Civilian Instructors (CI) are the backbone of the Royal Air Force Air Cadets (RAFAC) organisation, and you’ll find at least one on every squadron. When you join the RAFAC as a member of staff, you’ll begin at the rank of CI as you begin to find your feet and develop your interests.

Being a CI is a varied role and allows you to use your skills where they best suit. Your interests outside of the organisation and skills picked up from your working life will be vital and beneficial in helping cadets to develop and grow.

Many cadets go straight into a CI role when they leave at 20 years old – often they feel that they can ‘give back’ their great experiences to a new generation of young people.

What’s in it for me?

As a CI, you’ll be able to get stuck in to a wide variety of activities. You’ll be able to teach cadets, go on camps, take cadets to sporting and flying activities, gain qualifications such as First Aid or assessing the Duke of Edinburgh Award and so much more. There are some activities that you won’t be able to take part in, such as leading drill or attending certain camps, but you’ll still be fully integrated into the organisation.

The CI role is ideal for those who would like to be a part of the organisation but may not be able to give a lot of time – as a CI, there are no time commitments to meet and you can parade as much or as little as need be. You don’t wear the RAF uniform either, but instead will be given a polo shirt and jumper which you can wear with smart trousers and shoes.

What next?

After a probationary period of six months, you’ll be given the opportunity (if you wish) to apply to be an NCO or Commissioned Officer. Your Commanding Officer will discuss all of this with you to let you know the procedures for going into uniform. You can also find out more on our Uniformed Staff page.

Our volunteers say they gain a huge sense of achievement from helping young people realise their potential, so why not give it a try? If you’re interested, visit our Squadrons page where you’ll be able to find contact details for your local squadron.

We look forward to welcoming you!