Cadet detachments meet one or two evenings a week to train in skills that include first aid, navigation, field craft, survival and skill at arms. Potential cadets parade for a number of weeks to allow them to see if they really fancy having a go with the ACF, and to let the ACF see if they they are serious about taking part.

Training starts immediately after signing up and you will find yourself on the way to achieving your first badge. Initial training takes place at a local detachment, or out in the country or at camps and training centres during weekends. It's here that they'll get stuck into practical training.

The highlight of Cadet training is Annual Camp. This is a two-week adventure where Cadets learn field craft and have fun with other detachments from all over the County. It's organised on a County basis with all the Companies within the County taking part.

In a nutshell the Basic Facts are:-

Members meet once or twice a week in the evenings at their Detachment hut or somewhere in their local community.

Ranks range from Cadet all the way up to Cadet Regimental Sergeant Major, the highest rank only achieved by the best Cadets.

The Adult Instructor(AI)/Cadet Ratio is roughly 1 Adult Instructor to every 5.6 cadets

There are three basic types of activities:-

The first is Green training, which means all the military activities, training and shooting, visits to military establishments and exercises.

The second covers sports and Adventurous Training activities, such as football, hockey, netball, rugby, athletics; as well as hill walking, mountaineering, caving, climbing and skiing. In all these events, cadets take on responsibility - and senior Cadets even organise some activities themselves within the detachments

The third are Community Service oriented activites. Cadets are encouraged to take part in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and gain BTEC diplomas in Public Services.