Fun, Friendship, Action, Adventure
The Army Cadets aims to inspire young people between 12 and 18 years old to challenge their limits, grow their abilities and go further in life; we deliver this through the community-based Army Cadet Force and the school-based Combined Cadet Force.
Our Skills
In the Army Cadets we aim to inspire young people to develop themselves mentally and physically, to:
- Challenging their limits
- Grow their abilities and go further in life
- Unlock their talents
- Shape their own futures
Our People
Across the Army Cadets (Combined Cadet Force (Army) and Army Cadet Force), over 11000 Adult Volunteers and 65000 Cadets parade in 2000 different Schools, Cadet Huts and Community Centres around the United Kingdom, meet a few of the people involved below:



Our Location
Cadets Branch - Regional Command Headquarters Aldershot Garrison
Cadets Branch is part of Regional Command Headquarters, the Army’s 2 Star headquarters for the United Kingdom, British Forces Germany, Nepal and Brunei. Based in Aldershot we are supported by ten independent regional Cadet teams located across the UK.
Joining the ACF made me a better person Owen Jones, 17 - Lincolnshire ACF
We develop young people of all abilities and backgrounds physically and mentally, improving self-confidence, teamwork, friendship, leadership and community spirit through a wide range of fun and exciting activities as well as recognised vocational qualifications such as the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme and BTEC Diplomas.
Although we are not part of the recruiting process for the Armed Forces we do however promote an understanding of what the Armed Forces' roles and responsibilities are, and provide assistance to any cadet who expresses an interest in joining the Armed Forces later in life.
In the mid-19th century the idea of cadet units in schools was developed by Secretary of State for War, Jonathan Peel, as part of Queen Victoria’s review of the Volunteer units (forerunner of today’s Reserve Forces). 30 years later social reformer Octavia Hill formed London’s first Cadet Battalion.