Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve

The Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (RAFVR) is a United Kingdom military reserve organisation created in 1936 to provide the Royal Air Force (RAF) with an additional pool of trained personnel, particularly aircrew, in the event of war or other national emergencies. It was conceived as a supplement to the Royal Auxiliary Air Force, which was the RAF's established active reserve. Unlike the locally organised Auxiliary Air Force, the RAFVR initially recruited civilians through a network of reserve flying schools and other training institutions. In its original form, the organisation was principally an aircrew-entry and training system. Young civilian men, normally between 18 and 25, could volunteer for part-time preparation as pilots, observers or wireless operators. Civilian contractors operated the reserve flying schools, while many instructors had previous RAF or maritime experience. After attestation into the RAFVR, recruits generally returned to civilian employment until called for further military training. The arrangement allowed the RAF to expand its trained manpower without maintaining all volunteers on continuous service. The Second World War transformed the RAFVR. When war began in September 1939, it included thousands of pilots, observers and wireless operators, and the Air Ministry used it as the principal route into RAF aircrew service. Personnel called up under wartime legislation served as RAFVR members, whether commissioned officers or other ranks. By the end of 1941, RAFVR personnel represented more than half of Bomber Command's aircrew, and by the later war years the overwhelming majority of aircrew serving in the command were formally members of the reserve. The wartime organisation therefore became far more than a supplementary reserve: it was a central mechanism through which the RAF expanded to wartime scale. The RAFVR was reconstituted after the war in 1947 and remained associated with personnel who retained service obligations. Its size and importance reached a post-war high around the end of the 1950s. The end of conscription in 1962–63, followed by the RAF's increasing professionalisation, sharply reduced the need for a large war-appointable volunteer reserve. Many of its former functions were progressively transferred to or absorbed by the Royal Auxiliary Air Force. In 1997, the remaining war-appointable RAFVR specialist support flights were absorbed into the RAuxAF. The RAFVR nevertheless continued through specialist and educational branches. Its present or recent roles have included the University Air Squadrons, the Defence Technical Undergraduate Scheme, and elements connected with Volunteer Gliding Squadrons and Air Experience Flights supporting the Royal Air Force Air Cadets. These activities combine military orientation, leadership development, aviation exposure, technical education and preparation for possible service careers. Members of the university and technical schemes may receive published daily rates of pay and reservist bounty or proficiency payments when they satisfy attendance, fitness, military-skills and training requirements. The organisation has also had a long association with the RAF Air Cadets, including the Air Training Corps and Combined Cadet Force. RAFVR personnel historically provided command, administration, instruction and flying support for cadet units, gliding squadrons and air-experience flights. In 2017, the Air Force Board decided to remove RAFVR (Training Branch) ranks within the RAF Air Cadets to support the introduction of the Cadet Forces Commission across Ministry of Defence-sponsored cadet organisations. The RAFVR identity continues primarily through its university, technical and other designated reserve-support functions rather than as the mass wartime aircrew reserve originally established in the 1930s.

The Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve was formed in July 1936 as an additional source of manpower for the RAF. Its original purpose was to supplement the Royal Auxiliary Air Force by maintaining a non-active pool of civilian volunteers who could be trained and called upon if war occurred. Recruitment was conducted through local reserve flying schools operated by civilian contractors. Flying instructors were often former RAF personnel serving in the Reserve of Air Force Officers, while navigation instruction could be provided by experienced former merchant or naval mariners. Early candidates were generally men aged 18 to 25 who entered part-time training as pilots, observers or wireless operators. After accepting the terms of service and taking the required oath, a volunteer became a member of the RAFVR. Individuals ordinarily continued their civilian occupations for a period before being called forward for formal service training. The organisation also developed an informal connection with the Air Cadet Organisation during the 1930s, with RAFVR personnel helping to organise and deliver cadet instruction. The outbreak of the Second World War radically expanded the RAFVR's role. In September 1939, its recorded strength included 6,646 pilots, 1,625 observers and 1,946 wireless operators. Wartime mobilisation legislation meant that RAF personnel entering air service through this route served as members of the RAFVR. As the RAF expanded, the reserve became the principal source of trained aircrew. By the end of 1941, RAFVR members constituted more than half of Bomber Command's aircrew, and by the later war period they represented the great majority of aircrew serving there. Many experienced non-commissioned aircrew were commissioned, while regular RAF and former auxiliary personnel filled command positions. The scale of wartime dependence made the RAFVR an essential part of the RAF's operational expansion. In 1943, the Air Ministry ordered the removal of VR insignia from the uniforms of RAFVR officers and other ranks. The change reflected the increasingly integrated character of the wartime force and a desire to avoid distinctions that could be seen as divisive. The Royal Auxiliary Air Force retained its own A insignia at that stage. The RAFVR was reconstituted in 1947. It continued to provide a reserve framework for people who retained obligations under post-war legislation, and its numbers and activity grew to a peak around the end of the 1950s. The end of conscription in 1962–63 changed the organisation's strategic purpose. As the RAF moved toward a professional force, the large war-appointable reserve was reduced, with many functions transferred to the Royal Auxiliary Air Force. Remaining specialist support flights were absorbed into the RAuxAF in 1997. The RAFVR survived through more specialised roles. The Training Branch, University Air Squadrons and later the Defence Technical Undergraduate Scheme retained the RAFVR designation. University Air Squadron members, including officer cadets and acting pilot officers, undertook military and leadership development alongside university study. The technical undergraduate scheme linked RAF sponsorship with science and engineering education, physical training, adventure training and attachments to RAF units in the United Kingdom and overseas. The scheme was subsequently subject to a planned wind-down associated with the closure of Welbeck Defence Sixth Form College. RAFVR personnel also supported the RAF Air Cadets through command and administration, including roles with the Air Training Corps, Combined Cadet Force, Volunteer Gliding Squadrons and Air Experience Flights. In December 2017, the Air Force Board decided to remove RAFVR (Training Branch) ranks within the RAF Air Cadets to enable the wider Cadet Forces Commission structure. The RAFVR's contemporary significance is therefore mainly educational, developmental and specialist rather than that of the large wartime aircrew reserve for which it became historically prominent.

