The Standard Operation Procedures of 226 Squadron. This is used as part of the Brighton Air Cadets NCO Training. NCO's must explain the SOP's in pairs. Usually ends up being fun, especially embarking/disembarking transport.

1. 226 (Brighton)
Squadron
Standard Operating
Procedures
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2. Arrival
Cadets – No later than 1915Hrs
1. On arrival you should remove any civilian items of clothing, bags etc. These are
to be stored on the hooks in the hall. Items should be stored neatly (one hook
per cadet).
2. You are to ensure your uniform is being worn correctly. This includes berets
being worn as soon as on site, ready for muster parade.
3. At 1915Hrs, you are to form a straight line opposite the ensign (summer) or at
the rear of the parade hall (winter) and wait to be formed up.
4. You are permitted to talk but must be looking smart and be ready to form up
immediately.
NB. If you who arrive before the squadron is open, you should wait off the road
in a safe place.
If you arrive before 1915Hrs and the building is open you should wait in
the parade hall until 1915Hrs.
NCO’s – No later than 1910Hrs
1. When you arrive on the squadron you must check the daily occurrence book to
see if an NCO has signed on for that parade evening. If they have not you must
sign on straight away.
2. You must then check your uniform is being worn correctly (as above).
3. If you are not the duty NCO then you are to liaise with them to find out what is
going on that evening.
4. If you cannot assist the duty NCO then you are to form up the cadets for the
register to be taken and evenings brief given.
NB. The Duty NCO can be changed when the appointed NCO arrives on the
squadron.
Assembly for Lessons
• You are to ensure that they bring the correct equipment to each lesson. Failure
to do so may result in extra duties – ask the duty NCO how each room should be
set up.
• You must make sure you are not late for any lessons. If given a time for a
lesson, be there five minutes before if possible so teaching can proceed.
NB. Equipment - pocket notepad, pen, pencil, etc. Any special equipment
needed, you will be informed of before.
Inside
1. If you have been told how the room should be set up make sure that it is correct
as soon as possible.
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3. 2. You are to be seated, filled up from the front waiting for the lesson to begin
once everything else is sorted.
3. When the instructor arrives, regardless of their rank, the most senior cadet is to
bring the room to attention and pay any necessary compliments.
Outside
1. Set anything up that you have been asked to by the instructor/duty NCO.
2. An NCO will then form you up in a squad opposite the ensign.
3. When the instructor arrives, regardless of their rank, the NCO should bring the
squad to attention.
Drill
1. You are to assemble towards the rear of the TA Centre (summer) or the rear of
the parade hall (winter) in an open square. If there are less than six cadets
should assemble in a straight line.
2. When the instructor arrives the most senior cadet should bring everyone to
attention.
NB. Less experienced cadets should be on the side opposite the instructor.
Sport
1. An NCO will then form you up in a squad opposite the ensign.
2. When the instructor arrives, regardless of their rank, the NCO should bring the
squad to attention.
NB. If any NCO’s are present before the instructor then they should take charge
of the squad (Excluding ‘Inside Lessons’).
Forming Up
- NCO’s
1. The cadets should be in straight line as SOP.
2. The tallest uniformed cadet should be selected as the right marker. You must
tell them this.
3. On the command ‘Right Marker’ the right marker is to march out and halt two
paces in front of the instructor.
4. The instructor should continue to form the squad up as set out in ACP19.
NB. Only NCO’s should form a squad up, unless a cadet is being supervised by
a SNCO. Also think about where you position yourself when forming up a
squad.
Compliments
• Compliments should be given to Officer’s, SNCO’s (including cadets) and any
other member of staff.
• If anyone of the above description enters a room then the room should be
immediately brought to attention, by the first person to notice.
Officers
1. At the start of the parade evening if you see an officer then you should salute
them.
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4. 2. You should then salute the officer at the end of the evening if you see them and
they were not the officer on final parade.
NB. This is only applicable in corridors or generally around the squadron. It
does not apply if you are going to speak to the officer or them to you – refer to
entering admin/CO’s office.
Drill – Static
1. The squad should be brought to attention by the NCO i/c.
2. The NCO i/c should turn about so that they are facing the same direction as the
squad and stand to attention. Unless the person to be complimented goes
behind the squad.
3. What you do next depends on who they are:
- If it is an officer walking past you should salute in good time. If they have come to
address the squad you should wait until they are in front of you before you salute
them. They should then tell you what to do.
- If it is not an officer, no salute is necessary. Keep the squad at attention until they
have either walked past or given you instructions.
4. If you were addressed then you should again pay them compliments as they
leave. Bring to attention and salute if necessary.
Drill – Marching
1. If an officer passes on your left or right then the NCO i/c senior cadet should
call the appropriate eyes left/right should be called.
2. The NCO i/c should be the only one to salute, at the appropriate point of
passing the officer.
3. Once passed the officer you should eyes front and continue.
Ensign
• The ensign is to be raised on first parade in daylight hours only.
• It is to be taken down ten minutes prior to sunset or on final parade.
• It is to be stored in the lobby, on the top open shelf of the cabinet.
Raising
1. Once the squad is formed up for first parade, they should be centred on the
ensign.
2. The NCO should bring the squad to attention and about turn so that they are
facing the ensign.
3. When a short blow on the whistle is made the NCO should salute.
4. When the ensign reaches the top, two short blasts on the whistle will be made.
On the second, the NCO is to finish the salute.
5. They can then about turn and continue with the parade.
Lowering
1. Position the squad in the same position as you would when raising.
2. The most senior person will bring everyone to attention and about turn to face
the ensign.
3. The first whistle will sound and the commander will salute.
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5. 4. When the ensign is fully lowered, two short blasts on the whistle will be made.
On the second, the commander is to finish the salute.
