"If you decide to become an instructor: it will be the best thing you ever do. The rewards are endless. I've been an adult instructor for a few years now and I can't even begin to describe all the new things I've done & learnt."

2Lt Andy Webster, Detachment Commander - Ruddington Detachment

"Being an instructor with the ACF has made me much more confident. My attitude has changed and I'm now not afraid to give most things a try! Also, having been a cadet when I was younger too - I see how much that it gives young people. Seeing them achieve is so rewarding."

Sgt Chantelle Mallows, Adult Instructor - Nottingham Academy Detachment

These are just a few of the familiar comments you will hear if you speak to any of the Instructors at Nottinghamshire Army Cadet Force. Some were cadets themselves, others were in the TA or Army and decided on doing a more 'light-hearted' form of military work when they left. Some of us have no prior experience with either working with young people or the military at all! The one thing we do all have though is a passion To Inspire To Achieve.

This is the motto of the ACF and one we try to stick by either at detachment parade nights or on weekend camps. As an adult instructor you will come into contact with lots of different types of children, boys and girls aged between 12 and 18 from a whole host of backgrounds. Some may have learning or physical difficulties, some may be in foster care, to us it doesn't matter - anyone can take part in what we do. This goes for adult instructors too.

So what will you have to do:

Most adult instructors parade two nights a week (the nights vary per detachment) between the hours of 7pm & 9pm. You will normally be asked to parade at a detachment that is near you however there is sometimes travel involved due to the proximity of a detachment to your home. You will be reimbursed for these travel costs.

Some adults however are unable to parade 2 nights a week due to family or work commitments, this is not a problem, as long as you still commit to nights you are able to attend.

We then have a certain number of training camps throughout the year that we also like our instructors to attend where possible. These camps vary in length from weekends to 8 days. The activities we take part in rotate depending on the time of year and mixed in with these are adult training weekends as well as cadet training weekends.

It is at the adult training courses where you can progress through your adult training qualifications enabling you to take on more responsibilities and also to progress through our ranks system. For these courses and weekends - you are paid a wage that is comparative to the Regular Army & the TA.

What qualities do we look for in adult instructors?

As mentioned before, we need no prior experience from our instructors - we will provide you with all the training you need. There is no real medical or fitness level that is tested in new instructors either. The only constraint we insist on is that applicants must pass a CRB clearance check before we will enrol them. This is only common sense when working with any young people.

To learn more about CRB click here

So what are you waiting for?!

If you are interested in joining the ACF, please contact the Adjutant, Cpt Steve Gaughan at County Headquarters by either clicking here or calling 0115 9837642