This is the motto for the Air Training Corps (ATC), as it used to be the original training ground for young men in the 1940's to prepare them for service, and for duty in WWII.
The emphasis has moved away from the original purpose, ATC is now more broadly used to act as a disciplined youth organisation, for boys and girls of about 12-18years. ATC was formed on February 13, 1941 for training young men for active service. Now it is used as a training ground of young men and women, teaching them skills in leadership, discipline, aviation, bushcraft, first aid, communication and writing skills, the Duke of Edinburgh Award, drill and the modern New Zealand Defence Force.
A large amount of cadets do infact head for the services on completion of their ATC careers, not just to the RNZAF but also to the RNZN, and the NZ Army. The skills the cadets learn are in relation to their sworn statement to which they abide by, this statement is the Aims of the New Zealand Cadet Forces, which are:
To provide a challenging and disciplined training activity which will be useful both in the services and in civil life.
To promote an awareness and appreciation of the services and the role they play in the community.
To foster the spirit of adventure and team work and develop those qualities of mind and body which go to making good citizens and leaders.
Ok enough of the official stuff. I joined ATC in 1989, and am still there, currently a Flying Officer with No. 31 (Morrinsville) Sqn. I first started in Gisborne, No. 14 Sqn. I have met many people in my time with ATC and still see a lot of them. The kind of experiences you have in ATC are such that it leaves quite an impression on you, the kind that stay with you for a long time. I've been on quite a lot of courses as student and staff. They are a real challenge and demand a lot from you, but are a heap of fun and you learn a lot.
I originally joined to improve my chances to get into the Airforce, but as time went on, I came to really like it. It is difficult to explain to someone that hasn't been in ATC. Like something you really like doing. ATC is good if you are interested in the RNZAF, NZArmy, or RNZN, but we also look at other areas such as Police, Fire Service etc... Check out the pictures below for some fun activities that have been done through ATC. They are not too bad at all! They are activities that we do, but not all the time. We like to do different things to keep it interesting. If you happen to be interested in finding out more about ATC, check your telephone book under Air Training Corps. Recruiting usually happens during November and at the beginning of the year up until the end of March.
Check out the links below.
[..Royal New Zealand AirForce..] [..Royal New Zealand Navy..] [..New Zealand Army..]
Other areas of interest: dawsjj@hotmail.com