Become a Cadet or Adult Volunteer
What are the Cadet Forces?
There are four separate Cadet Forces sponsored by the Ministry of Defence (MOD). They are the:
- Sea Cadet Corps (SCC)
- Army Cadet Force (ACF)
- Air Training Corps (ATC)
- Combined Cadet Force (CCF). The CCF is based purely in schools and has Royal Navy, Royal Marine, Army and Royal Air Force sections.
In total there are 140,000 young people in the Cadet Forces.
What does a Cadet Force Adult Volunteer do?
As part of the team of adults in your area, you would have to chance to participate in, supervise and support a broad range of fun training activities.
There are a range of activities that you may end up being trained to supervise ranging from sailing to gliding, and shooting to climbing.
Do I need any military experience?
No military experience is required and all training is provided. All that is needed is your time and enthusiasm. That said, many ex-Service Personnel choose to work with the cadet forces and are welcome to join.
Cadet Force Adult Volunteers (CFAVs) come from all kinds of backgrounds and with all kinds of life experience and skills; the one thing they have in common is a commitment to encouraging the development of young people.
How can I get involved?
Follow one of the web links below to find your local unit. There are around 3000 different MOD sponsored Cadet units in the UK to choose from!
All CFAVs must be over 18 years of and are required to undergo an enhanced CRB check as part of the application. There is no cost to the applicant.
Where can I find out more?
Become a Cadet
What are the Cadet Forces?
There are four separate Cadet Forces sponsored by the Ministry of Defence. They are the Sea Cadet Corps (SCC), the Army Cadet Force (ACF), the Air Training Corps (ATC) and the Combined Cadet Force (CCF). The CCF is based purely in schools and has Royal Navy, Royal Marine, Army and Royal Air Force sections. In total there are 140,000 young people in the Cadet Forces.
What do Cadets do?
All four Cadet Forces have separate focuses, based on the ethos of their “parent-Service” – for example the Sea Cadets concentrate on water-borne activities, the Air Cadets are more at home gliding.
Cadets can take part in a huge range of activities of activities, some of which, like certain types of shooting would be impossible to do without the close links to the Armed Forces.
Cadets are able to gain a variety of life skills and qualifications, ranging from certificates in First Aid to BTECs in Public Service.
Does joining the Cadets mean I have to join the Royal Navy, Army or Royal Air Force as an adult?
No. The Cadet Forces are not recruiting organisations for the Armed Forces and no pressure will be put on you to join the Royal Navy, Army or Royal Air Force. However, some cadets do decide to join the Armed Forces and find that their experience in the cadet forces has helped them make an informed decision about joining.
How can I get involved?
You may enrol as a Cadet in the SCC, ACF or ATC if you are under 18, but will almost certainly benefit more from joining earlier – the CCFs are only open to pupils from their school or from a school partnered with them. See the web links below for further details.
Follow one of the web links below to find your local unit. There are around 3000 different MOD sponsored Cadet units in the UK to choose from!