New Zealand Cadet Forces

The New Zealand Cadet Forces is a voluntary youth leadership training organisation that is in active partnership with the community and the New Zealand Defence Force. It is built on the principles of respect, integrity, loyalty, discipline... and is for teens from the age of 13 to 18 with an older support base of volunteer officers.

It consists of the Sea Cadet Corps, the New Zealand Cadet Corps, and the Air Training Corps... each to represent the Royal New Zealand Navy, the New Zealand Army, and the Royal New Zealand Airforce. Each corps has its own military flavour that comes from the respective arm of the Defence Force. No.17 (City of Christchurch) Squadron is part of the Air Training Corps, and has the 'New Zealand Air Force' flavour in all its activities and exercises.

No.17 (City of Christchurch) Squadron

No.17 (City of Christchurch) Squadron is one of the largest and oldest Air Training Corps units that exists, as it was formed in 1941 during World War II under the command of Plt Officer M. Keys. Since then, it has kept the highest standards of discipline and has won the National Efficiency Trophy six out of the last seven years.

It was also the inaugural recipient of the Chief of Air Force Unit Commendation from Air Vice Marshall G. Lintott in 2007 out of all units in both the Royal New Zealand Air Force and the Air Training Corps. Last year 17 SQN won the Davy Memorial Drill Competition, and has recently won the Southern Area Efficiency Trophy again.

No.17 (City of Christchurch) Squadron parades each week on Thursday night out at Wigram Airfield by the Air Force Museum from 1830 to 2115, 6:30 pm to 9:15 pm. Feel free to turn up if you want to join the New Zealand Cadet Forces... or even if you just want have a look at what we do and how our unit operates. Our training program includes:

     Aviation Studies                                                                                                                   Bushcraft Skills

     Citizenship Skills                                                                                                             Dress and Bearing

     Drill and Discipline                                                                                                           Firearms Training

     First Aid Skills                                                                                                  General Service Knowledge

     Instructional Techniques                                                                                              Leadership Training

     Navigation Skills                                                                                                              Radio Procedures

Included in the training outline above are numerous weekend camps and exercises which are an opportunity for the cadets to 'get out of the house' and take part in practical, leadership, and outdoor activities. It is an invaluable experience for many teens starting high school as it teaches them discipline, time management skills, and above all a confidence in themselves and their own abilities.