Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Encyclopedia
The Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (RAFVR) consists of a number of groupings of individual military reservists for the management and operation of the Royal Air Force
's (RAF) Air Training Corps
and CCF (RAF) Air Cadet formations, Volunteer Gliding Squadron
s (VGS), Air Experience Flights, and also to form the membership of University Air Squadron
s (RAFVR (UAS)) and the Defence Technical Undergraduate Scheme
(RAFVR (DTUS)).
Personnel involved in a training function of the RAFVR are commissioned into the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Training) Branch (RAFVR(T)) for service with the Air Cadet Organisation
.
which had been formed in 1925 by the local Territorial Associations. The AAF was organised on a Squadron basis, with local recruitment similar to the Territorial Army Regiments. Initially the RAFVR was composed of civilians recruited from the neighbourhoods of Reserve Flying Schools, which were run by civilian contractors who largely employed as instructors members of the Reserve of Air Force Officers (RAFO), who had previously completed a four year short service commission as pilots in the RAF. Navigation instructors were mainly former master mariners without any air experience. Recruits were confined to men of between 18 and 25 years of age who had been accepted for part time training as Pilots, Observers and Wireless Operators. The object was to provide a reserve of aircrew for use in the event of war. By September 1939, the RAFVR comprised 6,646 Pilots, 1,625 Observers and 1,946 Wireless Operators
When war broke out in 1939 the Air Ministry employed the RAFVR as the principal means for aircrew entry to serve with the RAF. A civilian volunteer on being accepted for aircrew training took an oath of allegiance ('attestation') and was then inducted in to the RAFVR. Normally he returned to his civilian job for several months until he was called up for aircrew training. During this waiting period he could wear a silver RAFVR lapel badge to indicate his status.
By the end of 1941 more than half of Bomber Command
aircrew were members of the RAFVR. Most of the pre-war pilot and observer NCO aircrew had been commissioned and the surviving regular officers and members of the RAFO filled the posts of flight and squadron commanders. Eventually of the "RAF" aircrew in the Command probably more than 95% were serving members of the RAFVR.
During 1943, the decision was taken by the Air Ministry
to raise an order for members of the RAFVR to remove the brass and cloth 'VR's worn on the collars and shoulders of officers and other ranks (respectively), as these were viewed as being divisive. No similar order was raised for members of the Auxiliary Air Force, who retained their 'A's on uniforms at that time.
The association with the Air Cadet Organisation began informally during the 1930s as members of the RAF VR would arrange and implement the cadets' training. During the Second World War, all those called up for Air Force Service with the RAF, both commissioned officers and other ranks, did so as members of the RAFVR under the National Service (Armed Forces) Act 1939
. At the end of World War II, the RAFVR was reconstituted in 1947, and continued to act as a focus for individuals who had a continuing obligation under the Acts, peaking in its activities at the end of the 1950s. Following the end of conscription in 1962/63, the war-appointable RAFVR diminished in size down to a small number of specialist support flights which were absorbed into the RAuxAF in 1997 (the RAFVR(T) and RAFVR(UAS) continued unaffected from 1947 to 1997, and from then to the present day, but have now been joined by the RAFVR(DTUS)).
The association with the Air Cadet Organisation has been maintained by members of the RAFVR(T) who coordinate and administer at various levels of the command structure. This includes CCF and ATC Section/Squadron Officers, some CCF Contingent Commanders, ATC Wing and Region Staff Officers, VGS/Air Experience Flight Pilots and Instructors, and permanent SNCOs of the Air Cadet Central Gliding School's Engineering Flight.
There is also speculation that the Adult WOs and SNCOs serving with the Air Training Corps may also be admitted to membership of the RAFVR(T). However, this is just speculation and the processes involved would require the British Government and the Ministry of Defence
to amend the respective regulations.
RAFVR(UAS) Officers continue in their capacity as members of the University Air Squadrons. Following the advent of the Marston Report, and the removal of the requirement to follow the RAF Elementary Flying Training syllabus (replaced instead by an extended syllabus that includes value-added flying), there has been a much-greater emphasis upon development of military skills, building existing leadership abilities and expanding the officer potential within the current membership.
RAFVR(DTUS) Officers are members of the Defence Technical Undergraduate Scheme
, a scheme which marries the benefits of studying science and engineering degrees with leadership and team work, under RAF sponsorship, whilst attending one of a small number of designated universities. During this period of study, members of the RAFVR(DTUS) are associated with their university's DTUS Squadron which provides members with a varied syllabus of activities including military and leadership training, physical fitness, adventure training and attachments to RAF units both in the UK and overseas.