• 2017

  Cadet Forces Commission introduced

  [1]Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserveen.wikipedia.org

  RAFVR (Training Branch) ranks within the RAF Air Cadets were removed as the Cadet Forces Commission was introduced.

• 1997

  Specialist support flights absorbed into RAuxAF

  [1]Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserveen.wikipedia.org

  Remaining war-appointable RAFVR specialist support flights were absorbed into the Royal Auxiliary Air Force.

• 1962

  End of conscription begins structural reduction

  [1]Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserveen.wikipedia.org

  The end of National Service in 1962–63 reduced the need for a large war-appointable RAFVR and accelerated the transfer of functions to the RAuxAF.

• 1947

  Post-war RAFVR reconstitution

  [1]Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserveen.wikipedia.org

  The reserve was reconstituted after the war and continued to serve personnel with ongoing obligations under post-war legislation.

• 1943

  Distinctive VR uniform markings removed

  [1]Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserveen.wikipedia.org

  The Air Ministry ordered RAFVR personnel to remove VR insignia from uniforms.

• 1941

  RAFVR exceeds half of Bomber Command aircrew

  [1]Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserveen.wikipedia.org

  By the end of 1941, RAFVR personnel made up more than half of Bomber Command's aircrew.

• 1939

  Wartime mobilisation begins

  [1]Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserveen.wikipedia.org

  At the outbreak of the Second World War, the RAFVR became the principal entry route for aircrew joining the RAF.

• 1936

  RAF Volunteer Reserve established

  [1]Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserveen.wikipedia.org

  The RAFVR was formed in July to provide the RAF with an additional pool of civilian volunteers trained for possible wartime aircrew service.

A non-commercial military volunteer reserve and development organisation that provides the RAF with trained or developing personnel while offering aviation exposure, military skills, leadership training and technical education.

• University military and aviation development

  University Air Squadrons

  University Air Squadrons provide students with an introduction to RAF life, military skills, leadership development and aviation-related activities. RAFVR officer cadets and acting pilot officers remain associated with their squadrons while studying. The modern syllabus places significant emphasis on military development, leadership potential and value-added flying rather than relying solely on the former RAF Elementary Flying Training model.

• Technical education and military development

  Defence Technical Undergraduate Scheme

  The Defence Technical Undergraduate Scheme combines university study in science or engineering with RAF sponsorship and structured development. Participants undertake military and leadership training, physical fitness, adventure training and attachments to RAF units in the United Kingdom and overseas. The scheme has been associated with a planned five-year transition following the announced closure of Welbeck Defence Sixth Form College.

• Gliding and youth aviation support

  Volunteer Gliding Squadrons

  RAFVR personnel have supported the management and operation of Volunteer Gliding Squadrons. These units provide gliding-related experience and instruction within the wider RAF Air Cadets aviation environment.

• Air cadet aviation experience

  Air Experience Flights

  Air Experience Flights give RAF Air Cadets opportunities to experience military aviation. RAFVR personnel have contributed as pilots, instructors and support staff, linking reserve service with youth aviation and leadership development.

• 2017

  Replace RAFVR training ranks in the RAF Air CadetsStrategy

  Background

  The Ministry of Defence was introducing a common Cadet Forces Commission for sponsored cadet organisations.

  Action taken

  The Air Force Board determined that RAFVR (Training Branch) ranks within the RAF Air Cadets would be removed.

  Aftermath

  Cadet-force commissioning arrangements were aligned with the broader Cadet Forces Commission framework, while other RAFVR university and technical roles continued.

  Source

• 1997

  Transfer specialist support flights to the RAuxAFStrategy

  Background

  The end of conscription and the professionalisation of the RAF reduced the need for a large war-appointable RAFVR.

  Action taken

  Remaining RAFVR specialist support flights were absorbed into the Royal Auxiliary Air Force.

  Aftermath

  The RAFVR continued mainly through training, university, technical and cadet-support functions.

  Source

• 1943

  Remove RAFVR uniform identifiersStrategy

  Background

  The RAFVR had become deeply integrated into wartime RAF operations, and separate VR markings were viewed as potentially divisive.

  Action taken

  The Air Ministry ordered officers and other ranks in the RAFVR to remove the brass and cloth VR markings from collars and shoulders.

  Aftermath

  The decision reduced visible distinction between RAFVR personnel and the wider wartime RAF, while the Auxiliary Air Force retained its A markings at that time.

  Source

1. 1Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserveen.wikipedia.org
2. 2RAF Reservesraf.mod.uk