The Army Cadet Commissions Board (ACCB)

The Charter of ACCB is to select for probationary commission, candidates with the necessary personality, intellect and leadership potential to lead the Army’s Cadet Forces (ACF and CCF(A)). The Army’s Cadet officers are selected at the Army Cadet Commissions Board (ACCB).

The assessment weekend is deliberately intensive (lasting from 9am to 5pm on Saturday) and is designed to test candidates’ leadership qualities and potential. There are three assesors per syndicate; Vice President, Deputy President and Group Leader as well as The President who oversees all syndicates.

When you arrive on Saturday morning you will get a briefing, in readiness for the day of tests and assessments, followed by an opportunity to introduce yourself to the rest of the group.

Most tests take place in syndicate groups (participants are given a number on a coloured lanyard and are referred to by number throughout the day). No one test will result in a 'not selected' decision; you will be assessed on your overall performance throughout the day. The process enables the assessors to identify your suitability for a Cadet Force Commission as well as your strengths and areas for further development.

Over the course of the weekend you're expected to take part in a number of different activities which will guide the assessment team as to your suitability to become a cadet force officer.

Description: In your leaderless syndicate groups you will be given several set topics, including at least one youth related topic, that you will be asked to discuss.

Purpose: Assessors will be looking at listening and speaking skills, how well individuals communicate with others in the group and how well they put across their ideas.

Description: The SJA comprises an in-tray exercise in combination with a written and verbal communication activity. You will be presented with relevant theme-based scenarios: telephone calls, emails, complaints and other actions. It is then up to you to prioritise each task in accordance with the perceived importance. You are expected to exhibit the correct level of understanding, display the right type of skills and demonstrate the appropriate attitudes of the role. The SJA consists of three components:

a. SJA Written Task (60 minutes). You consider the scenario and produce a short (no more than 2 sides of A4) handwritten briefing paper enabling assessment in yourwritten comminucation ability.

b. SJA Discussion (up to 20 mins). The aim of this activity is to assess your understanding of the problem and your ability to work within a group context to solve the problem.

c. SJA Candidate One to One Cross Examination (max 5 mins per candidate) The aim of this activity is to assess your understanding of the problem and your ability to think on your feet, coping with a degree of pressure.

At the start of the exercise, you’ll be devising your own written plan. During the group discussion you will work with the other members of your syndicate group to generate a verbal group plan. Afterwards, you will be brought in to the syndicate room individually where the Deputy President of the ACCB, who has been observing the exercise with other assessors, will ask you to answer several questions about the scenario or the plan.

Purpose: The main point of the SJA is to see how you can extract and recall information, work out solutions, formulate plans and how you pass this information on to others.

Description: The interview will be based on your CV and conducted by your syndicate Vice Presidents of the board.

Purpose: Your interviewer will be keen to find out why you want to be an officer and to find out more about you, your skills and your aspirations.

Description: You will be given three topics (chosen from reading through your CV) and given 10 minutes to prepare a five-minute talk on one of the topics, which you will deliver to your syndicate group.

Purpose: This task will provide information on your communication and presentation skills.

Description: This is an individual rather than group activity - the focus is on conceptual problem solving and communication skills. Markers (labelled 1-8) will be used to represent candidates. The following steps in the process will occur:

· General group briefing

· Individual briefing to the candidate

· Individual planning time

· Completion of the task

Purpose: The aim of the PracAc is to assess your ability to solve a practical problem using the resources available to you.

On Sunday the assessors will bring together their evidence and decide who has reached the standard to receive an Cadet Force Commission. There is no set selection quota, ACCB would like a 100% pass rate so they are looking for evidence to pass candidates, not fail them.

What happens if I am successful?

If you are successful you will be recommended to be commissioned to GOC Regional Command as a 2nd Lieutenant and begin a probationary period. During your first year you will undertake a year-long programme of tailored training to ensure you have the tools you need to fulfil your role. The Initial Officer Training Programme is undertaken online so you can fit it in around the demands of family, work and cadets.