New Zealand Air Training Corps
| New Zealand Air Training Corps | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1941 - present |
| Country |
 New Zealand
|
| Allegiance | HM The Queen |
| Branch | New Zealand Cadet Forces |
| Type | Volunteer Youth Organisation |
| Motto(s) | We Train to Serve |
| Commanders | |
| Chief of Defence Force | Lieutenant General Tim Keating |
| Commandant of the NZCF | Lieutenant Colonel Grant Morris, RNZALC |
The Air Training Corps or ATC is one of the three corps in the New Zealand Cadet Forces, the other two being the New Zealand Cadet Corps and Sea Cadet Corps. It is funded in partnership between the RNZAF and communities, and its members are civilians. Members have no obligation to head into the regular force, however some do choose to join New Zealand Defence Force. Unlike the United States Civil Air Patrol, service as an ATC cadet does not translate into higher pay, rank, or seniority in the NZDF.
The Air Training Corps was formed in September 1941, at a time when New Zealand was considered to be at risk from Japanese invasion and the British were not in a position to help. Its purpose was to train potential airmen in basic airmanship and provide an insight into Air Force work to prepare young men for the RNZAF when they became of age.
Compulsory Military Training (CMT) was reintroduced for all males of 18 years of age in 1951. The rate of growth in the cadet movement from 1948 to 1960 eventually proved counter-productive in the 1960s, as the Army could not effectively support the numbers while meeting their own commitments.
Compulsory Military Training was abolished again in 1958 and replaced by the ballot system of conscripted service for randomly selected 20-year-old males, which operated between 1960 and 1970. By 1964 the Cadet Forces reached a peak strength of 198 units, with 1000 officers and about 56,000 cadets.
Reorganisation saw many schools cease cadet support and by 1970 Sea Cadet and Air Training Corps (ATC) units had decreased to 55 units with 3,200 cadets.
In 1970 the government announced the decision to cease funding Cadets from the Defence budget. After community representation, the 1971 Defence Act established the New Zealand Cadet Forces as a volunteer organisation, for which the Minister of Defence was responsible. Open units were required to be initiated and funded by the community and the Chief of Defence Force was authorised to “direct and supervise” the Cadet Forces and provide military support which was initially confirmed as uniforms, training and some equipment at a cost of no greater than $400,000.
Centralised supervision was established by the Chief of Defence Force of all three Corps and a Commandant appointed with Regular Force Defence personnel, under the control of the Commandant, provided at 5 locations around New Zealand to support units. Cadet Forces Officers were appointed by the Minister of Defence with Cadet Forces commissions, on a voluntary, unpaid basis with authority to wear military uniform and rank.
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Wikipedia