Officer Cadet
Encyclopedia
Officer cadet is a rank
held by military and merchant navy
cadet
s during their training to become commissioned officers and merchant navy officers, respectively. The term officer trainee is used interchangeably in some countries. Some countries refer to naval officer cadets as midshipmen, although in other countries this means something slightly different.
In the United Kingdom
, the rank is also used by members of University Air Squadron
s who are not actually training to become officers
follows the same usage as the British military system, using the rank of Officer Cadet (for the Australian Army
(OCDT) and the Royal Australian Air Force
(OFFCDT)), for personnel undergoing initial officer training. Officer Cadets in the Australian Army
and the Royal Australian Air Force
, unlike Midshipmen in the Royal Australian Navy
, do not yet hold a commission
, and are not saluted or referred to as "Sir" or "Ma'am". Officer Cadets in the Australian Army are subordinate to Warrant Officers and officers and address them as "Sir" or "Ma'am". As Officer Cadets are appointed to their position, they are technically a superior to Other Ranks, although they will typically not have direct subordinates.
Initial officer training can occur through either single-service institutions, such as the Royal Military College, Duntroon
, Royal Australian Naval College, or the Officer Training School RAAF
, or through the tri-service Australian Defence Force Academy
. The ranks of Officer Cadet, Staff Cadet, or Midshipman are primarily found at these establishments. However, RAAF Officer trainees are often appointed at higher rank while undergoing their initial training course at OTS, if they have prior military experience, either as Officer Cadets prior to their initial officer course, or at Airman rank. Officer Cadets are also appointed in the Australian Army Reserve
where training is conducted on a part-time basis at various University Regiments around the country.
Australian Army Reserve Officer Cadets must pass various training courses (conducted at different barracks around Australia) throughout their training with the final module completed at the Royal Military College, Duntroon
before being commissioned.
At the Royal Military College, Duntroon
and University Regiments, the title of 'Staff Cadet' is often used to address Officer Cadets, although this is not an official rank.
At ADFA
, upon completion of all academic training through the "UNSW
@ADFA
", military training and subsequent training at other military establishments, Officer Cadets from the Australian Defence Force
are promoted as commissioned officers.
Pilots, Air Traffic Controllers and Air Combat Officers joining the RAAF directly through the Officers' Training School (without going to ADFA
) also start their career as an Officer Cadet. Once they have completed their employment training (2FTS, SATC and SAW respectively), they are promoted.
the rank of Officer Cadet (OCdt) or Élève-officier (élof) in French is held by any beginning officer, as well as students attending the Royal Military College of Canada
in Kingston, Ontario
or the Collège militaire royal de Saint-Jean, Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Québec. Officer Cadets may sometimes hold a staff or even line appointments within a unit, such as second-in-command of a platoon within a company-sized or larger unit; this is usually done for training purposes, but may also be done to fill holes in an establishment due to manpower shortages within the officer cadre.
For Royal Canadian Navy members of the same rank, Naval Cadet (NCdt) or Aspirant de marine (aspm) in French is used in lieu of Officer Cadet.
Officer/Naval Cadets are referred to and addressed as "Mr Smith" or "Miss Smith", or more formally as "Officer Cadet Smith" or "Naval Cadet Smith". There is also a tendency in less cordial environments to refer to an Officer Cadet as "OC Smith". Further, as pointed out above, they are generally addressed as "Mister" or "Miss" by non-commissioned member
s, but may just as appropriately be referred to as "Sir" or "Ma'am".
Officer/Naval Cadets in the CF are subordinate officer
s, but generally billet or mess with other officers. They do not carry the Queen's commission and are not entitled to be saluted.
The rank insignia is a narrow gold braid (1/4-inch; note difference with standard braid size) on the cuff of the DEU (Distinctive Environmental Uniform) jacket, and on the epaulettes of all other uniforms. The peak of the service cap (if worn) is plain. This gives rise to the somewhat derogatory term 'quarter-inch admiral' as a referent for OCdt/NCdts who try to insist that they be treated as commissioned officers (i.e. be accorded salutes, etc.)
, potential servicemen training to be officers are known as Officer Cadets in the Army
and Air Force, while those in the Navy
are known as Midshipmen. All Officer Cadets and Midshipmen receive tri-service initial training in Officer Cadet School
before being sent to the appropriate training schools. They return to OCS for their commissioning parade.
Officer Cadets and Midshipmen wear one, two, or three white bars on their shoulderboards to denote their seniority. The graduating class of Officer Cadets wear peaked caps and beret
s depending on their vocations, and are accorded the privilege of being addressed "Sir" by junior Officer Cadets. At this point, they are given more privileges and responsibilities commensurate with their seniority.
Officer Cadets take turns to hold various administrative and exercise appointments. Administrative appointment-holders' shoulderboards have additional loops and whorls known as "fishes" in addition to their existing one, two or three bars. Exercise appointment-holders wear yellow rank insignia appropriate to the appointment of the Officer Cadet. For example, an exercise Platoon Commander will wear two bars of a Lieutenant
, and his exercise Platoon Sergeant
will wear a brassard
with First Sergeant
's chevrons.
the rank of Officer Cadet is held by trainee officers in the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst
, at Britannia Royal Naval College
in Dartmouth
, and the Royal Air Force College at RAF Cranwell
, as well as students who are members of the University Officers' Training Corps albeit that the latter are mostly not trainee officers. Officer Cadets in the British Armed Forces are treated in most respects as junior commissioned officers, except that they are not saluted. In the British Army
and Royal Air Force
they are referred to and addressed as, for example, "Mr Smith" or "Miss Smith", or more formally as "Officer Cadet Smith" or as "Sir" or "Ma'am" by their juniors.
