AIR TRAINING
CORPS
Devizes,
Wiltshire
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Welcome to the
home page for 2397 (Devizes) Squadron
Following our
successful bid for an ”Awards for All”
grant, this website is soon to be completely redeveloped. In the meantime it has been stripped to
provide just basic information plus a brief history of the squadron.
The new squadron
crest is shown in place of the former “moose” design. The central castle image is part of the
BACKGROUND
The Air Training Corps was founded in February 1941. There has been an
ATC unit in Devizes for most of the time since then. The present squadron was
formed in 1973 and was based at the old Church Walk TA Centre. At that time
membership was restricted to boys only. The rules were later changed to allow
girls to join and they have had a substantial representation on the squadron
strength ever since.
The squadron is now installed in purpose built premises on
the site of the former Le Marchant Barracks on the eastern edge of town. The building also houses the Devizes Army
Cadet Force platoon and the Headquarters of Air Cadets South West and of the
Wiltshire Army Cadet Force.
For more on
the history of the Air Training Corps in Devizes click here 
Contact Details
Commanding Officer Flt Lt B Wiles 01380 816176 
Squadron Headquarters
01380 738659
Could the ATC be right
for you ?
Probably the best way to find out
is to come along to a parade evening with a friend who is already a member of
the squadron. However turning up by yourself, or with your parents, on a Tuesday
or Thursday evening is perfectly OK but do telephone
for directions to our headquarters and to make sure that we are not doing
off-site activities on that evening.
On your first visit you will be
told what the ATC has to offer and what we expect of you. If you are still
interested in joining we will take a few details and give you a form to be
signed by your parent or guardian. This form includes getting agreement for you
to take part in adventure training and flying.
The age limits for joining the ATC
are 13 to 18. If you are nearly 13 we would still like to see you so that you
can make a prompt start on your thirteenth birthday.
Obviously, we hope that you will
enjoy your first few weeks and will then formally enrol you into the ATC as a
Cadet. You will be given a Record of Service book in which the key details of
your time in the ATC will be noted. This book can be useful to show a
prospective employer and is invaluable should you interview for a career in any
of the Armed Forces. However, please note that the ATC is not a recruiting
agency and you do not commit in any way to joining any of the services by being
in the ATC.
Uniform
You will be eligible for a free uniform
issue after you have been enrolled into the ATC and received some basic
training.
You will be provided with the
following items. It is your responsibility to keep them in good condition but
we will replace items which you outgrow or which are subject to fair wear and
tear. Other clothing and equipment may be issued if stocks allow.
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Trousers/Skirt |
Shirts & Tie |
Waterproof Jacket |
Pullover |
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Coveralls |
Combat Jacket |
Combat Trousers |
Beret |
.
You need to provide socks (black)
or tights, shoes (black) and boots (black). We do from time to time get stocks
of ex-service boots and shoes and will make every effort to issue you with
these items.
All clothing and equipment
issued by the squadron must be returned when you eventually leave the ATC.
Subscriptions
You will have to pay £5.00 per calendar month. Good value when this covers 8 or more
evenings in a month plus the extra weekend activities. Confidential arrangements can be made for
those who would find it difficult to pay the standard subscription.
The ATC is heavily subsidised by the RAF and you will find that many activities are at no cost to you or are only a fraction of what you might expect to pay with other organisations.
Attendance
The squadron meets on Tuesday and
Thursday evenings from 7:15pm until 9:30pm. Whilst we encourage cadets to
attend twice a week, we recognise that this is not possible for all so a single
weekly attendance is acceptable. Many activities take place at weekends e.g.
Flying, Gliding, Shooting, Sports, Adventure Training, Community
Assistance.
We do ask that cadets who expect
to be absent from normal parades get an authorised absence slip signed by a
parent or guardian. If you do not attend for 4 weeks without an authorised
absence slip we will contact you to find out if there is a problem or if you
have decided to leave.
Tuition in Aviation Subjects
Duke of Edinburgh's Award
Scheme ~ Bronze to Gold levels
Flying ~ 2 seat aerobatic
and operational military aircraft such as C130 Hercules
Gliding ~ induction
courses through to flying solo
Fieldcraft ~ Night &
Weekend Exercises
Adventure Training ~
Shooting ~ 0.22 calibre
indoors & full bore on military ranges
Round the Pole Flying ~ try
your hand at aerial combat
Sports ~ Athletics,
Aeromodelling & Dioramas
Radio Communications
Summer Camps ~ at RAF
Stations in
Community Assistance
Band
Rifle Drill Display Team
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Our involvement in the
community An important
aim of the Air Training Corps is to foster good citizenship. The squadron carries
this through by offering its services to charitable and local community
organisations. |
The
principal organisations that we currently help are: Lions Club of Devizes
Devizes Carnival
Committee |
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Links to ATC Information
Pages The graphic below links to the national official Air Cadets
Organisation website and is well worth a visit if you want more information
on Air Training Corps activities.
If you want
information about ATC activities in Dorset and Wiltshire click on this emblem |
ADULT SERVICE If you are an adult considering assisting with the Devizes
squadron whether as a civilian instructor or in uniform, please ring the
Commanding Officer or Chairman on any of the contact telephone
numbers for a chat. Female volunteers are especially sought as it is
imperative to have female cover for many of the activities undertaken by the
youngsters. Girls on the squadron do the same things as the boys without
concession to either gender. You do not need
previous military experience to be eligible for adult service. |
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