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Volunteering Opportunities for Adults

With over 39,000 cadets (aged 12-18) in over 1,600 locations in communities all around the UK, the Army Cadet Force (ACF) is one of the country's largest voluntary youth organisations.

We have thousands of enthusiastic and committed adult volunteers who help to lead, guide and inspire our cadets, but we need more.

When you speak to our adult volunteers they will tell you they do it because they love it. They enjoy the fun, friendship, action and adventure the Army Cadets provides. They also enjoy making a real difference to young people in their community – helping to inspire them to achieve, building their confidence, and encouraging them to think for themselves and to act for others.

Joining the Army Cadets is a great way to meet like-minded people and to have fun and, in return for your time and effort, we will give you the chance to learn new skills, gain new qualifications and help develop your leadership potential.

Who we're looking for

There's no set profile for an Army Cadet adult volunteer and you don't have to have any military experience. Our volunteers come in all shapes and sizes and from all sorts of backgrounds. If considering becoming an adult volunteer, of more importance than possessing a specific skill, is an interest in working with young people and wanting to helping them progress towards a responsible adulthood.

So if you're able to give up two evenings a week and want to do something really rewarding with your free time local to you, the Army Cadets could be exactly what you're looking for.

If you're interested in supporting young people and encouraging them to take part in challenging and inspirational activities, we feel assured that you can gain a great sense personal achievement from working as part of a team, meeting new people and making new friends.

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Since I joined the Army cadets I have gained recognised qualifications and made long lasting friends. All this whilst inspiring our young people.

Lt Mitchell Allen - Detachment Commander

Some questions you might have about us

No. The Army Cadets is a national, voluntary youth organisation that is sponsored by the British Army but not part of it. Being part of the Army Cadets doesn't mean you have to join the Army.

No, you do not, although we certainly welcome those that do. We will provide you with all the training you need. Whatever skills you have, you will be welcomed by the Army Cadets.

If you are aged over 18 then you can join as an adult.

This depends on your role in the Army Cadets, but activities include abseiling, trekking, first aid, sports, camping, music, competitive shooting, drill, fieldcraft and The Duke of Edinburgh's Award.

Most detachments meet one or two evenings a week and there are also occasional weekend activities which you can get involved in. Beyond that it is up to you how much time you want to give. Help is always welcomed on the annual camps (one or two weeks during the school summer holidays) and many consider this the highlight of the Army Cadet year.

We fully understand that all kinds of other commitments, such as family and work, can affect people's availability, so even if you can't commit to one or two evenings a week, we would still love to hear from you.

What now?

We encourage you to start your process today by using our expression of interest form. Your nearest local Army Cadet HQ will then be in touch with you for an informal chat. Alternatively, to find a detachment near you, simply click on the find a detachment link below to discover more about how you can become an Army Cadet volunteer instructor, local to you.

We know that once you've joined, you'll never look back.

We look forward to hearing from you. We look forward to you joining us.

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Join the adventure today!

Volunteering with the Army Cadets broadens your skills and experience, and allows you to forge new friendships and make a real difference to your local community.

Find out more