859 (Dalgety Bay) Sqn
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Commissioned Officers

The Royal Air Force Air Cadets (RAFAC) is managed on a local level by officers who hold a Queens Cadet Forces Commission.  These officers are all volunteers who give up their spare time to help organise and run cadet activities.  They wear the same uniform as regular RAF officers, with the addition of a Royal Air Force Air Cadets branch identifier on their rank slides.

A candidate for Commissioning must first serve as a Civilian Instructor, SNCO or Cadet Warrant Officer for a period of no less than 3 months. They must then pass a filter interview at Wing Headquarters, followed by a two day commission board at the Officer and Aircrew Selection Centre (OASC) RAF Cranwell.  The commission board consists of a series tests of leadership and organisational ability and a formal interview with senior officers.  Candidates successfully passing the commission board are duly appointed as Acting Pilot Officers in the RAFAC.

Acting Pilot Officer RAFAC

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Rank: Acting Pilot Officer RAFAC
Abbreviation: APO
Addressed as: Sir / Ma'am

Candidates successfully passing the commission board process are initially appointed as an Acting Pilot  Officer RAFAC. They return to their Squadron and gain experience in an executive role, they will remain an Acting Pilot Officer until they successfully complete the 1 week Officers Initial Course (OIC) at the Adult Training Facility (ATF), Headquarters Air Cadets.


Pilot Officer RAFAC

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Rank: Pilot Officer RAFAC
Abbreviation: Plt Off
Addressed as: Sir / Ma'am 

On completion of OIC an Officer will be formally gazetted as a Pilot Officer in the RAFAC.  They will remain Pilot Officers for a minimum period of two years, if their performance has been satisfactory they are then automatically promoted to Flying Officer.


Flying Officer RAFAC

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Rank: Flying Officer RAFAC
Abbreviation: Fg Off
Addressed as: Sir / Ma'am 

Flying Officer is the substantive rank in the RAFAC, that is to say all ranks above this are only acting paid/unpaid positions.  Flying Officers will typically act as Deputy Officer Commanding/Adjutant/ Flight Commander on an ATC Squadron.  On small Squadrons or Detached Flights they may act as Officer Commanding.


Flight Lieutenant RAFAC

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Rank: Flight Lieutenant RAFAC
Abbreviation: Flt Lt
Addressed as: Sir / Ma'am 

Flight Lieutenants typically act as Squadron Commanders in the ATC, they may also be found at Wing/Region Headquarters filling various Staff Officer roles.  Confirmation of promotion to Flt Lt is usually dependant on the Officer attending the Squadron Commanders Course (SCC) at ATF.


Squadron Leader RAFAC

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Rank: Squadron Leader RAFAC
Abbreviation: Sqn Ldr
Addressed as: Sir / Ma'am 

Squadron Leader is the first senior officer rank and is usually held by Wing/Region Staff Officers, although large Squadrons with 100+ cadets on strength may have a Squadron Leader as Officer Commanding.


Wing Commander RAFAC

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Rank: Wing Commander RAFAC
Abbreviation: Wg Cdr
Addressed as: Sir / Ma'am 

Wing Commander is the highest rank normally attainable within the RAFAC, it is usually held by the Officer Commanding an ATC Wing.


Identifying Badges

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SD Hat/Beret Badge
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Tactical Recognition Flash (TRF) CS95 Clothing
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