Army Cadet Force Adult Instructors
Discussion
This has been mentioned in a few other threads recently, so I thought it deserved a thread of its own.
I was in the cadets before I joined the regular army. After completing a 24 year military career I have a bit of time on my hands, so I thought about going back to the cadets as an adult instructor. It is a great organisation that does much good work with youth and it would be nice to put somethong back after it started me off in my chosen life. However, I do have a few concerns about it so I'd like to find out a bit more.
My Brother in law has been with the ACF for donkey's years and loves it, but he is away on their annual camp right now and I can't contact him. I know there are at least two instructors here on PH and there may be more. So can anyone share their experiences of being an adult in the ACF?
FWIW I live at the western edge of London so would probably be looking at Middlesex and North West London ACF.
I know I could ask on ARRSE or the army cadet forum but the former always descends into 'kiddy-fiddling' nonsense and perhaps people might talk a bit more freely here rather than on the ACF forums.
Also, yes, I've heard all the jokes about the kids being bigger than me.
I was in the cadets before I joined the regular army. After completing a 24 year military career I have a bit of time on my hands, so I thought about going back to the cadets as an adult instructor. It is a great organisation that does much good work with youth and it would be nice to put somethong back after it started me off in my chosen life. However, I do have a few concerns about it so I'd like to find out a bit more.
My Brother in law has been with the ACF for donkey's years and loves it, but he is away on their annual camp right now and I can't contact him. I know there are at least two instructors here on PH and there may be more. So can anyone share their experiences of being an adult in the ACF?
FWIW I live at the western edge of London so would probably be looking at Middlesex and North West London ACF.
I know I could ask on ARRSE or the army cadet forum but the former always descends into 'kiddy-fiddling' nonsense and perhaps people might talk a bit more freely here rather than on the ACF forums.
Also, yes, I've heard all the jokes about the kids being bigger than me.
I was never in the cadets, and only when I had a mid-life crisis did I look for an outlet - for me the ACF has been a godsend. I've worked hard, learnt lots, had great fun and made some great friends.
I'm in the middle of the joining process - Greater Manchester ACF seems to be dragging its heels with the instructor's courses. At my initial interview a commission and a county role was hinted at - I'm a nurse in a trauma unit - think I'll need to really think about that one - I'm enjoying the parade nights with the kids!
SD.
I'm in the middle of the joining process - Greater Manchester ACF seems to be dragging its heels with the instructor's courses. At my initial interview a commission and a county role was hinted at - I'm a nurse in a trauma unit - think I'll need to really think about that one - I'm enjoying the parade nights with the kids!
SD.
Can't comment on the Army Cadets, but have just spent the afternoon helping Mr Speedchick fill in his applications forms and CRB forms for being a Civillian Instructor in the Air Cadets. He's going to be helping them with the flight sim they have.
We only got involved because my son is a cadet, and we were originally roped in as comittee members, I'm staying on the committee whereas he is moving up to CI.
We only got involved because my son is a cadet, and we were originally roped in as comittee members, I'm staying on the committee whereas he is moving up to CI.
I'm a CCF RFAV. I was a cadet, and got so much out of it I wanted to give something back, so when I got asked if I would help out as they were short of staff, I jumped at the chance.
Commissioning paperwork took over 18months, and was a real pain due to the people involved - but all came through in the end.
It is an unbelievably rewarding activity to be involved with, and one which I feel makes a real difference to children. I cant think of any other youth organisation which give kids so much responsibility, and teach them so many lessons which can be related into life.
Commissioning paperwork took over 18months, and was a real pain due to the people involved - but all came through in the end.
It is an unbelievably rewarding activity to be involved with, and one which I feel makes a real difference to children. I cant think of any other youth organisation which give kids so much responsibility, and teach them so many lessons which can be related into life.
Do it Bruce that's all I can say, its alot of hard work at times which you may not get a lot of thanks for but seeing the kids you instruct having a good time and laughing more than makes up for it.
I'm a under officer with Leicestershire, northants and rutland and currently working on my commission, we've just returned from annual camp on Salisbury plain which was awesome to say the least. It will bring out the big kid in you though and the ex reg at the same time which can be a interesting mix but its always good to have ex regs to impart their knowledge to the cadets.
contact your local area hq and they will be more than happy to talk you through what being an instructor entails.
I'm a under officer with Leicestershire, northants and rutland and currently working on my commission, we've just returned from annual camp on Salisbury plain which was awesome to say the least. It will bring out the big kid in you though and the ex reg at the same time which can be a interesting mix but its always good to have ex regs to impart their knowledge to the cadets.
contact your local area hq and they will be more than happy to talk you through what being an instructor entails.
