Ministry of Service

By Padre Graham Holloway

Vicar of St Augustine's Church, Mansfield, and

Chaplain to the Nottinghamshire Army Cadet Force

The motto of the Army Cadet Force is 'To inspire is to Achieve' and my role is to provide pastoral care for the 800 young men and women who make up this excellent organisation in Nottinghamshire.

We are primarily a youth organisation. Although we wear uniform, we use that solely as a basis for what we are doing to help youngsters develop their full potential, to have pride in themselves and respect for each and to achieve things that they might not otherwise be able to do.

The great thing is they learn discipline in the right way, above all self-discipline and respect for others, which is shown in the number of cadets who come back to the organisation at Adult Instructors.

These qualities are embodied in the Cadet Prayer which reads: "Oh God our Father, who has brought us together as members of the Army Cadet Force, help us to do our duty at all times and to be loyal to each other. May all that is good and true prosper among us; strengthen us to defend the right; and bless our work that it may be acceptable to you for Jesus Christ's sake."

Wearing Army uniform, just like my fellow officers and the adult instructors, is a great help as you don't actually have the hindrances of preconceptions of what the church is. There are over 800 youngsters in the Nottinghamshire ACF and the church has contact with that number of people as well as all the adult instructors.

The Royal Army Chaplains' Department dates back to 1796 when a Royal Warrant was issued. Since then a formal Army Chaplains' Department has been an integral part of the British Army and chaplains serve alongside the Army wherever the Army happens to be during times of peace, conflict or peace-keeping.

Chaplains provide spiritual leadership, moral guidance and pastoral support to all soldiers and their families, irrespective or religion or belief, in order to meet their needs, nurture and develop them.

Wherever the Army goes, they go, although chaplains are non-combatants and do not carry a weapon. Chaplains also serve with the Territorial Army, Britain's part-time Reserve soldiers and the Army Cadet Force, which is the UK's largest youth organisation.

In the military. God is part of the set up. He is written in and that works just as much in the ACF as for the regulars. I feel it is an important ministry for the church.

In the ACF, we are there to bring a spiritual dimension to the work that the organisation is doing, both for the young people and the adult instructors who are there to help them.

It's a ministry of service really. I happen to be Church of England but I am there for those of all faiths and none. It's a form of outreach for the church. We are out there with them where they are, rather than asking them to come to us.

Formed in 1860, the Army Cadet Force is the Army's own voluntary youth organisation for boys and girls between the ages of 13 and 18 years nine months.

Sponsored by the Army, it 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 and their local community, as well as developing in them the qualities of a good citizen.

This is achieved in a number of ways by fostering confidence, self-reliance, initiative, loyalty and a sense of service to other people.

The cadets are also encouraged to develop their personal powers of practical leadership and the ability to work successfully as a team. They enjoy adventurous training of all sorts which enables them to read maps, find their away across country and look after themselves in difficult conditions.

Annual camp and the Christmas weekend are a priority because that is when the most members are together in one place.

The one thing that a Padre has at camp is time. For example, at annual camp in 2007 I went and stayed out with one company overnight and fetched the breakfasts for evervbody. Another time, I stayed with the truck and looked after the kit.

If a child has difficulties, such as feeling homesick, I can spend time talking to them, and also support the adult who is usually the first port of call.

We are helping young people to become mature, responsible adults to take their full active part within society, including those who might not be able to join a youth organisation because of family circumstances, such as not being able to afford to pay for the uniform, which in the ACF is free.

In a funny way, the uniform sets them free and helps them to do the best they can by getting rid of their street cred attitude and becoming naturally themselves.

The value of what we do is the very essence of why the Forces feel that having Padres and Chaplains are part of the set up. They are not an add-on.