Page 33 - Cadet Review Summer 2023

WANT THE MEMORIES TO CONTINUE AND YOUR SKILLS TO DEVELOP?
Join the University Air Squadron!
By Officer Cadet George Griffiths RAFVR
The RAF Air Cadets gave me memories that I will cherish and skills that I will use throughout my life; the University Air Squadron helped me to develop these further.
The six years I spent in the Air Cadets, at 2434 (Church Fenton) Squadron, allowed me to make memories and develop skills that I could never
have acquired anywhere else. For example, by progressing through the ranks up to the rank of Flight Sergeant, I developed confidence and leadership. I joined the East Midlands Universities Air Squadron (UAS) in November 2021 and have developed these skills even more. The UAS pushes you further and shapes you into a potential RAF Officer.
WHAT DO UNIVERSITY AIR SQUADRONS DO?
The main aim of a UAS is to develop the next generation of officers for the RAF. They achieve this through station visits, expeditions abroad, flying training, accelerated training pathway lessons, fieldcraft and weapons training, sports, and much more!
WILL BEING IN A UNIVERSITY AIR SQUADRON HELP ME JOIN THE RAF?
Absolutely! Being part of the UAS allows you to develop leadership and organisational skills which are essential for those aspiring to be an officer in the RAF. Furthermore, the UAS allows you to join the ‘Accelerated Training Pathway’. This means that if you complete a selection of lessons and fieldcraft/ first aid courses then you can bypass the first seven-week module at RAFC Cranwell of Modular Initial Officer Training at RAFC Cranwell.
CAN I FLY?
Flying is a key aspect of life on a UAS. At East Midlands Universities Air Squadron (EMUAS), we have five Qualified Flying Instructors (QFIs) who can take you through the Elementary Flying Training that RAF pilots do and work your way up to going solo.
WHAT ADVENTUROUS TRAINING DO YOU DO?
At EMUAS, adventurous training (AT) is key to personal growth and development as a potential officer. Every year there are two expeditions
Being part
of the UAS allows you
to develop leadership and organisational skills which are essential for those aspiring to be an officer in the RAF.
abroad, a climbing expedition to Malta and a Skiing Expedition in Austria. There are also chances to go kayaking, sailing and mountain biking. I was lucky enough to be selected for this year’s skiing expedition to the Hintertux Glacier in Austria. This was a monumental experience for me, allowing me to push myself physically and mentally in a sport that is very difficult.
WHAT OTHER ACTIVITIES DO WE DO?
We do a whole load of other activities on the UAS. We do any sport that you can think of; cycling, football, rugby, netball, archery, if you can think of it, we probably do it! We also help at events such as Lords, Wimbledon, and the Royal International Air Tattoo.
EMUAS has three to four formal dinners (dining-in) a year. Station visits are commonplace in the UAS as they help us understand everyday RAF life, and we can get the occasional pax flight!
WHAT HAVE BEEN YOUR BEST
EXPERIENCES SO FAR?
I would have to say the ski expedition to Austria in March this year. The level of skiing which we were taught by the RAF instructors and the freedom we had on the slopes was something you can’t find outside the UAS. I also thoroughly enjoyed the fieldcraft course, especially the part where we were deployed to Stanford Training Area in Norfolk and practiced battle tactics with blank ammunition and smoke grenades.
HOW DO I APPLY?
Unlike the Air Cadets, the UAS has an application process. Around 400 people apply for 35 spaces on EMUAS every year. It is a tough selection process, but one that is achievable with a bit of hard work and revision. Those of you who have been through the CWO selection process, will already have had an experience of an interview. The application process is as follows:
1. Application form/personal statement 2. Over the phone interview
3. Formal Interview
4. Medical
I hope to see some of you joining next year!
CADET REVIEW SUMMER 2023 33