RAFAC CADET TRAINING TEAM SNCO

Task requirements

A vacancy has arisen for a Sgt of any trade to serve as CCF RAF CTT SNCO within the South West of England at RAF Brize Norton, on Full Time Reserve Service (Limited Commitment) Terms and Conditions of Service (TCoS), with an initial proposed start date of not before 04 August 2025.

The post is established at RAF Brize Norton. However, home location does not necessarily have be close to RAF Brize Norton, although occasion visits there will be required, with post establishment location referring to parenting for CTT SNCO’s MT and stores.

Your allocated schools will fall in the rough geographical area covering M4/A34 junction in the north east, A34/M3/M27 south to Portsmouth in the east, along south coast to Exeter in the south and north along the M5 in the west and back along the M4 to the A34. This will cover schools in and around the Warminster, Salisbury, Dorchester, Bournemouth and Exeter, Bristol and Bath areas. Ideally the applicant will currently live in/close to or be prepared to relocate within this geographical area.

The role comes with a service provided vehicle and will require the successful candidate to travel daily to support the delivery of the cadet experience in up to 10 RAF Sections of Combined Cadet Force Contingents in schools (units will be confirmed on appointment depending on the overnight/home location of the post holder). Wider administration and other support will be completed predominantly from home with occasional visits to the RAFAC Regional HQ South-West at Devizes and other MOD establishments both in South West and nationally as activity delivery and other support dictate.

Reporting via the Flight Sergeant Cadet Training Team (CTT) as 1RO, the OC Cadet Training Team (CTT) as 2RO and through the Regional COS and Gp Capt Regional Commandant, the CCF (RAF) CTT SNCO will support CCF (RAF) sections and RAFAC activities in the South-West of England with responsibilities that include:

• Primary interface with CCF (RAF) sections, supporting them through effective liaison with RAFAC staff, RAF stations in conjunction with parenting statements and ACLOs, RAFAC Regional administrative Functional Operating Model ‘Pillars’, Wing Cadet Forces Adult Volunteers, Air Training Corps (ATC) units, Army Regional Brigades and staff, and equivalent RN/RM formations and staff.
• Visit CCF (RAF) sections every two to three weeks in order provide effective support and delivery.
• Assist with the instruction and delivery of various leadership and personal development activities for cadets and Cadet Force Adult Volunteers (CFAV).
• Provide administrative support to enable joining and sustainment of staff, liaising between Cadet Force Adult Volunteers (CFAV), sections and school staff, and HQ RAFAC as required.
• Working with the contingent and section commanders through monitoring and reporting, provide assurance that CFAV records are accurate, recording that mandatory training is completed and currencies/competencies maintained, and that cadet records are accurate and reflect the number of cadets parading.
• Facilitate the RAFAC training syllabus, including its delivery and assurance.
• Advise and guide CCF (RAF) sections on planning and delivery of activities to take place if conducted within cadet force and RAFAC policies, and to meet the RAFAC aims around Air, Space and Cyber’.
• Liaison and support with CCF (RAF) sections, Volunteer Glider Sqns, Air Experience Flights and ASTRA Ground Schools in support of aviation and aviation-related opportunities.
• Plan and conduct weapon training, range activities and live firing on DCCT and ranges (using cadet force weapon training and range qualifications, the post holder will be required to attain).
• Assist with the delivery of Method of Instruction (MOI) training and assess cadet MOI.
• Assist with the conducting of weapons training and weapons handling testing.
• Support and guide candidates applying for a commission and SNCO options.
• Training and development of CFAV and providing enabling support to ensure they maintain their CFAV mandatory currencies.
• The development of opportunities for integrated activities with the ATC and other cadet forces.
• Assist with the planning, provision and delivery of support to UK and overseas camps.
• Primary SME and POC for logistic support to schools in your AOR, including the role as the school inventories holder and supporting school CCF (RAF) sections and the provision of uniforms to cadets and CFAV through effective liaison with local RAF stations, in conjunction with parenting statements.
• Primary SME for IT and Information Management Systems (BADER, Westminster, Defence Gateway) access and training for CFAV and Cadets in your AOR.
• Liaison with SMEs over the delivery of specialist training including, but not limited to, first aid, drill and ceremonial, weapons, fieldcraft, leadership and adventurous training.
• Deliver and train users on virtual reality and synthetic training through immersive technology.
• Assist in the delivery of area conferences and Royal Air Sqn Trophy competitions in your AOR.
• Ensure value for money and efficiency of delivery.
• Competence with various information management systems used by Defence and MoD Cadet organisations.
• Support wider RAFAC activities under the direction of the post’s Regional Commandant.
• Act on safeguarding matters with urgency and diligence.
• Uphold RAF values and standards, applying moral courage and good judgement.

Essential competencies

(Aviators) Must either have been, or currently be, a Sergeant of any Trade or a Corporal of any trade eligible for promotion in accordance with AP 3392 Vol 2 Leaflet 560 and AP 3376 Vol 1. All Promotions will be ratified by means of a Promotion Board. If an applicant has been out of full-time military service and is applying for a post on promotion, they will also need to send their civilian appraisals or equivalent to evidence recent skills, knowledge and experience to be considered by the Promotion Board. See also earlier note in Applicant Considerations section, regarding applications of an equivalent rank from sister Services. (RN PO, RM Sgt, Army Sgt).

