To learn more about who we are visit the What We Do  page.

To find out more about joining the unit see the Join page

The New Zealand Cadet Forces (NZCF) is a voluntary, disciplined, uniformed organisation which provides military-based leadership, personal development and operational training to persons aged between 13 and 20 years old.It is not part of the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF). It is supported by the NZDF in partnership with the community and gets its military emphasis from the NZDF.

We are part of the wider NZCF family. The NZCF consists of the Sea Cadet Corps (“Navy Cadets”), the NZ Cadet Corps (“Army Cadets”), and the Air Training Corps (“Air Cadets”). The NZCF is staffed by Regular Force Navy, Army and Air Force personnel. They co-ordinate activities, provide assistance to units, and generally ensure the aims of the NZCF are achieved.

The national commanding officer of the NZCF is the Commandant. The current Commandant is Wing Commander Bruce Creedy (Royal New Zealand Air Force.).

The NZCF is broken into 3 regions: Northern, Central and Southern. We are part of Southern Area, which is administered from Burnham Military Camp. The Area Commander (Southern) is Flight Lieutenant Lauryn Stephens, Royal New Zealand Air Force.

More information about the NZCF is available at www.cadetforces.org.nz

NZCF Mission

“To develop and enable self-disciplined, confident and responsible young

New Zealanders.”

NZCF Values

Courage – Commitment – Comradeship – Integrity

Code of Conduct

The NZCF Code of Conduct applies to all NZCF members, from the time you leave your house to go to an activity until you arrive home from an activity. It also applies whenever you are wearing your uniform or identifiable to the public as a NZCF member. Breaches of the Code of Conduct are dealt with by the CUCDR. The NZCF Code of Conduct is taught when you first join and reiterated often. It is displayed around the Unit.

Fees

The only funding we receive is via Annual Subscriptions and fundraising. Fundraising is limited both in Christchurch and from the institutions we apply to – we are open to suggestions for funding ideas. The Support Committee can provide details of the type of fundraising we undertake.

Subscription Fee

Subscription Fees (Subs) are due annually by the end of Term One or by alternative arrangement.

The Squadron fees are $110

Admin

Equipment purchase & repairs

If you have any concerns about these fees, or find it difficult to finance your cadet’s membership, please talk to either the Support Committee or the Unit Commander, as there are options available.

Activity Fees

Activities must be paid for no later than 6:30pm on the parade night before the activity or you will not be able to attend. Electronic payments are the only way we can accept payment.

Uniform

After your subs are paid, you will be issued with your uniform. We will provide you with two different uniforms:

CWD (Cadet Working Dress)

• Trousers

• Belt

• Dark blue long sleeve shirt

• Rank square (velcro)

• Baseball cap

• Name badge (velcro)

• Boots

This is your default uniform you will wear on parade nights and most activities.

3B Working Dress “Blues”

• Trousers

• Belt

• Light blue Short Sleeve Shirt

• Jersey (wool)

• Brassard

• Rank slides

• Head-dress (“FS Cap”)

• Name badge

This is your formal uniform, reserved for events such as ANZAC Day and Final Parade. We also wear this on the first week of each month.

You will be required to provide your own black lace-up shoes to wear with your 3B uniform.

You are required to wear your uniform to all ATC activities and parade nights, unless told otherwise. The uniforms are worth over $700, so it is extremely important that it is well looked after and kept in good repair. If you outgrow your uniform or parts become unserviceable you can go to the Stores of our unit and exchange parts of your uniform free of charge.

Cadets can choose to wear any gender’s uniform, and can have their uniform preferences accommodated either when they collect their uniform or on parade nights in the future. (The only difference in uniform is in the 3B uniform, which have different head-dress and shirts for males and females. The CWD uniform is the same for all.)

Uniform Presentation

While wearing your ATC uniform, you are not only representing 12 SQN, but you are also representing the NZCF and NZDF. We therefore expect you to maintain a high standard of presentation.

