Army Cadet Force
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|
| Personnel | |
| Officer and Adult Instructors | 7,880 (2006 est.) |
| Cadets | 44,240 (2006 est.) |
| Percentage of Cadets who join British Armed Forces | 25-30% (2005 est.) |
| Expenditure | |
| MOD Budget (2006 est.) | £80 Million |
The Army Cadet Force(ACF) is a British youth organisation that offers progressive training in a multitude of the subjects from military training to adventurous training (such as Outward Bound) and first aid, at the same time as promoting achievement, discipline, and good citizenship, to boys and girls aged 12 to 18 year olds and 9 months. Its affiliated organisation, the Combined Cadet Force provides similar training within various schools. It has connections to the training of the British Army.
Although sponsored by the Ministry of Defence and being very similar in structure and activity, the ACF is not a branch of the British Armed Forces, and as such cadets are not subject to military 'call up'. A proportion of cadets do, however, go on to enlist in the armed forces in later life, and many of the organisation's leaders - formally termed 'Cadet Force Adult Volunteers', or informally 'Adult Instructors' - come from a previous cadet service or military background.
During the late 1850’s local Militia units (Predecessors of the Territorial Army (TA)), were organised into a nationwide Volunteer Reserve Force. These new Volunteer units formed Cadet Companies and eight public schools formed independent cadet units (fore-runners of the CCF).
The late Victorian period was when the time of social change began to take hold in Britain and a Miss Octavia Hill who was considered to be a pioneer in Social Work founded Independent Cadet Corps units.
In 1908 when the Territorial Army was formed both the Volunteer and Independent Cadet Companies came under the control of the Territorial Forces Association, whilst the Public School units were part of the Officer Training Corps. In 1914 all independent Cadet units were taken under control by the War Office and the name Army Cadet Force was born.
In 1923 as a result of Defence cutbacks (Geddes Axe) all Governmental and Military support for the ACF was withdrawn. This led to the forming of the British National Cadet Association (BNCA) by notable figures such as Lord Allenby who were keen to maintain the ACF and lobby for Government funding, this was partially successful in during the 1930’s. From 1939 the Cadet Forces supported the Home Guard at a time when the threat of Invasion was very real, because of this in 1942 the ACF was re-formed (The public school units became part of the CCF (Army) in 1948)
Following a Government review of the Armed Forces in 1957 the ACF assumed its role of a national youth organisation sponsored by the Ministry of Defence (MoD).
The ACF celebrated its 100th Anniversary in 1960
The ACF is a registered charity [1]
Ranks
Ranks in the ACF follow that of the Regular Army with the exception that all ACF Cadets ranks are junior.
| The rank of warrant officer does not exist in the ACF and CCF (Army) - it is often misused by those holding appointments as Sergeants Major (either Cadets or AIs) in the CCF (Army) and ACF who are not holders of Warrants and thus not Warrant Officers. | WO1 arm badge (British Army)
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|---|---|---|
| In the British Army, Staff Sergeant (SSgt or formerly S/Sgt) ranks above Sergeant and below Warrant Officer Class 2. The rank is given a NATO code of OR-7. The insignia is the monarch's crown above three downward pointing chevrons. Staff sergeants can also hold other appointments, such as Company Quartermaster Sergeant, and are usually known by that appointment if held. The equivalent rank in infantry regiments is Colour Sergeant, and holders are known by that title no matter what their appointment. British staff sergeants are never referred to or addressed as "Sergeant", which would be reducing their rank, but are referred to and addressed as "Staff Sergeant" or "Staff" ("Staff Jones", for instance) or by their appointment or its abbreviation. Quartermaster sergeants are often addressed as "Q". In most cavalry regiments, staff sergeants are addressed as "Sergeant Major", which is assumed to derive from the original rank of Troop Sergeant Major. | British Army Staff Sergeant's arm badge | |
| Corporal (Cpl) is the second rank of non-commissioned officer in the British Army and Royal Marines, falling between Lance-Corporal and Sergeant. The badge of rank is a two-bar chevron (also known as "stripes", "tapes" or "hooks"). A corporal's role varies between regiments, but in the standard infantry role a corporal commands a section, with a Lance Corporal as Second-in-Command (2ic). | British Army Corporals's arm badge | |
| 'Lance-Corporal (LCpl or formerly L/Cpl) is the lowest ranking non-commissioned officer in the British Army | Lance-Corporal's arm badge (British Army) | |
Privates wear no insignia. Many regiments and corps use other distinctive (and descriptive) names instead of Private:* Craftsman (Cfn) - Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (women as well as men use this rank)
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As well as learning new skills by working through the APC syllabus, experienced cadets can be awarded a rank. As the Army allows its soldiers to take on responsibility and leadership as NCOs, so too does the ACF give a greater role to some cadets.