, Dartmouth, the rank is non-substantive and only used in the initial phases of training, after which officers use their substantive ranks of Midshipman
or Sub-Lieutenant
depending on education, or occasionally Lieutenant
for certain specialisations. Formerly, cadets at the Royal Naval Colleges at Dartmouth and Osborne had the substantive rank of Naval Cadet, or Cadet, RN, until passing out of Dartmouth as a midshipman.
s. Until the Second World War
, cadets at the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich and the Royal Military College, Sandhurst were referred to as Gentleman Cadets.
The appointment is also held by members of the University Officers' Training Corps (UOTCs), cadet forces that are open to university students. Officer Cadets in the UOTCs are not trainee officers, although a minority do go to Sandhurst after leaving university.
. Pilot Officer
s of the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Training) Branch (RAFVR(T)) hold the acting rank of Officer Cadet until they successfully complete their Officers' Initial Training at RAF Cranwell – they differ from other RAF Officer Cadet ranks in that they hold a commission, and are therefore salute
d. Within the Air Cadet Organisation
, the rank of Officer Cadet is currently only used internally and Officer Cadets are referred to by their substantive rank in written documents. Students undergoing the Foundation Degree course at DCAE Cosford, having been selected for service as Engineer Officers from the ranks, hold their previous rank while wearing Officer Cadet rank insignia for the duration, prior to attending Initial Officer Training. The rank is also held by members of University Air Squadron
s.
, which trains all British Army officer cadets (and some from overseas militaries), appoints Junior Under Officer
s (JUO) (identified by an Austrian Knot
above a single bar) and Senior Under Officer
s (SUO) (who wear an Austrian Knot above two bars). In practice, SUOs are not at present appointed.
Cadets in the University Officers' Training Corps wear zero to three horizontal bars on the rank slide. Under Officer is an appointment, not a rank, and outside OTCs they only have the status of ordinary Officer Cadets.
Aircrew, not officers; this status is denoted by a red band on the white background and the RAF airman's cap badge
with a white patch behind. Members of all squadrons who are injured are moved to the Development (formerly Holding) Flight and wear a purple band on the white background.
On the service dress and mess dress uniforms, RAF cadets wear the braid of the rank they will hold on graduation. However, gorget
patches (rectangular white tabs with one triangular end) are worn on both lapels. The only exception to this is the female mess dress, where they are worn on the sleeve. The only other distinctive identifiers are on headdress – a white patch on the beret behind the badge. The cap badge
is the same as that worn by a commissioned officer (between the ranks of Pilot Officer and Group Captain
), but with a white band around the cap. This band is removed on graduation.
A blue band on the white background is also used to denote Officer Cadets of the University Air Squadrons (UASs) who are receiving Bursaries from the Royal Air Force. UAS cadets who are not in receipt of Scholarships wear just the 1 inches (25.4 mm) white band with no coloured band. UAS Officer Cadets wear airmen's headdress with a white band.
Officer Cadets of the RAFVR(T) wear the 1 inches (25.4 mm) white band with the gilt VRT identifier positioned centrally. VR(T) Officer Cadets wear the standard Officer's peaked cap while serving at their units, a white hat band is issued for the week long Officers Initial Course to maintain uniformity with regular Officer Cadets under training.
, Coast Guard
and Air Force
use the term "Cadet" for officer candidates in the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) and for students at the United States Military Academy
, United States Coast Guard Academy
and United States Air Force Academy
. Members under the age of 17 in the Civil Air Patrol
are also addressed as Cadet, but are civilians. The term "Officer Candidate" or "Officer Trainee" is generally used for officer candidates who are seeking their commission by means other than ROTC or a military academy, such as through Officer Candidate School (OCS) or Air Force Officer Training School
(OTS). The United States Navy
uses the rank of "Midshipman
" for students in the Reserve Officer Training Corps, United States Merchant Marine Academy
or United States Naval Academy
, and the term "Officer Candidate
" for others seeking a commission as an officer. The term "cadet" may also be used generally to refer to students at a private military academy, or members of a youth group associated with the military who are receiving preliminary training with the intention of joining the military, sometimes at a younger age than they would be able to do otherwise.
Officer Cadets are generally paid below the standard pay rates for junior officers, but receive some of the rights and responsibilities of a junior officer during their training. Officer cadets, trainees, and midshipmen are considered Geneva Conventions Category III personnel.
Cadet officer ranks in US Army ROTC are denoted by "pips" – one to three circular insignia denoting the company-grade equivalents, one to three diamond-shaped insignia denoting the field-grade equivalents. For Midshipman ranks, both junior and senior officer equivalents wear from one to six 1/4" gold stripes or bars.
US Air Force cadets wear rank shoulderboards or lapel insignia which carry miniature insignia.
Rank within the Corps of Cadets is denoted by collar insignia "railroad tracks," a number of black enamel bars with silver outline, or epaulet stripes from one (for CDT Corporal) to six (for CDT Captain in certain command and staff roles) on certain uniforms. On the traditional Dress-Grey-based uniforms and overcoats, chevrons denote rank in the Corps. A Cadet Corporal wears two chevrons on the lower sleeve. A cadet sergeant wears two chevrons on the upper sleeve, a cadet lieutenant three, and a cadet captain from four to six chevrons. For cadets in the rank of cadet sergeant and up, various combinations of stars, diamonds, rockers or arcs, and other devices, are used on the sleeves to denote specific positions/jobs. The title of Cadet Captain is used for all cadets wearing four or more stripes/bars. The Brigade Commander, also called the First Captain, wears six stripes/bars/sleeve chevrons with a gold star.
The rank of United States Air Force Academy cadets
is denoted by the insignia on their shoulderboards in all "blue" uniforms, including day-to-day "blues", service dress
, mess dress
and parade dress. All cadet shoulder boards carry the heraldic nebuly
device, (commonly referred to as "clouds" by cadets). Third class cadets (sophomores) have one thin bar underneath the clouds; second class cadets wear two thin bars, one each above and below the clouds; and first class cadets (seniors) have one thin bar below the clouds and two above. Additional chevrons denote cadet non-commissioned officer ranks, while additional bars denote cadet officer ranks. A diamond indicates that the cadet is a member of the wing or group staff and stars are used to denote cadet commanders.
