Page 136 - The Wish Stream Year of 2022

During the late 1950s and early 1960s, the Cran- well course length was three years (including academic studies and basic flying training), with potential pilots continuing for a further fourth year with advanced flying training elsewhere. Cadets showing sufficient potential were encouraged to enter for external degree examinations of the University of London. During this period facilities at Cranwell were improved with the building of a swimming pool, gymnasium, assembly hall and both Church of England and Roman Catholic chapels.
During the 1970s and early 1980s, there was a push to encourage entry to Cranwell from graduates with separate graduate and cadet (non-graduate) entry points and courses. After much experimentation, by the late 1980s, a sin- gle-point entry and initial officer training course was established. By the 1980s, all RAF potential officers (both men and women) were trained on an 18-week course until commissioning, after which they went their separate ways for special- ist training.
Cranwell today
Today, RAF College Cranwell remains at the fore- front of Officer and Military training for the Royal Air Force. Its mission is ‘to inspire, attract, train and develop the Next Generation Air Force’. Cranwell is the ‘spiritual home’ of the RAF and considered a world-class military air academy. Unlike both Dartmouth and Sandhurst, RAF College Cranwell consists of not just the Officer Training Academy (although that is a very signifi- cant part) but also No. 6 Flying Training School (for University Air Squadron flying training), the Tedder Academy of Leadership and the Rob- son Academy of Resilience. Other units on the Station include No. 3 Flying Training School (for elementary flying training and multi-engine initial training), RAF Recruiting and Selection (includ- ing the Officer and Aircrew Selection Centre), the Band of the RAF College and Base Support and Operations Wings (the latter being responsible for air safety, 24-hour air traffic control, fire & res- cue, etc.). The Commandant of the RAF College is an Air Commodore; the RAF Cranwell Station Commander is a Group Captain.
The RAF Officer Training Academy (RAFOTA)
The Academy is the part of the
RAF College that, in line with the
role of both Sandhurst and Dart-
mouth, delivers ‘Phase 1’ officer training to all prospective regular RAF officers, regardless of their destined specialisation (e.g., aircrew, engi- neering, administration or RAF Regiment, etc.). Each course of up to 90 UK Officer Cadets is made up of direct entrants who undertake a 24-week course before commissioning, and serving entrants who undertake an 18-week course. There are also international cadets from a large variety of countries. Although having two start points, each course has a single end point to allow for a suitable graduation at week 24 for everyone. No flying or other specialist training is carried out during the course. Several such courses commence each year. On each course, on average between 20% - 25% are women, who are commissioned into all branches of the RAF, including of course as aircrew.
On commissioning as Pilot Officers, graduates of RAFOTA then go on to their ‘Phase 2’ training at various locations dependent on specialisation. Pilots, for example, having already successfully completed aircrew selection, will continue at RAF Cranwell at No. 3 Flying Training School where, after initial flying training, they will be streamed to fast jet, multi-engine or rotary fly- ing training at either RAF Valley, RAF Cranwell or RAF Shawbury respectively. Engineers will go to the Defence College of Aeronautical Engineer- ing (DCAE) at RAF Cosford. RAF Regiment offic- ers will go on to the Junior Regiment Officers’ Course (JROC) at RAF Honington.
In addition to regular officer training, RAFOTA also runs officer training courses for Specialist Officers (e.g., lawyers, chaplains, doctors and vets), Reserve Officers, Commissioned Warrant Officers and also an Acting Pilot Officers Course for personnel from University Air Squadrons.
Ian Pattison Volunteer Tour guide The Sandhurst Trust
134 HISTORICAL