What do you think of when army cadets are mentioned? Kids being trained for violence, or young people gaining vital skills to help them prepare for their future? For those who aren’t familiar with the Army Cadet Force, it is an organisation formed to provide youth across the country with a variety of skills. Like first aid, shooting, fieldcraft and so many more. I recently spoke to an ex Lord Lieutenant Cadet who achieved the rank of Company Sergeant Major (CSM) to receive some information about the organisation. 

The CSM, who joined the Army Cadet Force in 2017, told me about how she has gained many new friends and some of the opportunities she has had because of the force. She explained how she has completed the Nijmegen March twice, in 2022 and 2023. The Nijmegen March is a yearly 4 day march which happens in the Netherlands in which participants walk up to 100 miles. She has also attended numerous shooting trips, and participated in a competition in 2019 in which she received silver and gold awards. As I mentioned before, the CSM was appointed one of the Lord Lieutenant Cadets for County Durham in 2022, in which she acted as the aide and representative of the Army Cadet Force for the Royal Family for 12 months. 

She also thinks that youth from around the country should consider trying out the Army Cadet Force because they can receive all of the opportunities she has. She told me how being part of this organisation has “drastically increased [her] confidence” and “given [her] opportunities [she’d] never thought [she’d] have”. 

By joining the Army Cadet Force, you’ll also have the choice to complete the Duke of Edinburgh award and go on many trips every year, whilst gaining a wide variety of skills and meeting new people. 

Overall, the belief of the Army Cadet Force existing simply to indoctrinate youth into the army is entirely a misconception. In fact, it exists to give today’s youth vital skills, and prepare them for everyday circumstances in the future.