Army Cadet Force

Army Cadet Force (ACF)
Army Cadet Force Insignia
Founded1859[1]
CountryUnited Kingdom
BranchBritish Army
TypeVolunteer Youth Organisation British Army
Size38,180 cadets (as of 1st April 2023)[2]
8,020 Cadet Force Adult Volunteers[2]
HeadquartersCTC Frimley Park
Motto(s)To Inspire to Achieve
WebsiteArmy Cadets
Commanders
Commander CadetsMajor General Jonathan
Command Sergeant MajorDavid Lightfoot
Colonel in ChiefVacant
National Honorary ColonelLorraine Kelly
National AmbassadorJordan Wylie
UK Military Cadet Forces
military component of the
youth organisations in the United Kingdom
Components
British Overseas Territories
Former Components
Personnel
Allegiance

The Army Cadet Force (ACF), generally shortened to Army Cadets, is a national youth organisation sponsored by the United Kingdom's Ministry of Defence and the British Army.[3] Along with the Sea Cadet Corps and the Air Training Corps, the ACF make up the Community Cadet Forces. It is a separate organisation from the Combined Cadet Force which provides similar training within principally private schools.

Although sponsored by the Ministry of Defence, the ACF is not part of the British Army, and as such cadets are not subject to military 'call up'.[4] Some cadets do, however, go on to enlist in the armed forces later in life.

The Army Cadet Charitable Trust UK (ACCT UK) is a registered charity that acts in an advisory role to the Ministry of Defence and other Government bodies on matters connected with the ACF.[5][6]

As of 1 April 2023, there are 38,180 cadets, and 8,020 Cadet Force Adult Volunteers (CFAVs).[7]

  1. ^ "Army Cadet Force yearly review 2009". Archived from the original on 30 April 2009. Retrieved 24 May 2009.
  2. ^ a b "MOD Sponsored Cadet Forces Statistics 2023". GOV.UK. Ministry of Defence. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
  3. ^ "ACF History".
  4. ^ "Cadet FAQs". Army Cadets UK. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
  5. ^ "THE ARMY CADET FORCE ASSOCIATION". Charity Commission.
  6. ^ "Powys Army Cadet Force History". Archived from the original on 30 December 2008.
  7. ^ "MOD Sponsored Cadet Forces Statistics 2023".