Ranks

Ranks and grades should not be confused as they are very much independent from one another. A rank is awarded for service whereas grades are awarded for gliding ability.

The VGS has a complex hierarchy and encompasses a variety of ranks which although shown below in seniority order do not necessarily mean that a person who is senior in rank to someone else will be senior in terms of their grade. Quite often some ones grade will be more important than their rank.

Flight Staff Cadets (under 18)

These staff are promoted through their ATC squadrons or CCF contingent’s. The ranks are shown below in order. In addition FSC’s wear a badge on the front of their flying suit.

	Cadet (Cdt)
	Cadet Junior Corporal (Cdt J. Cpl)
	Cadet Corporal (Cdt Cpl)
	Cadet Sergeant (Cdt Sgt)
	Cadet Flight Sergeant (Cdt FS)

Flight Staff Cadets (over 18)

Once a cadet reaches the age of 18 and the rank of Sergeant they must attend an Instructor Cadet Course at Wing level upon completion of which they receive new rank tapes carrying the words "INSTRUCTOR CADET" and add the prefix ‘Instructor’ to their rank to signify that they are potential staff on their units.

	Instructor Cadet Sergeant (Inst Cdt Sgt)
	Instructor Cadet Flight Sergeant (Inst Cdt FS)
	Instructor Cadet Warrant Officer (Inst CWO)

Adult Instructors

These are adult staff on ATC or CCF units. They are promoted in accordance with their terms of service. They are in the Royal Air Force VR(T) but do not hold commissions. They wear a gold ‘ATC’ badge at the foot of their rank tapes.

	Adult Sergeant (A Sgt)
	Adult Flight Sergeant (A FS)
	Adult Warrant Officer (AWO)

Civilian Instructors

These are usually staff who either do not wish to enter into uniformed service or wish to learn about the service before going into uniform. They do not wear rank tapes, although they may wear a CI’s badge or they words Civilian Instructor on their flying suit epaulets.

They also hold the honorary equivalent rank of Sergeant allowing them to mess in the Senior Ranks Accommodation.

	Civilian Instructor (CI)
	Civilian Gliding Instructor (CGI)

Commissioned Staff

Some VGS staff hold commissions in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Training Branch) RAF VR(T). They wear the same strips as the regular RAF officers with a VR(T) badge at the foot of their rank slide. The rank of Officer Cadet signifies members of staff who have passed a selection board for commissioning into the VR(T) but have yet to pass their Initial Officers Course as well as members of staff currently enrolled in the VR through University Air Squadrons.

	Officer Cadet (Off Cdt)
	Pilot Officer (Plt Off)
	Flying Officer (Fg Off)
	Flight Lieutenant (Flt Lt)
	Squadron Leader (Sqn Ldr)

Generally Sqn Ldr is the senior most rank on a VGS and is reserved for the commanding officer. Occasionally VGS staff are sought from regular service personnel in the Marines, Navy, Army or RAF in such cases they continue to hold their service rank and are referred to by it.