So what do you think of the ACF?

Last year's ACF Attitude Survey was the most comprehensive of its kind. Here we present and analyse the key findings and ask what they mean for cadets, adult volunteers and what they mean for the future of the ACF?

As the ACF marks 150 years of the Cadet movement, the first national survey of cadet and adult volunteers' attitudes gives a timely insight into the mind of the organisation. Known collectively as the 2009 Army Cadet Force Continuous Attitude Survey, it was compiled by a team from the Directorate of Army Personnel Strategy (DAPS) Science Team who visited 10 Annual Camps in July and August last year. Interviewers spoke to a representative cross-section of cadets and volunteers from large and small counties, rural and urban areas across Wales, Scotland, England and Northern Ireland. The questions were focused on three key areas of the ACF experience - joining up, being part of the ACF and future intentions.The findings suggest that while there is plenty to celebrate, the organisation faces some real challenges over the coming months.

Following last October's news that the ACF would need to identify savings of £4 million, concern grew that many adult volunteers would find themselves working more days unpaid. Many had already used the survey to voice concerns about the understaffing of their units, and the standard of equipment, so further belt tightening presents a rather contentious issue. It remains to be seen whether the information presented by the survey can be used to strengthen the ACF's position when politicians revisit the priorities for the next defence budget.

Cadet Analysis

Cadets' levels of satisfaction would gladden the hearts of any youth organisation. Over 80% say that they are proud to be cadets, that their skills have improved since they joined and that they have fun. Significantly, 68% said that at the time they joined, there were no other clubs or organisations that appealed to them. This suggests that the ACF is able to offer young people something which they cannot find elsewhere. The fact that shooting and fieldcraft are among the most popular activities supports this, although the non-military activities, such as sport and adventure training are also very popular. When asked what could improve the ACF, cadets named new activities such as horse riding, walking, paint balling and trips overseas. Many of these are already catered for by some counties, but should perhaps be promoted more widely. Only 21% of cadets were aware of the International Army Cadet exchange programmes, for example.

89% of cadets would recommend the ACF to friends or family
83% of cadets say they are proud to be in the ACF
71% of cadets say the ACF has a sense of community
83% of cadets believe their skills have improved since they joined
81% say cadets is fun
68% say cadets is challenging
72% say being in the ACF makes them want to do well in life
83% think being in the cadets will help them get a job

Adult Analysis

85% of adult volunteers intend to remain in the ACF for as long as possible
45% of ACF staff were formerly cadets
90% said they enjoy developing young people
84% feel valued by their unit
77% were happy with guidance they received when applying
90% said they were happy with their general workload
66% said they were happy with the amount of training they receive
83% said they were happy with the standard of training they receive

A brief glance at the survey's findings seems to suggest that the only danger facing the ACF is complacency. Adult volunteers feel very positive about their role, with the majority intending to remain in the ACF for as long as they can and declaring themselves content with their workload. Most are happy with the standard of training they receive and believe they have the right level of responsibility for their abilities, while 63% said their ACF experiences help them in their day job. But it's not all about what the ACF does for them - adult volunteers are remarkably selfless. Nearly 90% said they enjoy developing young people, while 77% welcome the opportunity to help others.

Despite the positive feedback, there are some areas that the ACF needs to look at if minor annoyances are not to become major problems. Adult volunteers
complete an average of 15 days' unpaid training each year. While there is no suggestion that money is a motivating factor for adult staff, further budget cuts
could damage morale. In Dorset, where 69% of volunteers said that their units were understaffed, 54% also said that they were struggling to meet their ACF
commitments. With volunteers rating the impact of ACF activities on family and personal life as ‘extremely important' when deciding whether to stay, the ACF
must be very careful not to take the goodwill of adult volunteers for granted.

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