Originally Posted by hobbit1983
........the Air Training Corps is a very worthwhile organisation that does a huge amount of good work with young people - and it should continue to do so.
Couldn't agree more, hence I've recently joined my local Squadron as a CI.
The staff, both uniformed and civilian do their utmost to ensure that the cadets get as much exposure to Service life as is possible, but unless more serving or former-serving personnel become involved, constraints on availability notwithstanding, there is the danger that the ATC many of us enjoyed in the past will become nothing more than a youth club, something neither the cadets nor staff would wish.
As for the debate on VR(T) status, surely this is a matter of 'gentle' education of miscreants? Compared to the days when I was a cadet, it would appear that VR(T) Officers who have served are in the minority. To expect them to understand the ethos of Service life without a great deal of exposure is a little far-fetched. There is insufficient time on the Induction Course to give more than a basic understanding of expectations.