Shooting Regulations in the Air Training Corps

This section is not intended to detail the actual regulations, but to let you know where to look for the documents and pamphlets that detail the regulations under which Air Cadet shooting is carried out

• ACP20A Air Cadet Training Instructions
  •     ACTI 41 - Explains the regulations for  the Authorisation, Construction, and Inspection of Ground Ranges, which are covered by publication JS403.
  •     ACTI 42 - Covers the subject of Weapon Training and Conduct of Range Practices. This ACTI details the qualifications required by ACO personnel to conduct  Weapons Training and Shooting activities, and the regulations regarding annual re-authorisation and 4 yearly assessments for all RCOs.
  •     ACTI 43 - Details the regulations covering Shooting by Cadets and Staff and defines Fieldcraft and Military Skills. Also details the qualification criteria for marksmanship badges.
  •     ACTI 44 - Introduces the Council for Cadet Shooting
  •     ACTI 45 - Gives information on Air Rifle Competitions
  •     ACTI 46 - Gives information on Small Bore Competitions
  •     ACTI 47 - Gives information on Full Bore Competitions
  •     ACTI 48 - Details the regulations regarding the wearing of Marksmanship Badges (qualification criteria are contained within ACTI 43)
  •     ACTI 49 - Covers the operation of Air Cadet Regional Small Arms Training Teams (SATTs), details the Terms of Reference for OCs SATTs and other posts, and contains the application form required to join the local regional SATT.
  •     ACTI 50 - Covers the British Cadet Rifle Team - The Athelings.

   

• ACP18 Manual of Marksmanship. Issued by Headquarters Air Cadets, ACP18 is the document covering Air Cadet training in weapons handling and marksmanship skills. ACP18 will consist of four volumes, but only Vol 2 has been published thus far:-
  • Volume One -
  • Volume Two - The Basic Skills
  • Volume Three -
  • Volume Four -

   

• "PAM21". Pam21 is the Army-issued document which controls the planning, supervision and conduct of military shooting training by the UK Armed Forces. Pam21 also lays down the rules and regulations dictating the training and qualification of range staff for all regular and reserve forces. 

• Local Range Orders. Local range orders are published by each and every shooting range. Where particular local requirements vary from the provisions in Pam 21 (see above), local range orders take precedence.

• Note : WEAPONS HANDLING TESTS. Not only is it a requirement that all personnel are required to complete a training course and pass a weapons handling test on any weapon prior to operating* or firing it, but they must also be 'current' on the weapon each time it is operated or fired.
  • To demonstrate currency, all personnel must have passed  a Weapons Handling Test within the 12 month period prior to operating or firing it - on every weapon on which they are qualified.
  • For staff cadets and adult staff serving on regional SATT teams, and / or for all personnel operating  weapons systems such as the L85 Individual Weapon, the  L86 Light Support Weapon, or the L7 GPMG (General Purpose Machine Gun), this requirement is increased to passing a WHT every 6 months

          * Operating a weapon would include carrying and using a weapon on an exercise, which may or may not involve firing blank ammunition.