On the battle dress uniform
or Airman Battle Uniform
, Air Force Academy cadets wear bars or chevrons on their lapels to denote their rank. Fourth class cadets wear no insignia, but are awarded a Prop and Wings
after recognition. Third class cadets wear one chevron on each lapel, signifying that they are cadet/staff sergeant
s. Second class cadets wear two to five chevrons, indicating ranks from cadet/technical sergeant
to cadet/chief master sergeant. First class cadets function as cadet officers and wear one to six bars on their lapels, corresponding to ranks from cadet/second lieutenant
to cadet/colonel
.
The first is a metal pin-on device. It is a colored shield with a gold anchor with a silver star above it. The color of the background denotes the class. The colors are Green for 4/c, red for 3/c, white for 2/c and blue for 1/c. The colors all have historic meanings: red and green represent the running lights on a vessel; white signifies the white lights used as navigation lights, signifying the role as guides for the 4/c; blue signifies the officers that 1/c are about to become.
The second type of insignia is shoulder boards. All cadet shoulder boards have a slightly smaller version of the shield found on officer shoulderboards, and stripes denoting class or 1/c leadership positions. The 4/c have no stripes, 3/c 1 diagonal stripe, 2/c 2 diagonal stripes, and 1/c 1 horizontal stripe. First class leadership positions have increasing numbers of horizontal stripes, up to six for the regimental commander.
Military rank
Military rank is a system of hierarchical relationships in armed forces or civil institutions organized along military lines. Usually, uniforms denote the bearer's rank by particular insignia affixed to the uniforms...
held by military and merchant navy
Merchant Navy
The Merchant Navy is the maritime register of the United Kingdom, and describes the seagoing commercial interests of UK-registered ships and their crews. Merchant Navy vessels fly the Red Ensign and are regulated by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency...
cadet
Cadet
A cadet is a trainee to become an officer in the military, often a person who is a junior trainee. The term comes from the term "cadet" for younger sons of a noble family.- Military context :...
s during their training to become commissioned officers and merchant navy officers, respectively. The term officer trainee is used interchangeably in some countries. Some countries refer to naval officer cadets as midshipmen, although in other countries this means something slightly different.
In the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, the rank is also used by members 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 who are not actually training to become officers
Australia
The Australian Defence ForceAustralian Defence Force
The Australian Defence Force is the military organisation responsible for the defence of Australia. It consists of the Royal Australian Navy , Australian Army, Royal Australian Air Force and a number of 'tri-service' units...
follows the same usage as the British military system, using the rank of Officer Cadet (for the Australian Army
Australian Army
The Australian Army is Australia's military land force. It is part of the Australian Defence Force along with the Royal Australian Navy and the Royal Australian Air Force. While the Chief of Defence commands the Australian Defence Force , the Army is commanded by the Chief of Army...
(OCDT) and the Royal Australian Air Force
Royal Australian Air Force
The Royal Australian Air Force is the air force branch of the Australian Defence Force. The RAAF was formed in March 1921. It continues the traditions of the Australian Flying Corps , which was formed on 22 October 1912. The RAAF has taken part in many of the 20th century's major conflicts...
(OFFCDT)), for personnel undergoing initial officer training. Officer Cadets in the Australian Army
Australian Army
The Australian Army is Australia's military land force. It is part of the Australian Defence Force along with the Royal Australian Navy and the Royal Australian Air Force. While the Chief of Defence commands the Australian Defence Force , the Army is commanded by the Chief of Army...
and the Royal Australian Air Force
Royal Australian Air Force
The Royal Australian Air Force is the air force branch of the Australian Defence Force. The RAAF was formed in March 1921. It continues the traditions of the Australian Flying Corps , which was formed on 22 October 1912. The RAAF has taken part in many of the 20th century's major conflicts...
, unlike Midshipmen in the Royal Australian Navy
Royal Australian Navy
The Royal Australian Navy is the naval branch of the Australian Defence Force. Following the Federation of Australia in 1901, the ships and resources of the separate colonial navies were integrated into a national force: the Commonwealth Naval Forces...
, do not yet hold a commission
Officer (armed forces)
An officer is a member of an armed force or uniformed service who holds a position of authority. Commissioned officers derive authority directly from a sovereign power and, as such, hold a commission charging them with the duties and responsibilities of a specific office or position...
, and are not saluted or referred to as "Sir" or "Ma'am". Officer Cadets in the Australian Army are subordinate to Warrant Officers and officers and address them as "Sir" or "Ma'am". As Officer Cadets are appointed to their position, they are technically a superior to Other Ranks, although they will typically not have direct subordinates.
Initial officer training can occur through either single-service institutions, such as the Royal Military College, Duntroon
Royal Military College, Duntroon
The Royal Military College, Duntroon is the Australian Army's officer training establishment. It was founded at Duntroon, in the Australian Capital Territory, in 1911 and is situated on picturesque grounds at the foot of Mount Pleasant near Lake Burley Griffin, close to the Department of Defence...
, Royal Australian Naval College, or the Officer Training School RAAF
Officer Training School RAAF
Officers' Training School is the unit responsible for preparing recruits, senior airmen and Warrant Officers for careers as commissioned officers in the Royal Australian Air Force...
, or through the tri-service Australian Defence Force Academy
Australian Defence Force Academy
The Australian Defence Force Academy is a tri-service military Academy that provides military and tertiary academic education for junior officers of the Australian Defence Force in the Royal Australian Navy , Australian Army and Royal Australian Air Force .Tertiary education is provided by the...
