Accredited official statistics

MOD sponsored cadet forces: 1 April 2024

Published 6 June 2024

This annual publication presents figures on the number of Cadets and Adult Volunteers in the Cadet Forces sponsored by the Ministry of Defence (MOD).

Statistics are provided for the Community Cadets (the Sea Cadet Corps, the Volunteer Cadet Corps, the Army Cadet Force, and the Air Training Corps) and the Combined Cadet Force. More detailed statistics and historic time series can be found in the Excel Tables.

This publication is part of a series of MOD Sponsored Cadet Forces Statistics annual bulletins. Previous statistics on Cadets can be found in earlier publications.

Key Points and Trends

▲88 600	Number of Cadets in the Community Cadets At 1 April 2024 Increase of 4 800 (+6%) since 1 April 2023
►51 360	Number of Cadets in the Combined Cadet Force At 1 April 2024 Decrease of 140 (-0%) since 1 April 2023
▲22 340	Number of Adult Volunteers in the Community Cadets At 1 April 2024 Increase of 560 (+3%) since 1 April 2023
▲4 320	Number of Adult Volunteers in the Combined Cadet Force At 1 April 2024 Increase of 150 (+4%) since 1 April 2023
▲35%	Proportion of female Cadets in the Community Cadets At 1 April 2024 Increase of 2% since 1 April 2023
▲39%	Proportion of female Cadets in the Combined Cadet Force At 1 April 2024 Increase of 1% since 1 April 2023

Responsible Statistician: Tri-Service Head of Branch

Email: [email protected]

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Introduction

This annual publication presents figures on the number of Cadets and Adult Volunteers in the Cadet Forces sponsored by the Ministry of Defence (MOD). It includes age and gender breakdowns of the Cadets, and gender breakdowns of the Adult Volunteers.

The MOD sponsors and supports five Cadet Forces (voluntary youth organisations). They comprise of the Community Cadets (Sea Cadet Corps, Volunteer Cadet Corps, Army Cadet Force and Air Training Corps) and the school-based Combined Cadet Force, whose contingents contain one or more sections from the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Army or Royal Air Force.

The Cadet Forces provide young people with interesting and challenging activities as part of a stimulating syllabus that develops valuable life skills. In addition, the Cadet Forces encourage young people to take an interest in Defence and the Armed Forces and, for those considering careers in the Services, shows them the various opportunities that exist.

The Cadet Forces are not part of the Armed Forces, and members of the Cadet Forces do not have any liability for military service or compulsory training in the Armed Forces (Regular or Reserve). The Cadet Forces are not conduits for entry into the Armed Forces – this position is clearly stated in the UK’s commitment to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on Cadet activity, affecting normal joining and retention patterns.The Cadet Forces have focused, and continue to focus, on consolidation and growth of Cadet and Adult Volunteer numbers to pre-pandemic levels.

The next edition of this publication is provisionally scheduled to be released on GOV.UK at 9.30am in June 2025. A calendar of upcoming MOD statistical releases can be found on GOV.UK.

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Background and Context

Key Policies

Background

The Ministry of Defence sponsors five Cadet Forces: the Sea Cadet Corps, the Volunteer Cadet Corps, the Army Cadet Force, and the Air Training Corps (all based in the community), and the Combined Cadet Force based in schools. There are over 139,000 young people and over 26,000 adult volunteers in approximately 3,500 Cadet units across the UK. Independent research carried out by the University of Northampton clearly demonstrated that the valuable life skills gained from the Cadet experience including self-discipline, confidence, and resilience can improve employability and social mobility. More than 500 schools across the maintained and independent sectors have Cadet units, mainly Combined Cadet Force contingents, and, through the joint MOD and Department for Education Cadet Expansion Programme, work is progressing on the Government’s ambition to increase the number of Cadets in schools to 60,000 by 2024.

Cadet Force Strategy

The Cadet Force 2030 Strategy (CF2030) was initiated in April 2024 and builds upon the earlier CF 2025 strategy. It is a tri-service strategy which encompasses the strategic intent for the MOD sponsored Cadet Forces and ensures a coherent direction of travel and unity of effort. CF2030 aims to provide a more focussed and up to date strategic direction for the MOD’s Cadet forces, one that is both aspirational and challenging.

The CF2030 vision is to inspire and develop the character and potential of Young People through a military themed experience. It sets out to equip young people for life by offering a safe, challenging, stimulating, and enjoyable Cadet experience drawing on the values, standards and ethos of the modern Armed Forces.

