Girls Venture Corps Air Cadets
Encyclopedia
The Girls Venture Corps Air Cadets (GVCAC) is a voluntary uniformed youth organisation for girls aged between 11 and 20, It is also a registered charity, and by virtue of its work towards the personal and social development of young people, it is a member of The National Council for Voluntary Youth Services (NCVYS). The current Corps Director is Brenda Layne, MBE
, and the Corps Commandant is Yvonne McCarthy. The GVCAC receives no funding from the Ministry of Defence
(MoD). All adult staff members are subject to security and Criminal Records (CRB) checks.
Each award is broken down into 4 areas (5 for gold) which participants must complete successfully to receive their award. These are:-
Helping others in the local community.
Training for, and planning of a journey.
Demonstrate ability in almost any hobby, skill or interest
Sport, dance and fitness.
A purposeful enterprise with young people not previously known to the participant.
Cadets are often encouraged to achieve the Bronze, Silver and Gold awards as they progress through their cadet careers. Some cadets aged 16 or over used to be able to participate in the Duke of Edinburgh's Millennium Volunteers
Award, this has now been overtaken by another authority and it is currently being reviewed on whether or not cadets will be able to undertake it as it has a new structure.
The Award is widely recognised by employers as it helps demonstrate that award holders are keen to take on new challenges, have a higher level of self confidence than their counterparts, have leadership qualities with the added experience of teamwork.
.
) into cadets behaviours this transfers into having respect for each other, their family and is often well received by prospective employers.
The Royal Air Force Association each year invites applications from both ATC
and GVCAC for a limited number of flying scholarships. In 2008 Nicole Pogmore from Rotherham
was successful in being awarded an RAFA scholarship.
(GNTC) and Women’s Junior Air Corps (WJAC).
Former Air Transport Auxiliary
Pilot, Diana Barnato Walker became a pilot for the Women's Junior Air Corps (WJAC) shortly after the war, giving cadets training and air-experience flights to air-minded teenage girls to encourage them to enter the aviation industry. In July 1948, an aircraft that she was flying burst into flames at near White Waltham. Rather than bale out and lose the WJAC’s aircraft, she switch off the fuel and glided the aircraft back. In 1963 she undertook a flight in an English Electric Lightning
, attaining 1,262 mph (Mach 1.65) in a two-seat T.4 trainer and thus became the first British woman to exceed the speed of sound.
and they lost their individual identity. The Girls Venture Corps had two wings which basically followed the former GTC and WJAC either would sometimes share unit accommodation with both ACF and ATC, with Girls being allowed to join both the Army Cadet Force and Air Training Corps in around 1983 the GVAC had to decide on which activities to concentrate on, they chose air activities so the whole corps wore the same uniform. In 1987 the title of the organisation was changed to Girls Venture Corps Air Cadets.
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
, and the Corps Commandant is Yvonne McCarthy. The GVCAC receives no funding from 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....
(MoD). All adult staff members are subject to security and Criminal Records (CRB) checks.
Activities
- Duke of Edinburgh Award
- Aviation and Aviation Awards
- Challenge Award
- Drill & Etiquette
- Aviation
- Service to the Community
- Life Skills
- Outdoor/Adventure activities
- Interest/Skills
- Physical Recreation
- International Air Cadet ExchangeInternational Air Cadet ExchangeThe International Air Cadet Exchange is an annual student exchange program designed to promote character, good-will, and cooperation among the world's civilian auxiliary aviation programs...
(I.A.C.E) - Nijmegen Marches
Duke of Edinburgh Award
The Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme is a voluntary, non-competitive programme of practical, cultural and adventurous activities for young people aged 14–25. The Award programme consists of three levels, Bronze, Silver and Gold. Each have differing criteria for entry and the level of achievement necessary to complete each award. Cadets who meet the age criteria can join the award scheme.Each award is broken down into 4 areas (5 for gold) which participants must complete successfully to receive their award. These are:-
- Service
Helping others in the local community.
- Expeditions
Training for, and planning of a journey.
- Skills
Demonstrate ability in almost any hobby, skill or interest
- Physical Recreation
Sport, dance and fitness.
- Residential Project (Gold Award only)
A purposeful enterprise with young people not previously known to the participant.
