The Army Cadet Force (ACF) is huge with more than 44,000 members in the
If you're between 12 and 18 you can join today and spend your weekends taking part in adventurous training and sports like abseiling and rock climbing. You may even get to fly in a helicopter!
Ok, so you might be spending your Saturday afternoons lying in the mud, but wouldn't you rather be doing that - and having some memorable experiences and making great mates - instead of just sitting in front of the TV all day? There'll also be plenty of time to play the sports you love, because the ACF has teams that compete at county, regional and even national events.
There’s a load to do in the ACF besides sport, but it all includes making good friends and having amazing experiences. You can take part in community projects, work towards the Duke of Edinburgh's Award and even earn vocational qualifications such as a BTEC in Public Services.
Whatever you are interested in, there's always a brilliant life to be had as an Army Cadet. Joining the ACF is a chance to learn new skills and, best of all, have a great time. You'll get to wear a uniform, but you won't be part of the Army, and with 8000 trained Adult Instructors you'll get all the support you need to take on the challenges of being a cadet.
THE HISTORY OF THE ARMY CADET FORCE
The earliest days
The Cadet Force can trace its beginnings to 1859, at the time of the threat of invasion by the French. Few units of the British Army were at home; most of them were serving in India after the Indian Mutiny. Due to the threat of invasion the Volunteers were formed. History was repeated again in 1940 when there was the threat of invasion from the German Army.
The Volunteers
The formation of the Volunteers - ancestors of the Territorial Army - saw the start of the cadets. In 1860 at least eight schools had formed units. Volunteer units formed Cadet Companies. One of these, the Queen's Westminster's, paraded their cadets when Queen Victoria carried out a review of the Volunteers in 1860. The cadet movement continued, as at that time it was seen as great value to boys, bearing in mind the terrible conditions that so many of them lived in.
Octavia Hill - Social worker
One of the most respected social workers at that time was Miss Octavia Hill. She realised that cadet training was of great benefit to these boys, and as a result formed the Southwark Cadet Company to introduce boys of the area to the virtues of order, cleanliness, teamwork and self-reliance. At the start of the Boer War, about fifty schools had Cadet Corps (the forerunners of the Combined Cadet Force). Many 'open units' (forebears of the present Army Cadet Force) had started in the large cities.
After the Boer War
In 1908, the Volunteers were converted to the Territorial Army, Public Schools and Universities were asked to provide units of the Officers Training Corps, Cadet Corps were formed in schools and 'open units' for those who had left school. The title Cadet Force was introduced and the administration was taken over by the Territorial Army Associations.
The First World War
In 1914, the first World War, there was a big expansion of the Cadet Force, the War Office took over the administration, and continued until 1923 when control and administration reverted to the Territorial Army Associations. In that year 1923, the government ceased to recognise the Cadet Force, taking away all financial support. This was a very difficult period for everyone, but the voluntary spirit that had been it's greatest strength in the early days, once again came to the surface. Everything that was required had to be paid for by individuals, and even the wearing of Regimental badges and buttons was forbidden, it certainly was a difficult and unhappy time.
British National Cadet Association (BNCA)
to keep the Cadet Force alive and at the same time to get back government support, brought about the formation of the BNCA (British National Cadet Association). By 1932 the BNCA had gained recognition and achieved some measure of success, and was allowed - under the guidance of the Territorial Army Associations - to run the Cadet Force.
The Second World War
Shortly after the start of the Second World War (1939 - 1945) saw a massive expansion of all the Cadet Forces, not only the Army Cadet and Sea Cadets, but included the formation of the Air Training Corps. By 1942 the War Office - known today as the Ministry of Defence - took over the administration of the ACF once again, giving it support beyond the members wildest dreams. Uniforms were provided - free, they had rifles issued, although they were from the Boer War period! camps were set up and assistance given to help run them and train the Cadets. The War Certificate 'A' Parts 1 and 2 was then the Proficiency Tests for training, with the red star worn on the arm of uniforms similar to your APC blue stars of today. At one period there were more than 140,000 Army Cadets serving, though not without problems to find officers and instructors to run the cadet detachments throughout the country. Most fit and able-bodied men were already in the forces or committed members of the Home Guard or other Emergency Services. Working hours for the civilian population were extended to help the 'war effort', few people had spare time to be involved with Cadets or for that matter any other activities.
