I was an army cadet many moons again then joined the regular army for 10 years and then went back into cadets for 12 years
I was a Army Cadet in Portsmouth in the 60s, we wore Battledress and run around with .303,Are cap badge was the "Wessex Wyvern" The camps where great especially at Penhale in Cornwell,We used to sneek out of the back windows and go down on to the beach and have BBQs and drink cheap cornish cider late at night, it was great fun trying not to be caught by the adult instructors, I later went into the army for my sins
Hi. I'm a corporal in the A.C.F. Just wondering if anyone on here is, or has been in the organization. And to those who don't know what it is, it's basically a youth organization that is based heavily on the army (i.e we learn about drill, map and compass, first aid, shooting, fieldcraft, etc.). Anything to add? I spent about two years with our local ACF platoon first as a First Aid Instructor of the Red Cross then as as an ACF instructor as Under Officer then 2nd Lt. but I finished up leaving because of work and health.
After leaving TA I transferred to the ACF 2 years Detachment Commander Then 8 years as Group training Officer.1995 /2005. Although CCF was School based at that time an effort was made to get ACF into them, as were two of the Detachments in my Group. . We were affiliated to Parachute Regiment and transport Ammunition and participation in exercise's not a problem. The ACF was/is a great recruiting area for Parachute Regiment ACF Officers have an Army Commission and subject to Military Law whereas Adult Instructors are Crowns Servants and still civilians even when in uniform.
In the early 60s my ACF unit was school based, manged two summer camps, doing SLR rifle drill with a .303, Cert A part 1 and 2, Cert T, 1st Class shot with .303 and .22, this was all good stuff and on joining up as a Junior Leader at 15 and a half was above average.
It was certainly more fun being a cadet (1978-85-ish) than an AI. I miss the subject matter but not the organisation.
I found working with the Cadets very rewarding. But the Organization was awash with petty arguments and rivalry's especially between those who came up through the ACF and those Ex Military who transferred in .I managed to ignore it and concentrate on what was important. The Cadets.