TheLurker said:
It is an unbelievably rewarding activity to be involved with, and one which I feel makes a real difference to children. I cant think of any other youth organisation which give kids so much responsibility, and teach them so many lessons which can be related into life.
^^^this^^^
chryslerben said:
I'm a under officer with Leicestershire, northants and rutland and currently working on my commission, we've just returned from annual camp on Salisbury plain which was awesome to say the least.
Was that at Knook camp perchance? I'm just down the road and saw a sign for the ACF camp the other day.I just finished as a sea cadet instructor for now anyway. I enjoyed it, made some new friends and like it when my old cadets stop me in the street and tell me how they are doing now they are adults. I was a very basic instructor as I couldn't be bothered with the rank system as i think it's meaningless and some take it far too seriously. I did it to help the cadets not ponse around in uniform pretending I was something I wasn't.
Winters were a bit boring as most of our activities were water based and the cadets have already had class work at school, so it was challenging making up indoor activities that are fun for them.
I will definatly do it again when I have time as it was rewarding knowing you were helping to better a young person's life.
There was at least five cadets that towered over me and I am not that short at 5,11
Winters were a bit boring as most of our activities were water based and the cadets have already had class work at school, so it was challenging making up indoor activities that are fun for them.
I will definatly do it again when I have time as it was rewarding knowing you were helping to better a young person's life.
There was at least five cadets that towered over me and I am not that short at 5,11
Edited by Merlin28 on Sunday 19th August 19:35
I was a Cadet with the ATC for 7 years and I've been a CI (Civilian Instructor) with them since I left as a Cadet aged 20.
Some of the red tape can be rather frustrating at times but it's rewarding and some of the kids are real characters.
Go down and give it a go, see what YOU think though. My friend started as a member of staff at an ACF unit last year and she's really enjoying it, also means we wind each other up alot (quite a bit of banter between the ATC and ACF )
Some of the red tape can be rather frustrating at times but it's rewarding and some of the kids are real characters.
Go down and give it a go, see what YOU think though. My friend started as a member of staff at an ACF unit last year and she's really enjoying it, also means we wind each other up alot (quite a bit of banter between the ATC and ACF
)Slight update. I've started the ball rolling and attend my first parade night - in civvies - on Wednesday. As it happens another PHer, who I knew years ago when he was a cadet instructor before, is joining the same unit at the same time so thats all good.
I still have some reservations about some of the people in the organisation, but rather than moan about it I feel I ought to try and set a higher standard.
I still have some reservations about some of the people in the organisation, but rather than moan about it I feel I ought to try and set a higher standard.
BruceV8 said:
Slight update. I've started the ball rolling and attend my first parade night - in civvies - on Wednesday. As it happens another PHer, who I knew years ago when he was a cadet instructor before, is joining the same unit at the same time so thats all good.
I still have some reservations about some of the people in the organisation, but rather than moan about it I feel I ought to try and set a higher standard.
You've bought some form of step ladder yes?I still have some reservations about some of the people in the organisation, but rather than moan about it I feel I ought to try and set a higher standard.
I also can't comment on the ACF, but was involved in the ATC (Air Training Corps) for about 11 years. I was never a cadet as I was involved in the Scouting movement, so as I had a background in Adventure training and map reading, the local ATC squadron needed someone to take on the roll.
I started out as a Civilian instructor, then went on to be the Sqn Warrant Officer. It was a great 11 years, being able to teach the kids things that I had been taught. Also being able to go onto RAF bases both home and overseas, flying and shooting was all a great experience.
Unfortunatly the Health & Safety police have spoilt some of the activities and with the outdoor activities you had to do so many courses that it became too much of a chore to get the enjoyment out of it.
If you have the time spare, ANY youth organisation, whether it be ATC, ACF, CCF, GVC, Scouts Etc would most likely welcome you with open arms.
I started out as a Civilian instructor, then went on to be the Sqn Warrant Officer. It was a great 11 years, being able to teach the kids things that I had been taught. Also being able to go onto RAF bases both home and overseas, flying and shooting was all a great experience.
Unfortunatly the Health & Safety police have spoilt some of the activities and with the outdoor activities you had to do so many courses that it became too much of a chore to get the enjoyment out of it.
If you have the time spare, ANY youth organisation, whether it be ATC, ACF, CCF, GVC, Scouts Etc would most likely welcome you with open arms.
Did 3 years in the ACF and 3 in the TA, absolutely brilliant experiences. I wouldn't mind adult instructing in the cadets but I work too hard and put up with so much crap during the week to spend my weekends on a Godforsaken mountain somewhere getting rained on. Good luck if you take the plunge and do it, much respect
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