Courses for Cadets / Instructor Cadets (See Shooting Regulations in the ATC for eligibility criteria)

• No 8 Initial Weapons Training                                                                                                                 

This course assumes that a cadet knows nothing about weapons and  / or safe range procedures, and teaches them how the .22 inch Number 8 rifle works, how a range is run, the orders and commands they will have to react to, and the safe operating procedures for the Number 8 rifle.

Before any cadet can operate any weapon, they have to pass a 'Weapons Handling Test' or WHT, which remains current for a 12 month period - (however, any Range Conducting Officer or RCO can stipulate that a cadet - or member of staff - must retake their WHT on any weapon if there is any doubt over their skill level or ability to handle the weapon, at any time within the 12 month period) - at the end of the 12 month period the cadet must pass a WHT before firing the weapon again.

• L98A1 Cadet General Purpose Rifle Initial Weapons Training         

After meeting the eligibility criteria laid down in ACTI 42, cadets can apply to be trained on the 5.56mm L98 rifle which is a single shot, hand operated version of the 'infamous' SA80 rifle, the standard personal weapon of the UK Armed Forces. SA80 actually stands for 'Small Arms for the 80s', and the rifle is more correctly known as the L85 Individual Weapon. The L85 now comes in two versions - the L85A1 original version manufactured by Royal Ordnance and plagued with all sorts of reliability issues, and the L85A2 're-worked' version, re-engineered by Heckler and Koch to be more reliable and to inspire more confidence in the troops using it.

With the L98A1 cadets learn to fire at longer ranges, usually up to 600 metres, can gain RAF Marksman awards and can compete in Cadet Forces' Service Rifle competitions such as the Combined Inter-Service Skill at Arms Meeting  (CISSAM) at Pirbright.

The training course teaches the cadet how the weapon functions, how to strip it for cleaning, how to clean it, how to load / unload / make safe (change magazines), and the various stoppage drills (or immediate actions) required if the weapon jams. Finally, after passing the WHT, the cadet progresses to live fire the weapon, usually on a 25m range first.

• L81A2 Cadet Target Rifle Initial Weapons Training                                                        

After meeting the eligibility criteria laid down in ACTI 42 including the requirement to be an ATC marksman,  cadets can undertake training on the 7.62x51mm L81A2 Cadet Target Rifle. This is a Parker Hale rifle which is descended from the Parker Hale TX1200 and M82 rifles. Fitted with target sights, this rifle is used in the Inter Services Cadet Rifle Match (ISCRM) at Bisley at distances from 300 to 600 metres.

The training course includes unpacking, cleaning and setting up the rifle, use of the sling, and how to adjust the sights.

• Coaching Course (Instructor Cadets Only)

It is a requirement that all candidates for a Basic Range Management Course - Short Range (RMQ[C]SR) must have completed some training in coaching prior to attending the RMQ(C)SR course. Middlesex Wing run an NRA Coaching Course at the Cadet Skill At Arms Training Centre (CSAATC) at RAF Uxbridge, which Instructor Cadets are eligible to attend. Cadets over the age of 18 can qualify as NRA Club Instructors, which, after a years target rifle experience, can be 'upgraded' to an NRA Club Coach qualification.

• Weapons Instructor Course (Instructor Cadets Only)

All initial weapons training in the ATC,  irrespective of which weapon, has to be carried out by  a course-qualified Weapons Instructor. Instructor Cadets may attend courses run by 5SATT (L&SE Region), or run by MxSATT but undergo assessments by 5SATT staff, to gain the WI qualification.

• Range Management Course (Short Range)

CWOs over the age of 20 years can become qualified Range Conducting Officers (RCOs) qualified to conduct range practices at 25m with the .22 in rifle (No 8 or other approved .22 rifle).

Staff Cadets on Regional SATTs may, one year after qualifying as an RCO, be assessed to add the L98 weapon to their RAF Form 7257, but still at 25m only.