Army Cadet Force 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 13 to 18 year olds and 9 months . Its sister organisation , the Combined Cadet Force provides similar training within various schools . It has connections with 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 ' - can come from a previous cadet service or military background . However , these days most ACF organisations welcome any person wishing to volunteer , especially those people with skills such as adventure training , outdoor pursuits , teachers , people with medical skills and persons showing an interest in enthusing young people to become more active . The Army Cadet Force Association ( ACFA ) , which today is responsible for the guidance of the Army Cadet Force , and through many committees acts in an advisory role to the Ministry of Defence and other Government bodies on matters connected with the ACF , is a registered charity . The Army Cadet Force is also a member of The National Council for Voluntary Youth Services ( NCVYS ) , as an organisation with a voluntary and community youth focus . History . In 1859 local Militia units ( Predecessors of the Territorial Army ) , were organised into a nationwide Volunteer Reserve Force . The first unit of the A . C . F to be formed was the robin hood rifles formed by Lady Octavia Hill on Castle Green in Nottingham in 1859 . These new Volunteer units formed Cadet Companies and eight public schools formed independent cadet units ( fore - runners of the Combined Cadet Force The late Victorian period was when the time of social change began to take hold in Britain and a Mr Adam Gray 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 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 1930s . 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 . 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 Prior to the 1982 females were unable to join the ACF , 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 Ranks . Ranks in the ACF model that of the British Army . Cadet Ranks . 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 . Once a cadet has reached their three star training , they must attend a JCIC ( Junior Cadet Instructors Cadre ) , as part of their Army Proficiency Certificate ( A . P . C . ) Three Star award . To achieve the APC Four Star award they do not have to pass an SCIC ( Senior Cadet Instructors Cadre ) , as although it is an option there are other paths available , although it is a requirement if they wish to attend the Master Cadet Course at CTC Frimley Park . The titles of some ranks may vary as cadet detachments are badged to regiments of the Regular Army , and as such adopt their titles . In many counties there is the opportunity for promotion to Under Officer . Although this is an appointment not a rank , it is a chance for senior cadets to gain experience as an officer . The ACF Manual 2005 states that all Cadet NCO ' s should wear the small Combat Patch rank insignia on their brassard . No other form of rank insignia is currently authorised for wear by cadets , including CS95 Rank Slides although many ACF counties allow their cadets to wear this in addition to their brassard . CFAV ' s should wear CS 95 rank sliders appropriate to their rank , these must contain the title ACF in addition to any additional markings specific to their regimental or county affiliation ( i . e . ; Yorkshire Regiment ACF ) . Stable belt s are coloured belts ( colours varied according to regiment ) , 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 combat dress . But ultimately it is at the CO ' s discretion . If a cadet is seen as a good leader and excellent in all aspects of the cadet syllabus , promotion to Cadet RSM can be awarded . Commissioned Officer Ranks . All ACF Officers hold a hold a TA Group B Commission ( the same group as UOTC officer cadets ) which holds no liability for mobilisation . Newly commissioned officers are initially Second Lieutenants ( on probation ) before having their commission confirmed in the rank of Second Lieutenant . The highest substantive rank that can be achieved is Lieutenant . Promotion beyond Lieutenant is attained by appointment to an ' Acting ' rank although it is not unusual for a ' Honorary ' rank to be awarded upon retirement from the ACF . Cadet Force Adult Volunteers . Adults may join the ACF to instruct through two different routes - as an Adult Instructor ( AI ) or as a Commissioned Officer . Adult Instructors . Prospective Adult Instructors begin as a Civilian Assistant ( CA ) before passing a medical and an enhanced disclosure . After completing the Adult Induction Course , which takes place over 4 weekends at county level , 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 a variety of different courses . A further mandatory course at Frimley Park is the Instructors ' Course which must be completed within three years of joining . After which the AI is qualified for promotion to the rank of Staff Sergeant Instructor ( SSI ) . The King George VI Memorial Leadership ( KGVI ) 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 . Adult Instructors will be expected to work in a team with their superiors and senior cadets they are responsible for , to deliver effective training to the cadets . . Officers . 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 Army Officer Selection Board though less physically demanding . The applicant will be assessed on their literacy , problem solving , and leadership ability . Successful applicants will then be appointed a Type 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 an obligation to uphold the prestige of a commission in their personal discipline and authority - both on and off duty as they are subject to Military Law when in uniform . To qualify for further promotion the officer must attend respective courses at Frimley Park . 