Important roles of the RFCAs are the administration of the Army Cadet Force (ACF) and the Combined Cadet Forces (CCF) within their Association areas and the provision of property and facilities management for the Sea Cadets and Air Training Corp. The Cadet movements number over 150,000, making them collectively the largest youth organisation in the UK.
The Cadet experience engenders a sense of responsibility and citizenship, which combined with team effort and the sheer enjoyment of doing something worthwhile and fun, has never been more important.
A key role is to recruit adults who wish to help in the development of young people, either as Helpers or Instructors to whom formal training is offered. Some are former Cadets, ex-military or parents of Cadets and come from a wide variety of backgrounds and jobs.
This considerable involvement with the Cadets and Youth - helping to give young people a sense of purpose and achievement - is one of the more satisfying elements of RFCA work. It gives them an insight into a military career resulting in many joining the Regulars or Volunteer Reserves.
