Army Cadet Force
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The Army Cadet Force (ACF) or fully Army Cadet Force Association (ACFA) is a British youth organisation that offers progressive training in a multitude of subjects from military training to adventurous training and first aid, at the same time as promoting achievement, discipline and good citizenship, to boys and girls aged 12 to 18. It has connections to the training of the german army
Although sponsored by the Ministry of Defence and being very similar in structure and activity, the ACF is not a branch of the British Armed Forces, and as such cadets are not subject to military 'call up'. A proportion of cadets do, however, go on to enlist in the armed forces in later life, and many of the organisation's leaders - formally termed 'Cadet Force Adult Volunteers', or informally 'Adult Instructors' - come from a previous cadet service or military background.
The ACF can trace its beginnings back to 1859, when it was formed in order to prepare youths to enlist in the army in anticipation of an invasion by the French. It remained in existence after no invasion materialised, thanks in part to the influence of pioneer social worker Miss Octavia Hill, because of its positive benefits on youths.
Training
Once the recruit's test, consisting of ranks and badges, country code and the history of the ACF, has been passed, new cadets are given their cap badge to put onto their beret.
Then cadets are taken through the basic and one-star syllabus of the Army Proficiency Certificate, including Drill, Shooting, Fieldcraft, Map and Compass, Military Knowledge, Expedition, First Aid, Skill at Arms, and Cadet in the Community.
The same subjects are assessed in more depth at two-star level, and mastered at three-star level. For their three-star cadets are also required to attend a Junior Cadet Instructors' Cadre (JCIC). This two-weekend course instructs cadets in how to teach one-star Drill, Map and Compass and Skill at Arms to other cadets.
At four-star level, the cadet attends a Senior Cadet Instructors' Cadre (SCIC). This week-long course qualifies cadets to teach two-star subjects. To complete the four-star syllabus, the cadet must also choose one subject in which to specialise and improve further. This might be Skill at Arms, First Aid, or Signalling, for example.
Apart from the star-level assessments, cadets can achieve more experience by attending other, optional training weekends such as radio user and crossed flags courses, going on adventure training trips to work towards the Duke of Edinburgh's Award, or trying cadet leadership courses and NCO cadres.
There are also lots of sports and events to get involved in. Cadets can compete against other counties in athletics, cross country, football, first aid, swimming, military skills, target shooting and many more. The ACF also competes on a national level.
By enrolling in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award scheme or applying for the BTEC First Diploma in Public Services soon after joining, it is easy to achieve both of these recognised qualifications for less cost than doing the same elsewhere.
Fieldcraft
In fieldcraft lessons, cadets learn infantry skills such as patrolling, section battle drills, ambush drills, harbour drills, and how to survive in the field. Field exercises take place about once every few months, and at annual camp.
Out on exercise, cadets wear DPM (disruptive pattern material) clothing, dulled boots, camouflage cream to eliminate the face's natural shine, a camo hat and foliage to break up the unnatural shape of the head and shoulders, webbing to carry rifle magazines and emergency rations, and a bergen to carry a sleeping bag and basha (improvised shelter) building materials. Cadets are issued with 24-hour ration packs and hexamine cookers as used by the infantry.
As part of a platoon, cadets set up harbour areas (operations bases), post sentries, and send out patrols to carry out reconnaissance, lay ambushes, and assault enemy positions. Cadets become familiar with a vast range of hand signals for silent communication, and various patrol formations for crossing different types of terrain, such as the arrowhead formation (pictured right) for crossing open country. Patrols stay in touch with military radio sets, operated by cadets who have passed courses in signalling.
Skill at Arms
New recruits are taught how to safely handle, clean, operate and fire the L98A1 Cadet General Purpose Rifle (GP). The GP is a bolt action adaptation of the British Army's SA80 Individual Weapon, designed specifically for the cadet forces(Though senior cadets on some occasions do use the SA80). Having mastered the GP and passed the one-star Skill at Arms test, cadets can fire it (using blank rounds) in field exercises as part of a section, taking part in ambushes and assaults on enemy forces. They can also fire live rounds on a range, usually at annual camps, gaining marksman badges if they are good enough. To pass one-star skill at arms, cadets must show they can handle the weapon safely, perform stoppage drills (actions that should be perfomed in the case of a stoppage (which happens a lot with SA80 class weapons) and field strip the weapon for daily cleaning.
Senior cadets, as part of three-star Skill at Arms, are introduced to the L86A1 Light Support Weapon, which, unlike the GP, has automatic capabilities. With its longer barrel and bipod, the LSW has a greater range and muzzle velocity, and with its SUSAT (Sight Unit Small Arms Trilux - the optical sight on top of the weapon), it also allows for greater accuracy. The LSW is also used by the infantry, and having mastered this more difficult weapon, cadets can mimic the tasks performed by regular army LSW gunners, using its higher rate of fire to provide fire support during section attacks. However, the LSW is slowly being fased out of service due to increase in military demand.
There is also a deactivated version, Cadet L98A1 DP (Drill Purpose).
The L98A1 Cadet GP Rifle is expected to be replaced some time within the next five years with a modified version of the SA80A2 which will be self-loading.
First Aid
Throughout their time in the Army Cadet Force, cadets learn first aid.
Early on, recruits learn how to handle incidents involving a casualty and how to get help. They then pick up the same basic skills taught to regular soldiers, including how to check a casualty's airways, breathing and circulation, perform CPR, place a casualty in the recovery position, and deal with minor and major bleeding.