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 simply called by the name of the town they reside in . Activities . Army Proficiency Certificate . The Army Proficiency Certificate ( APC ) is the training syllabus of the ACF and is divided into five levels each covering the core subjects but in more detail as they progress . Core Subjects . Drill & Turnout . A time - honoured tradition of the military parade , cadets are taught drill . Having learnt the positions of attention , saluting and turns at the halt , recruits progress onto marching in quicktime . Many drill movements can be executed while standing still and while marching , and also while holding a rifle . Each year , drill is used for Remembrance Day parade s , and at annual camps large parades take place , with a colour party , in which cadets with rifles march with and guard the standard - bearer . Closely linked with a cadet ' s drill is his or her turnout - each cadet is issued with a uniform by the Ministry of Defence and shown how to care for it and appear smart at all times , with ironed - in creases and polished boots . The aim of drill is to produce a cadet who is alert and obedient and to provide the basis of teamwork . The purpose of drill is to move an individual or body of cadets from A to B in a smart , uniform and military - like manner . Drill has evolved over a long period of time and is now accepted as the foundation of military discipline . It has particular value for cadets ; teaching them proper posture , to develop their lungs and muscle s and improve their confidence . The expression " Drill Voice " is the tone volume and pitch of voice used by an individual taking command during drill . Cadets must make sure they are loud enough for the whole squad to be able to hear the word of command , clear enough so that the squad can understand , and aggressive enough that the words of command are heard as a command - not a request . Fieldcraft . In fieldcraft lessons , cadets learn infantry skills such as patrolling , section battle drills , ambush drills , harbour drills , and how to survive in the field . Field exercises take place once every few months , and at annual camp . Out on exercise , cadets wear Disruptive Pattern Material camouflage clothing , dulled boots , camouflage cream to eliminate the face ' s natural shine , a bush hat and foliage to break up the shape of the head and shoulders , webbing to carry rifle magazines , water bottles and emergency rations , commonly one of either the 58 pattern webbing or the newer PLCE system and a bergen to carry a sleeping bag and basha ( improvised shelter ) building materials . Cadets are issued with 24 - hour ration packs and hexamine cookers ( known as Rat - Packs and Hexi cookers to cadets ) as used by the infantry . As part of a platoon , cadets set up harbour areas ( operations bases ) , post sentries , and send out patrols to carry out reconnaissance , lay ambushes , and assault enemy positions . Cadets become familiar with a vast range of hand signals for silent communication , and various patrol formations for crossing different types of terrain , such as the arrowhead formation for crossing open country . Skill at Arms . New recruits are taught how to safely handle , clean , operate and fire the Number 8 . 22 Rifle and the L98 Cadet Rifle ( General Purpose ) 5 . 56 mm Rifle . The L98A2 Cadet GP is a version of the British Army ' s L85A2 adapted to fire only on a semi - automatic setting . In order to become proficient on the weapon and pass the one - star Skill at Arms ( SAA ) test , cadets must show they can handle the weapon safely , perform stoppage drills , and field strip the weapon for daily cleaning . Once this has been done , cadets can fire the weapon using blank rounds in field exercises , taking part in ambushes and assaults on enemy forces . They can also fire live rounds on a range , usually at annual camps , possibly gaining marksman qualification badges based on their accuracy . Senior Cadets who have passed two - star Skill at Arms are introduced to the L86A2 Light Support Weapon which , unlike the GP , can fire in semi - and fully automatic modes . With its longer barrel and bipod , the L86A2 has a greater range and muzzle velocity , and with its SUSAT ( Sight Unit Small Arms Trilux - the optical sight on top of the weapon ) , it allows for greater accuracy . The LSW is also used by the infantry , and having mastered this more difficult weapon , cadets can mimic the tasks performed by regular army LSW gunners , using its higher rate of fire to provide fire support during section attacks . However , the LSW is slowly being phased out of service due to increase in military demand . There is also a deactivated version , the L103A1 DP ( Drill Purpose ) , which is currently being replaced by the A2 version . The DP rifle is generally used for teaching cadets the basics of the weapon they are handling . It is also used for ' Rifle Drill ' which is general drill but integrating motions carried out with the rifle ; this can also be done effectively whilst marching . Shooting . After basic lessons on weapon handling and particularly safety , cadets are first taught to fire a . 22 calibre rifle on a 25 m rifle range . Cadets are taught the principles of marksman ship - natural pointing , position and hold , sight alignment and shot release and follow through . These also apply to the GP Rifle , which is fired typically on 100 m , 200 m and 300 m ranges during annual camps or weekends away . Senior Cadets are also allowed to fire the Light Support Weapon at the same ranges . Cadets who perform exceptionally in rifle shooting can achieve a range of proficiency badges and go on to earn county colours for representing the county at CADSAM , the Cadet Annual Skill At Arms Meeting shooting competition . The country is split into divisions , each being numbered . Though each division conducts the competition differently , the competition revolves around the same practices . Involved is zeroing shoot at 30m , snap shoot at 100m , gallery run which starts at 300m where the cadets fire 2 sighting shots and then 10 shots against the clock and run to 200m where they shoot another 10 shots and then run to 100m where they shoot a further 10 shots , again against the clock . Some competitions are held at barracks , such as 4 Division at Pirbright , hold a DCCT ( Dismounted Close Combat Trainer ) range which consists of cadets using SA80s which use a laser system onto