Army Cadet Force Training
All the training and activities are of a challenging and exciting nature. They foster and develop confidence, self reliance and loyalty in the cadet both as an individual member of the community and as a member of a team.
The cadets take part in the Army Proficiency Certificate (ACF) and training is progressive, starting with basic training and building up the level of skill and expertise to recognised standards.
Below are brief descriptions of the military skills and expertise learnt at each level of the training programme.
Basic Training
Basic Training gives you basic instruction and an insight into the subjects you will cover as a cadet. This phase provides the foundation for the rest of your training.
The training covers:
The completion of the training involves a practical test on the skills you have learned. On successful completion of these tests you will be awarded the Basic Badge.
1 Star Training
One Star training extends your knowledge on some of the subjects that you learnt as a recruit. New subjects include first aid, shooting, map and compass and physical training.
Subjects covered:
Drill, Turnout, Military Knowledge, Skill at Arms, Fieldcraft, Expedition Training, Shooting, First Aid, Cadet in the Community, Map & Compass, Physical Training
On completion of the tests, you will be awarded the 1 Star badge and certificate.
2 Star Training
Two Star training covers same subjects as the One Star but into more detail and expertise.
Subjects covered:
Foot Drill, Rifle Drill, Turnout, Military Knowledge, Skill at Arms, Fieldcraft, Expedition Training, Shooting, First Aid, Cadet in the Community, Map & Compass, Physical Training
On completion you will be a more confident, safer and more proficient cadet, and be awarded the 2 Star badge and certificate.
3 Star Training
When you undertake Three Star Training you will be a senior cadet, and may well hold NCO rank within your unit. Your training covers more complex and exciting parts of the training syllabus and you could be attending Method of Instruction courses to learn how to pass on your knowledge to other cadets. The completion of this phase of the training you will be awarded the 3 Star badge and certificate, indicating that you are a reliable, knowledgeable and mature cadet who is able to continue learning but able to pass some of that knowledge and experience to younger cadets.
4 Star Training
Gaining your Four Star badge is a very important event in the Army Cadet Force and is one of the milestones of a cadet's career. In your Four Star training the emphasis is very much on being a leader and developing the skills to do that properly. You will have the opportunity to train with the army and attend various courses, including the Senior Instructors course. On completion, you will be awarded the 4 Star badge and certificate.
Master Cadet Training
This is the ultimate course for a cadet. Attendance at the Master Cadet Training course which is held at the Cadet Training Centre, Frimley Park requires support from your Detachment and nomination by your Company Commander.
Once you have attended and passed this course, you will be expected to undertake duties within your detachment and the company. You will be assessed on those duties and tasks.
On completion you will be entitled to proudly wear the coveted Master Cadet badge.
The Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme
The Duke of Edinburgh's Award was started in 1956, and since then thousands of Army Cadets have gained these valuable Awards every year. The Duke of Edinburgh's Award is a youth programme offering practical, cultural and adventurous activities under the four categories or skills; community service, physical achievement and expeditions.
The similarities to Army Cadet training are obvious - which is why the two go together so well. In the ACF almost all of our activities are cross-credited with the Duke of Edinburgh's Award, so whilst cadets are training for first aid, drill, target shooting, expeditions, taking part in sports, they are simultaneously making progress towards their Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Click here for more information on how the ACF & the Award Scheme work together.
The Duke of Edinburgh's Award is better known outside the cadet world by schools & colleges, employers and the general public and with your Cadet Star Training awards demonstrates your achievements in the ACF.