Join Today Made with Xara Well, why not? First and foremost, Harpenden Air Cadets is where young people meet regularly. In that regard it is not unlike the Girl Guides, the local football club or indeed hanging around in groups outside the local newsagents or chip shop. But there we leave the similarities behind; we are a disciplined and structured youth organisation, with goals and serious values. The RAF gives a lot of financial support to the Air Cadets in recognition of the fact that more than half of its aircrew were air cadets. The structured training and personal development that local cadet squadrons provide coincides with a marked reduction in the failure and dropout rates of aircrew candidates who are former air cadets. Given the astronomical cost of training air personnel, the RAF takes a serious interest in our well being. Most cadets have no interest whatsoever in joining the RAF. Many are keeping their options open. Others just enjoy gaining nationally recognised qualifications, accredited training and generally enjoying themselves with new friends, twice a week. Ten Reasons to Join The Air Cadets at Harpenden: 1. Learn to fly for free in RAF aircraft. See the world from 5000 ft up. 2. Get your Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Employers will love it. 3. Experience life on a busy military base, sampling various jobs. 4. Make lots of new friends all over the country. And in Harpenden! 5. Get a BTEC Award in Aviation Studies. Help your CV out. 6. Get quality leadership training. Explore your potential! 7. Gain self discipline and personal organisation skills. Go 4x4 in life! 8. Compete with our sports teams against other Squadrons. Stay fit! 9. Learn outdoor living and survival skills. Connect with mother nature! 10. Take an ATC course in an amazing choice of activities.   Why join the air cadets? Download or view the latest 795 Training Programme here   Become a Leader. Be a CDT NCO. There is no greater recognition for your personal development than the award of your first NCO rank. It is not a decision taken lightly by the Sqn Staff, and individuals are chosen almost exclusively on merit and capabities. It is not easy organising a busy squadron, and as an NCO you are 100% in the thick of it!