Cadet Expansion Programme

The joint MOD/DfE Cadet Expansion Programme (CEP) was launched in June 2012, with an initial aim of establishing 100 new Cadet units in English state-funded secondary schools by September 2015. Following successful delivery of this target the Government committed £50m from LIBOR fines to cover set up costs, uniforms, equipment and training to grow the total number of Cadet units in schools across the UK to 500 by March 2020. The number of schools across the UK with Cadet units has almost doubled since the start of the programme, now with more units in state schools than in independent schools.

Whilst the aspiration to increase the number of Cadets in school units to 60,000 by April 2024 has not been met, numbers have increased since April 2020 and the ambition remains to consolidate, maintain, and sustain Cadet units in schools, encouraging sustainable growth up to 60,000 Cadets in 500 schools.

Safeguarding

Safeguarding young people is a key priority and we have robust procedures in place to protect Cadets. This includes mandatory security and background checks for all adults who work with children, rigorous disclosure procedures and regular safeguarding training. The MOD’s approach to Safeguarding is set out in its Cadet Forces Safeguarding Framework 2024.

Community Cadets

As at 1 April 2024, there were 88,600 Cadets in the Community Cadets, made up of 14,240 Sea Cadets, 420 Volunteer Cadet Corps, 39,860 Army Cadets and 34,070 Air Cadets. The number of Cadets decreased between 1 April 2020 and 1 April 2022 (see Figure 1), with the impact of COVID-19 and periods of lockdown reflected in the figures. Since 1 April 2022, the number of Army Cadets has increased by 6,560 (20%), the number of Air Cadets has increased by 8,030 (31%) and the number of Sea Cadets has increased by 510 (4%). Volunteer Cadet Corps numbers are not shown in Figure 1 due to their relatively small size.

Community Cadet Forces include the Sea Cadet Corps (SCC), Volunteer Cadet Corps (VCC), Army Cadet Force (ACF) and Air Training Corps (ATC). (See glossary).

Figure 1 shows a Slight decrease in SCC Cadet numbers. There has been an increase in ACF and ATC Cadet numbers since April 2020.

Figure 1: Number of Cadets in the Community

Sex

The proportion of female Cadets in the Community Cadet Forces has increased to 35% at 1 April 2024 compared with 34% at 1 April 2020.

Figure 2: Number of Cadets in the Community Cadets by Gender

The Sea Cadet Corps and Army Cadet Force had the highest proportion of female Cadets at 1 April 2024 (38%) compared with, the Air Training Corps (30%) and the Volunteer Cadet Corps (27%) shown in Figure 3. Since 2023, all 3 community Cadets have increased in numbers, with ACF female Cadets reaching their highest number in April 24

Figure 3: Proportion of Female Cadets in the Community Cadets as at 1 April 24

Age

Each of the Cadet Forces has different age restrictions¹ and as a result different age distributions are observed.

There is a higher proportion of younger Cadets than older Cadets in the Community Cadet Forces, with SCC and VCC having a higher representation of younger Cadets compared to ACF and ATC.

The Sea Cadet Corps’ largest two age groups are 12 and 13 (16% each). However the 13 years age group has 50 less Cadets, Thus making 12 the largest age in the Sea Cadet Corps. The Volunteer Cadet Corps’ largest age group is 14 year olds (19%). The Army Cadet Force’s and Air Training Corps’ largest age group are also 14 year olds (24% each).

¹ See glossary for age limits.

Figure 4: Age Distribution of Cadets in the Community Cadets as at 1 April 24

Adult Volunteers

As at 1 April 2024, there were 22,340 Adult Volunteers in the Community Cadets, made up of 4,760 in the Sea Cadet Corps, 140 in the Volunteer Cadet Corps, 8,250 in the Army Cadet Force and 9,190 in the Air Training Corps. Figure 5 shows the changes in Adult Volunteer numbers across the Community Cadets since 1 April 2020, with the impact of COVID-19 and periods of lockdown reflected in the figures. Volunteer Cadet Corps numbers are not shown in Figure 5 due to small numbers.

Figure 5: Number of Adult Volunteers in the Community Cadets

Adult Volunteers include uniformed and non-uniformed volunteers. (See glossary).

