Air Cadets

[zola]

I was just wandering what you people in the RAF think about the Air Cadets that come on camp to RAF bases?
Do they really annoy you?
Are they just god fun to take the p**s out off?
yes i am an air cadets and dont mind any thing that you say aganist us.

[mutleyfour]

Im sure that a lot of us that are in, were cadets ourselves....therefore it is reasonable to conclude that whilst we might chuckle to ourselves when we see you, it is more often due to the memories that you trigger of our time......

I personally don't mind seeing the cadets about.

[BlueWolf]

zola

deploy shields

prepare for incoming

check spelling

good luck

LOL

:)

[The mother alligator]

I'm also in the ATC. The irony of your post tickled my humour, it never fails to amaze me how bad cadets are at English. I think that spelling and grammar should become part of the ever wavering first class syllabus. Zola, you are prime candidate for the guinea pig testing of this new first class module.
On the serious side of your post, I do agree that when you are on a busy base, you seem somewhat intimidated by the presence of full time personel. Mind you, I have seen many acts of stupidity by cadets on RAF bases, and would understand why some personel would not like to see the presence of cadets. However, it is in the RAF's interest to make cadets feel welcome, comfortable, and to offer the unique experiences that can be aquired through going on an annual camp, even though the callibre of cadets has decreased somewhat over the past few years. I myself have had some extremely good times during the four annual camps that I have been on. We just have to remember, we are there for a jolly, they are there to work.
TMA

[zola]

sorry about my v.poor spelling earlier, i will make sure that i check it next time!

[Fox3snapshot]

I think you will be the second candidate for guinea pig testing....unless your first sentence was meant to read as it does.....I assume it was a joke?

:hmm:

[SteadyNote]

The the mother alligator

Pot to Kettle, over?;)

[BEagle]

Space cadets are generally pretty welcome around the place as far as I'm aware. Generally better turned-out than many of the junior airmen, it has to be said....

Way back in when I was a student on the Gnat, a couple of young lads turned up looking a bit lost. Whereupon one of my colleagues went over and introduced himself: "Hi chaps, my name's Winton. Which Sqn are you from? Have a cup of coffee and we'll have a chat about what we students do......" "Err, no Sir - we're from Elec Eng Flt and we've come to fix your Hadley Box" came the reply!

[Chris Kebab]

Got joe'd as an ACLO years ago due to having been a space cadet myself once, very rewarding especially with the younger guys. I've a lot of time for youngster who get off their butts and do something positive.

Got gliding wings and a flying scholarship myself and have been thrashing about in military fast-jets ever since.

Most guys on base really have no problems at all with you being around and any comments are generally just banter and not to be taken at all seriously. Just enjoy it while you can.

[Rattus]

Steady Note
Who taught you your radio procedure? It's:
"station called" from "station calling"
It's only Hollywood and rozzers who do it back to front.:p

[ZH875]

The more the merrier, it is nice when smart young cadets show the JEngOs up for what they are. As a cadet, I did get the impression that occaisionaly we were in the way and not made to feel welcome. Now, having worked the other side of the fence, when the workload is high and another fastball change to the program has been launched, it is easy to see why. But spacers are the RAF of the future, so should be made welcome and not just tolerated.

[zola]

why are the air cadets referred to as `space cadets`?
i noticed in the air mans mess at Valley sum 1 had written space cadets on the notice board but didnt no why.

[BlueWolf]

Which probably means you've just answered your own question!;) :D

Good on ya, and good luck for the future.:ok:

[Skylark4]

Zola,
Are you going out of your way to avoid capital letters, to mis-punctuate and to spell atrociously or is that the best you can do?

As one who spends a large part of his working life strapping you and your like into Grob 115 e`s, I suggest you don`t worry about what the Regulars think of you. The majority have been in your position. Whatever you do though, listen to what you are told and do EXACTLY what you are told. If you don`t understand, ask for clarification. Finally, when someone speaks to you and a reply is called for, please speak clearly, in English, using real words in a joined up fashion. The only single words acceptable as answers are `yes` and `no`and they both go down better if followed by `Sir`, even if the person you are talking to does not deseve the title. Phnumph, ug and nnnng are not acceptable words.

Finally, enjoy your youth. You only get one shot at it.

Mike W

[BEagle]

Mike - he's using bone-idle txtmsg yoofspeak. An all-too common failing of many of the slouching 'hat on backwards' generation of Kevins. Who say "'s doin' me 'ed in" when they mean "This requires mental effort and I'm too lazy to bother".....

Many prospective employers now require handwritten work during the interview process itself. Denied a PC and spelling checker, the lazy txtmsg yoofs can barely make themselves understood.

[Gen. Bombdabastards]

The cadets never seemed to be a problem, being an ex-cadet myself I would always make the effort to take time and speak with them. I found that most cadets would then show more interest if someone took the time to speak to them rather than just ignore them in the corner of a crewroom. After all it is aimed at promoting an interest in aviation and the RAF in the youth of today, with the ultimate aim of recruiting.