Many items of the uniform contain wool and therefore should not come into direct contact with the iron as they will burn and become glazed. Instead, a thin damp cloth should be placed over the item before ironing. You will receive training in how to iron, clean, wear and store your uniform.

Hairstyles

General standards

• Cadets are to maintain a professional, clean and presentable appearance when in uniform. Common sense and good judgment is to be used in the application of this policy.

• Cadets are to have their hair neatly styled and worn in such a manner that it does not interfere with health and safety, operational and training requirements.

• Hair is not to show on the face or forehead under headdress.

• If hair is tinted or dyed it is to be in single tone and a natural hair colour.

• Irregular patterns, partially shaven heads, mullets, Mohawks, undercuts, rat’s tails or emblems are not to be cut or sculpted into hair.

• Fully shaven heads are also an acceptable hair style.

Male Standards

Facial hair can be grown at the discression of the Unit Commander otherwise they must be clean-shaven.

Hair is to be shaped and tapered and must not extend below 13mm above the shirt collar. Hair is not to be ragged, excessive in bulk or length, overlap the eyes and ears when combed, touch the collar or interfere with the wearing of headdress. Sideburns, if worn, are to be neatly trimmed and not increase in width towards the bottom. The bottom of the sideburns must be clear-cut in a horizontal line and not extend below the bottom of the earlobe.

Females Standards

Long Hair: Hair is to be kept away from the face and not to show on the forehead under headdress. Loose hair must be pinned back off the face neatly. If slides, combs, pins or a bun net are worn they are to be of plain design and of a similar colour to the hair. If hair is not short, it is to be worn in a bun with a bun net, or by another method approved in the NZAP207 eg. “french roll”, so that it rests no lower than 20mm from the collar. In a field environment in CWD, long hair may be worn tied neatly in a ponytail or plait.

Short hair: Hair is designated short when it does not fall below the lower edge of the back of the shirt collar when the hair is loose. Short hair may be worn out with both uniform types.

CWD (Cadet Working Dress)

CWD Trousers:

• Trousers are to be ironed flat with no creases.

• Trouser legs are worn out over the boots with the velcro tab sinched. 

CWD Shirt:

• The front and rear of the shirt is to be ironed flat. 

• One sharp crease is to be ironed along the length of each sleeve. The crease should run from the centre of the epaulette to the cuff

• A single crease is to be ironed into the collar and is to remain sharp and visible along its full length.

• The bottom of the collar is to be ironed flat, with the neck unzipped and the lapel edges ironed at a 45-degree angle.

3B

Head- dress

Males: The service cap is to be worn with the buttons at the front and centrally above the forehead. The cap is to be tilted to the right so that the front edge is 25mm (approx. 2 finger widths) above the right eyebrow. Hair is not to show on the forehead below the cap. The cap is not to be ironed.

Females: The cap is to be worn straight across the forehead with the badge above the left eye. The front edge of the cap is to be 15mm (approx. one finger width) above the left eyebrow. Hair is not to show on the forehead below the cap.

The cap is to be worn while outdoors, or when a person of a superior rank is wearing theirs indoors.

Mild weather jacket

The black mild weather jacket should have no creases and should not be ironed. Rank slides are to be worn on the jacket with no other embelishments.

Jersey

The jersey is to be worn with rank slides, brassard and name tag. Jersey sleeves are to be creased on the outside of the arm from the epaulette to the cuff. The Jersey is not to be ironed on directly, to avoid burning the wool.

Shirt

The shirt is to be worn with the top (tie) button undone. If the shirt is worn without a jersey, then rank slides, brassard and name badge are to be worn on the shirt.

The shirt is to be ironed and the sleeves are to have a single crease pressed into them. The crease should run from the centre of the epaulette to the cuff. 

