness Test, RAF Knowledge Test, Aircraft Recognition, Drill and a Command Task. The Trophy is awarded on Air Squadron Day, traditionally on either the last Sunday of June or the first Sunday of July each year at a grand occasion at RAF Cranwell.

The top 3 teams are invited to attend and each team leader will receive a Geoffrey de Havilland Flying Foundation Medal for CCF Achievement. At Cranwell, not only will the winning teams receive their prizes but ALL cadets will get the chance to fly in aircraft owned by members of the Air Squadron – Tiger Moths, YAKs(!), de Havilland Rapide, Cessnas, helicopters and many others – an unforgettable experience. This competition provides the focus for all your training throughout the year so encourage your RAF Section to take part – you never know you might just WIN!

SIR JOHN THOMSON MEMORIAL SWORD

The Sir John Thomson Memorial Sword commemorates the late Air Chief Marshal Sir John Thomson GCB CBE AFC RAF who died on 10 July 1994 aged 53. Sir John was a leading member and strong supporter of the Air Squadron and regularly flew cadets on Air Squadron Day and on Air Experience Flights. The Sword is awarded annually to the cadet judged to be the Best in the CCF (RAF). Cadets, who will invariably be the most senior in their section/contingent will have to demonstrate the highest level of CCF commitment and involvement, will have made the most of all opportunities offered to them during their time in the CCF and will also be highly regarded within the school/college. Nominations are called for in November of each year. Of those recommended by either their Contingent Commander or RAF Section Commander, 6 will be chosen for a final interview with Wing Commander CCF in either late January or early February as a result of which a winner will be chosen. Results are made public in late March and the Sword is awarded at the Air Squadron Day celebrations at the end of the summer term. All 6 finalists, who will all attend the parade on Air Squadron Day, will be awarded a Geoffrey de Havilland Flying Foundation Medal for CCF Achievement.

ASSEGAI SHOOTING TROPHY

The competition is a .22 rifle postal shooting competition open only to RAF Sections of the CCF. If your RAF Section wishes to enter your intent to participate must be signified in the Autumn Term. The competition takes place between 1 January and 31 March each year in accordance with the Conditions and Rules of Entry (ACP22 – Instruction No 20). Under the adjudication of a member of the HQ Air Cadets Staff, the team with the highest aggregate of any six of the eight targets shot will be declared the winner.

COMMANDANT’S CERTIFICATE OF OUTSTANDING SERVICE

You don’t have to be the most senior cadet or the one who always wins everything on sports day or an academic whiz to win this valued award. If you make a valuable contribution to the overall success of your RAF Section in any capacity you could be in line for a Commandant’s Certificate of Outstanding Service. You have to be recommended by your RAF Section Commander or by your visiting TEST officer or SNCO but provided you receive their blessing, you will receive the award. These certificates are not on ration – there is NO quota!

Date Last Updated : Tuesday, January 29, 2008 9:26 AM

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