. The ranks of Officer Cadet, Staff Cadet, or Midshipman are primarily found at these establishments. However, RAAF Officer trainees are often appointed at higher rank while undergoing their initial training course at OTS, if they have prior military experience, either as Officer Cadets prior to their initial officer course, or at Airman rank. Officer Cadets are also appointed in the Australian Army Reserve
Australian Army Reserve
The Australian Army Reserve is a collective name given to the reserve units of the Australian Army. Since the Federation of Australia in 1901, the reserve military force has been known by many names, including the Citizens Forces, the Citizen Military Forces, the Militia and, unofficially, the...
where training is conducted on a part-time basis at various University Regiments around the country.
Australian Army Reserve Officer Cadets must pass various training courses (conducted at different barracks around Australia) throughout their training with the final module completed at the Royal Military College, Duntroon
Royal Military College, Duntroon
The Royal Military College, Duntroon is the Australian Army's officer training establishment. It was founded at Duntroon, in the Australian Capital Territory, in 1911 and is situated on picturesque grounds at the foot of Mount Pleasant near Lake Burley Griffin, close to the Department of Defence...
before being commissioned.
At the Royal Military College, Duntroon
Royal Military College, Duntroon
The Royal Military College, Duntroon is the Australian Army's officer training establishment. It was founded at Duntroon, in the Australian Capital Territory, in 1911 and is situated on picturesque grounds at the foot of Mount Pleasant near Lake Burley Griffin, close to the Department of Defence...
and University Regiments, the title of 'Staff Cadet' is often used to address Officer Cadets, although this is not an official rank.
At ADFA
Australian Defence Force Academy
The Australian Defence Force Academy is a tri-service military Academy that provides military and tertiary academic education for junior officers of the Australian Defence Force in the Royal Australian Navy , Australian Army and Royal Australian Air Force .Tertiary education is provided by the...
, upon completion of all academic training through the "UNSW
University of New South Wales
The University of New South Wales , is a research-focused university based in Kensington, a suburb in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia...
@ADFA
Australian Defence Force Academy
The Australian Defence Force Academy is a tri-service military Academy that provides military and tertiary academic education for junior officers of the Australian Defence Force in the Royal Australian Navy , Australian Army and Royal Australian Air Force .Tertiary education is provided by the...
", military training and subsequent training at other military establishments, Officer Cadets from the Australian Defence Force
Australian Defence Force
The Australian Defence Force is the military organisation responsible for the defence of Australia. It consists of the Royal Australian Navy , Australian Army, Royal Australian Air Force and a number of 'tri-service' units...
are promoted as commissioned officers.
Pilots, Air Traffic Controllers and Air Combat Officers joining the RAAF directly through the Officers' Training School (without going to ADFA
Australian Defence Force Academy
The Australian Defence Force Academy is a tri-service military Academy that provides military and tertiary academic education for junior officers of the Australian Defence Force in the Royal Australian Navy , Australian Army and Royal Australian Air Force .Tertiary education is provided by the...
) also start their career as an Officer Cadet. Once they have completed their employment training (2FTS, SATC and SAW respectively), they are promoted.
Canada
In the Canadian ForcesCanadian Forces
The Canadian Forces , officially the Canadian Armed Forces , are the unified armed forces of Canada, as constituted by the National Defence Act, which states: "The Canadian Forces are the armed forces of Her Majesty raised by Canada and consist of one Service called the Canadian Armed Forces."...
the rank of Officer Cadet (OCdt) or Élève-officier (élof) in French is held by any beginning officer, as well as students attending the Royal Military College of Canada
Royal Military College of Canada
The Royal Military College of Canada, RMC, or RMCC , is the military academy of the Canadian Forces, and is a degree-granting university. RMC was established in 1876. RMC is the only federal institution in Canada with degree granting powers...
in Kingston, Ontario
Kingston, Ontario
Kingston, Ontario is a Canadian city located in Eastern Ontario where the St. Lawrence River flows out of Lake Ontario. Originally a First Nations settlement called "Katarowki," , growing European exploration in the 17th Century made it an important trading post...
or the Collège militaire royal de Saint-Jean, Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Québec. Officer Cadets may sometimes hold a staff or even line appointments within a unit, such as second-in-command of a platoon within a company-sized or larger unit; this is usually done for training purposes, but may also be done to fill holes in an establishment due to manpower shortages within the officer cadre.
For Royal Canadian Navy members of the same rank, Naval Cadet (NCdt) or Aspirant de marine (aspm) in French is used in lieu of Officer Cadet.
Officer/Naval Cadets are referred to and addressed as "Mr Smith" or "Miss Smith", or more formally as "Officer Cadet Smith" or "Naval Cadet Smith". There is also a tendency in less cordial environments to refer to an Officer Cadet as "OC Smith". Further, as pointed out above, they are generally addressed as "Mister" or "Miss" by non-commissioned member
Non-commissioned member
A non-commissioned member , in the Canadian Forces, is defined in the Queen's Regulations and Orders as:"… any person, other than an officer, who is enrolled in, or who pursuant to law is attached or seconded otherwise than as an officer to, the Canadian Forces…" Thus, an NCM is any member who is...
s, but may just as appropriately be referred to as "Sir" or "Ma'am".
Officer/Naval Cadets in the CF are subordinate officer
Subordinate officer
Subordinate officer is a term used in some armed forces for a grade of officer above a non-commissioned officer but still not actually commissioned, usually still in training...
s, but generally billet or mess with other officers. They do not carry the Queen's commission and are not entitled to be saluted.
The rank insignia is a narrow gold braid (1/4-inch; note difference with standard braid size) on the cuff of the DEU (Distinctive Environmental Uniform) jacket, and on the epaulettes of all other uniforms. The peak of the service cap (if worn) is plain. This gives rise to the somewhat derogatory term 'quarter-inch admiral' as a referent for OCdt/NCdts who try to insist that they be treated as commissioned officers (i.e. be accorded salutes, etc.)
Singapore
In the Singapore Armed ForcesSingapore Armed Forces
The Singapore Armed Forces is the military arm of the Total Defence of the Republic of Singapore; as well as the military component of the Ministry of Defence. The SAF comprises three branches: the Singapore Army, the Republic of Singapore Air Force and the Republic of Singapore Navy...