Cadets are often encouraged to achieve the Bronze, Silver and Gold awards as they progress through their cadet careers. Some cadets aged 16 or over used to be able to participate in the Duke of Edinburgh's Millennium Volunteers
Millennium Volunteers
Millennium Volunteers was a national UK government initiative, set up with public funding, and aimed at people aged between 16 and 24. It offered a wide range of volunteering opportunities, with support and accreditation for young people...
Award, this has now been overtaken by another authority and it is currently being reviewed on whether or not cadets will be able to undertake it as it has a new structure.
The Award is widely recognised by employers as it helps demonstrate that award holders are keen to take on new challenges, have a higher level of self confidence than their counterparts, have leadership qualities with the added experience of teamwork.
Aviation Award
There is opportunity for all Cadets within the GVCAC to undertake practical Gliding and Powered Flying this is underpinned by training courses in Aviation subjects and are an integral part of the Challenge Award as well as being an award within itself.
- Air Discovery (from age 11 onwards)
- Basic study and practical experiments
- Air Ability (Ages 12–13) Introduction to:
- Air Traffic ControlAir traffic controlAir traffic control is a service provided by ground-based controllers who direct aircraft on the ground and in the air. The primary purpose of ATC systems worldwide is to separate aircraft to prevent collisions, to organize and expedite the flow of traffic, and to provide information and other...
- WeatherWeatherWeather is the state of the atmosphere, to the degree that it is hot or cold, wet or dry, calm or stormy, clear or cloudy. Most weather phenomena occur in the troposphere, just below the stratosphere. Weather refers, generally, to day-to-day temperature and precipitation activity, whereas climate...
- Engines
- FlightFlightFlight is the process by which an object moves either through an atmosphere or beyond it by generating lift or propulsive thrust, or aerostatically using buoyancy, or by simple ballistic movement....
and Navigation Theory
- Air Traffic Control
- Air Proficiency (Ages 13+)
- Air Traffic Control & Radio
- MeteorologyMeteorologyMeteorology is the interdisciplinary scientific study of the atmosphere. Studies in the field stretch back millennia, though significant progress in meteorology did not occur until the 18th century. The 19th century saw breakthroughs occur after observing networks developed across several countries...
- Air NavigationAir navigationThe basic principles of air navigation are identical to general navigation, which includes the process of planning, recording, and controlling the movement of a craft from one place to another....
- PropulsionAir propulsionAir propulsion is the generation of thrust during flight by an aircraft or a creature such as a bird, bat or insect.-Aircraft:An aircraft propulsion system must serve two purposes. First, the thrust from the propulsion system must balance the drag of the airplane when the airplane is cruising...
& Theory of Flight
- Air Brevet This gain this qualification a single specialist subject is studied:
- Aeronautical EngineeringAerospace engineeringAerospace engineering is the primary branch of engineering concerned with the design, construction and science of aircraft and spacecraft. It is divided into two major and overlapping branches: aeronautical engineering and astronautical engineering...
(Engines) - Air Navigation
- Aeronautical Engineering
Drill and Etiquette
The GVCAC, as a uniformed youth organization, sets itself and its members very high standards, including dress and behaviour. Drill (marching) is a vital part of encouraging teamwork, discipline, co-operation and self-confidence. Practicing drill is a means of instilling discipline and teamwork, it is also used in formal parades, for moving around military bases and moving cadets in a smart and orderly fashion. The Corps instills good manners and customs (EtiquetteEtiquette
Etiquette is a code of behavior that delineates expectations for social behavior according to contemporary conventional norms within a society, social class, or group...
) into cadets behaviours this transfers into having respect for each other, their family and is often well received by prospective employers.
Outdoor/Adventure Activities
These include:- CampingCampingCamping is an outdoor recreational activity. The participants leave urban areas, their home region, or civilization and enjoy nature while spending one or several nights outdoors, usually at a campsite. Camping may involve the use of a tent, caravan, motorhome, cabin, a primitive structure, or no...
- Expeditions
- Survival
- OrienteeringOrienteeringOrienteering is a family of sports that requires navigational skills using a map and compass to navigate from point to point in diverse and usually unfamiliar terrain, and normally moving at speed. Participants are given a topographical map, usually a specially prepared orienteering map, which they...