5. They can then about turn and continue with the parade.
NB. The ensign should be lowered as SOP’s should it start raining or other
poor weather conditions.
It is to be done by the OC on final parade.
Admin/CO’s office
Entering
1. Knock on the door and wait for a response.
2. Once you have been given permission to enter, if the door was closed then you
should close it behind you and then salute.
3. You may then enter the room and carry out your business.
Exiting
1. When you exit either room you must salute.
Transport
• Any vehicles that we use for transport are to be clean and tidy both before
and after the journey.
Embarking
1. You are to form a straight line in a safe place, carrying any luggage you will be
taking on the vehicle
2. Items that are too large to be conveniently stored around where you are sitting
(on laps, underneath the seat or in over head storage) will be stored in the
correct place if available.
3. With the drivers permission you are to start filling from the back, not leaving any
seat free.
NB. When large items are being placed in storage through the side door an
NCO should supervise.
Disembarking
1. You should leave the vehicle from the front, taking everything you took on
(unless told otherwise). This includes any rubbish.
2. What you do next depends if you have more luggage on the vehicle:
-If you have no luggage you should form straight up into a squad.
-If you have more luggage to collect from the vehicle you should form a straight
line ready to receive an item of luggage. You should then join the squad. This
should again be under the supervision of an NCO.
3. Once everyone has got their luggage from the coach you should carry on with
whatever is to happen next.
NB. Do not try to swap any items until you are out the way. This will save a lot
of time and confusion.
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6. Cleaning
• If more than one of you is cleaning then you can move straight on to the
next point.
• You should not assume what you have done is good enough, ensure the
duty NCO checks what you have done.
Parade Hall and Lobby
1. Ensure that the area is cleared of any items that are not kept there.
2. It should first be dusted (this includes all surfaces).
3. If there are windows they must now be cleaned.
4. You must then sweep the floor; collect and bin.
5. Ensure all the bins have been emptied.
Lecture Rooms
1. Ensure that the area is cleared of any items not kept there and they are put away
tidily.
2. You should then move all tables and chairs neatly to one side.
3. It should first be dusted (this includes all surfaces).
4. Windows must now be cleaned.
5. Then sweep the floor; collect and bin anything that accumulates.
6. Ensure all bins have been emptied.
7. The lecture room should then be set up as ordered.
Canteen
1. The canteen must first be cleared of any mess.
2. You are to then ensure all mugs have been washed up and are drying.
3. The windows must now be cleaned.
4. Wipe down and clean all surfaces.
5. Then sweep the floor; collect and bin anything that accumulates.
6. Ensure all bins have been emptied.
Toilets
1. The toilets must first be cleared of any mess.
2. They are then to be dusted.
3. You must then clean the toilet properly using toilet cleaner.
4. Then sweep the floor; collect and bin anything that accumulates.
5. Ensure all bins are emptied.
6. Check there is sufficient paper towels and toilet roll.
Admin Office/CO’s Office
1. All mugs are to be collected along with any other things such as the French
press etc.
2. Ensure all bins have been emptied.
The following cleaning duties are to be carried out fortnightly, as ordered by
the duty NCO.
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7. Admin Office/CO’s Office
1. Along with the other nightly duties, you must sweep the floor; collect and bin
anything that accumulates.
Outside
1. You are to do a walk around the squadron building, collecting any rubbish found
on the way.
The following duties are to be carried out monthly.
Stores
1. You are to first ensure that they are tidy.
2. Once tidied they are to be dusted and swept.
Inspection
• Before any inspection you must ensure that everything is in order and
correct.
Uniform
1. Perform a buddy-buddy check before coming onto parade.
2. The NCO in charge should form up the squad (forming up) in open order.
3. The squad should then be open ordered and stood at ease.
4. The NCI is to wait for the people inspecting to arrive, bring the squad to
attention and then carry on with an inspection – ACP 19
NB. NCO’s – If the persons inspecting tells you to do something which you
would not normally do, do it.
Equipment
1. You are to get into a straight line, two if necessary, in the main hall.
2. You should then lay out all items of equipment. These should be in easily
identifiable groups.
3. The NCO in charge will then go through the items on a kit list. As each item is
called raise it in the air or point it out to anybody checking until they have
acknowledged it.
4. Once the NCO in charge is happy everyone has sufficient kit they will tell you to
pack up.
NB. When you pack up ensure you do it properly. You may not be getting the
kit out until you are on exercise.
Final Parade and Dispersal
Final Parade
1. The duty NCO is to form up (forming up) the squadron.
2. This will be taken over by a SNCO.
3. The squadron will then be stood at ease, whilst waiting for a member of staff.
4. When a member of staff enters the squadron is to be brought to attention. The
NCO in charge should pay any necessary compliments.
5. They will then take post at the rear of the squadron.
6. When the parade is over a number of things can happen:
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8. -If an instructor takes control of the squadron then you will be dismissed with
the rest of the squadron.
-If you are the most senior on the final parade, you are to fall out and march to
the front and stop in front of the person currently taking the parade.
7. You are to pay any necessary compliments.
8. You will then be told to dismiss the squadron, about turn and say the command
‘Officer on parade, dismiss’ if there is an officer. If it is not an officer just say
‘dismiss’.
9. Then about turn and pay any necessary compliments as the squadron falls out.
NB. The fall out is a right incline, followed by four full paces marching. You do
not need to halt.
Dispersal
• Once you have fallen out, you are to leave via the fire exit leading straight
outside. If you have a jacket to collect you are to collect it then go back into the
parade hall.
• If you need to go to the Admin Office or CO’s Office leave via the fire exit and go
around the building and enter through the front entrance.
• Wait in the parade hall to be collected.
NB. Only people who need to go to one of the offices should be in the lobby
after being dismissed.
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