Ranks of The AAFC - Rank Establishments

Rank Establishments

The AAFC has specific rank establishments depending on the strength of a squadron. This is to ensure a balance between leadership roles and subordinates members (especially to prevent a top-heavy squadron developing). As an exaggerated example, it would not be beneficial for a squadron of 40 cadets to have 39 CUOs and 1 CDT, nor would it be beneficial for it to have 20 CWOFFs, 10 CFSGTs and 10 CSGTs. Rather, that squadron ought to have 2 CUOs, 2 CWOFFs, 1 CFSGT, 3 CSGTs, 5 CCPLs and around 30 LCDTs/CDTs. The general standard is 1-4 NCOs and CUOs.

The following table outlines cadet establishments for AAFC squadrons:

• Squadrons cannot exceed the establishment of CUO and CWOFF positions, positions for CUOs do not trickle down to CWOFF positions if there are vacancies in CUO positions.
• The rank establishment system has a trickle-down effect. This means that, for example, a squadron with no CUOs/CWOFFs can assign those positions to subordinate personnel, so long as the total number does not exceed the normal number plus the vacant senior positions. There is no cascade-up effect and CUO positions do not trickle down to allow for more CWOFFs, but do trickle down to allow for more CFSGT positions.
• This means that vacant CCPL positions remain that way at all times, and, for example, a squadron with establishment for 75 cadets that has only 3 CSGTs could not assign those positions to CUO/CWOFF/CFSGT rank but could assign them to allow for more CCPLs.