In the ATC there are five different ranks:

Holding the rank of cadet means that you have been enrolled as a member of the Air Training Corps. There is no rank slide for cadet, and the epaulettes are left un used.

Corporal is the first Non Commissioned Officer [NCO] rank, and can sometimes be gained after just one year as a Cadet. A cadet holding the rank can be referred to as a junior non commissioned officer [JNCO], and acts as the liaison between the cadets and the senior non commissioned officer [SNCO]. Although a cadet who is 1st class or above is eligible to be a NCO, a corporal is usually expected to be at least a leading cadet. The promotion to corporal is made by the individual squadron commanding officer [CO] that also consults the highest ranking cadet and the other adult staff, and selection is based purely on merit, and leadership potential. The rank slides for a corporal consists of two silver downward pointing strips, and are worn on the epaulettes.

Sergeant is the first SNCO rank and is some cases cadets may be promoted to sergeant after only one year as a corporal. The rank slide for this consists of three silver strips pointing down wards. Again promotion to this is made by the CO. In a small squadron, a sergeant might be expected to be second in charge [2IC] of a flight.

This is the highest rank appointed that can be made by a squadron commanding officer. The rank slide for this is similar to that of a sergeant, but he has a silver crown above it. In any squadron which is split into flights, a flight sergeant would be expected to be in charge of one flight.

Promotion to cadet warrant officer can only be made by a Wing Commanding Officer on the recommendation of the squadron commanding officer [CO]. Each wing has a set amount of Cadet Warrant Officer positions. The rank side for a cadet warrant officer consists of a silver crown, surrounded by laurel branches. You must be 18 to become a cadet warrant officer. If a cadet becomes a warrant officer they have the option to stay in the ATC until they are 22, rather than 20.

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