In many counties there is the opportunity for promotion to Under Officer. Although this is not an official rank, it is a chance for senior cadets to gain experience as an officer. The titles of some ranks may vary as cadet detachments are badged to regiments of the Regular Army, and as such adopt their titles.
Rank insignia for cadets are usually still the large chevrons (sewn on to the brassard, part of cadet uniform) that have not been used by the regular army for several years. However, use of rank slides is becoming increasingly common, generally among CCF units, but the rank slide must be marked with the letters ACF or CCF (whichever the cadet belongs to) at the bottom to distinguish from regular army ranks. Almost all ACF units still issue the outdated sew-on chevrons to cadets, with rank slides being reserved for adult instructors. However, it is not uncommon for cadet NCOs to purchase their own rank slides and wear them.
Stable belts are coloured belts (colours varied according to regiment), although the ACF have their own stable belt, which can be used by any regiment in any detachment. In some counties, stable belts are issued to NCOs (providing they have achieved 3 star or above) and in others it is down to the cadet to buy them and wear them in working dress. But ultimately it is down to the CO's discretion.
If a cadet is seen as a good leader and excellent in all aspects of the cadet sylabus, promotion to Cadet RSM is awarded. only one cadet per county may achieve this rank at any one time. An example is RSM Michael Worden of Lancashire ACF (RSM 2006-2008).
Admittance of females to the ACF
Prior to the 1990's females were unable to join the ACF[2], although they were able to join an attached unit (if there was one at that location) of the Girls Venture Corps which had been formed in the early years of the Second World War.
Adult Instructors
Adults may join the ACF to instruct through two different routes - as Adult Instructors (AI) or as Commissioned Officers. Prospective Adult Instructors begin as a Civilian Assistant before passing a medical and an enhanced disclosure.They then become a Potential Instructor (PI). As a PI, adults then go on to complete the Initial Training Course (ITC) held at County Level and run by a Cadet Training Team (CTT). On successful completion of this course they will be appointed to the rank of Sergeant Instructor (SI). Progressive training takes place for Adult Instructors, as with cadets, an Adult Instructor may take part in various different courses. A further mandatory course at Frimley Park is the Adult Instructors Course which must be completed within three years of joining. The AI is then qualified to achieve the rank of Staff Sergeant Instructor (SSI). The King George VI (KG6) course is the final course for AI's and the further ranks of Sergeant Major Instructor (SMI) and Regimental Sergeant Major Instructor (RSMI) are possible. This means that AI Promotion is given on a combination of experience, merit, and leadership potential; as in the Regular Army. Adult Instructors will be expected to work in a team with their superiors and senior cadets to be responsible for, and deliver effective training to the cadets.
The other route an instructor in the ACF may take is that of becoming a commissioned officer. The instructor will apply and partake in the same selection process as above, however once a Potential Instructor, the individual may apply or be nominated to become a commissioned officer. To do so, as of 2006, the individual must then attend a Cadet Forces Commissioning Board (CFCB), similar to an Regular Commissioning Board though less physically testing. The applicant will be assessed on their literacy, problem solving ability, and leadership potential. Successful applicants will then be appointed a List B Commission in Her Majesty's Land Forces, making them a non-deployable Territorial Army Officer. During the selection/training process the applicant will hold the appointment of Under Officer, before receiving the initial rank of Second Lieutenant upon successful commissioning. Commissioned Officers in the ACF will hold senior leadership roles with more responsibility and commitment attached than roles occupied by Adult Instructors. The commissioned officers will also have a commitment to uphold the prestige of a commission in their personal discipline and behaviour - both on and off duty as they are subject to Military Law at all times. Officers are required to attend further courses to qualify for promotion to Captain, Major, Lieutenant Colonel and Colonel.
Organisation
Most British counties have centralised cadet forces that make up the ACF as a national whole. The counties are generally split into companies, each of which includes several 'detachments', the name given to a unit of cadets that parade in a particular town or village. Battalions are usually affiliated with a certain Regiment or Corps within the British Army, and wear their insignia including cap badge, colour of beret and stable belt subject to individual County/Area regulations. Detachments can be given special names, after famous battles fought by the British army, e.g. Rhine, Gibraltar and Waterloo. But some detachments are just called by the name of the town they reside in.