The only slight problem (dare I say it) was with some of the staff, who would collar you in the bar and try and tell you your job or try and demonstrate that they knew more about your job or the RAF than you did. Only to find out that some of them (The majority?) hadn't actually ever served in the RAF.

I have now left the RAF and I am now a CI with my local ATC Sqn and have noticed a completely different response from the cadets to myself once they realise that I have some credibility.

What I have learned as a CI is that, the majority want to learn about all trades and would like to understand what is required to gain entry into these trades. Not all of them want to be pilots, some of them realise that they will not be able to be pilots. Most of them are to timid or afraid to ask questions because they don't want to stand out and appear stupid in front of thier mates ( a bit like asking/answering questions in class). They usually get ushered around from section to section and told to wait quietly in the corner of a crewroom. Some are a bit overawed by it all.

To those in the RAF who are on section that have cadets visiting, show an interest. If you know that the cadets visit on a particular day, make sure someone is expecting them, make sure that you have something ready for them to see. But most importantly TALK to them.

There is nothing worse than arriving at a section and waiting for a load of phone calls to take place to find someone to host the cadets. They are normally only on a section visit for 45mins - 1hour, when you take 10 mins out of this whilst someone is jo'd to host the cadets, they don't have very long to see what your section is about.

ACLO's / Camp Comm's please make sure that sections get copies of the program and use the phone to advise of arrivals / late arrivals.

[solotk]

Personally, I will always find time for cadets. By and large they are very interested in what you do , some times disconcertingly so
"What are you doing now Sir?" "Engineering the means of your demise"

I was a cadet, from as soon as I was able,ending up as a Staff cadet at a flying establishment , the pinnacle of any young Spaceys ambition. Really enjoyed myself, and didn't once encounter any hostility, from sitting in Pilot briefings at Linton, to the engineering ramps of 57 , to touch and go's in VC-10's at Brize to bugging the duty pilot at Gutersloh , who entertained us with a story of ejecting after a birdstrike.

I think even the most cynical member of the RAF knows that spaceys by and large, are the future, and sometimes, it's a welcome break from the routine.

Nowadays the spaceys I see, are brown, but just as keen as I was. Remember this, most of them will hold you/us in a god like reverence , so don't step on their dreams :ok:

[The mother alligator]

I totally agree with what has been said. I hope that when visiting RAF stations, we will go on being treated with the respect that we sometimes deserve. I myself have never had any trouble while on camp. Cheers guys!
TMA

[Chinese Vic]

Have to agree with the General...once spotted a VR(T) officer wearing a flying suit in the bar at LOO. Said Flt Lt was wearing a peculiar set of wings so I sauntered over and bought the guy a drink, sociable as always....
After a bit of banter to and fro, it turned out the chap was wearing his wings as he 'was an R/C model aircraft enthusiast' and had gone 'solo' some years before!
Exit Fg Off Vic stage left to the sound of poorly suppressed guffaws.....:D

CV

[The mother alligator]

I never knew that model aircraft were getting so big! A flight suit?

[TangoZulu]

Sticking ones head above the parapet and admitting to belonging to the VR(T) it never fails to amaze, or sadden me, how many of my so called erstwhile colleagues forget that they are visitors to any officers mess and should behave accordingly.

Sadly I know of several who have performed in a similar way to the gentleman (sic!) descibed above and brought embarrassment to us all.

For one I am always gald that you are able to put up with us part timers who hopefully remember that we are the guests, for the benefit of the cadets who in the main, are not usually a bad bunch.

Thanks

TZ

[A Civilian]

Whats wrong with it its just harmless fun.

[Postman Plod]

The VR(T)'s come out the woodowrk....

Great thread guys, and it makes me feel much more positive about approaching you if I've got a crewroom full of bored cadets on AEF with no hope of flying!

I did approach a couple of techs serviceing a Merlin last time we were at Benson, and considering it was Saturday morning after a night on the lash, (bit green around the gills :yuk:) they were brilliant. Spent hours showing cadets round the aircraft in intricate detail, and they managed to keep them interested! :ooh:

WRT the VR(T) and ATC staff in general, I guess the vast majority of us have never served in the services these days, and we just dont get any interest from ex-regulars wanting to help out these days :( A plea - if you have any spare time, and you think you could help, pop along to your local squadron - most of us are struggling from lack of staff! (especially around the Thames Valey area - Berks / Oxon)

Plod

[rollrollroll]

A breeze from the south-east:

When I enter the classroom full of cadets I usually say: "Oh, here is nobody."
(Also, full of second liutenants)
No bad feelings, I just couldn't resist.
Hope my spelling is correct.

:ok:

[sooms]

Leave the poor little blighters alone- better doing something worthwhile than doing my car over or mugging old ladies. I've hosted many groups of cadets over the years and have always tried to be enthusiastic and helpful.
It's just sad that nowadays with H+SAW etc.. they can't do some of the things I did when I was a spacey. Spent a day on 230 OCU's line at Scampton when I was only about 14, helping the lineys do see off's/see in's and even helped to jack up a Vulcan to do a wheel change....fantastic stuff.