Its all in the mix - Service Leavers and the ACF

Last weekend saw 10 potential Cadet Force Adult Volunteers (“CFAV’s”) complete their 4th?and final weekend of pre induction training.??Awarded their probationary Sergeant Instructor rank slides they now look forward to the weeklong Adult Induction Course after which they will qualify as CFAV’s within Humberside and South Yorkshire Army Cadet Force .

Candidates come from all walks of life and that diversity is one of the core strengths of the Army Cadet Force (“ACF”), and for the majority joining the Army Cadets UK | Official this will be their first experience of wearing a uniform.??For others, those who have previously served in the Army, becoming a CFAV and putting on their uniform again will feel reassuringly familiar.?

Within that fusion of backgrounds, there is an optimum mix of those with, and without, prior service in the British Army .??Too many, and the ACF would lose something very special, but too few would result in a significant opportunity cost being incurred.??The ACF is a youth organisation, but it is the Army’s youth organisation, a facet of its corporate social responsibility and it is that relationship that is the ACF’s USP.

There are sound strategic reasons why service leavers receive greater encouragement to consider the Reserves than the ACF, but there are many reasons why, at the right time, joining the ACF as a CFAV unlocks a number of mutual benefits.

The ACF gets instant access to a range of experience and qualifications that would take a civilian CFAV’s a very long time to acquire, while the Service Leaver CFAV get the opportunity to maintain or re energise their qualifications. Prior service CFAV’s can help with the relationship with Regimental Affiliations, remaining within the fold and once again being part of a team with common purpose.??But above all, they get to play their part inspiring cadets, not just those whose interest in the Army will lead to a career, but by using those shared values and standards to positively change the lives and career prospects of all the cadets they will go on to instruct.??

For more information look here https://armycadets.com/volunteer-with-us/amy-leavers/, then contact your local ACF unit.