Adult Volunteers Gender

The Sea Cadet Corps had the highest proportion of female Adult Volunteers at 1 April 2024 with 34%, followed by the Army Cadet Force with 31% and the Air Training Corps with 30%.

While there is a greater proportion of males in both the Uniformed and non-Uniformed Volunteers, the gender difference is greater in the Uniformed population (70% male) compared with non-Uniformed Volunteers (64% male).

Adult to Cadet Ratio

Overall there are Four times as many Community Cadet Force Cadets to Adult Volunteers at 1 April 2024 with variations between Cadet Forces. Please note this does not reflect the ratios of Cadets to adult volunteers during training activities which are set out in JSP 814.

Combined Cadet Force

As at 1 April 2024, there were 51,360 Cadets in the Combined Cadet Force (CCF), made up of 6,460 Cadets in the RN and RM sections, 34,200 in the Army sections and 10,700 in the RAF sections. Since 1 April 2020 the total number of Cadets in the RN and RM sections, the Army Sections, and the RAF sections have increased (see figure 6). Since 1 April 2023, the number of C adets in the RN and RM sections has decreased by 50 (-1%), the number of Cadets in the Army sections has decreased by 20 (-0.1%) and the number of Cadets in the RAF sections has decreased by 60 (-0.6%).

Combined Cadet Forces is a school-based youth organisation, comprising one or more sections from the RN and RM, Army and RAF. (See glossary).

Figure 6: Number of Cadets in the Combined Cadet Force

Sex

The proportion of female Cadets in the CCF has increased slightly, rising to 39% at 1 April 2024 compared with 36% at 1 April 2020. While the overall number of male and female Cadets has increased, the increase of female Cadets is higher than the increase of male Cadets compared with 1 April 2020 (see Figure 7). The proportion of female Cadets is the highest it has been in the period since 1 April 2020.

Figure 7: Number of Cadets in the Combined Cadet Force by Gender

At 1 April 2024, the RN and RM, and the Army had the highest proportion of female Cadets (39% each), and the RAF had a slightly lower proportion (36%). The proportion of female Cadets has increased across the CCF for all three single services since 1 April 2020.

Figure 8: Proportion of Female Cadets in the Combined Cadet Force as at 1 April 24

Adult Volunteers

As at 1 April 2024, there were 4,320 Adult Volunteers in the Combined Cadet Force (CCF), made up of 630 in the RN and RM sections, 2,950 in the Army sections and 740 in the RAF sections. Figure 9 shows the changes in Adult Volunteers across the CCF since 1 April 2020. Since 1 April 2023, the number of Adult Volunteers in the RN and RM sections has remained constant, the number of Adult Volunteers in the Army sections has increased by 130 (5%) and the number of Adult Volunteers in the RAF sections has increased by 10 (2%).

Figure 9: Number of Adult Volunteers in the Combined Cadet Force

Adult Volunteers’ Gender

The Naval Service and RAF had a higher proportion of female Adult Volunteers at 1 April 2024 (36% each), compared to the Army (35%). While there is a greater proportion of males in both the Uniformed and non-Uniformed Volunteers, the gender difference is greater in the Uniformed Volunteers (66% male) compared with non-Uniformed population (53% male).

Adult to Cadet Ratio

Overall there are twelve (11.9) times as many Combined Cadet Force Cadets to Adult Volunteers at 1 Apr 2024 with variations between sections. Please note this does not reflect the ratios of Cadets to Adult Volunteers during training activities which are set out in JSP 814.

Further Information

Rounding

Figures in this publication have been rounded to the nearest 10, though numbers ending in a “5” have been rounded to the nearest multiple of 20 to prevent the systematic bias caused by always rounding numbers upwards. For example, a value of “25” would be rounded down to “20” and a value of “15” would be rounded up to “20”.

Totals and sub-totals are rounded separately and so may not equal the sums of their rounded parts.

Percentages are calculated from unrounded data and presented to zero decimal places.

Revisions

There have been no revisions in this edition.

Data sources:

Data are derived from two management information systems which the individual Cadet Force Headquarters use to administer their Cadets and Cadet Force Adult Volunteers.

These systems undergo continuous improvements in data quality and coverage. These improvements are not considered material enough at this time to warrant a break in series.

Data quality:

The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in the suspension of face-to-face Cadet activity in 2020 and 2021, which severely disrupted engagement with Cadets and Adult Volunteers. Some administrative processes, including onboarding Cadets and Adult Volunteers are likely to have been delayed as a result.