, potential servicemen training to be officers are known as Officer Cadets in the Army
Singapore Army
The Singapore Army is the branch of the Singapore Armed Forces responsible for land operations. It is the largest of the three armed services and heavily reliant on a conscript army, comprising the majority of Singapore's Operationally Ready National Servicemen .-Capabilities:The mission of the...
and Air Force, while those in the Navy
Republic of Singapore Navy
The Republic of Singapore Navy is the naval component of the Singapore Armed Forces , responsible for the defence of Singapore against sea-borne threats and protection of its sea lines of communications. Operating within the crowded littoral waters of the Singapore Strait, the RSN is regarded as...
are known as Midshipmen. All Officer Cadets and Midshipmen receive tri-service initial training in Officer Cadet School
Officer Cadet School (Singapore)
Officer Cadet School is one of the several training establishments within the SAFTI Military Institute camp complex. Its role is to train officers of all three services of the Singapore Armed Forces...
before being sent to the appropriate training schools. They return to OCS for their commissioning parade.
Officer Cadets and Midshipmen wear one, two, or three white bars on their shoulderboards to denote their seniority. The graduating class of Officer Cadets wear peaked caps and beret
Beret
A beret is a soft, round, flat-crowned hat, designated a "cap", usually of woven, hand-knitted wool, crocheted cotton, or wool felt, or acrylic fiber....
s depending on their vocations, and are accorded the privilege of being addressed "Sir" by junior Officer Cadets. At this point, they are given more privileges and responsibilities commensurate with their seniority.
Officer Cadets take turns to hold various administrative and exercise appointments. Administrative appointment-holders' shoulderboards have additional loops and whorls known as "fishes" in addition to their existing one, two or three bars. Exercise appointment-holders wear yellow rank insignia appropriate to the appointment of the Officer Cadet. For example, an exercise Platoon Commander will wear two bars of a Lieutenant
Lieutenant
A lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in many nations' armed forces. Typically, the rank of lieutenant in naval usage, while still a junior officer rank, is senior to the army rank...
, and his exercise Platoon Sergeant
Platoon Sergeant
In many militaries, a platoon sergeant is the senior enlisted member of a platoon, who advises and supports the platoon's commanding officer in leading the unit.-Singapore:...
will wear a brassard
Brassard
A 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...
with First Sergeant
First Sergeant
First sergeant is the name of a military rank used in many countries, typically a senior non-commissioned officer.-Singapore:First Sergeant is a Specialist in the Singapore Armed Forces. First Sergeants are the most senior of the junior Specialists, ranking above Second Sergeants, and below Staff...
's chevrons.
United Kingdom
In the United KingdomUnited Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
the rank of Officer Cadet is held by trainee officers in the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst
Royal Military Academy Sandhurst
The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst , commonly known simply as Sandhurst, is a British Army officer initial training centre located in Sandhurst, Berkshire, England...
, at Britannia Royal Naval College
Britannia Royal Naval College
Britannia Royal Naval College is the initial officer training establishment of the Royal Navy, located on a hill overlooking Dartmouth, Devon, England. While Royal Naval officer training has taken place in the town since 1863, the buildings which are seen today were only finished in 1905, and...
in Dartmouth
Dartmouth, Devon
Dartmouth is a town and civil parish in the English county of Devon. It is a tourist destination set on the banks of the estuary of the River Dart, which is a long narrow tidal ria that runs inland as far as Totnes...
, and the Royal Air Force College at RAF Cranwell
RAF Cranwell
RAF Cranwell is a Royal Air Force station in Lincolnshire close to the village of Cranwell, near Sleaford. It is currently commanded by Group Captain Dave Waddington...
, as well as students who are members of the University Officers' Training Corps albeit that the latter are mostly not trainee officers. Officer Cadets in the British Armed Forces are treated in most respects as junior commissioned officers, except that they are not saluted. In the British Army
British Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
and Royal Air Force
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...
they are referred to and addressed as, for example, "Mr Smith" or "Miss Smith", or more formally as "Officer Cadet Smith" or as "Sir" or "Ma'am" by their juniors.
Royal Navy
In Britannia Royal Naval CollegeBritannia Royal Naval College
Britannia Royal Naval College is the initial officer training establishment of the Royal Navy, located on a hill overlooking Dartmouth, Devon, England. While Royal Naval officer training has taken place in the town since 1863, the buildings which are seen today were only finished in 1905, and...
, Dartmouth, the rank is non-substantive and only used in the initial phases of training, after which officers use their substantive ranks of Midshipman
Midshipman
A midshipman is an officer cadet, or a commissioned officer of the lowest rank, in the Royal Navy, United States Navy, and many Commonwealth navies. Commonwealth countries which use the rank include Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, India, Pakistan, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Kenya...
or Sub-Lieutenant
Sub-Lieutenant
Sub-lieutenant is a military rank. It is normally a junior officer rank.In many navies, a sub-lieutenant is a naval commissioned or subordinate officer, ranking below a lieutenant. In the Royal Navy the rank of sub-lieutenant is equivalent to the rank of lieutenant in the British Army and of...
depending on education, or occasionally Lieutenant
Lieutenant
A lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in many nations' armed forces. Typically, the rank of lieutenant in naval usage, while still a junior officer rank, is senior to the army rank...
for certain specialisations. Formerly, cadets at the Royal Naval Colleges at Dartmouth and Osborne had the substantive rank of Naval Cadet, or Cadet, RN, until passing out of Dartmouth as a midshipman.
