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The History of the

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The Army Cadet Force• Not part of the Army

• The Army’s sponsored Youth Organisation

• Open to ALL Boys & Girls

• Cadets can join now in the year they are 12yrs to 18yrs 9 months

• And leave when they like

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When did it all start?• Can trace its existence back to 1859

• French threatened to invade Britain

• Army heavily involved in India trying to quell the Indian Mutiny

• Few regular units in UK

• Volunteer companies from at least 8 schools,

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• Senior boys and masters

• Some companies started their own cadet companies

• From younger boys

• The invasion never came

When did it all start?

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Social Workers

• Seen benefit of Cadet Companies for young boys

• Conditions at home were very bad

• A dirty environment

• Children getting caught up in crime

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Miss Octavia Hill

• Pioneer Social Worker

• Worked hard for the National Trust

• Not a military person

• She formed the first Cadet Company

• East End of London

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Miss Octavia Hill’s Aim

• Important Character Training

• Teamwork

• Cleanliness

• Self reliance

To introduce boys from the slums to:

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Miss Octavia Hill• Today’s ACF stems from

Miss Hills idea

• Our Aims are still the same

• To Inspire• To Achieve

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First World War

• Big expansion in Cadet Forces

• War Office (now MOD) took control

• All administration and finances

• 1923 handed back control to TA

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1930• Government ceased to recognise “Cadet Force”

• Withdrew all financial support

• Everything had to be provided privately

• Cadet Forces had to raise their own funds

• Wearing of Regimental badges and buttons forbidden

• Units had to become self sufficient

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Second World War

• Big expansion of Cadet Force• 1942 War Office took over control• Named “Army Cadet Force”• Supplied accommodation, equipment, uniforms• Cadets joined Armed Forces at age of 18yrs• With a good knowledge of military

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1945

• Army Cadet Force Association (ACFA)

• Report direct to Ministry Of Defence

• ACFA still effective today

• Report on all cadet matters

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1959• Army Cadet Force get official reconciliation

• Appointment of “Cadet Training Centre at Frimley Park, nr. Aldershot, Hants

• Centre for training of Adult Instructors

• Use of ACF & CCF

• Leadership Courses for Senior Cadets

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1960

• Centenary Year of ACF

• HRH The Duke of Edinburgh

• Colonel in Chief, Army Cadet Force

• Presents ACF Banner at Tower of London

• Banner now housed at CTC Frimley Park

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Weapons and Equipment

• Females joined the ACF

• 1980’s Received new Rifle

• Version of Army’s SA 80 5.56mm

• Single shot Cadet General Purpose Rifle

• Known as “LA98A1 Cadet GP Rifle”

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• Army Proficiency Certificate replaced “Part 1 & Part 2 Certificates”

• Changes made to suit Modern Day Army and civilian life

• 1999 saw us get new 90 Pattern Webbing

• Uniforms and equipment are modern

• Combat 95 clothing issued to cadets

Weapons and Equipment

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• With socks and tee shirts

• New weapon “Self Loading Rifle” based on British Army SA80 A2

• BFA can be fitted (with blank magazine)

• New assault vest issued for cadets

• Cadet Gortex Jackets issued for cadets

• New MTP Clothing will be issued to ACF shortly

Weapons and Equipment

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Army Cadet Force• We are a modern Youth Organisation

• With many options for all cadets

• Qualifications (BTEC/NVQ)

• Changes in the Syllabus

• Up to date Manuals for The Cadet Forces

• Westminster record data base for cadet units

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• 40,000 cadet in the UK• 1,700 Platoons/Troops• Better Detachment accommodation• Better trained adult staff• Cadets better trained and having fun• We need 30 cadets in each detachment

• Supporting our cadets with “Action – Fun – Adventure”

Army Cadet Force

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• Cadet Battalions thrived through the troubles

• Some detachments closed due to trouble in that area

• Most remained strong due to the determination of the Officers and Adult Instructors who over came many challenges

1st (Cadet) Bn Royal Irish Rangers 1980

The ACF in Northern Ireland

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The ACF in Northern Ireland• Consists of 2 Battalions• 1st (Northern Ireland) Battalion ACF• 2nd (Northern Ireland) Battalion ACF• ACF NI restructured in 1992• Antrim & Belfast Bn and 1st (Cadet) Bn Royal Irish

Rangers• Became 1st (NI) Bn ACF• 4 Companies A-B-C-D

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The ACF in Northern Ireland

• 1st Bn covers an area from: North Belfast, Co. Antrim, Co. Londonderry, City of Londonderry. Co. Tyrone and Co. Fermanagh

• Headquarters of ACF NI is in Carryduff Belfast

• Administered by Reserve Forces and Cadets Association (Northern Ireland) RFCA (NI) ACF Sub Committee within RFCA

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• RFCA employ all civilian staff within the ACF e.g. CEO, CQM, CAA’s & Clerks

• New Cadet Training Centre at Magilligan Camp opened September 2007 (Cost £4.8m)

The ACF in Northern Ireland

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2nd (Northern Ireland) Bn ACF

• Headquarters Carryduff with a CEO

• Restructured in 1992

• Made up from Old ACF Bn’s of Antrim & Belfast Bn and Armagh & Down Bn

• Bn Covers: Greater Belfast, Co Down, Co Armagh

• Training Centre at Ballykinler opened May 2000

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