Members of both the RAFVR(UAS) and RAFVR(DTUS) are eligible (in exactly the same manner as for members of the RAF's active volunteer reserve, the RAuxAF) for published daily rates of pay when on duty, and also the annual reservist bounty
or Proficiency Grant, as long as they maintain the required levels of personal fitness tested via the RAuxAF, successfully complete the requirements of Common Core Skills in terms of military capability, and attend the required number of Man Training Days and Annual Continuous Training periods. This is evidenced by a Certificate of Efficiency signed off by the Commanding Officer
of the individual concerned.
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
's (RAF) Air Training Corps
Air Training Corps
The Air Training Corps , commonly known as the Air Cadets, is a cadet organisation based in the United Kingdom. It is a voluntary youth group which is part of the Air Cadet Organisation and the Royal Air Force . It is supported by the Ministry of Defence, with a regular RAF Officer, currently Air...
and CCF (RAF) Air Cadet formations, Volunteer Gliding Squadron
Volunteer Gliding Squadron
Volunteer Gliding Squadrons are Royal Air Force Flying Training Units , operating military Viking TX.1 and Vigilant T.1 gliders to train Air Cadets from the Combined Cadet Force and the Air Training Corps....
s (VGS), Air Experience Flights, and also to form the membership of University Air Squadron
University Air Squadron
University Air Squadrons are training units of the Royal Air Force which primarily provide basic flying training, force development and adventurous training to undergraduate students at British universities...
s (RAFVR (UAS)) and the Defence Technical Undergraduate Scheme
Defence Technical Undergraduate Scheme
The Defence Technical Undergraduate Scheme is a university sponsorship programme for students who want to join the Royal Navy, British Army, Royal Air Force or Engineering and Science branch of the MOD Civil Service as technical officers after they graduate; Army sponsored students are destined...
(RAFVR (DTUS)).
Personnel involved in a training function of the RAFVR are commissioned into the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Training) Branch (RAFVR(T)) for service with the Air Cadet Organisation
Air Cadet Organisation
The Air Cadet Organisation is the collective name for the UK cadet forces sponsored by the Royal Air Force. The organisation is subordinate to No. 22 Group RAF, with a serving RAF officer as Commandant Air Cadets. The current Commandant is Air Commodore Barbara Cooper CBE...
.
History
The RAFVR was formed in July 1936 to provide individuals to supplement the Royal Auxiliary Air ForceRoyal Auxiliary Air Force
The Royal Auxiliary Air Force , originally the Auxiliary Air Force , is the voluntary active duty reserve element of the Royal Air Force, providing a primary reinforcement capability for the regular service...
which had been formed in 1925 by the local Territorial Associations. The AAF was organised on a Squadron basis, with local recruitment similar to the Territorial Army Regiments. Initially the RAFVR was composed of civilians recruited from the neighbourhoods of Reserve Flying Schools, which were run by civilian contractors who largely employed as instructors members of the Reserve of Air Force Officers (RAFO), who had previously completed a four year short service commission as pilots in the RAF. Navigation instructors were mainly former master mariners without any air experience. Recruits were confined to men of between 18 and 25 years of age who had been accepted for part time training as Pilots, Observers and Wireless Operators. The object was to provide a reserve of aircrew for use in the event of war. By September 1939, the RAFVR comprised 6,646 Pilots, 1,625 Observers and 1,946 Wireless Operators
When war broke out in 1939 the Air Ministry employed the RAFVR as the principal means for aircrew entry to serve with the RAF. A civilian volunteer on being accepted for aircrew training took an oath of allegiance ('attestation') and was then inducted in to the RAFVR. Normally he returned to his civilian job for several months until he was called up for aircrew training. During this waiting period he could wear a silver RAFVR lapel badge to indicate his status.
By the end of 1941 more than half of Bomber Command
RAF Bomber Command
RAF Bomber Command controlled the RAF's bomber forces from 1936 to 1968. During World War II the command destroyed a significant proportion of Nazi Germany's industries and many German cities, and in the 1960s stood at the peak of its postwar military power with the V bombers and a supplemental...
aircrew were members of the RAFVR. Most of the pre-war pilot and observer NCO aircrew had been commissioned and the surviving regular officers and members of the RAFO filled the posts of flight and squadron commanders. Eventually of the "RAF" aircrew in the Command probably more than 95% were serving members of the RAFVR.
