Contact us
CADETS
Join as a Cadet
If you are interested in joining as a cadet, as long as you are aged 12-17, and have a keen interest in what we do, feel free to fill out the form you will find HERE! This takes you to the RAF Air Cadets website, where you fill out some basic contact details first and we receive some information to contact you with. Alternatively, if you would like some more information, please contact us at 452@rafac.mod.gov.uk, and we will reply as soon as we can.
We take two recruit intakes each year. One in March, and one in September. These are like school open evenings, where you will be able to speak to various cadets and staff members at different 'stations' throughout the squadron. If you fill out the above link, somebody will be in contact to let you know when our next open evening is.
Once you come down, and if you choose to join us, you will then join the group of recruits through the 'First Class' classification syllabus, learning the basic skills of an Air Cadet. This is a dedicated programme, and you will be solely focussing on this for the first period of your cadet career, once completed, you will be placed into on of our two flights, and join the rest of the squadron in the normal training programme.
CADET FORCES ADULT VOLUNTEER
Join as an Adult Volunteer
If you are interested in helping us out, we would love to have you!
- "Be aged 20 years or more (minimum age for CCF RAF is 18 years. Uniformed officers serve up to age 65)
- have lived in the UK for a minimum of 3 years
- commit to a certain number of hours each week (around 12 hours a month)
- understand young people and their needs
- be patient, responsible and kind
- have a good level of fitness, but by no means be an athlete
We know our volunteers may have families, jobs and hobbies, so we can be flexible and work around other areas of your lives. All we expect in return is clear communication, good organisation and commitment to your squadron.
You do not need
- a military background or experience
- experience of working with young people
- relevant skills like flying or gliding
We provide uniforms and all the training you’ll require and there are opportunities to move up through the ranks as an officer or senior non-commissioned officer (SNCO). You’ll be guided through the process of interviews at Wing HQs and Regional HQs.
While our volunteers don’t get paid, if you progress to be an officer or non-commissioned officer you may be able to claim for volunteer allowance."
Information from the RAF Air Cadets website, available at: https://www.raf.mod.uk/aircadets/volunteers1/being-a-volunteer/ (Accessed on 26/02/2025)
CIVILIAN COMMITTEE
Join as a Civilian Committee Member
We are trying to re-establish a strong civilian committee on our squadron, committee members are frequently parents of cadets or friends of the squadron, but anybody with a keen interest can join!
The Committee is seperate from the Adult Volunteers, as is responsible for the welfare of our cadets and looking after the squadrons finances. Without a functioning committee, it is difficult to keep the training equipment that we need up to date.
- The committee normally meet 4 times a year, and are responsible for the following:
- Electing a Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer
- Producing annual accounts form
- Agreeing a annual budget for the squadron with the staff team
- Standard banking arrangements, such as reimbursing for expenditure and paying Wing subscriptions. (Online banking is set up already for this)
The current committee have been doing this for about 10 years and would like to hand over to a new group.
Please email us at 452@rafac.mod.gov.uk to arrange to pop down to the squadron for a chat if you are interested.
Directions
We are located at:
30 Tyrells Close
Upminster
RM14 2QA
Near to both Upminster Bridge (District Line) and Upminster Station.
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