Army
The appointment of Officer Cadet is held by those undergoing either the Regular Commissioning Course at Sandhurst or the Territorial Army Commissioning Course (TACC) holding an AOSB Main Board Pass. The TACC is administered by Sandhurst but run in modules divided between Sandhurst and TA Regional Training CentreRegional Training Centre
Regional Training Centres were created from the previously existing Specialist Training Teams to provide training for the United Kingdom Territorial Army...
s. Until the Second World War
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, cadets at the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich and the Royal Military College, Sandhurst were referred to as Gentleman Cadets.
The appointment is also held by members of the University Officers' Training Corps (UOTCs), cadet forces that are open to university students. Officer Cadets in the UOTCs are not trainee officers, although a minority do go to Sandhurst after leaving university.
Royal Air Force
The rank of Officer Cadet is held by those undergoing Initial Officer Training at the Royal Air Force College CranwellRoyal Air Force College Cranwell
The Royal Air Force College is the Royal Air Force training and education academy which provides initial training to all RAF personnel who are preparing to be commissioned officers. The College also provides initial training to aircrew cadets and is responsible for all RAF recruiting along with...
. Pilot Officer
Pilot Officer
Pilot officer is the lowest commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many other Commonwealth countries. It ranks immediately below flying officer...
s of the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Training) Branch (RAFVR(T)) hold the acting rank of Officer Cadet until they successfully complete their Officers' Initial Training at RAF Cranwell – they differ from other RAF Officer Cadet ranks in that they hold a commission, and are therefore salute
Salute
A salute is a gesture or other action used to display respect. Salutes are primarily associated with armed forces, but other organizations and civil people also use salutes.-Military salutes:...
d. Within 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...
, the rank of Officer Cadet is currently only used internally and Officer Cadets are referred to by their substantive rank in written documents. Students undergoing the Foundation Degree course at DCAE Cosford, having been selected for service as Engineer Officers from the ranks, hold their previous rank while wearing Officer Cadet rank insignia for the duration, prior to attending Initial Officer Training. The rank is also held by members 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.
Royal Navy
Royal Navy Officer Cadets wear shoulder flashes with a white square after they complete the first phase of training (14 weeks). Formerly, the insignia was a navy blue patch on both sides of the coat collar, with a white buttonhole and gold button, similar to a midshipman's patch. They continue to wear these tabs until they pass out of BRNC at the end of their initial training. The No.1 Uniform bears the rank the cadet will hold upon completing initial officer training.British Army
The Royal Military Academy SandhurstRoyal Military Academy Sandhurst
The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst , commonly known simply as Sandhurst, is a British Army officer initial training centre located in Sandhurst, Berkshire, England...
, which trains all British Army officer cadets (and some from overseas militaries), appoints Junior Under Officer
Under Officer
Under Officer is an appointment held by senior cadets at some Commonwealth officer training establishments and in University Officers' Training Corps in the United Kingdom, and also a rank used in some Commonwealth cadet forces.-Australia:...
s (JUO) (identified by an Austrian Knot
Austrian knot
An Austrian Knot is an elaborate design of twisted cord or lace worn as part of a dress uniform, usually on the lower sleeve. It is usually a distinction worn by officers; the major exception is the hussars, in which Austrian knots are worn by all ranks...
above a single bar) and Senior Under Officer
Under Officer
Under Officer is an appointment held by senior cadets at some Commonwealth officer training establishments and in University Officers' Training Corps in the United Kingdom, and also a rank used in some Commonwealth cadet forces.-Australia:...
s (SUO) (who wear an Austrian Knot above two bars). In practice, SUOs are not at present appointed.
Cadets in the University Officers' Training Corps wear zero to three horizontal bars on the rank slide. Under Officer is an appointment, not a rank, and outside OTCs they only have the status of ordinary Officer Cadets.
Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force Officer Cadets wear a 1 inches (25.4 mm) white band on all non-ceremonial uniforms. A thin white band is worn throughout the first 10 week term at RAF College Cranwell with the Regiment Training Flight, a thicker white band is adopted in term two. The white band remains the same in term three but with the addition of the Pilot Officer's rank stripe in the fore. 'E' Squadron is currently the home of the RAD Flight (injuries flight) and of the DELTA flight (additional leadership and officer qualities training flight). Aircrew Cadets graduate as SergeantSergeant
Sergeant is a rank used in some form by most militaries, police forces, and other uniformed organizations around the world. Its origins are the Latin serviens, "one who serves", through the French term Sergent....
Aircrew, not officers; this status is denoted by a red band on the white background and the RAF airman's cap badge
Cap badge
A cap badge, also known as head badge or hat badge, is a badge worn on uniform headgear and distinguishes the wearer's nationality and/or organisation. The wearing of cap badges is a convention commonly found among military and police forces, as well as uniformed civilian groups such as the Boy...
with a white patch behind. Members of all squadrons who are injured are moved to the Development (formerly Holding) Flight and wear a purple band on the white background.
On the service dress and mess dress uniforms, RAF cadets wear the braid of the rank they will hold on graduation. However, gorget
Gorget
A gorget originally was a steel or leather collar designed to protect the throat. It was a feature of older types of armour and intended to protect against swords and other non-projectile weapons...
patches (rectangular white tabs with one triangular end) are worn on both lapels. The only exception to this is the female mess dress, where they are worn on the sleeve. The only other distinctive identifiers are on headdress – a white patch on the beret behind the badge. The cap badge
Cap badge
A cap badge, also known as head badge or hat badge, is a badge worn on uniform headgear and distinguishes the wearer's nationality and/or organisation. The wearing of cap badges is a convention commonly found among military and police forces, as well as uniformed civilian groups such as the Boy...
is the same as that worn by a commissioned officer (between the ranks of Pilot Officer and Group Captain
Group Captain
Group captain is a senior commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many other Commonwealth countries. It ranks above wing commander and immediately below air commodore...
), but with a white band around the cap. This band is removed on graduation.
A blue band on the white background is also used to denote Officer Cadets of the University Air Squadrons (UASs) who are receiving Bursaries from the Royal Air Force. UAS cadets who are not in receipt of Scholarships wear just the 1 inches (25.4 mm) white band with no coloured band. UAS Officer Cadets wear airmen's headdress with a white band.
