How to Join Us

The Air Cadet Organisation is open to all young people who are aged 12 and in Year 8 at school and up to the age of 17. Once you become a cadet you can stay as a member until you are 20 years old. Joining 224 (Hexham) Squadron is easy, just come down to the Squadron HQ on a parade night, preferably around 19:00 for a chat with a member of staff and feel free to bring a parent with you, or come with a friend.

On your first night you will be shown around the TA Centre by one of the cadets, to give you an idea of where everything is. You will sit down with a member of staff to fill in a basic details form, so we know who you are, and have an informal chat about the organisation, the Squadron and what you can expect of us. Usually this is with the CO, who will talk about what we will expect of you too! You will be given a set of forms to take home as we need parental permission for you to join and, if you bring a parent with you, the CO will explain the paperwork to them. You’ll also get a booklet about the Squadron and a copy of ‘Air Cadet’ magazine to take away.

Depending on the programme for that night, you will usually be invited to stay and join in. We try and get new cadets involved in everything as soon as we can, so that you can get to know the rest of the cadets and feel more like part of the group. If you can’t stay that night, you will be asked to come back (with your paperwork completed) on the next parade night and we’ll take it from there! You don’t need to buy any kit upfront, and we won’t take any subs from you until you’re settled so why don’t you give it a try?