Our Battalion consists of 4 Cadet Company's usually consisting of 8 Detachments, with a Company Headquarters which is manned by a Cadet Administrative Assistant (CAA) employed by Reserve Forces and Cadets Association NI.
1st Northern Ireland Battalion Army Cadets
Welcome to the website of the 1st (Northern Ireland) Battalion Army Cadet Force, we have around 700 cadets in 32 Detachments from many of our communities and led by 175 well trained and enthusiastic adult staff - PLEASE NOTE THAT OUR DETACHMENTS WILL RE-OPEN FROM 1st SEPTEMBER
See the great work and events our cadets and CFAV are taking part in
View more newsA Company
A Company is located in County Tyrone and County Fermanagh, with their Headquarters in St Lucia Cadet Centre Omagh.
With 7 Detachments (See Location Map)
Omagh
Enniskillen
Enniskillen Royal Grammar School
Fivemiletown
Dungannon
Magherafelt
Cookstown
Omagh Schools (*Closed until further notice)
B Company
B Company is located in the City and County Londonderry, with their Headquarters in Caw Army Reserve Centre Londonderry
With 8 Detachments (See Location Map)
Caw
Lisneal College
Newbuildings
Drumahoe
Limavady
Coleraine College (Closed, awaiting relocation)
Coleraine
Ballymoney
C Company
C Company is located in County Antrim with their Headquarters in Ballymena Army Reserve Centre,
With 8 Detachments (See Location Map)
Ballymena
Cullybackey
Antrim
Band, Drums and Pipes (Antrim)
Larne
Glengormley
Cambridge House Grammar School
Ballyclare
D Company
D Company is located in County Antrim and North Belfast area, with their Headquarters in Abbotscroft Army Reserve Centre,
With 8 Detachments (See Location Map)
Whitehouse
Monkstown
Carrickfergus Grammar School
Carrickfergus
Greenisland
Whitehead
Model Schools
Dunmore
Carnmoney (*Closed until further notice)
Something Special
Be Part of Something Special: as 1st (Northern Ireland) Battalion ACF continues to be one of the most successful Army Cadet Force units in the UK.
We are looking for Young People from the age of 12 and in Year 9 to join us for adventure, fun, friendships, and skills for life.
No matter where you live, what school you go to you will find true "Adventure, Fun and Friendship" with us.
All equipment and clothing is provided free of charge on a temporary loan - the only item of kit we ask the cadets to provide is a pair of boots.
Click on the link to see how much fun you could be having!!!; https://armycadets.com/cadets/...
Join Today Don't Delay
The Army Cadets provides volunteering opportunities as instructors, mentors and helpers for our 39,000 cadets
We are also seeking Adult Instructors from the age of 18 to join our team to help develop our local Young People, as well as learning skills and gaining additional qualifications for yourself!
If you are up for a challenge, you'll go further with the Army Cadets
For an amazing challenge, follow the link: https://armycadets.com/volunte...
We have made so many strong friendships that we still keep in contact today.
We done many challenging things and this has made us stronger!!
A big thanks to all the adult staff who done so much for us
Ex Cadet
"Our adults are great have helped us all so much, to get out and enjoy our community "
Cadet D Company
733
Cadets
290
Female Cadets
443
Male Cadets
178
Adult(CFAV) Cadet Force Adult Volunteers
I have been in the cadets for over 3 years now and it has been the best thing I have ever done. I have made so many friends, done wonderful challenging, fun things and I love going target shooting which has really built up my confidence.
Cadet Cpl Amelia Sinclair Limavady Detachment
Band, Drums and Pipes
Music in 1st (NI) Battalion ACF is available in many forms to adults and cadets no matter what their ability as all training is given.
Instruments are available with free tuition and we cover all forms of musical make up, Wind Band, Brass, Drums, Bugle, Flute, Bagpipes and many more.
Go along to your nearest Detachment and register as a musician and you will be directed to our Band, Drums and Pipes.
The Band Detachment is located in Antrim, but they train on weekends either at Antrim or at our Cadet Training Centre.
Twice each year there is a Music Camp for National Music where training is intense over a week and this enables everyone to improve their own ability and be able to perform to the same standard as the rest of Britain. The camps also include skill at arms, drill and turnout and several non-military activities such as swimming and many more.
BTEC can be offered to cadets over sixteen years old or above, as well as a skill for your Duke of Edinburgh award, and for good measure you can achieve grades, APC Star Passes and maybe a trip abroad. Why not give it a try, you may never know what you could have achieved.
Come and have a go!!!! Follow the link
https://armycadets.com/what-we...
I am so delighted to receive my Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award and I have signed up for my Silver Award, we can even use some of our cadet stuff for it!!!
Cadet Katie Dixson Coleraine Detachment
Cadet Training Centre
The Battalion has a dedicated Cadet Training Centre (CTC) at Magilligan nr. Limavady Co. Londonderry, this is where most of our weekend training is carried out.
The centre has excellent training facilities which features classrooms all fitted with internet access, and overnight dormitory accommodation for over 175 cadets and adults, along with a kitchen cadet and adult dining room and a joint Adult Mess.
Our outdoor training takes part on the vast Military Training Area which is also used by the regular and reserve forces as well as cadets.
When at the CTC the training includes drill, fieldcraft, skill at arms, shooting, first aid, leadership training and signals to name a few. Expeditions are also launched from the centre and some adventurous training activities such as mountain biking with canoeing in the local River Roe. The CTC is used most weekends of the year.
Weekends Away Fri-Sun
As well as our weekly Detachment Training Nights, you can take part in regular weekend camps held at our Cadet Training Centre in Magilligan Co. Londonderry. (Cost £12.00) This includes travel by coach to and from the CTC and a fully cooked breakfast on the Saturday and Sunday mornings followed by lunch on both days and an excellent meal on the Saturday evening.
And if that isn't enough, you could find yourself competing in Military Skills Competitions, different regional and national competitions such as First Aid, Sport, Signals, you could even learn to play a musical instrument with our band or learn how to become a Cadet PR Rep for your company at one of the many training weekends.
The question is....
Can anyone really afford to miss out on all these opportunities that we have to offer you?
Click on the link to see how much fun you could be having this weekend!!!
https://armycadets.com/what-we...
A Camp for Junior Cadets
During the Easter School Holidays the battalion take part in a 5 day residential camp at the CTC for our new cadets
Easter Camp (for our junior cadets) in Magilligan NI (Cost £45 approx.) includes an evening out at the Bowling Alley and Cinema in Coleraine
Battalion Summer Camp
The Battalion Summer Camp is the highlight of the training year. The battalion would deploy with over 300 cadets and 120 CFAV to an army camp either in England, Scotland or Wales for 10 days. During this camp, which is for cadets who have reached the age of 13 years and over, they will practice all the skills they have been taught either at their detachment or at the training weekends.
Summer Camp (Cost £95 approx.) This includes all your travel by coach and ferry to Scotland, all your food (3 meals a day) and accommodation in an army style barracks.
The cadets get free time which is usually a half day shopping at the local town as well as a day out at a seaside town or a Theme Park
Cadet Training Centre, Magilligan
Photos of the 1st (NI) Battalion
Contact Us
CEO (1)
35 Manse Road
Carryduff
BELFAST
BT8 8DA
Parents/Guardians
Please Note: The number or email address at our Battalion Headquarters is not manned outside normal working hours.