Trousers

Trousers are to be pressed with creases extending from the waist band to the leg end at the back and front of each leg. The trousers are not to be ironed on directly, to avoid burning. The trousers should be hemmed so that the bottom of the leg (at the back) sits 1 cm above the sole rim of the shoe.

Shoes

Black leather lace-up shoes are to be worn. The uppers are to be highly shined and the edges of the sole are to be blackened and clean. Shoes are to be all black with no coloured stitching or laces. They must be closed-toed and not T-bars. Instant shine is not to be used on shoes, black nugget should be used.

Brassard

The brassard is to be worn on the right sleeve over the jersey or shirt. The epaulette of the jersey or shirt is passed through the loop on the brassard to hold it in place. The brassard is to have a single, central, vertical crease pressed into it from the top edge to the bottom edge.

The badges worn on the brassard are positioned as follows:

Flying Brevet: (badge with ATC and 2 wings). Worn centrally with the top of the badge 45mm from top of brassard. Awarded for flying solo on Gliding (white) or Power Flying (blue) course, or completing the RNZAF Scholarship (blue with gold lettering). If more than one brevet is awarded, you choose which one to wear.

Basic I Badge: The four-pointed star is worn centrally with one point uppermost. The top of the badge is to be 100mm from the top of the brassard.

Basic II Badge: The second of two four-pointed stars. One star is worn 5mm to the rear (left) of the brassard centre-line with one point uppermost and 100mm from the top of the brassard. The other in the same position but 5mm to the front (right) of the brassard centre-line.

Proficiency Badge: The four-bladed propeller is worn centrally with one blade uppermost. The top of the badge is 100mm from the top of the brassard. The basic I and II badges are removed and returned to Stores.

Advanced Badge: The four bladed propeller, with a four-pointed star superimposed over it, is worn centrally with one blade uppermost 100mm from the top of the brassard. The Proficiency badge is removed and returned to Stores.

Shooting Badges: (Competency, First Class and Marksman). The badge is worn centrally with the bottom edge 5mm above and parallel with the bottom of the brassard. Only highest level badge is worn.

Duke of Edinburgh Award: The bottom of the badge is worn 20mm above the bottom of the brassard. The left-hand edge of the badge is 65mm to the rear (left) of the brassard centre-line. Only highest level badge is worn.

Navigation Badge: (badge with ATC and 1 wing). The bottom of the badge is worn above and parallel with the bottom of the brassard. The left-hand edge of the badge is 60mm to the front (right) of the brassard centre-line.

Name Badge

The name badge is worn centrally above the right breast pocket of the shirt or the equivalent place on the jersey and female shirt.

Belt

The belt is to be worn with the buckle central and the tail (the silver end) to the left. The position of the buckle on the belt is to be adjusted so that the tail only just extends past the first belt-loop when the belt is buckled.

Rank Slides

Are not to be ironed directly and are worn on the shirt, jersey or jacket.

NZCF 3822

This is your record of service book which you will be issued with when you join. It contains: your personal details, the NZCF Vision, Mission and Values, your declaration of services, permission from your parents/caregiver to participate in ATC activities, and a record of all activities you have done including courses, promotions, camps, shooting, competitions and flying log. You must bring this book to every ATC activity, it must be kept up to date and signed by your parents/caregivers.

Before coming to ATC each night, please check that you have all items of uniform with you. Remove any fluff/hair from your uniform and ensure that your name badge is straight.

Other Conditions when wearing Uniform.

No bulky objects such as phones, combs, pens, wallets etc should be visible in the pockets. Wedding/engagement rings only may be worn. Trinkets, necklaces, and chains, if worn, must not be visible. Earrings or studs may be worn by females, but they are limited to one pair of plain design and are to be worn in the ear lobe only. Males are not permitted to wear any earrings or studs. Any other body rings/studs/tattoos, when worn, must not be visible. Cosmetic make-up is not to be worn, Minimal/not noticeable makeup i.e., foundation and concealer is acceptable. Cadets will be informed if something is not appropriate during uniform inspection at the beginning of the night.