- ArcheryArcheryArchery is the art, practice, or skill of propelling arrows with the use of a bow, from Latin arcus. Archery has historically been used for hunting and combat; in modern times, however, its main use is that of a recreational activity...
- Wall Climbing
- ShootingShootingShooting is the act or process of firing rifles, shotguns or other projectile weapons such as bows or crossbows. Even the firing of artillery, rockets and missiles can be called shooting. A person who specializes in shooting is a marksman...
- AbseilingAbseilingAbseiling , rappelling in American English, is the controlled descent down a rock face using a rope; climbers use this technique when a cliff or slope is too steep and/or dangerous to descend without protection.- Slang terms :...
- CanoeingCanoeingCanoeing is an outdoor activity that involves a special kind of canoe.Open canoes may be 'poled' , sailed, 'lined and tracked' or even 'gunnel-bobbed'....
Physical Recreation
The GVCAC offers its several sporting activities and thus encourage its members to lead healthy lives.- SkiingSkiingSkiing is a recreational activity using skis as equipment for traveling over snow. Skis are used in conjunction with boots that connect to the ski with use of a binding....
- PentathlonModern pentathlonThe modern pentathlon is a sports contest that includes five events: pistol shooting, épée fencing, 200 m freestyle swimming, show jumping, and a 3 km cross-country run...
- WalkingWalkingWalking is one of the main gaits of locomotion among legged animals, and is typically slower than running and other gaits. Walking is defined by an 'inverted pendulum' gait in which the body vaults over the stiff limb or limbs with each step...
- Team Games
- Football
- HockeyHockeyHockey is a family of sports in which two teams play against each other by trying to maneuver a ball or a puck into the opponent's goal using a hockey stick.-Etymology:...
RAFA Flying Scholarship
ATC
- Military :* Air Training Command, the predecessor to Air Education and Training Command in the United States Air Force* New Zealand Air Training Corps* Air Training Corps, United Kingdom...
and GVCAC for a limited number of flying scholarships. In 2008 Nicole Pogmore from Rotherham
Rotherham
Rotherham is a town in South Yorkshire, England. It lies on the River Don, at its confluence with the River Rother, between Sheffield and Doncaster. Rotherham, at from Sheffield City Centre, is surrounded by several smaller settlements, which together form the wider Metropolitan Borough of...
was successful in being awarded an RAFA scholarship.
Ducat-Amos Gliding Scholarships
In 2007 six grants were awarded to GVCAC Cadets which enabled attendance on a weekend course at a local gliding club.Uniform
- Unit
- Cap
- Black Tie
- Blue shirt
- Blue RAF jumper
- BrassardBrassardA brassard or armlet is an armband or piece of cloth or other material worn around the upper arm, used as an item of military uniform to which rank badges may be attached instead of being stitched into the actual clothing...
- Lightweight green trousers
- Black shoes
- Stable beltStable beltA stable belt is an item of uniform used in the armed forces of the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth countries. Stable belts or similar derivatives are also worn by the armed forced of other nations such as Denmark....
- Formal (As above but with)
- RAF skirt
- Camp uniform
- Blue shirt or polo shirt
- Navy blue sweatshirt
- Lightweight green trousers
- Black trainers
History
The GVC has its origins in 1940 as part of the National Association of Training Corps for Girls, this umbrella organisation was responsible for the Girls Training Corps (GTC), Girls' Nautical Training CorpsGirls' Nautical Training Corps
In 1942, the Girls’ Naval Training Corps was formed as part of the National Association of Training Corps for Girls, with Units mainly in southern England...
(GNTC) and Women’s Junior Air Corps (WJAC).
First woman to break sound barrier
Air Transport Auxiliary
The Air Transport Auxiliary was a British World War II civilian organisation that ferried new, repaired and damaged military aircraft between UK factories, assembly plants, transatlantic delivery points, Maintenance Units , scrap yards, and active service squadrons and airfields—but not to...
