Corporal is the first NCO rank that a cadet can obtain. The average time taken for a cadet to be promoted is two years, but it can be much more or less. A Corporal is referred to as a Junior NCO (JNCO) and acts as a liaison between cadets and Senior NCOs (SNCO). The promotion to Corporal is made by Commanding Officer (CO) of the cadet’s Squadron, in consultation with the Squadron’s other adult staff. Selection is purely on merit and not on classification. The emblem of the rank of Corporal is two silver downward pointing chevrons and is worn on the epaulettes.
A Sergeant is a SNCO and a cadet is promoted to this position after he or she has reached the rank of Corporal. Appointment is made by Squadron CO and staff. In a large Squadron, a Sergeant will be second in charge (2IC) of a flight, or in charge (IC) of a flight if the Squadron is not quite so big. The rank’s emblem is as that of Corporal, but with an additional chevron.