What do we do?

Introduction

The Army Cadet Force (ACF), formed in 1860, is the Army's own voluntary youth organisation for boys and girls between the ages of 12 and 18 years and 9 months.

In the main, the adults who staff the ACF are volunteers; officers all hold the Queen's Commission, the remaining adult instructors wear ranks ranging from Sergeant Instructor to Regimental Sergeant Major Instructor. They all do this valuable work in their spare time.

AIM
"The Army Cadet Force is a national voluntary youth organization. It is sponsored by the Army and provides challenging military, adventurous and community activities. Its aim is to inspire young people to achieve success in life and a spirit of service to The Queen, their Country and their local community, and to develop in them the qualities of a good citizen. This is achieved by:

Providing progressive cadet training, often of a challenging and exciting nature, to foster confidence, self-reliance, initiative, loyalty and a sense of service to other people.

Encouraging the development of personal powers of practical leadership and the ability to work successfully as a member of a team.

Stimulating an interest in the Army, its achievements, skills and values.

Advising and preparing those considering a career in the Services or with the Reserve Forces.

Our motto is "TO INSPIRE TO ACHIEVE"

ORGANISATION

The ACF is a nationwide organisation and is divided into county cadet forces. In the main each is made up as follows:

1. County Headquarters

County Commandant.

A Lieutenant Colonel or Colonel; a volunteer appointed by the Army Board having been recommended by the Reserve Forces and Cadets Association (RFCA) and the Lord Lieutenant of the relevant county. He is often a one-time Regular or Territorial Officer.

Cadet Executive Officer.

A full time employee of the regional RFCA, usually a retired Regular Army Officer, who administers the County ACF on behalf of RFCA and acts as the Commandant's principle staff officer.

County Permanent Staff.

An Administrative Officer, Quartermaster and a number of Cadet Administrative Assistants (CAAs). This varies according to the size of the County ACF. They are all full time RFCA employees with - generally - a wealth of previous regular army experience.

County Staff.

A Deputy Commandant, Training Major and other ACF volunteer officers responsible for specific tasks that include Duke of Edinburgh's Award, shooting, adventurous training, and sport. The Regimental Sergeant Major Instructor is also part of the County Staff.

2. Area Level.

Most counties are divided into areas (in Nottinghamshire we have two infantry companies, one Royal Artillery battery and one Royal Armoured Corps squadron). Each area is commanded by an ACF volunteer officer. He is supported by a small headquarters staff. CAAs are often dedicated to a particular area and act as the CQMS and local military advisor, in addition to any ACF volunteer appointment they may choose to have taken on.

Detachments.

The Detachment is the basic unit of the ACF and consists of a number of cadets parading at a single location. Detachments are commanded by an ACF volunteer officer or senior adult instructor who is assisted by other adults.

Female Cadets.

Detachments that are able to meet the required criterion may be authorised to recruit female cadets and are encouraged to do so. A female adult instructor must be present during training. Training and service conditions are identical to that for male cadets.

The ACF working alongside Regular and Reserve Forces

The value of the ACF as a source of recruits to the Regular and Reserve forces, especially the Army, is considerable. Between 25 and 30% of all entrants to the Army have been members of the ACF. The cost of running the ACF is relatively small compared with the recognised returns to the Service. This having been said, there is absolutely no 'pressure selling' and it is important to understand that our activities cover a much broader spectrum that just military training. In equal measure we involve ourselves in The Duke of Edinburgh's Award, challenge pursuits such as rock-climbing, canoeing and ATR biking.

In spite of reductions in the size of the Army and its concentration in fewer locations, assistance continues to be provided to the ACF in a number of ways. These include:

Cadet Training Teams.

Staffed by a Regular Army Officer and supported by a number of Senior NCOs they are tasked to provide military and adventurous training to both ACF and CCF units within their area. The primary tasks are:

To provide initial training for new adult instructors to enable them to carry out instruction to cadets at detachment level. In addition, the provision of continuation training at periodic intervals.

Conducting centralised courses for adult instructors in specialised disciplines including Range and Obstacle Course Supervisors qualifying courses.

Arranging, instructing on and testing for the Senior Cadet Instructors Course that culminates in the award of the Four Star Badge.

Running adventurous training courses, expeditions and physical activities for cadets.

Assistance with military and adventurous training at annual camps as required by the Cadet Commandant

Affiliations

Regular Army Units.

A system of affiliations and sponsor units has been developed over the years to encourage closer regimental and capbadge links. Regular visits are made by recruiting teams. Cadets are encouraged to attend presentations whenever the opportunity arises. The practice of ex cadets, now serving soldiers, volunteering their services at weekend and annual camps helps to project the Army in a favourable light and is clearly desirable where cadets are considering a career in the Regular Army.

Territorial Units and University Officer Training Corps.

Similar affiliations and sponsorships exist where local Territorial units and the University Officer Training Corps (UOTC) are concerned. Static units, they provide for greater opportunities for a closer relationship with cadet units. Senior cadets are often invited to attend exercises with local TA units who, in addition, prove most helpful in providing much needed transport for weekend and annual camps.