ACS: The Army Cadet Syllabus. Pretty much every activity completed by a cadet in the ACF falls under the ACS. It's the foundation on which your experience of being a cadet is built.
ADMIN: Everything from paperwork to cleaning and personal tasks completed in the field.
ALLY: A word of disputed military origin, this loosely means “cool”, and is used to talk about desirable or fashionable military clothing or equipment. In the field, it may even save lives…
ANNUAL CAMP: A week-long residential camp usually held on an MOD training area. Normally used to progress cadets successfully through a decent chunk of the ACS, these events take months of planning and are usually the crowning event of your year.
BREW: Tea or coffee. Example: “Fancy a brew?”
CADRE: A group selected for a specific training activity. Example: “the leadership cadre.”
CDRILS: An initialism used across the military, “CDRILS” denotes the ACF’s values and standards, and stands for: courage; discipline; respect for others; integrity; loyalty, and selfless commitment.
CFAV: Cadet Forces Adult Volunteer. CFAVs give up time in their busy lives to plan, deliver and oversee the ACF syllabus at detachment, company, and county level. They're fully first aid and safeguarding trained, and they know how to work with young people like you. When it's raining and you want to go home, they are the ones by your side encouraging you!
COOKHOUSE: An Army canteen.
CIVVIES: Civilians, or civilian clothing.
CSM: Company Sergeant Major. Is in charge of discipline and wellbeing in your immediate unit, working closely with the OC. Do not call them "mate"!
DC: Detachment Commander. Your immediate point of command within the ACF, and the hard-working person who organises your parade nights. Will typically be a senior NCO or junior officer at the rank of Lieutenant. Is often a subject matter expert in more than one syllabus subject. When they tell you to get your consent form signed and bring it back immediately, make sure you do it!
DOSS BAG: Sleeping bag. See also: “Big Green Time Machine."
DRILL: The basis of teamwork, Drill & Turnout teaches cadets to move from A to B in a smart and soldierly fashion, and creates cadets who are proud, alert, and obedient.
GARRY: Gore-Tex clothing.
GLEAMING: Used to describe something that is clean, brilliant, or both!
IC: Means "in command." The 2IC is the Second-in-Command CFAV within a detachment or company. In the event that the senior CFAV cannot be present, it is their job to run the show.
JACK: Lazy or uncommitted. Don’t worry, if your name is actually Jack you won’t be marked down!
KFS: Knife, fork and spoon. Typically carried with a mess tin for eating in the field.
LANCE-JACK: A lance-corporal or lance-bombardier.
MEETING WITHOUT COFFEE: If you’re having one of these with your DC, CSM, OC, or the RSM, they probably aren’t happy!
MEL: A timetable. Stands for “main events list”. Look for it on the noticeboard!
NAAFI: Stands for "Navy, Army, and Air Force Institute", but, to cadets, is where they get their snacks at a parade night or residential weekend. Part of the fabric of ACF life.
NCO: Non-commissioned officer. From Lance-Corporals (and Lance-Bombardiers) to Warrant Officers (Class 1), NCOs are there to get things done. In the ACF, Cadet NCOs are the senior cadets at their detachments and within their companies.
NO DRAMAS: Not a rule, just our way of saying “no worries”.
PADRE: A trained priest who provides spiritual and moral support to cadets and CFAVs. In the British Army and ACF, padres hold the rank of Captain, and should be saluted.
PXR: Post-Exercise Review. DCs conduct these with their cadets after residential weekends or Annual Camp. They're your opportunity to give honest feedback about the event.
RAT PACKS: Rations. Originally packed in a cardboard box, they are now issued in a sealed plastic bag and contain enough scoff for a 24-hour period in the field. Biscuits brown?
REMEMBRANCE: The Royal British Legion's annual Festival of Remembrance, in which cadets and CFAVs participate in remembrance activities, poppy selling, and commemorative events up and down the country. This culminates in Remembrance Day, which falls on the Sunday closest to 11 November every year. The result of months of preparation and a cause for observant respect, this is one of the most important days in the ACF's calendar.
RSM: Regimental Sergeant Major. The most senior NCO CFAV in the county, he or she will oversee each company's CSM, and is responsible for discipline, welfare, and safe practice among adults and cadets alike. Works very closely with the Commandant.
SCOFF: Food! And hopefully hot food at that!
STAG: Guard duty. Don’t fall asleep!
STAND BY: If you hear this, something is about to happen. It could be the start of a 100m race, news that a change of plan is coming, or a warning that something has gone wrong.
STORES: Where equipment, clothing, and vital resources are organised and kept.
SQUARED AWAY: A task completed. Example: “Once your boots are squared away…”
THE CO: The commanding officer (and Commandant) of an ACF county, or counties. Is the most senior adult volunteer and officer in the region, and has overall responsibility for everyone's experience of being a cadet or adult volunteer. From budgets and minibuses to policy and event prep, nothing happens without their say-so.
THE OC: The officer commanding your immediate unit. They will hold a commission and the rank of Captain or Major.
TO INSPIRE TO ACHIEVE: This is our motto. This is our mission. This is why we do what we do.
TWISTERS: Elasticated twists hooked round the lower leg to "blouse" the combat trouser into a smart and soldierly seal over the top of your combat boots.
WAIT OUT: A radio instruction to wait. Also used in conversation to manage expectations. Example: “you might have to wait out on that.”
YES! The best answer when someone asks if you're loving life!
