For action and adventure, fun and friendship, the Army Cadet Force is hard to beat. With 41,000 cadets (aged 12-18) and 9,500 adults in over 1,600 locations in every corner of the United Kingdom, the ACF is one of the country’s largest voluntary youth organisations. It is also one of the oldest tracing its history back to 1859. Many young people are missing out on the challenges and adventures that could transform their lives but joining the Army Cadets can change that. We welcome boys and girls (aged over 12 and in at least year eight at school) of all abilities and backgrounds. When they join us we encourage them to learn more, do more and try more. We inspire them to aim high and pursue their goals, no matter what they aim to do in life. Some of our activities have a military theme, others have more of a community focus but they all inspire young people to challenge their limits, become more independent, confident and able to step up to any challenge. The Army Cadet Force is one of four cadet organisations sponsored and supported by the Ministry of Defence, the others being the Combined Cadet Force, the Sea Cadet Corps, and the Air Training Corps. Although they are sponsored by the Ministry of Defence there is no obligation on cadets to join the Armed Forces.