Symbols

Symbol	Description
||	discontinuity in time series
*	not applicable
..	not available
-	zero
~	5 or fewer
p	Provisional
e	Estimate
r	Revised

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Glossary

Air Training Corps (ATC) aims to promote and encourage an interest in aviation and the Royal Air Force among young people from age 12 up to 20 years, by providing training which may be useful both in the services and in civilian life.

Army Cadet Force (ACF) through a broad range of challenging, educational and adventurous activities gives young people from age 12 up to 20 years the opportunity to develop leadership and team-working skills, builds their confidence and helps them develop physically, mentally, and socially.

Cadet Forces The MOD sponsors and supports five Cadet Forces (military-themed voluntary youth organisations). The Cadet Forces comprise the Sea Cadet Corps (SCC), the Volunteer Cadet Corps (VCC), Combined Cadet Force (CCF). Army Cadet Force (ACF) and Air Training Corps (ATC). The Cadet Forces are not part of the Armed Forces and have no operational role; nor are they conduits for entry into the Armed Forces.

Cadet Force Adult Volunteers (CFAVs) The Cadet Forces could not exist without the support of adults who volunteer to help train Cadets, run meetings, activities, and events. No previous military experience is necessary and adult volunteers are not liable for military call up. The term CFAV includes uniformed and non-uniformed volunteers in Cadet facing, supervisory roles, involved in regulated activity. Volunteers not included within this publication’s figures include: Unit Management Trustees, Service Helpers, Parents and Supporters Association, Civilian Committee Members and Honorary Members. Like Cadets, the adult volunteers can obtain vocational qualifications linked to community, social action, and volunteering during their time with the Cadets.

Combined Cadet Force (CCF) is a unique educational partnership which operates in schools across the UK. Through military-themed activities, Cadets have the opportunity to develop skills such as leadership, self-reliance, resourcefulness, endurance and perseverance. CCF contingents contain one or more Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Army, or Royal Air Force sections, which promote the aims and values of the Services they represent.

Community Cadets comprise the Sea Cadet Corps, the Volunteer Cadet Corps, the Army Cadet Force, and the Air Training Corps.

Ministry of Defence (MOD) is the United Kingdom government department responsible for the development and implementation of government defence policy and the headquarters of the British Armed Forces. The principal objective of the MOD is to defend the United Kingdom and its interests. The MOD also manages day to day running of the Armed Forces, contingency planning, and defence procurement.

Royal Air Force Air Cadets (RAFAC) includes the CCF (RAF) and the Air Training Corps (ATC).

Sea Cadet Corps (SCC) (including Royal Marines Cadets) aims to give young people from age 12 up to their 18th birthday the best possible start in life through nautical adventure and fun. There is also a Junior Section for young people between 9 and 12 years. Sea Cadets is the largest national maritime voluntary youth charity, which is part-sponsored by and follows the customs and traditions of the Royal Navy.

Volunteer Cadet Corps (VCC) aims to provide opportunities for young people, from aged 9 up to their 18th birthday, to develop into dependable and useful members of society, employing the traditions of the Royal Navy (RN) and Royal Marines (RM), as the basis for their activities. VCC units (RN and RM) are based at Royal Naval service establishments and are organised and run by volunteers including serving members of the RN and RM. The VCC’s status changed in 2017 to become the fifth MOD sponsored Cadet Force.

Cadet Force	Lower age limit	Upper age limit	Comments
Sea Cadet Corps	9 years (9-12 years for Junior Sea Cadets) (13 years for Royal Marines Cadets)	18th birthday	The lower age limit was lowered from 10 years old in 2022.
Volunteer Cadet Corps	9 Years	18th birthday	-
Combined Cadet Force	Year 81 or later at the discretion of the Head, noting specific restrictions may apply for individual sections.	To the end of the summer holiday of their final year of school.	-
Army Cadet Force	12 years	20th birthday (for staff Cadets) 18th birthday (otherwise)	The upper age limit was lowered from 18 years 9 months in September 2015. Staff Cadets, aged 18 – 20 years were introduced at the end of 2019. The Requirement to be in Year 8 or later was removed on 1 April 2022.
Air Training Corps	12 years and in Year 81	20th birthday (for staff Cadets) 18th birthday (otherwise)	The lower age limit was lowered from 13 years in September 2014.

¹ S2 in Scotland and Year 9 in Northern Ireland.