PARENT & CARER FAQS

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

Yes. Joining the ACF provides a good insight into life in the Army and helps young people decide whether it is the right path for them. Cadets in the ACF get some military training and spend time on military training areas during annual camp. This gives them a great advantage over those new soldiers that have not had any cadet experience.

No, although they will need to keep your hair neat and tidy when on cadet activities, and back from their face and ears. They must also be able to wear their uniform head dress properly, with no hair showing below the brow band.

If they have a shorter hairstyle, this must not reach the collar and if needed can be kept in place with pins, clips, nets or ties. Female cadets with longer hair may wear this a as a bun, single ponytail, single braid, twists, locks or in corn braids/rows but must not reach below the top of the belt. Male cadets with longer hair should secure the hair above the collar in a way that is neat and tidy.

We have processes in place to keep our cadets safe when they are with the ACF. Each adult volunteer undergoes an enhanced disclosure check (previously known as a criminal records check) when they join the ACF and at regular intervals while they remain with us. We also have strict rules about how cadets are supervised, and every adult volunteer receives training in how to deal with safeguarding incidents when they happen.
We do not tolerate any form of bullying or discrimination in the ACF and have simple methods in place for cadets to report these to our volunteers who are trained on how to deal with incidents.
The safety of cadets on events and activities is supported by a team of national and regional training teams, as well as a full-time Training Safety Adviser in every ACF County, who together make sure that training is conducted as safely as possible while still being exciting and challenging.

All cadets are provided with uniform while they are in the ACF which is returned when they leave. There is no charge for this, although you may be asked for a returnable deposit. We do not provide boots and you will need to buy a pair for your child when they join. Your local detachment volunteer team will be able to advise on where you can find these.

All of our detachment meet for two hours on one or two evenings a week throughout the year. These are called parade nights. The days and times vary, but most detachment evenings start between 7pm and 7.30pm.
Cadets will also meet for weekend camps, competitions and other training. Your local detachment volunteer team will be able to give you more information on what activities your child can get involved with.

Each year, ACF cadets are invited to join an Annual Camp and go away with other cadets in their ACF County for up to two weeks during the school holidays. For most cadets, Annual Camp is the highlight of their year with the ACF.
Each Annual Camp is different, but all cadets will get to learn new skills as well as put into practice some of the lessons they have learnt in detachments.

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

Thanks to the support of the Army we can keep the costs of being in the ACF very low. There will be costs for attending weekend training camps, annual camps and other activities, but we try to keep these as low as possible. Parade nights in detachments are free, but some detachments may request a small weekly subscription to go towards detachment events and visits.

They will need to be at least aged 12 to join the Army Cadets.