At the end of the war in 1945, the BNCA changed its name to the ACFA (ARMY CADET FORCE ASSOCIATION) who today are responsible for the guidance of the Army Cadet Force and through many committees act as advisors to the Ministry of Defence and other Government bodies on all matters connected with the ACF.
The Amery Report
In 1957 a special Government report (the Amery Report) was published on the future of the ACF in the immediate post war years. Many changes were made, in 1959 the Cadet Training Centre, Frimley Park was founded. The Army Cadet Force Association was one of the youth organisations who were given substantial grants from the late King George VI Memorial Trust Fund, and as a result of this the Cadet Officers and Instructors Courses that were run at Frimley Park were called Leadership Courses. Training in the Cadet Force took on a new direction, the 'war was over' and National Service was about to be stopped. It then became more important to develop the cadet as a person, more responsible for their actions, guiding and developing them through their training to become good citizens.
Adventurous training introduced
With the emphasis on this change of direction, Adventurous Training was introduced as a specific subject in the cadet syllabus. Special grants were made available to County Territorial Army Associations to set up County Adventure Training Centres. Many Counties took advantage of this and set up Adventure Training Centres for cadets in their counties, where hopefully many of you still have the opportunity to go for your weekend training.
The Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme
It was by happy coincidence that the Duke of Edinburgh Award was started soon after Adventure Training was introduced into the ACF. As a result of this the ACF became involved in the Award Scheme right from the start. It was not appreciated at the time but, with the ending of National Service, the Cadet Forces in general soon began to realise, that many Officers and Senior Ranks who joined the Cadet Forces at the end of their two years National Service, were not going to be available and to the future would have to train and recruit many ex-cadets as their future officers and instructors. Since then many hundreds of officers and instructors have been recruited from the "ranks of cadets". They have been senior cadets, who have shown that they are the "right material" during their cadet career and have been offered the opportunity to be considered as future officers or instructors.
ACF one hundredth anniversary
The year 1960 was the centenary of the ACF and was marked by the presentation of a banner to the Force by H.R.H. The Duke of Edinburgh. Another highlight of the year was a review of the ACF and CCF in the grounds of Buckingham Palace by Her Majesty the Queen and H.R.H. The Duke of Edinburgh. In the period from 1960 to the mid 80's the ACF had moved with the times, seeing the enrolment of girls into some counties, firstly as a pilot scheme and now accepted as a normal part of our cadet movement, making an increasing contribution to the aims of the Cadet Force.
New uniforms
New and improved accommodation, better uniforms, both as working dress and barrack dress have been provided for you. The Regular Army continues to provide Cadet Training Teams to assist with the training of senior cadets, also your officers and adult instructors.
New rifles introduced
1986 was a special 'milestone' in our history with the introduction of a new rifle, the L98A1 Cadet GP Rifle, made specially for the Cadet Forces, many of you will have now become well trained in its use. Also introduced at this time was the new Cadet Target Rifle, L81A1, this was essentially to encourage target shooting in the Cadet Forces. In 1994 the ACF was issued with the Light Support Weapon (LSW) to replace the Light Machine Gun (LMG). The "well-being" of the Cadet Force to a great extent, depends upon you as a Cadet, the standards you attain and the support you give it throughout your own career.
To the future
At the present time we are all living in a rapidly changing world, no doubt it will affect the cadet force and us as individuals. We trust that history will not repeat itself and the cadet forces again go through difficult times to survive the changes. At this particular time, you are one of those who are expected to do your best to give all the support required to ensure the future of the Army Cadet Force. Many of us who were once cadets owe the Force a debt for many reasons, we are sure, that you too, will not be any different from those who have gone before you. You as a member of an organisation with a long history and many traditions to be upheld. Be sure that you keep up those traditions, and high standards no matter what career path you take. Many Cadets naturally join the Regular Army or Territorial Army. Some stay on as instructors or Officers in the Force. Many ex-cadets rejoin the ACF after their Army or TA service, passing on to you - the next generation - their wisdom and knowledge, be sure you are worthy of it.