During 1943, the decision was taken by the Air Ministry
Air Ministry
The Air Ministry was a department of the British Government with the responsibility of managing the affairs of the Royal Air Force, that existed from 1918 to 1964...
to raise an order for members of the RAFVR to remove the brass and cloth 'VR's worn on the collars and shoulders of officers and other ranks (respectively), as these were viewed as being divisive. No similar order was raised for members of the Auxiliary Air Force, who retained their 'A's on uniforms at that time.
The association with the Air Cadet Organisation began informally during the 1930s as members of the RAF VR would arrange and implement the cadets' training. During the Second World War, all those called up for Air Force Service with the RAF, both commissioned officers and other ranks, did so as members of the RAFVR under the National Service (Armed Forces) Act 1939
National Service (Armed Forces) Act 1939
The National Service Act 1939 was enacted immediately by the Parliament of the United Kingdom on the day the United Kingdom declared war on Germany on 3 September 1939, at the start of the Second World War. It superseded the Military Training Act 1939 passed in May that year, and enforced full...
. At the end of World War II, the RAFVR was reconstituted in 1947, and continued to act as a focus for individuals who had a continuing obligation under the Acts, peaking in its activities at the end of the 1950s. Following the end of conscription in 1962/63, the war-appointable RAFVR diminished in size down to a small number of specialist support flights which were absorbed into the RAuxAF in 1997 (the RAFVR(T) and RAFVR(UAS) continued unaffected from 1947 to 1997, and from then to the present day, but have now been joined by the RAFVR(DTUS)).
Today
The original function to provide a source of aircrew is no longer necessary in a professional and non-conscriptive RAF.The association with the Air Cadet Organisation has been maintained by members of the RAFVR(T) who coordinate and administer at various levels of the command structure. This includes CCF and ATC Section/Squadron Officers, some CCF Contingent Commanders, ATC Wing and Region Staff Officers, VGS/Air Experience Flight Pilots and Instructors, and permanent SNCOs of the Air Cadet Central Gliding School's Engineering Flight.
There is also speculation that the Adult WOs and SNCOs serving with the Air Training Corps may also be admitted to membership of the RAFVR(T). However, this is just speculation and the processes involved would require the British Government and the Ministry of Defence
Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)
The Ministry of Defence is the United Kingdom government department responsible for implementation of government defence policy and is the headquarters of the British Armed Forces....
to amend the respective regulations.
RAFVR(UAS) Officers continue in their capacity as members of the University Air Squadrons. Following the advent of the Marston Report, and the removal of the requirement to follow the RAF Elementary Flying Training syllabus (replaced instead by an extended syllabus that includes value-added flying), there has been a much-greater emphasis upon development of military skills, building existing leadership abilities and expanding the officer potential within the current membership.
RAFVR(DTUS) Officers are members of the Defence Technical Undergraduate Scheme
Defence Technical Undergraduate Scheme
The Defence Technical Undergraduate Scheme is a university sponsorship programme for students who want to join the Royal Navy, British Army, Royal Air Force or Engineering and Science branch of the MOD Civil Service as technical officers after they graduate; Army sponsored students are destined...
, a scheme which marries the benefits of studying science and engineering degrees with leadership and team work, under RAF sponsorship, whilst attending one of a small number of designated universities. During this period of study, members of the RAFVR(DTUS) are associated with their university's DTUS Squadron which provides members with a varied syllabus of activities including military and leadership training, physical fitness, adventure training and attachments to RAF units both in the UK and overseas.
Members of both the RAFVR(UAS) and RAFVR(DTUS) are eligible (in exactly the same manner as for members of the RAF's active volunteer reserve, the RAuxAF) for published daily rates of pay when on duty, and also the annual reservist bounty
Bounty (reward)
A bounty is a payment or reward often offered by a group as an incentive for the accomplishment of a task by someone usually not associated with the group. Bounties are most commonly issued for the capture or retrieval of a person or object. They are typically in the form of money...
or Proficiency Grant, as long as they maintain the required levels of personal fitness tested via the RAuxAF, successfully complete the requirements of Common Core Skills in terms of military capability, and attend the required number of Man Training Days and Annual Continuous Training periods. This is evidenced by a Certificate of Efficiency signed off by the Commanding Officer
Commanding officer
The commanding officer is the officer in command of a military unit. Typically, the commanding officer has ultimate authority over the unit, and is usually given wide latitude to run the unit as he sees fit, within the bounds of military law...
of the individual concerned.