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Post by Dave Homewood on Sept 20, 2017 23:13:30 GMT 12
GSTS was based at Woodbourne when I joined in 1989 and there was no such thing as an Airman Cadet School by then.
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Post by tbf25o4 on Sept 21, 2017 13:52:35 GMT 12
Boy Entrants were normally of age 16 1/2 when entering the RNZAF and spent one full year at Woodbourne at the Boy Entrant School where they learned military discipline
weapon training and some initial trade skills either at 4 TTS or within the school itself i.e Telegraphists, Suppliers, Admin etc.
They were distinguished from other recruits by the wearing of the Boy Entrant metal wheel on the right sleeve of their uniforms.
From memory the Boy Entrant scheme ran from the early 1950s until the last one (that I was on Course 21 in 1964) after that it became Airman Cadet School and the entry age
was raised to 17
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Post by xbaggy on Sept 21, 2017 19:10:45 GMT 12
Boy Entrants were normally of age 16 1/2 when entering the RNZAF and spent one full year at Woodbourne at the Boy Entrant School where they learned military discipline weapon training and some initial trade skills either at 4 TTS or within the school itself i.e Telegraphists, Suppliers, Admin etc. They were distinguished from other recruits by the wearing of the Boy Entrant metal wheel on the right sleeve of their uniforms. From memory the Boy Entrant scheme ran from the early 1950s until the last one (that I was on Course 21 in 1964) after that it became Airman Cadet School and the entry age was raised to 17 |
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Post by camtech on Sept 21, 2017 19:12:00 GMT 12
As a member of No 1 ACS or No 22 Course, many of our entry were 16 on joining - me being one of them. So I assume it was the following year that the age changed.
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Post by camtech on Sept 21, 2017 19:12:37 GMT 12
As a member of No 1 ACS or No 22 Course, many of our entry were 16 on joining - me being one of them. So I assume it was the following year that the age changed.
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Post by xbaggy on Sept 21, 2017 19:24:07 GMT 12
When I joined in 1966 the criterea was between 16-17 1/2. I was on 23 Airman Cadet School course and we we were sworn in on Monday 10 Jan 1966. However I did not turn 16 until Friday 14, 4 days later, so was 15 when I joined. I think the rules were stretched for me because of my ATC service and attending training camps at Wigram.
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ger
Leading Aircraftman
Posts: 7 
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Post by ger on Sept 21, 2017 21:20:17 GMT 12
Well, I was 16 and one month when I signed on at Woodbourne on 15th Jan 1975. There was a bloke who was still 15. After completing basic engineering I was shipped off to begin RM29 at 2TTS in September 1975. This was as I recall somewhat unusual. However, in December I was back at Woodbourne for the obligatory session at Dip Flat (where I re-aquainted myself with the "Ring Buster") and the final parade.
While at Wigram as a cadet I remember thinking that I was some kind of alternative species. It was probably a good thing... As I recall there were only three of us (out of five who started) mixing with a few "Adult Entrants" on course who I later did my senior trade course with in 1978/79. When I continued my Mech's course in January '76 I had somehow miraculously evolved into some normal kind of species - it was amazing what a month can do to change one's status!
Looking back now I feel I was really a child, off in the Big Wide World of the Air Force, and perhaps it was a bad idea. But also perhaps not. But I should have been at school! However, my experiences while at "Sprog School" set me up for life and I have been able to pass the same skills and values on to my own children, who have been highly successful in their own endeavours.
As I said in my initial post, I haven't thought much at all about what happened to the Airman Cadet program - formally I suppose "Boy Entrants". I visited Blenheim April last year and think I saw my barrack block still standing - I was quite surprised given that they were I think of WWII vintage. I was never posted to Woodbourne while I was serving so I lost touch.
Society has changed in the last 40+ years. I am not sure if an "Airman Cadet" scheme would work now, however I think people still send their children to boarding schools (I'm not sure if that's a good idea either). Whatever, I survived and by in large I remember my time as an Airman Cadet with some fondness. I still have close to me (in Canberra) my best friend who joined up with me but who sadly today has had to have his prostate ripped out. So I suppose that, and the danger he is facing, has triggered a feeling of nostalgia for those days and a realisation that I - along with those who preceded me - am getting old!
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Post by isc on Sept 21, 2017 23:03:57 GMT 12
As I said back in 2014 the "boys" of 21 course BE had a great 50th reunion, the thing that ?shocked me and some others was the number of staff on station. In 1964 800, fifty years on 80. I suppose there must be quite a group these days of civvy contractors doing non military stuff. When you tour the BOYS School things look little changed until you go inside the barrack blocks, no row of beds down each side now, everyone has their own sleeping area.
Thought the camo gear the recruits were getting round in looked scruffy compared to the Khaki/bluegrey of the old uniform.{Maybe it's just me} isc (Ian Clark A Flt)
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