The following table displays the ranks of the Community Cadet Forces (Army Cadet Force, the Sea Cadet Corps, and the Air Training Corps), the Combined Cadet Force, the Volunteer Cadet Corps (RMVCC and RNVCC). This table is based on equivalent rank structures within the cadet forces as detailed in regulations of the SCC, RMC, and the Air Cadets.
Cadet ranks Cadet NCOs wear the issued cadet rank slides. The titles of some ranks in the ACF and CCF Army may vary as cadet detachments are affiliated to British Army regiments and adopt their terminology. More senior cadet ranks may be restricted to a set number per area.
Although promotion is based on merit rather than progression through the training syllabuses, certain criteria must be met before a cadet is eligible for promotion:
Whilst the CCF regulations provide an equivalency table purely for the CCF, there is no official equivalency between the other cadet forces.
Junior cadets
Cadet force adult volunteer ranks NCOs / senior ratings From 2009 to 2019, if a person joined as a civilian instructor in the Sea Cadets or Royal Marine Cadets and wanted to be a uniformed member of staff, they would become an acting petty officer or sergeant, following a six-month probationary period.
In 2018 the role of sergeant instructor (SI) was introduced for CCF(Army) sections, this is the first occasion that adults other than SSIs have been appointed as an NCO rather than a commissioned rank in the CCF. Army ACF CCF Title Warrant officer class 1 Regimental quartermaster sergeant instructor Warrant officer class 2 Staff/colour sergeant Sergeant Probationary sergeant Probationary instructor Civilian assistant Abbr. WO1 (ACF/CCF) WO2 (CCF) WO2 (ACF/CCF) SSgt/CSgt (ACF) Sgt (ACF/CCF) PSgt (ACF) PI (ACF/CCF) CA ATC/CCF (RAF) Groundcrew No insignia Aircrew Title Warrant officer/master aircrew Flight sergeant Sergeant Acting sergeant Civilian instructor/ civilian gliding instructor Abbr. WO RAFAC/MAcr RAFAC FS RAFAC Sgt RAFAC A/Sgt RAFAC CI/CGI SCC Title Warrant officer class 1 RNROne per Sea Cadet Corps Area. Warrant officer class 2 Chief petty officer Petty officer Probationary petty officer Civilian instructor Unit assistant Abbr. WO1 (SCC) RNR WO2 (SCC) RNR CPO (SCC) PO (SCC) P/PO (SCC) CI UA RMC/CCF (RM) No insignia Title Warrant officer class 1 RMRPromoted to this rank upon taking up the role as regimental sergeant major (one in the Sea Cadets). Warrant officer class 2 RMR Colour sergeant Sergeant Probationary sergeant Civilian instructor Abbr. WO1 (SCC) RMR WO2 (SCC) RMR CSgt (SCC) Sgt (SCC) P/Sgt (SCC) CI CCF (RN) Title Chief petty officer (school staff instructor) Abbr. CPO (SSI) GVCAC No insignia Title Civilian instructor Abbr. CI
Officers Formerly, officers in MOD-recognised cadet organisations (SCC, CCF, ACF, VCC) held a highest substantive rank of lieutenant, with more senior ranks being acting ranks.
Since 2017, all cadet officers are now commissioned under a bespoke cadet forces commission (CFC), with all appointments now being substantive. All previous Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Training Branch) (RAFVR(T)) officers of the ATC and CCF RAF had their commissions transferred to the new CFC in 2017. Army ACF CCF Title Colonel Lieutenant colonel Major Captain Lieutenant 2nd lieutenant Adult under officer Abbr. Col Lt Col Maj Capt Lt 2Lt AUO ATC/CCF (RAF) Title Group CaptainGroup captain is usually held by FTRS officers in regional commandant or HQAC posts. There is currently only one CFAV in the rank, the senior volunteer advisor at HQ Air Cadets. Wing commander Squadron leader Flight lieutenant Flying officer Pilot officer Acting pilot officer Abbr. Gp Capt Wg Cdr Sqn Ldr Flt Lt Fg Off Plt Off APO CCF (RN) and SCC SCC title Captain (SCC) RNRVolunteer rank does not exist with the Sea Cadet Corps. Commander (SCC) RNR Lieutenant commander (SCC) RNR Lieutenant (SCC) RNR Sub lieutenant (SCC) RNR Midshipman (SCC) RNR CCF title Commander (CCF) RNR Lieutenant commander (CCF) RNR Lieutenant (CCF) RNR Sub lieutenant (CCF) RNR Abbr. Capt Cdr Lt Cdr Lt SLt Mid RMC/CCF (RM) RMC title Lieutenant colonel (CCF) RMR Major (CCF) RMR Captain (CCF) RMR Lieutenant (CCF) RMR 2nd lieutenant (CCF) RMR Abbr. Lt Col Maj Capt Lt 2Lt
Former cadet organisations Cadet ranks and insignia of former cadet organisations
Welbeck DSFC
Epaulettes were worn by students whilst in the college kit, G-Kit, MTP and service uniform. It denoted their academic year and the seniority/position of authority that they held within the college. The college closed in July 2021. Ranks and insignia of Welbeck DSFC
See also Cadet forces Combined Cadet Force Community Cadet Forces Air Training Corps Army Cadet Force Sea Cadet Corps Royal Marines Cadets Volunteer Cadet Corps Royal Marines Volunteer Cadet Corps
International cadet ranks Ranks of the Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps Cadet grades and insignia of the Civil Air Patrol Cadets Canada Elemental Ranks New Zealand Cadet Forces ranks Australian Defence Force Cadets ranks Royal Belgian Sea Cadet Corps ranks
Ranks of the British Armed Forces Royal Navy ratings rank insignia Royal Navy officer rank insignia British Army other ranks rank insignia British Army officer rank insignia RAF other ranks RAF officer ranks
Notes
References
Sources