Officer Cadets of the RAFVR(T) wear the 1 inches (25.4 mm) white band with the gilt VRT identifier positioned centrally. VR(T) Officer Cadets wear the standard Officer's peaked cap while serving at their units, a white hat band is issued for the week long Officers Initial Course to maintain uniformity with regular Officer Cadets under training.
United States
The United States ArmyUnited States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
, Coast Guard
United States Coast Guard
The United States Coast Guard is a branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven U.S. uniformed services. The Coast Guard is a maritime, military, multi-mission service unique among the military branches for having a maritime law enforcement mission and a federal regulatory agency...
and Air Force
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
use the term "Cadet" for officer candidates in the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) and for students at the United States Military Academy
United States Military Academy
The United States Military Academy at West Point is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located at West Point, New York. The academy sits on scenic high ground overlooking the Hudson River, north of New York City...
, United States Coast Guard Academy
United States Coast Guard Academy
Founded in 1876, the United States Coast Guard Academy is the military academy of the United States Coast Guard. Located in New London, Connecticut, it is the smallest of the five federal service academies...
and United States Air Force Academy
United States Air Force Academy
The United States Air Force Academy is an accredited college for the undergraduate education of officer candidates for the United States Air Force. Its campus is located immediately north of Colorado Springs in El Paso County, Colorado, United States...
. Members under the age of 17 in the Civil Air Patrol
Civil Air Patrol
Civil Air Patrol is a Congressionally chartered, federally supported, non-profit corporation that serves as the official civilian auxiliary of the United States Air Force . CAP is a volunteer organization with an aviation-minded membership that includes people from all backgrounds, lifestyles, and...
are also addressed as Cadet, but are civilians. The term "Officer Candidate" or "Officer Trainee" is generally used for officer candidates who are seeking their commission by means other than ROTC or a military academy, such as through Officer Candidate School (OCS) or Air Force Officer Training School
Air Force Officer Training School
Officer Training School is a United States Air Force commissioning program held at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama. It is the Officer Candidate School for the U.S. Air Force, analogous to the OCSes operated by the other branches of the U.S. Military. It is a part of Jeanne M...
(OTS). The United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
uses the rank of "Midshipman
Midshipman
A midshipman is an officer cadet, or a commissioned officer of the lowest rank, in the Royal Navy, United States Navy, and many Commonwealth navies. Commonwealth countries which use the rank include Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, India, Pakistan, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Kenya...
" for students in the Reserve Officer Training Corps, United States Merchant Marine Academy
United States Merchant Marine Academy
The United States Merchant Marine Academy is one of the five United States Service academies...
or United States Naval Academy
United States Naval Academy
The United States Naval Academy is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located in Annapolis, Maryland, United States...
, and the term "Officer Candidate
Officer Candidate
Officer Candidate is a rank in some militaries of the world that is an appointed position while a person is in training to become an officer. More often than not, an Officer Candidate was a civilian who applied to join the military directly as an officer...
" for others seeking a commission as an officer. The term "cadet" may also be used generally to refer to students at a private military academy, or members of a youth group associated with the military who are receiving preliminary training with the intention of joining the military, sometimes at a younger age than they would be able to do otherwise.
Officer Cadets are generally paid below the standard pay rates for junior officers, but receive some of the rights and responsibilities of a junior officer during their training. Officer cadets, trainees, and midshipmen are considered Geneva Conventions Category III personnel.
ROTC
Cadets and Midshipmen in the ROTC program generally hold training ranks equivalent to their branch's enlisted ranks during their first three years of training and officer-equivalent ranks during their senior year, except in the Air Force where they hold officer-equivalent rank during their junior and senior years. In addition, a small amount of NROTC Midshipmen 2/C may hold Officer ranks, limited by the amount of available billets. Cadets or Midshipmen holding cadet-enlisted rank must salute cadet or Midshipman officers within their own branch of the service. At the service academies, they hold similar ranks (generally for the first two years, they hold simulated low enlisted ranks, then in the third year, senior enlisted ranks, and in the final year, officer ranks). However, at the academies and some ROTC units, it is not customary for Cadets or Midshipmen to salute each other regardless of rank, nor will they salute ROTC cadets senior to them. All Cadets and Midshipmen are required to salute commissioned officers regardless of branch.Cadet officer ranks in US Army ROTC are denoted by "pips" – one to three circular insignia denoting the company-grade equivalents, one to three diamond-shaped insignia denoting the field-grade equivalents. For Midshipman ranks, both junior and senior officer equivalents wear from one to six 1/4" gold stripes or bars.
US Air Force cadets wear rank shoulderboards or lapel insignia which carry miniature insignia.
Service academies
Each U.S. service academy has its own set of insignia, different from that of its service's ROTC program.U.S. Military Academy (West Point)
United States Military Academy "class insignia" are worn on the collar and epaulets of certain uniforms. An enameled shield bearing a Greek sword surmounted by the helmet of Pallas, worn on the left collar or above cadet rank stripes/bars on epaulets, is the standard class insignia for third-class (yellow shield), second-class (grey shield), or first-class (black shield) cadets. On traditional "Dress Grey" and "Full Dress Grey" uniforms and overcoats, the class insignia is indicated by the number of service stripes (one to three) denoting completed years of service at the Academy. These stripes are located on the lower sleeve. Visitors are sometimes confused to see cadets early in the academic year wearing the insignia of Cadet PFC - such cadets were "turned back" (for any of a variety of reasons), and are repeating the first year as cadets, but retain the rank that they earned as Cadet Privates First Class.Rank within the Corps of Cadets is denoted by collar insignia "railroad tracks," a number of black enamel bars with silver outline, or epaulet stripes from one (for CDT Corporal) to six (for CDT Captain in certain command and staff roles) on certain uniforms. On the traditional Dress-Grey-based uniforms and overcoats, chevrons denote rank in the Corps. A Cadet Corporal wears two chevrons on the lower sleeve. A cadet sergeant wears two chevrons on the upper sleeve, a cadet lieutenant three, and a cadet captain from four to six chevrons. For cadets in the rank of cadet sergeant and up, various combinations of stars, diamonds, rockers or arcs, and other devices, are used on the sleeves to denote specific positions/jobs. The title of Cadet Captain is used for all cadets wearing four or more stripes/bars. The Brigade Commander, also called the First Captain, wears six stripes/bars/sleeve chevrons with a gold star.
