About Us

For the past 130 years in the United Kingdom the Army Cadet Force has been giving a helping hand to young people to develop their full potential. It offers all those sound military based principle of which we are proud - and much more.

Today it continues to provide frendship, discipline, leadership, challenging outdoor activities, expeditions, survival techniques, adventurous training and sport. Although sponsored by the Army, it is a National Youth Organisation, just as concerned with good citizenship and personal development as with military training and shooting.

Discipline and personal pride are important, and can be reflected in abseiling down a cliff as well as looking clean and tidy.

Activities include not only military and adventurous training, but training weekends and annual camps. The Duke of Edinburgh's Award, Service to the Community and the Army Cadet Force's own qualification scheme are all recognised as valuable qualities by prospective employers.

The Army Cadet Force's Charter lays down the criteria our motto is:

TO INSPIRE TO ACHIEVE

Where To Find Us

The Army Cadet Force is for young people between the ages of 12 and 18, who want to challenge themselves. Who have energy and enthusiasm and above all, attitude. It has over 50,000 members, including 10,000 girls and 8000 volunteer adult leaders. there are over 1700 Cadet detachments around the country.

Cadets meet on one or two evenings a week. The ACF offers a wide range of special star awards in subjects such as first aid, field craft, navigation, survival and skill at arms. The Cadet training program starts at basic training, and continues up to the level of master Cadet, which offers advanced leadership training.

While initial training for many of the activities can be done at the detachment, there are activities which happen at weekends and involve going out in to the country or going to camps and training centres. It's here that the practical side of cadet training takes place.

If you are interested in becoming a Cadet Leader you need not have been a Cadet already. If you're the sort of person they are looking for, they offer training to help you achieve your goal.

As a Cadet you can take part in a number of initiatives. Including the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, expeditions and exchanges, the youth and community initiative (which is designed to help alienated, underprivileged and vulnerable youngsters to become responsible citizens with a purpose in life) The ACF also offers you the change to compete for a wide range of qualifications such as the Duke of Edinburgh award, BTEC courses, and honours such as the Lord Lieutenant's cadet. All cadets are recognised for their successes, be they large or small.

The cost of joining the cadets is minimal, just £15 for your own boots. Just bring yourselves and your boots, and they will loan to you everything else that you will need. To be a cadet. Although it may be required to put down a small deposit on some items.