Frequently Asked Questions

No. The Army Cadet Force is sponsored by the Army, but there is absolutely no requirement to join any of the armed services at any time.

You need to be at least aged 12 and in year 8 at school to join the cadets. If you are aged 18 or above, you can join as an adult volunteer.

Most detachments meet two evenings a week with occasional weekend camps and competitions. The days and times vary depending on the detachment but normally it starts at 7pm or 7.30pm and runs for two hours.

Most detachments will ask cadets to pay a small sub (of maybe 50p or £1). The only other cost is buying a sturdy pair of boots. If you go on weekend training it will cost you approximately £20 and annual camp, is £50 for a week and includes all transport, food, accommodation and activities.

Annual camp is when everyone within your county has the opportunity to go away for one week during the school summer holidays to a military training camp somewhere in the UK. For many it is the highlight of their ACF year.

Yes. On joining the Army Cadet Force as a cadet you will be issued with a uniform free of charge, though you might be asked for a deposit. All you need to buy is a good pair of boots.

Ask your Detachment Commander to recommend local suppliers and outets when you join. Some members of the ACF use www.cadetkitshop.com for various bits of kit.

Yes. Joining the ACF will give you a good insight into life in the Army and help you decide whether it is the right path for you. As a cadet in the ACF you will get some military training and spend time on military training areas during annual camp. This will give you a great advantage over those new soldiers that have not had any cadet experience.

Yes. The Army Cadet Force is one of the UK’s largest operating authorities for The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE). All elements of DofE can be completed as part of your normal ACF activities.

Yes. There are expeditions and cadet exchange trips to destinations as diverse as Canada, South Africa, France and the Himalayas.

It is not necessary to have short hair but if your hair falls below collar length it will need to be tied back for cadet activity.

BTEC is an internationally-recognised vocational qualification open to young people aged 16 or above. As an Army Cadet you can work towards a BTEC Level 2 in Public Services or Music as part of your normal ACF activities.

No, you do not have to be a UK citizen to join as a cadet.

We are able to offer senior cadets a range of vocational qualifications through our relationship with the Cadet Vocational Qualification Organisation (CVQO), including BTEC Level 2 qualifications in Public Services and Music and the ILM Level 2 Certificate in Team Leading.

No you do not need any previous military experience to join as an adult volunteer, though we certainly welcome those that do. We will provide you with all the training you need. Whatever skills you have, you will be welcomed by the ACF. Many of our adult volunteers were cadets themselves at some stage, and some have served in the Armed Forces, but we also have many who joined with no previous military background at all.

If you are aged between 18 and 55 then you can join as an adult.

No. No member of the ACF, either cadet or adult, is liable for military call-up.

This depends on your role in the ACF, but activities include abseiling, trekking, first aid, sports, camping, music, competitive shooting, drill, fieldcraft and The Duke of Edinburgh's Award.

No. The ACF is a national, voluntary youth organisation that is sponsored by the British Army but not part of it. The ACF operates under the same rank structure as the Army and undertakes a certain amount of military-themed training, but they are different organisations. No member of the ACF, either cadet or adult, is liable for military call-up.

Once you have completed the joining form on our website, you will be sent the contact details for your local ACF county HQ. (We have 1700 detachments the length and breadth of the UK, organised into 57 county groupings, each managed by a small headquarters). They will also receive an email letting them know that you are interested in possibly joining us. You will then normally be invited in to the county HQ for an interview. If you decide to go ahead, you will be taken through our familiarisation and assessment package over the next few weeks, which is designed to provide you with a proper insight into the organisation and the role of an ACF adult volunteer. During this time we will also take this time to assess your suitability to serve in a voluntary youth organisation.

Yes, all new adult volunteers are taken through the familiarisation and assessment package, regardless of their experience. This will provide you with a proper insight into the ACF as a voluntary youth organisation and the role of an ACF adult volunteer. Your later training might vary, however, as ACF Commandants have the ability to waive some training modules for those with extensive military experience.

We are able to offer our adult volunteers a range of valuable vocational qualifications through our relationship with the Cadet Vocational Qualifications Organisation (CVQO), right up to honours degree level.

Most detachments meet two evenings a week and there ae also occasional weekend activities which you can get involved in. Beyond that it is up to you how much time you want to give. Help is always welcomed on the annual camps (one or two weeks during the school summer holidays) and many consider this the highlight of the ACF year. We fully understand that all kinds of other commitments, such as famly and work, can affect people's availability, so even if you can't commit to two evenings a week, we would still love to hear from you.

On joining the Army Cadet Force you are issued with a uniform free of charge for the duration of your time with us, though you may be asked for a deposit. All you need to buy is a good pair of boots.

Ask your Detachment Commander for local suppliers and recommendations when you join. Some members of the ACF use www.cadetkitshop.com for various bits of kit.

The safety of our young people is of paramount importance to us and the ACF has to check there is nothing that should bar you from working with children. All new adult volunteers are required to undergo the Criminal Records Bureau disclosure process.

Minor offences and petty crimes won’t necessarily prevent you joining. Every case is looked at individually.

Annual camp is when everyone within your ACF county has the opportunity to go away for either one or two weeks during the school summer holidays to a military training camp somewhere in the UK. For many it is the highlight of their ACF year, when they can put into practice much of the theory they have learned during the previous 12 months.

You should discuss this with your employer. Some employers have a policy of offering special leave to those undertaking voluntary activities. In other cases you would need to take the time out of your normal annual leave entitlement.

Once you have enrolled as an adult volunteer with the ACF, you will follow some induction training. You will also be mentored by a more experienced adult volunteer through your early time with the organisation. After that you will have the opportunity to attend a wide range of further courses. Some of these will be of your own choosing as you decide what areas you wish to gain expertise in. This could be anything from mountain leadership to rifle shooting or from piping and drumming to public relations.

It is not necessary to have short hair but if your hair falls below collar length it will need to be tied back for cadet activities.

Providing that you are citizen of Great Britain, Northern Ireland or the Irish Republic and have resided in the United Kingdom for a minimum period of five years immediately preceding your application, you fulfil our citizenship requirements.