The Army Cadet Force (ACF) is a British youth organisation that offers progressive training in a multitude of the subjects from military training to adventurous training and first aid, at the same time as promoting achievement, discipline, and good citizenship, to boys and girls aged 12 to 18 years and 9 months. Its affiliated organisation, the Combined Cadet Force provides similar training within various schools. It has connections to the training of the British Army.
Although sponsored by the Ministry of Defence and being very similar in structure and activity, the ACF is not a branch of the British Armed Forces, and as such cadets are not subject to military 'call up'. A proportion of cadets do, however, go on to enlist in the armed forces in later life, and many of the organisation's leaders - formally termed 'Cadet Force Adult Volunteers', or informally 'Adult Instructors' - come from a previous cadet service or military background.
The ACF can trace its beginnings back to 1859, when it was formed in order to prepare youths to enlist in the army in anticipation of an invasion by the French. It remained in existence after no invasion materialised, thanks in part to the influence of pioneer social worker Miss Octavia Hill, because of its positive benefits on youths. The ACF is a registered charity.
A young person can join the ACF at age 12, providing they are attending school in year 8. Training begins with a short Induction interview with the Detachment Commander, followed by a tour and introduction by a Senior Cadet. The new recruit is assimilated into the training immediately, but it can take between 1 to 3 months to be issued a uniform and be fully inducted into the unit. Some counties have Basic Training Cadres; where recruits from each detachment attend a weekend camp, and are tested in BTC knowledge and eligiblity to become a cadet.