Activities

Cadet units meet on two evenings a week and on one or two weekends a month to train and learn skills associated with the particular Cadet Force in addition to participating in local activities. There are also opportunities to learn to play a musical instrument, join a band and take part in adventurous training activities. The Cadet Forces' syllabi are closely allied to the Duke of Edinburgh's Award scheme and First Diploma BTECs in Public Services, music and engineering, which are equivalent to 4 GCSE standard grades A* to C levels and which the cadets can easily achieve with a little extra work and application. Before deciding if they want to join, potential cadets parade for a number of weeks to see if being a cadet is really what they want to do. If they elect to ‘give it a go’, their training starts immediately and they will find themselves on the way to achieving that first badge. Initial training takes place at a local cadet centre, in the country, at camps or at weekend training centres.

Adult Instructors

All three Cadet Forces need adults to instruct the cadets. They need no previous military experience and receive all the training they need. There is some remuneration and everyone can expect to gain a great deal of satisfaction and enjoyment. Suitable candidates can apply for a commission and there are also opportunities to gain BTEC qualifications up to the equivalent of a Level 6 Graduateship Award.

North of England Cadet Forces Trust

The North of England Reserve Forces Trust was established in 1996 with the Lord-Lieutenants of the four Counties as Patrons, to assist cadets from disadvantaged backgrounds within the Association’s area to undertake adventure, sporting and leadership activities which would help them to develop their life skills, mature and reach their true potentials so that they could become useful members of society. It gives annual grants to each of the Cadet Forces in addition to special grants to deserving individual cadets.