Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve ( Training Branch ) The Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve ( Training Branch ) , often abbreviated to RAFVR ( T ) is a voluntary element of the British Royal Air Force specifically appointed in a training role within the RAFVR . Members of the RAFVR ( T ) have no call - up liability and often operate part time on Air Experience Flight s , Volunteer Gliding Squadrons , or more commonly in the local structure of the Air Cadet Organisation - either the RAF Sections of the Combined Cadet Force ( CCF ) , or the Air Training Corps ( ATC ) . Recruitment and selection . Many RAFVR ( T ) Officers have previous military experience , commissioned , or other ranks service , and many have professional and educational qualifications , but unlike the requirements for joining the regular armed forces , applicants for RAFVR ( T ) positions are not required to have formal educational or other qualifications . It is also not uncommon to find RAFVR ( T ) staff hold commissions in the RAuxAF , RAFRO , or other services also . Many of the Pilots who man the AEF Flights are often retired regular service aircrew , some even at Air Commodore rank serving as supernumary Flying Officers RAFVR ( T ) ; adding much to the wealth and professional experience of the RAFVR ( T ) Unlike the formal O & ASC process for regular service , selection is based upon relevant experience , a 30 - minute Wing Board followed by another 30 - minute Regional Board chaired by a Group Captain serving in the RAFR in the capacity of ATC Regional Commandant and 2 Wing Executive Officers ( serving in the RAFR ) from the Region . Since October 2007 , all candidates that pass the interview Board are appointed as Officer Cadets until successful completion of the Officers ' Initial Course ( OIC ) at RAF Cranwell . As an Officer Cadet RAFVR ( T ) , they wear a completely white rank slide with gilt VRT insignia in the centre . This is accompanied by standard officers ' headdress with a white band ( for peaked cap ) or a white disc ( when worn with a beret ) until successful completion of their OIC . This is unlike other regular RAF Officer Cadets . Following completion of their OIC , a newly appointed Pilot Officer RAFVR ( T ) will then receive their rank slide . Since RAFVR ( T ) officers will generally be responsible for running either a CCF ( RAF ) section or an Air Training Corps squadron / detached flight , successful applicants are required to demonstrate qualities of commitment , motivation , extensive knowledge of the RAF and military / civil aviation , all underpinned by a willingness and aptitude to work with young people in an instructional environment . Many have educational or youth work experience and qualifications in specialist areas of outward bound youth work . Candidates for commissions in CCF ( RAF ) sections are initially selected by the head teacher , although HQAC ( Headquarters Air Cadets ) has the right to impose a veto . Other members of the RAFVR ( T ) serve as flying instructors on the Volunteer Gliding Squadrons or as pilots on Air Experience Flights - the latter are often former military pilots who have left the regular service and are commissioned into the RAFVR ( T ) on appointment to the AEF . Uniform . RAFVR ( T ) members wear the same uniform worn by regular Royal Air Force or active reserve Royal Auxiliary Air Force commissioned Officers , with the exception that gilt " VRT " insignia is worn on the lapels of formal dress uniforms and on top of the rank braid on the epaulettes and tabs of working dress uniforms . Thus the RAFVR ( T ) follows the traditional dress regulation of the senior air force formation , the RAuxAF , by the placing of its gilt collar lapel " VRT " badges in the position occupied by the " A " badges that are still worn by RAuxAF Officers when in No . 1 dress uniform . RAFVR ( T ) Officers are required to still wear gilt VRT badges on top of rank braid when wearing No . 2 dress uniform ( or other working dress ) at all times . However , when there is a FOD ( Foreign Object Damage ) risk the entire rank badge may be removed . By contrast , RAuxAF Officers now do not wear their " A " badges on working dress uniform at any time , in response to the expanded use of the active reserves on routine operations and support duties within the regular service . Training . All RAFVR ( T ) officers are required to attend and pass the Officers ' Initial Course ( OIC ) held at the Adult Training Facility ( ATF ) , a lodger unit at RAF Cranwell in Lincolnshire , usually within the first 12 months of their appointment . This week - long course covers the basic roles and responsibilities of an RAFVR ( T ) Officer and very few fail . Those successfully completing the course are awarded their commissioning parchment and are confirmed as a commissioned officer ( although under the current system , all VR ( T ) Officers are commissioned from the day that they pass their interview , and the commissioning scroll is dated to that day ) and are treated similarly to regular Officers . Another 1 - week course at the ATF , the Officers Senior Course , is required for those seeking to command a squadron . RAFVR ( T ) officers involved in CCF or ATC Units may undertake extra training before becoming appointed as an Officer Commanding of their Unit , although this training is not compulsory for Officers associated with the CCF . Some also take specialist training for certain activities : physical training ( PT ) or shooting for example . Although the Air Cadet Organisation has officers with ranks above that of Wing Commander , these ranks are held by members of the RAFR or Regular RAF . The RAFVR ( T ) currently consists only of commissioned officers . All RAFVR ( T ) Officers hold a maximum substantive rank of Flying Officer , all other RAFVR ( T ) ranks above that of Flying Officer are acting ( either paid or unpaid ) ranks .