Inspections

Uniforms will be inspected by NCOs at the start of each parade night; any Cadets who have not achieved the required dress standard will be provided with support and recommendations they are required to complete to bring their uniform up to standard.

Notes: 

The terms “male” and “female” are used throughout. For cadets who do not identify as either of these genders, the expectation is that they will adhere to one of the standards. 

Exemptions to the standards can be made for religious / cultural reasons (please let us know if this is the case for you, and we will explain the relevant RNZAF Dress Standard).

The unit has a Support Committee handles all Squadron finances and provides fundraising to allow the Unit to undertake activities.

Support Committee Meetings are held every month, usually the first Tuesday, at 1815 hrs (6.15pm).

All parents/caregivers of Cadets are invited to attend any of the meetings without any pressure to join the Committee. If you would like to make a contribution to the operation of the Squadron, please feel free to come along. We are always open to suggestions of any fundraising ideas that parents may have.

The Unit Support Committee can be contacted at usc.12sqn@cadetforces.org.nz

Parade Night: Our weekly meeting on a Tuesday night.

Activity: Any cadet activity other than a parade night.

Course: Refers to activities run at an Area or National level (these terms are explained below). Courses are often fully-funded and therefore free to attend.

Leave: If a Cadet is not able to attend a parade night, then it is important that they Request Leave. This is just a formal way of letting us know that you won't be attending a parade night, so we know you are safe. 

Withdrawing from an activity: Similar to requesting leave, you need to Withdraw from an activity if you can no longer attend. If you know you cannot attend before the application close-off date, then you can just withdraw through our online system. If you need to withdraw after the application close-off date then as well as withdrawing online, you need to text the Activity Point-of-Contact to let them know you have withdrawn. 

Warning Order: This is a military term for a document warning people of an upcoming activity. They often include the date, location, estimated cost and a general outline of the activity - however specific details have not yet been decided. We put out Warning Orders for any overnight activity to provide lots of notice so our cadets can save the date if they wish to attend, while allowing us to finalise details closer to the date. These are published on the Activity Forms Page. 

Joining Instructions: Know as JIs, this is the follow up document to the Warning Order, with full details of the activity. This is typically released closer to the activity than the Warning Order and will contain everything you need to know, such as the gear list and exact pick up and drop off details. JIs are generally emailed out to those whose application is accepted once applications close (we will also notify those who were not accepted  by email).

Activity Information: For non-overnight activities, rather than putting out a Warning Order and detailed Joining Instructions, we often just put out an Activity Information Slip. The document still contains all the information you need, but does not follow the (rather verbose) Joining Instructions format. Generally, one-day activities do not have a numbers restriction, so you can assume you are accepted unless told otherwise. You will still need to apply on CadetNet before a certain date, but you can generally assume that you will be accepted. Activity Information Slips are published on the Activity Forms Page.

CadetNet: This is a national online system developed and maintained by HQ NZCF to replace paper permission slips. As a unit we have very little control or input into this system. When you first sign up, all of your details are entered into CadetNet. In order to attend any activity (apart from a parade night), you must apply through CadetNet, your Next of Kin (NOK) will then receive an email which they must approve. Only then can the unit approve you to attend the activity.

Cadet: Any young person who has enrolled in cadets. Although this is the first rank in cadets and you will likely be promoted beyond cadet, we often use the term to include all youths involved in cadets whether or not they have been promoted.

NCO: This stands for Non-Commissioned Officer. NCOs are the youth leaders of Cadet Forces. You become an NCO once you are promoted to Corporal. Learn more about NCO ranks in the Cadet Handbook on the Resources Page.

Warrant Officer(W/O): The highest rank a Cadet can achieve. Each Unit can only have one Warrant Officer - they are the most senior cadet in the unit, and are directly responsible to the Unit Commander for running the unit operations.