Pilot, Diana Barnato Walker became a pilot for the Women's Junior Air Corps (WJAC) shortly after the war, giving cadets training and air-experience flights to air-minded teenage girls to encourage them to enter the aviation industry. In July 1948, an aircraft that she was flying burst into flames at near White Waltham. Rather than bale out and lose the WJAC’s aircraft, she switch off the fuel and glided the aircraft back. In 1963 she undertook a flight in an English Electric Lightning
English Electric Lightning
The English Electric Lightning is a supersonic jet fighter aircraft of the Cold War era, noted for its great speed and unpainted natural metal exterior finish. It is the only all-British Mach 2 fighter aircraft. The aircraft was renowned for its capabilities as an interceptor; Royal Air Force ...
, attaining 1,262 mph (Mach 1.65) in a two-seat T.4 trainer and thus became the first British woman to exceed the speed of sound.
Girls Venture Corps
In 1964 the Girls Venture Corps replaced both GTC and WJAC, the previous year (1963) the Girls Nautical Training Corps became more closely involved with the Sea Cadet Corps and in 1980 had become an integral part of the Sea Cadet CorpsSea Cadet Corps (United Kingdom)
The Sea Cadet Corps is a UK national youth organisation sponsored by the Royal Navy and open to young people between the ages of 10-18 years old. The SCC is the UK's largest Naval Cadet Force with over 30,000 cadets and adult volunteers...
and they lost their individual identity. The Girls Venture Corps had two wings which basically followed the former GTC and WJAC either would sometimes share unit accommodation with both ACF and ATC, with Girls being allowed to join both the Army Cadet Force and Air Training Corps in around 1983 the GVAC had to decide on which activities to concentrate on, they chose air activities so the whole corps wore the same uniform. In 1987 the title of the organisation was changed to Girls Venture Corps Air Cadets.
Unit locations
| Region 1 | Region 7 | Region 9 | Region 11 | Region 12 | Region 18 | Region 25 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Shields (Tyne & Wear) | Huntingdon (Cambridge) | Culver (Isle of Wight) | RAF Marham (Kings Lynn, Norfolk) | Feltham (Middlesex) | Hednesford (Staffordshire) | Ollerton (Nottinghamshire) |
| Gateshead (Tyne & Wear) | St Ives (Cambridge) | Ryde (Isle of Wight) | Kings Lynn (Norfolk) | Greenford (Middlesex) | Smethwick (Oldbury, West Midlands) | Rotherham (South Yorkshire) |
| Wisbech (Cambridge) | Newport (Temporary Closed) | Southend (Leigh on Sea, Essex) | Stafford (Staffordshire) | Sheffield (South Yorkshire) | ||
| Yaxley (Cambridge) | Walsall (West Midlands) | Wigston (Leicestershire) |
See also
- Sea Cadet CorpsSea Cadet Corps (United Kingdom)The Sea Cadet Corps is a UK national youth organisation sponsored by the Royal Navy and open to young people between the ages of 10-18 years old. The SCC is the UK's largest Naval Cadet Force with over 30,000 cadets and adult volunteers...
- Army Cadet ForceArmy Cadet ForceThe Army Cadet Force is a British youth organisation that offers progressive training in a multitude of the subjects from military training to adventurous training and first aid, at the same time as promoting achievement, discipline, and good citizenship, to boys and girls aged 12 to 18 and 9...
- Air Training CorpsAir Training CorpsThe 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...
- Air Experience FlightAir Experience FlightAn Air Experience Flight is a training unit of the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve whose main purpose is to give introductory flying experience to Air Cadets or the RAF section of the Combined Cadet Force...
- 6 Air Experience Flight6 Air Experience FlightNo. 6 Air Experience Flight is one of twelve Air Experience Flights run by the Air Cadet Organisation of the Royal Air Force. It was formed in the 1950s, along with the other AEFs, with the aim of teaching basic flying to members of the Air Training Corps, Combined Cadet Force and occasionally,...
- GlidingGlidingGliding is a recreational activity and competitive air sport in which pilots fly unpowered aircraft known as gliders or sailplanes using naturally occurring currents of rising air in the atmosphere to remain airborne. The word soaring is also used for the sport.Gliding as a sport began in the 1920s...
- Pilot licensing in the United KingdomPilot licensing in the United KingdomPilot licensing in the United Kingdom is regulated by the Civil Aviation Authority under the auspices of the Joint Aviation Authorities and European Aviation Safety Agency. Each member nation in the EU has responsibility for regulating their own pilot licensing...