The Army Cadet Force (ACF)

 

The Army Cadet Force (ACF) is a national, voluntary, uniformed youth organisation with a membership of almost 47,000 cadets (aged 12-18) and over 8,500 adult volunteers (aged 18-65) dispersed across some 1700 locations all over the United Kingdom. The ACF’s mission is to help its cadet members develop both personally and physically by providing a wide range of fun, exciting, challenging and adventurous opportunities, some of them on a military theme.

 

Its success in that mission is highly dependent on its ability to attract and retain sufficient numbers of suitable adult volunteers with the enthusiasm to motivate and train the cadets. Adult volunteers fall into two categories: Adult Instructors (AIs), who directly train the cadets, and officers, who have a more supervisory and leadership role. Adult volunteers do not necessarily have any military background and come from all walks of life.

 

In order to continue its work with young people the ACF is also dependent on the continued support of a wide range of stakeholders and gatekeepers including but is not limited to, members of both Houses of Parliament and the devolved assemblies, Ministers in the MoD and other government departments, teachers and others in the education sector, local authority children’s departments, supporters from industry and commerce, Lords Lieutenant, members of the police force, and religious and community leaders.

 

The Army Cadet Force is about fun and opportunity in a positive, structured environment that encourages the development of leadership and teamwork, initiative, self-confidence, self-discipline and a sense of responsibility. It welcomes young people and adults from all backgrounds and abilities. No cadets or adult volunteers will ever be called upon for duty with the Armed Forces, and whilst some cadets do follow a career in the Armed Forces, the Cadet Forces are not used as a recruiting opportunity.

 

If you would like to get involved or simply find out more information, please visit www.armycadets.com or call us on 0845 600 77 99.