AAFC Aims & Policies
This article is AbOUT the aims and values of the Australian Air Force Cadets.
The AAFC Aims & Policies lays out the rules and regulations of the Australian Air Force Cadets (AAFC).
Mission and Values
"The Australian Air Force Cadets (AAFC) is the premier air minded youth organisation in Australia. Our mission is: To develop Australian youth in a military and aviation environment."
Aims of the AAFC
The AAFC aims to:
- Give cadets a foundation of RAAF knowledge and discipline;
- Develop qualities of leadership, self-reliance and initiative;
- Develop character and good citizenship in the widest sense;
- Develop an interest in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and aviation GeneRally;
- Instill a knowledge of aviation history;
- Encourage cadets to continue an ACTIVE interest in aviation into their adult life.
Australian Government Law
The AAFC is subject to the 1977 "Cadet Forces Regulations" along with the Australian Navy Cadets (ANC) and the Australian Army Cadets (AAC), though was known at the time by the name "Air Training Corps". The Cadet Forces Regulations outlines the responsibilities of staff and cadets, ranks of the AAFC and the organisational hierarchy.
Policies
The AAFC is governed by a manual known affectionately as "the policy manual", or officially the "AAFC Policy Manual". This serves as the core reference from which all AAFC policy is made. This manual is probably the most well-known AAFC Manual because of The Famous "Chapter 19". This is the chapter dealing with Harassment, Discrimination and Fraternisation, for which the AAFC has a zero-tolerance policy. All cadets are well versed in AAFC policy contained in Chapter 19 as they receive Behavioural Policy training regularly throughout home training and all camps (GSTs, bivouacs etc).
Over time, the AAFC has produced a number of other manuals, the most notable being:
Manual of Cadet Training
The Manual of Cadet Training (MoCT) contains The Syllabus for all subjects cadets learn while serving in the AAFC. This includes home training subjects as well as those taught on promotion courses.
For more information on cadet training, see the List of AAFC Subjects.
Manual of Staff Training
The Manual of Staff Training (MoST) contains the syllabus for all staff courses undertaken while serving in the AAFC. This includes training for various roles at a squadron (the position of Squadron Administration Officer, for example).
Manual of International Air Cadet Exchange (IACE) Operations
The manual of IACE operations covers how the AAFC interacts with other foreign cadet services and the IACE program.
Manual of Ground Training
The Manual of Ground Training (MoGT) was released in early 2007. It replaces the old MoCT, MoST and Manual of Ground Operations (MoGO). Key changes include the replacement of Induction with Recruit stage, standardisation of promotion course and squadron training procedures and an update to some out of date syllabi.
Usage of RAAF Manuals
The AAFC uses some Royal Australian Air Force manuals as well:
- Manual of Drill: the "drill manual" comprises all the drill movements that a cadet learns during their time in the AAFC.
- Manual of Dress: dictates how to wear uniforms and badges.
- Manual of Ceremonial: contains the instructions for carrying out ceremonial parades.