The Air Cadets is based on a structure of non-comissioned and commissioned ranks. Cadets themselves can gain non commissioned ranks such as Corporal, Sergeant, Flight Sergeant  and Cadet Warrant Officer and  are known as NCO's (Non-comissioned Officers). Those of Sgt. rank and above are known as Senior NCO's (SNCO's). The cadet ranks are shown below:

Cadet ranks as of late September 2003 will only be awarded by the squadron commander up to the level of Sergeant. The ranks of Flight Sergeant (FS) and Cadet Warrant Officer (CWO) will require a Wing Headquarters interview in keeping with the fact that the ranks hold a lot of responsibility.
The minimum age of appointment to a FS of 18 will also be introduced, and changes are being made to reflect the adult status of these cadets within the law.

As an addition to the rank structure, cadets gain certain classifications within the corps by studying various aviation subjects such as pilot navigation, airframes and many more including communications subjects and outdoors subjects. The various classifications and their respective badges are shown below

Adult staff also have a rank structure, progressing from civilian instructor to adult warrant officer and then on to officer ranks in the RAFVR(T). The current system is under revision, with the aim of implementing an adult SNCO structure after that of civilian instructors and before that of Adult Warrant Officer. The structure will be based around age, experience and ability, commensurate with the custom in the Royal Air Force today.