In two-star first aid, cadets learn how to recognise and treat a much wider variety of injuries and conditions, including burns, concussion and bone fractures, and shock, diabetes and epilepsy. The cadet two-star first aid assessment is equivalent to a St. John's Ambulance youth first aid qualification.
Progressing yet further, cadets can complete adult first aid qualifications, and opportunities to compete regionally and nationally in first aid competitions are open to talented cadets.
Map and Compass
Another useful skill cadets learn is how to navigate using a map and compass. Cadets gain the same skills taught to soldiers so that they can plan operations and navigate any terrain. First, cadets learn to care for and use Ordnance Survey maps, plot and find six-figure grid references, calculate distances between points, and to recognise various conventional signs.
Two-star map and compass then introduces cadets to the Silva lightweight compass. Cadets learn to use and plot grid and magnetic bearings, to understand the three different types of north, to account for deviation of the grid-magnetic angle, and to understand contour lines and more advanced conventional signs.
With this knowledge they can draw up route cards to undertake night navigation exercises or orienteering competitions.
Drill
A time-honoured tradition of the military, cadets are taught drill, which is a method of moving as an individual or as a body in a smart and soldier-like manner. It is also used to foster discipline, pride and teamwork.
Having learnt the positions of attention, saluting and turns at the halt, recruits progress onto marching in quicktime. Many drill movements can be executed while standing still and while marching, and also while holding a rifle.
Each year, drill is used for Remembrance Day parades, and at annual camps large parades take place, with a colour party, in which cadets with rifles march with and guard the standard-bearer.
Closely linked with a cadet's drill is his or her turnout - each cadet is issued with a uniform by the Ministry of Defence and shown how to care for it and appear smart at all times, with ironed-in creases and polished boots.
Shooting
Cadets are first taught to fire a .22 rifle on a 25m range. Cadets are taught the principles of marksmanship - natural pointing, position and hold, sight alignment and shot release and follow through. These also apply to the GP Rifle, which is fired typically on 100m, 200m and 300m ranges during annual camps or weekends away.
Cadets who perform exceptionally can go on to achieve a second-class marksman, first-class marksman, or marksman ranking and earn county colours for representing the county at CADSAAM, the Cadet Annual Skill At Arms Meeting shooting competition. There they can also fire the LSW live. In the competition teams of cadets fire at falling plate targets before getting up and running 100m towards the target and firing again, then repeating the process, all against the clock.
Cadets also have the opportunity to fire the L81 A2 Cadet Target Rifle in competition at Brigade (CTRM), National (Interservices Cadet Rifle Meeting) and International ([Dominion of Canada Rifle Association Matches]) level. they shoot a 7.62 rifle and are a direct descent of the british army Sniper rifle
Rank System
As well as learning new skills by working through the APC Syllabus, experienced cadets can be awarded a rank. As the Army allows its soldiers to take on responsibility and leadership as non-commissioned officers (NCOs), so too does the Army Cadet Force give a greater role to some cadets.
The first rank a new cadet NCO will be given is that of a Lance Corporal(Or in Royal Artillery "Lance Bombardier" this is Glasgow and Lanarkshire Bn ACF) . To signify this a single stripe is worn on the brassard and rank slide. Lance Corporals are a part of the framework of their detachments. They assist with lessons, have authority over cadets and work with other cadet NCOs and Adult Instructors. In field exercises Lance Corporals normally have the position of second-in-command (2ic) of a section.
Above the Lance Corporals are the Corporals, who teach lessons, manage the Lance Corporals and act as the section commanders out in the field. Corporals are typically two-star qualified or above.
Above the Corporals are the Sergeants and Staff Sergeants or Colour Sergeants, and above these Warrant Officers Class 2 and 1, usually holding the appointments of Company Sergeant Major (CSM) and Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM) respectively.
Also in many counties there is the opportunity for promotion to Under Officer. Although this is not an official rank, it is a chance for senior cadets to gain experience as an officer.
Adult Leaders
Adults join the ACF to instruct by two different routes- as NCOs or as Officers. Prospective NCOs begin as Probationary Instructors (PIs) before passing a medical, an enhanced disclosure and an Initial Training Course, at which point they attain the rank of Sergeant and can potentially continue on as they gain experience to become a Staff Sergeant or Warrant Officer. Another route is to begin as an Under Officer and pass the aformentioned as well as an additional leadership course and progress to the rank of Second Lieutenant and so on through the officer ranks.
Organisation
Most British counties have centralised cadet forces that make up the ACF as a national whole. The counties are generally split into companies, each of which includes several 'detachments', the name given to a unit of cadets that parade in a particular town or village. Detachments are usually affiliated with a certain Regiment or Corps within the British Army, and wear their insignia including cap badge, colour of beret and stable belt.
On 1 April 2003, there were 7,640 officers and instructors and 43,550 cadets in the Army Cadet Force.
External links
- [ArmyCadetForce.com, Information site & Forum]
- [Army Cadets]
- [Gwent ACF]
- [Somme Company, Oxfordshire ACF]
- [Powys Army Cadet Force]
- [Buckinghamshire ACF]
- [Sharnbrook Detachment, Bedfordshire ACF]
- [Botley Detachment, Oxfordshire ACF]
- [Witney Detachment, Oxfordshire ACF]
- [Swanley Detachment, Kent ACF]
- [Kent Army Cadet Detachment sites and forum]
- [Caversham Detachment, Berkshire ACF]
- [Berkshire ACF]
- [http://www.s-coy.piczo.com
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