Supplementary Staff Member(SSM): We use this term for any Adult (who is not still a Cadet - as you can stay a Cadet until age 19) involved in Cadets, but is not an Officer or Officer Cadet (someone in the process of becoming an Officer).

Officer: Or more specifically, a Commissioned Officer, this term refers to a member of staff who has passed the NZCF Commissioning Course, which qualifies them to take sole charge of cadets. Staff members who are not commissioned are not yet qualified to take sole charge of cadets. You can read more about the Commissioning Course and other Officer Courses here. The Officers do a lot of the paperwork and planning for parade nights and activities behind the scenes, but we try to leave us much of the running of the unit to the NCOs, including teaching lessons and running activities. This gives them hands-on leadership experience.

Unit: A group of Air, Army or Sea Cadets who parade together. A unit is made up of Cadets, NCOs and Officers. When you attend a weekly parade, everyone who attends makes up the "Unit". Most cadet activities you attend will be within your unit. Weekend activities are often combined with other local units. Each Unit is lead by a Unit Commander (see below).

Unit Support Committee(USC): The USC is similar to a school's board of trustees. They do not have direct involvement in the day-to-day running of the unit, but are responsible for managing the Unit's facilities and finances. USCs are vital for the efficient operation of a Unit - becoming a member of the USC is an excellent way for parents to contribute to the Unit. Members attend a monthly meeting to discuss USC business.

ATCANZ: Stands for Air Training Corps Association New Zealand. This is the national body and all Air Cadet Unit Support Committees are branches of ATCANZ. ATCANZ is a registered charity, which legitimises local Unit Support Committee operations.

Unit Commander(UCDR): Generally there are several Officers at each unit. The Unit Commander is the officer who has ultimate responsibility for the unit (apart from the facilities and finances which are managed by the Unit Support Committee). They are responsible for the running of the unit and delegate tasks to the rest of the Officer team to ensure the unit runs smoothly. If parents have any complaints or concerns they should bring them to the attention of the Unit Commander. If the Unit Support Committee is like a School's board of trustees, then the Unit Commander is like the School's Principal.

Squadron: The specific term for an Air Cadet Unit. All Squadrons are numbered, roughly based on how old they are, although many numbers are skipped as the Squadrons have closed down or merged. 

Corps: Cadet Forces is made up of three corps (pronounced "cores"): Air Cadets, Army Cadets, and Sea Cadets. You may also see their official names used: Air Training Corps (ATC), New Zealand Cadet Corps (NZCC), and Sea Cadet Corps (SCC). Each unit (and all Cadets and Officers) belongs to one of these three corps. The corps are modelled after their parent services: the Airforce, Army and Navy.

Tri-corps: Since 1971, Air, Army and Sea Cadets have all been part of the same organisation: New Zealand Cadet Forces. Therefore a lot of the activities involve cadets from all three corps and which are called tri-corps activities. Cadet Forces leadership is also tri-corps, meaning that Air, Army and Sea Cadets all report to the same leaders.

Area: Cadet Forces is also split into three geographical areas: Northern (north of Taupo), Central (south of Taupo), and Southern (all of the South Island). All units in an Area are administered by the Area Office (regardless of which corps they belong to). 2 Squadron is part of Central Area. Leadership courses are run at an area-level, so 2 Squadron cadets attending leadership courses will meet Air, Army and Sea Cadets from all over the lower North Island.

Training and Support Unit: Each Area has a Training and Support Unit (often called the Area Office or Area HQ) which administers all of the units in their area. 2 Squadron's Training and Support Unit is called the Central Area Cadet Forces Training and Support Unit (CACFTSU) - you may also hear them called the Central Area Office or Central Area HQ. To run any activity we must submit our risk management documentation to CACFTSU and get approval.

Area Coordinator: The full time NZDF Officer in charge of an Area, they have several Advisors and one Senior Advisor assisting them.