U.S. Air Force Academy
United States Air Force Academy Cadet Insignia
-Cadet Rank Insignia:-Current Cadet Squadrons:-Defunct Cadet Squadron Insignia:-Merit lists:Cadet merit list insignia are worn by those cadets who excel militarily , academically , or athletically...
is denoted by the insignia on their shoulderboards in all "blue" uniforms, including day-to-day "blues", service dress
Service dress
Service Dress may refer to any of several military uniforms:*Service Dress *Service Dress, a uniform of the United States Navy*Service Dress, a uniform of the United States Air Force...
, mess dress
Mess dress
Mess dress is the military term for the formal evening dress worn in the mess or at other formal occasions. It is also known as mess uniform and mess kit...
and parade dress. All cadet shoulder boards carry the heraldic nebuly
Nebuly
In heraldry and architecture, a line which is drawn nebuly is made up of a series of bulbous protrusions, which are supposed to resemble clouds ....
device, (commonly referred to as "clouds" by cadets). Third class cadets (sophomores) have one thin bar underneath the clouds; second class cadets wear two thin bars, one each above and below the clouds; and first class cadets (seniors) have one thin bar below the clouds and two above. Additional chevrons denote cadet non-commissioned officer ranks, while additional bars denote cadet officer ranks. A diamond indicates that the cadet is a member of the wing or group staff and stars are used to denote cadet commanders.
On the battle dress uniform
Battle Dress Uniform
The Battle Dress Uniform were the fatigues that the armed forces of the United States used as their standard uniform for combat situations from September 1981 to April 2005. Since then, it has been replaced in every branch of the U.S. military. Only the U.S. Navy currently authorizes wear of the...
or Airman Battle Uniform
Airman Battle Uniform
The Airman Battle Uniform is a service-distinctive camouflage battledress uniform for the United States Air Force. It is currently in full production and replaced the Battle Dress Uniform November 1st, 2011 after a four year phase-in period...
, Air Force Academy cadets wear bars or chevrons on their lapels to denote their rank. Fourth class cadets wear no insignia, but are awarded a Prop and Wings
Prop and Wings
The Prop and Wings is a military insignia used to identify various aviation-related units in the United States military. The Prop and Wings originated as branch insignia of the United States Army Air Service in 1920, and remained such from 1926 to 1947 for the successor United States Army Air Corps...
after recognition. Third class cadets wear one chevron on each lapel, signifying that they are cadet/staff sergeant
Staff Sergeant
Staff sergeant is a rank of non-commissioned officer used in several countries.The origin of the name is that they were part of the staff of a British army regiment and paid at that level rather than as a member of a battalion or company.-Australia:...
s. Second class cadets wear two to five chevrons, indicating ranks from cadet/technical sergeant
Technical Sergeant
Technical Sergeant is the name of one current and two former enlisted ranks in the United States military.-United States Air Force:Technical Sergeant, or Tech Sergeant, is the sixth enlisted rank in the U.S. Air Force, just above Staff Sergeant and below Master Sergeant. A technical sergeant is...
to cadet/chief master sergeant. First class cadets function as cadet officers and wear one to six bars on their lapels, corresponding to ranks from cadet/second lieutenant
Second Lieutenant
Second lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer military rank in many armed forces.- United Kingdom and Commonwealth :The rank second lieutenant was introduced throughout the British Army in 1871 to replace the rank of ensign , although it had long been used in the Royal Artillery, Royal...
to cadet/colonel
Colonel
Colonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
.
U.S. Naval Academy (Annapolis)
The rank insignia of the United States Naval Academy is a combination of sleeve, shoulder and collar insignia, similar to that used by the Naval ROTC units.United States Coast Guard Academy
There are two types of insignia used by Coast Guard Academy cadets.The first is a metal pin-on device. It is a colored shield with a gold anchor with a silver star above it. The color of the background denotes the class. The colors are Green for 4/c, red for 3/c, white for 2/c and blue for 1/c. The colors all have historic meanings: red and green represent the running lights on a vessel; white signifies the white lights used as navigation lights, signifying the role as guides for the 4/c; blue signifies the officers that 1/c are about to become.
The second type of insignia is shoulder boards. All cadet shoulder boards have a slightly smaller version of the shield found on officer shoulderboards, and stripes denoting class or 1/c leadership positions. The 4/c have no stripes, 3/c 1 diagonal stripe, 2/c 2 diagonal stripes, and 1/c 1 horizontal stripe. First class leadership positions have increasing numbers of horizontal stripes, up to six for the regimental commander.
See also
- Comparative military ranksComparative military ranksThis article is a list of various states' armed forces ranking designations. Comparisons are made between the different systems used by nations to categorize the hierarchy of an armed force compared to another. Several of these lists mention NATO reference codes. These are the NATO rank reference...
- UK officer ranks
- RAF officer ranksRAF officer ranks- Ranks :-Origins:Lieutenant-General David Henderson originally proposed that Royal Air Force officers use a combination of British Army and Royal Navy ranks...
- Cadet Corps (Russia)Cadet Corps (Russia)The Cadet Corps is an admissions-based all boys military academy which prepared boys to become commissioned officers. Boys between the ages of 8 and 15 were enrolled. It was founded in Saint Petersburg, Russian Empire in 1731 by Tsarina Anne. The term of education was seven years...