• Good organisational, oral and written communication and IT skills.
• Maturity and experience to work reliably and diligently as a member of a small team.
• Ability to work flexible hours, sometimes from home, and including some weekends and
• UK Driving Licence and be medically fit and able to drive Service transport and to be certified medically fit to do so by a Military Medical Board.
• Ability to plan and conduct weapon training, range activities and live firing on DCCT and ranges (using cadet force weapon systems (air rifle, 0.22 and 5.56), weapons training and range qualifications, the post holder will be required to attain) and to be certified medically fit and able to do so by a Military Medical Board.
• Have good interpersonal skills, with the ability to work with civilian volunteers and cadets from across society and a wide age range.
• The successful applicant will be required to undertake enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) clearance. Note that no formal offer of commitment will be made until the successful candidate has achieved this.

Desirable competencies

• A working knowledge of the RAF Air Cadets and/or working with youth organisations.
• Defence Train the Trainer V2 or equivalent civilian qualification accredited by DCTS. If not already qualified, the successful applicant will be required to complete the course.
• Care of Trainees. If not already qualified (through Defence Train the Trainer course), the successful applicant will be required to complete the course.

Selection Process

A Selection Board will carry out a rigorous selection process for this post, based principally on an applicant’s last 3 (for aviators) appraisal reports as required.  Enquiries concerning this vacancy should be made to:

Name: Sqn Ldr Chris Bridgeman RAFAC copying to Flight Sergeant Gary Grinham

Email: christopher.bridgeman103@mod.gov.uk copying in Gary.Grinham101@mod.gov.uk

Tel:      Sqn Ldr Bridgeman 07976 670 363 or FS Grinham 07976 590 056

Applications.  Candidate applications, with a maximum 2-page CV (to include copies of last 3/4 appraisal reports as required) should be sent to:

Sqn Ldr Chris Bridgeman, OC RAF CTT, HQ South-West, RAF Air Cadets, Franklyn Road, Devizes, Wiltshire, SN10 2FE. Electronic applications (preferred) to: christopher.bridgeman103@mod.gov.uk copying in Gary.Grinham101@mod.gov.uk

The closing date for applications is midnight Sunday 15 June 2025.

Interviews will take place week commencing 30 June 2025 unless a promotion board is required.

Additional information

Unless already enlisted in the Reserve Air Forces the successful applicant will be required to be enlisted in the Royal Air Force Reserves with a liability for call-out for permanent service.

The appointment is on Full Time Reserve Service (Limited Commitment) TCoS in accordance with AP 3392 Vol 7 Part 1 and AP3392 Vol 7 Part 3 Chapter 2 for an initial period of 4 years.

Confirmation of appointment will depend on successful completion of a RAF Medical Board.  Personnel who do not meet the Age/Permanent Joint Medical Employment Standard (PJMES) may apply for the appointment but will only be considered subject to an executive waiver process on a case-by-case basis.

Candidates must be attested before their 61st birthday. However, suitably qualified personnel may be considered but a waiver must be sought from SO1 Res Spt prior to interview.

Candidates who have been out of regular or reserve service for more than 5 years may be considered for this appointment.  Prior approval must be sought from the relevant Professions Advisor to confirm current and past experience prior to being invited to interview.

Applicants of an equivalent rank from sister Services may apply but will only be accepted into the Royal Air Force Reserves if an appropriate Professions advisor can be identified to sponsor the applicant.  The relevant Profession’s advisor approval must be agreed before the interview.

Regular Service Applicants.  Personnel currently serving in the Regular Royal Air Force should be mindful of the current Early Termination Minimum Waiting Time (MWT) for their respective Rank, Profession and ensure this MWT is compatible with the post sponsor’s proposed start date, prior to applying.

Admin Discharge.  Ex-service candidates who have been administratively discharged through the KR1027 process will have their applications rejected as they are not eligible to join the RAF Reserves in accordance with AP 3391.

Pension Issues.  Personnel who qualify for a service pension should take financial advice from Defence Business Services (DBS) Pensions Department on the effect that undertaking reserve service has on their pension (details can be found on the JPA splash screen). Additional guidance can also be found at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/pensions-and-compensation-for-veterans and MMP116 - Re-employment. Of particular note is reference to the ‘Effect of Re-employment’ on Commutation and, for those leaving on a ‘preserved’ pension, the Resettlement Grant.

Transition between TCoS.  Personnel taking this appointment from other TCoS should consider the impact on any accrued entitlements, such as leave, resettlement etc and should seek specialist guidance where required as certain entitlements are TCoS specific and may not be retained or transferred on transition between TCoS. 

Flexible Working Arrangements.  In accordance with the Flexible Working (FW) Policy, Reserve personnel can request FW arrangements with their line manager.  Any immediate FW requirements should be agreed with the line management at the interview stage.

Individual Reinforcement Training (IRT) (Module 1) and RAF Fitness Test (RAFFT).  Reserve personnel are required to maintain currency in IRT and the RAFFT iaw the relevant TCoS.  The successful applicant will be expected to undertake IRT and the RAFFT within 6 months of commencing employment (if required).

Annual Salary and Leave.  Pay will be in accordance with the pay scales published for the reserve air forces.  Leave entitlement is detailed in JSP 760.

Accommodation. Personnel serving on FTRS(LC) TCoS are eligible to occupy Single Living Accommodation (SLA) if available, at entitled rates, if serving within the Air Command TLB. However, due to a severe shortage, it is unlikely that accommodation will be available at RAF Brize Norton.