Advisor: Each area has one or two advisors for each corps (Air, Sea, Army). Advisors are full time NZDF personnel belonging to the appropriate service (i.e. Air Force personnel advise Air Cadet Squadrons). 2 Squadron's Advisor is, of course, enlisted in the Air Force. The advisor visits the unit approximately once a term to ensure everything is running smoothly. They must also give approval for all our activities before they go ahead.

Area Support Officer: In addition to the full time NZDF Advisors, the Area Coordinator also has several senior Cadet Force Officers (part-time volunteers with day jobs) reporting to them. Area Support Officers generally support 4 to 5 units that are geographically near. 2 Squadron's Area Support Officer supports the five Lower Hutt and Upper Hutt units. Area Support Officers also visit the unit once a term, and are available to provide support and advice to the Unit Staff. Area Support Officers hold a tri-corps position, meaning they may support Air, Army and Sea Cadet units (whereas Advisors focus on just one corps).

Commandant(CMDT): The Commandant is the full-time NZDF Officer in charge of the New Zealand Cadet Forces. The three Area Coordinators are directly responsible to them for the management and administration of their areas.

Executive Officer(XO): This is a military term for a Second-in-Charge. New Zealand Cadet Forces has an XO, as do most Units.

HQ Staff: There are a number of full-time and part-time volunteer staff members attached to National HQ. They all have codes to designate their role, starting with "S". For example, the S4 is responsible for National Logistics, including procurement of uniforms for all cadets.

Abbreviations

AC:  Area Commander

AC(S):  Area Commander(Southern)

ASO:  Area Support Officer

ASST COMDT:  Assistant Commandant 

ATC:  Air Training Corps

ATCANZ:  Air Training Corps Association of New Zealand

ATP:  Annual Training Plan (The plan for all Area and National courses for the year. Available to all cadets on CadetNet)

AWO  Area Warrant Officer

CA:  Chief of Army 

CAA:  Civil Aviation Authority

CAF:  Chief of Air Force 

CCANZ:  Cadet Corps Association of New Zealand

CDF:  Chief of Defence Force

CFM:  Cadet Forces Medal (a medal awarded to Officers for extended service to the NZCF)

CFO:  Cadet Force Orders (a document containing all NZCF rules and procedures. Available to all Cadets on CadetNet)

CN:  Chief of Navy 

CUCDR:  Cadet Unit Commander

COMDT:  Commandant New Zealand Cadet Forces

CO:  Commanding Officer

CFTSU:  Cadet Forces Training and Support Unit

DFO:  Defence Force Orders

DFTTs:  Dry Fire Test of Training (a test carried out before a cadet is allowed to fire a rifle)

DPTA:  Drill Purpose Training Aid (the wooden, green rifle cut-out)

FS:  Field Service (refers to the headdress “FS Cap”)

HQ NZCF:  Headquarters New Zealand Cadet Forces

HQ NZDF:  Headquarters New Zealand Defence Force

IACE:  International Air Cadet Exchange

JIs:  Joining Instructions

MSC:  Mountain Safety Council

NCO:  Non-Commissioned Officer

NZA:  New Zealand Army 

NZCC:  New Zealand Cadet Corps (Army Cadets)

NZCF:  New Zealand Cadet Forces

NZDF:  New Zealand Defence Force

OIC:  Officer in Charge

PF:  Personal Files

RF:  Regular Force

RNZAF:  Royal New Zealand Air Force

RNZN:  Royal New Zealand Navy

RCO:  Range Conducting Officer

SAA:  Senior Area Advisor

SCANZ:  Sea Cadet Association of New Zealand

SCC:  Sea Cadet Corps

USC:  Unit Support Committee

WOSA:  Warrant Officer Central Area

WOCF:  Warrant Officer Cadet Forces

WODF:  Warrant Officer Defence Force 

WONA:  Warrant Officer Northern Area

WOSA:  Warrant Officer Southern Area

XO:  Executive Officer