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The Army Cadet Force (ACF)
The ACF is one of the oldest, largest and most successful national uniformed youth organisations, providing
a range of opportunities, challenges and activities for young people between the ages of 12 and 18 to develop
both personally and physically. It numbers some 46,000 cadets and 8,500 volunteers located at 1700 plus
Cadet Detachments around the country. The training is delivered by the volunteer adult Instructors and officers,
motivated by their desire to make a personal contribution to youth development.
Throughout its history, the ACF has had a special relationship with the Regular and Territorial Army and today
is an autonomous organisation. It preserves its military heritage and operates the same rank system as the
British Army, however no ACF Cadet, Adult Instructor or Officer is liable for duty with the Armed Forces and,
whilst some Cadets join the Armed Forces, the ACF is not a recruiting organisation. Although a very modern
organisation, the ACF holds to the values that it has lived by for over a century: instilling in young people a sense
of teamwork, a consideration for others and building character. Over the years, the lives of countless young
people have been changed by the ACF, as it provides the ultimate extracurricular activity, giving its members the
chance to participate in a range of new experiences from sport and adventurous training to self-sufficiency in
the field.
One of the projects the Berks, Bucks and Oxon AFC are involved with in the moment is the building of a replica
trench for the Soldiers of Oxfordshire museum, which should be an interesting and educational project for all
involved.
There are ACF Battalions in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and the surrounding counties. For full
details about the ACF see:
and for Oxfordshire ACF see:
