If successful they are attested and join the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve as an Officer Cadet symbolised by a white rank tab.

Currently, ESUAS recruit from ten academic institutions in Eastern Scotland: Aberdeen, Abertay, Dundee, Edinburgh, Heriot-Watt, Napier, Perth, QMU, RGU, and St Andrews.

Then, in 1940, because of the attrition of aircrew and the need to recruit replacements and expand their numbers, Aberdeen University Air Squadron was created, along with those at the other three ancient Scottish universities and some older English ones, as part of the expansion of the RAF Reserve to prepare undergraduate men volunteering for aircrew duties for call-up for war service.

Before long, several of the university’s undergraduates had joined the squadron and were duly called up into active service – mainly as pilots or navigators or flight engineers.

At least three of the young men who joined as soon as they were able to on 23 January 1941 after being founded at Marischal College of Aberdeen University, flying from Dyce airport before moving in December 1941 to Leuchars and combining with Edinburgh and Glasgow UASs on 26 July 1944 before reforming at Dyce in October 1946 as part of 66 Group before moving to Leuchars again on 3 October 1981 while part of 25 Group.

Over the years, many able personnel, male and female, of several disciplines entered the Service in greater numbers than many other UASs - many achieving the highest ranks - and flew almost all the aircraft ever to have been operated by it.

Both occupants were killed, 21 year old John Lawrie, and Sqn Ldr Hallam, who had been at Stalag Luft III, and the commanding officer of Aberdeen University Air Squadron.