Locations
Activities
Core
Core activities include[3]:
- Drill and Turnout
- Fieldcraft
- Skill at Arms
- Shooting
- Map and Compass
- First Aid
- Community Projects
Additional
The ACF engages in physical activties such as[3]:
- Sports
- Football
- Cross County Running
- Swimming
- Hockey
- Athletics
- Rugby
- Canoeing
- Kayaking
- Summer and Winter Mountaineering
- Climbing
- Orienteering
- Caving
- Mountain Biking
- Archery
- Paint Balling
- Signals
- Parachuting
- Expeditions
- Foreign Exchanges
Duke of Edinburgh Award
The Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme is a voluntary, non-competitive programme of practical, cultural and adventurous activities for young people aged 14-25. The Award programme consists of three levels, Bronze, Silver and Gold. Each have differing criteria for entry and the level of achievement necessary to complete each award[4].. Cadets who meet the age criteria can join the award scheme.
Each award is broken down into 4 areas (5 for gold) which participants must complete successfully to receive their award. These are[4]:-
- Service
Helping others in the local community.
- Expeditions
Training for, and planning of a journey.
- Skills
Demonstrate ability in almost any hobby, skill or interest
- Physical Recreation
Sport and fitness.
- Residential Project (Gold Award only)
A purposeful enterprise with young people not previously known to the participant.
Cadets are often encouraged to achieve the Bronze, Silver and Gold awards as they progress through their cadet careers. Some cadets aged 16 or over used to be able to participate in the Duke of Edinburgh's Millennium Volunteers Award, this has now been overtaken by another authority and it is currently being reviewed on whether or not cadets will be able to undertake it as it has a new structure.
The Award is widely recognised by employers as it helps demonstrate that award holders are keen to take on new challenges, have a higher level of self confidence than their counterparts, have leadership qualities with the added experience of teamwork.
Leadership Training
Leadership Training is available and is recognised by a professional body (ILM), both the following two awards qualify for a professional qualification[5] which is recognised in industry by employers[6].
Leadership training is an important part of the ACF training programme, with training available at higher levels too. Most areas run NCO courses, designed to help newly promoted NCOs to perform their duties well, or to train those eligible for promotion. There are also a number of courses run centrally by the ACF, including the Junior Leaders course.
Junior Leaders
Cadets over the age of 17 and of the rank of at least Cadet Sergeant can complete a leadership course called Junior Leaders, renowned for being the toughest course in the ACF. Upon completion, the cadet is awarded a green and wedgwood blue DZ Flash for wearing on the DPM uniform and also the Certificate in Team Leading which is a professional qualification validated by the Institute of Leadership & Management (ILM)[7]
Master Cadet
The Master Cadet Course is a mixture of theory and practical elements with an emphasis on leadership, teamwork and communications, Cadets who complete the Master Cadet Course are eligible for this Certificate in Team Leading from the Institute of Leadership and Management[6].
See also
- The Cassino Band of Northumbria Army Cadet Force
- The Borneo Band of Durham Army Cadet Force
- Air Training Corps
- Sea Cadet Corps
- Combined Cadet Force
References
- ^ Charity Commission "THE ARMY CADET FORCE ASSOCIATION"
- ^ http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/AboutDefence/WhatWeDo/ReserveForcesandCadets/DRFC/HistoryOfTheArmyCadetForceacf.htm
- ^ a b MoD(A) website. "ACF Activities". Retrieved 2008-10-10.
- ^ a b DoE website. "The Duke of Edinburgh's Award". Retrieved 2008-10-10.
- ^ http://www.i-l-m.com/learn-with-ilm/847.aspx
- ^ a b MoD(A) website. "Leadership Training". Retrieved 2008-10-10.
- ^ The Junior Leaders Association - What is Junior Leaders accessdate=2008-10-10
External links
- Army Cadet Force Official Site
- Unofficial Army Cadet Force Forums
- Derbyshire Army Cadet Force (Mercian Regiment)
- North Devon ACF
- Devon ACF A Company
- Clwyd ACF
- Dyfed ACF
- Gwynedd ACF
- Gwent ACF
- Powys ACF
- Humberside & South Yorkshire ACF
- B Coy - Humbs. & S. Yorks. ACF
- Yorkshire (North and West) Army Cadet Force
- Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland ACF
- Greater Manchester Army Cadet Force
- Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Army Cadet Force