a screen . Scenarios and different ranges can be used on this system . Some divisions have a shotgun shoot . There is a pool bull competition where cadets put in money and try to get as close to the bull as possible . The cadet who wins receives all of the money . There is the ETR ( Electronic Target Range ) where cadets fire at a fixed position onto targets at 100m , 200m and 300m . Their targets are controlled electronically and the scores are also calculated electronically . All of these competitions are conducted on Saturday . On the Sunday all the teams ( some counties have more than one ) compete in the falling plate competition which involves the cadets running from 300m to 200m and trying to get 10 plates down as fast as possible . The divisions conduct the competition slightly differently . In 4 Division , each team competes against one other team but in the fist two rounds there are two competitions happening at the same time ( four teams total ) . The results ceremony is conducted after the falling plate competition . Cadets also have the opportunity to fire the L81 A2 Cadet Target Rifle in competition at Brigade ( CTRM ) , National ( Interservices Cadet Rifle Meeting ) and International ( Dominion of Canada Rifle Association Matches ) level . Many cadets go on to become part of the national team representing the UK in international competitions . Map and Compass . Cadets learn how to navigate using a map and compass . Cadets gain the same skills taught to soldiers so that they can plan operations and navigate any terrain . First , cadets learn to care for and use Ordnance Survey maps ( and the MOD ' s maps produced by DGIA ( Defence Geographic and Imagery Intelligence Agency ) of United Kingdom Training Areas ) , plot and find six - figure grid references , calculate distances between points , and to recognise various conventional signs . The two - star map and compass course then introduces cadets to the Silva ( 4 / 6400 ) and Suunto ( M - 5N ) lightweight protractor compass . Cadets learn to use and plot grid and magnetic bearings in degrees only , as that is what they learn as part of their school syllabus . The regular army uses mils instead of degrees , but the use of mils no longer forms part of the A . P . C . training , to understand the three different types of north , to account for deviation of the grid - magnetic angle , and to understand contour lines and more advanced conventional signs . With this knowledge , cadets can draw up route cards to undertake night navigation exercises or orienteering competitions . First Aid . As part of the training syllabus Cadets are taught First Aid to recognised standards and are awarded relevant certificates . The syllabus is broadly based around the St John Ambulance Activity First Aid syllabus , working at the following levels . • Basic & One Star cadets carry out syllabus based training covering incident management , making an emergency call etc . • Two Star Cadets are required to complete the St John Ambulance Youth Activity First Aid certificate Course • Three Star Cadets have to complete the first day of the St John Ambulance Activity First Aid Certificate Course • Four Star Cadets may choose to complete the full Activity First Aid Course as one of their progressive subjects . In addition to this many of the counties within the ACF are delivering the British Heart Foundation s " Heartstart " course to their cadets , offering them quick access to Emergency Life Support . This is often offered at the Basic level , exposing almost all of the cadets to First Aid . Cadet and the Community . These community projects enrich local knowledge and encourage good citizenship , usually a cadet can contribute to his / her community by charity collection , public parades , assisting local services and helping at public events . This involvement within the community is important for improving confidence and social skills . Duke of Edinburgh ' s 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 . . 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 : - Helping others in the local community . Demonstrate ability in almost any hobby , skill or interest Sport and fitness . Training for , and planning of a journey . 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 . BTEC First Diplomas . Through the Cadet Vocational Qualifications Organisation ( CVQO ) the Army Cadet Force offers cadets ( aged 16 – 19 ) and above the opportunity to gain internationally - recognised BTEC First Diploma qualifications in Public Services and Music . Each BTEC First Diploma is the equivalent of 4 GCSEs , grade C - A * . Leadership Training . 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 . This includes the Junior Cadet Instructors Cadre ( run locally at a county level ) and the Senior Cadet Instructors Course which is run at a Brigade level by Cadet Training Teams . Master Cadet Course . The Course ' s aim is to assess the qualities required for Master Cadet Status by developing a cadet ' s leadership , instructional and administrative skills needed to gain credibility as one of the top cadets of a County and to determine suitability for appointment as a Master Cadet This is only one of 5 criteria these young men and women from across the UK must meet to be awarded the prestigious status of Master Cadet . Cadet Leadership Courses . The Aim of the Cadet Leadership Courses ( CLC ) is : ' To develop cadets ' initiative and self - reliance and to exercise them in the problems of practical leadership . ' The course is open to members of all the Cadet Forces ( SCC , ACF , ATC and CCF ) providing they are over 16 and have passed their APC 3 star or equivalent . Each Course has 120 places and is focused on leadership training and assessment , which is developed through a variety of activities including : The Courses take place at both the Cadet Training Center , Frimley Park , or at Nesscliffe Training Barracks , Shropshire , England . 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 , run centrally by the Air Training Corps . Upon completion , the cadet is awarded a green and wedgwood blue 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 )