Sharnbrook Detachment                                                 ~ Bedfordshire Army Cadet Force                                      View Guestbook      Sign Guestbook

 

Once the recruit's test, consisting of ranks and badges, country code and the history of the ACF, has been passed, new cadets are given their cap badge to sew on their beret.

Then cadets are taken through the basic and one-star syllabus of the Army Proficiency Certificate, including Drill, Shooting, Fieldcraft, Map and Compass, Military Knowledge, Expedition, First Aid, Skill at Arms, and Cadet in the community, which can be passed after doing any of the many community projects Sharnbrook Detachment assists with.

The same subjects are assessed in more depth at two-star level, and mastered at three-star level. For their three-star cadets are also required to attend a JCIC (Junior Cadet Instructor's Cadre). This two-weekend course instucts cadets in how to teach one-star Drill, Map and Compass and Skill at Arms to other cadets.

At four-star level the cadet attends a SCIC (Senior Cadet Instructor's Cadre). This week-long course qualifies cadets to teach two-star subjects. To complete the four-star syllabus the cadet must also choose one subject in which to specialise and improve further. This might be Skill at Arms, First Aid, or Signalling, for example.

Apart from the star-level assessments, cadets can achieve more experience by attending other, optional training weekends such as radio user and crossed flags courses, going on adventure training trips to work towards the Duke of Edinburgh's Award, or trying cadet leadership courses and NCO cadres.

There are also lots of sports and events to get involved in in the Army Cadet Force. You can compete against other counties in athletics, cross country, football, first aid, swimming, military skills, target shooting and many more. You can even compete nationally if you're up to it. One of our cadet NCOs recently captained the England Army Cadet rugby team.

By enrolling in the Duke of Edinburgh's scheme or applying for the BTEC First Diploma in Public Services soon after joining cadets, it is easy to achieve both of these recognised qualifications as you progress in the cadet force, for less cost than doing the same elsewhere.