Combined Cadet Force (CCF)

The Combined Cadet Force (CCF) is a Ministry of Defence sponsored organisation where cadets will learn and develop a range of skills such as independence, leadership, team skills, resilience, and experience challenges that push them to new limits.

Cadets follow an engaging Army syllabus that underpins these skills to enable cadets to be prepared for adult life.

There are CCF contingents in over 500 secondary schools all over the UK, offering young people a broad range of challenging, exciting, adventurous, and educational activities. Our aim is to enable the development of personal responsibility, leadership, and self-discipline through an army inspired model. CCF is delivered by trained adult volunteers and supported by the Ministry of Defence.

While there is a focus on a military syllabus there are also many adventurous training activities on offer to the cadets throughout the year, including kayaking, canoeing, laser tag, climbing, walking, and of course, the annual CCF Summer Camp.

Activities and Competitions

Upon joining the Hugh Baird College CCF Contingent, cadets will follow an exciting syllabus, which gets more challenging each year. The training delivered is designed to be practical, rather than classroom-based, whenever possible.

Cadets can expect to take part in many activities, including: annual camp, field days, day and night exercises, drill, leadership training, navigation, map work, orienteering, expedition training, shooting, blank firing, field craft, outdoor skills, survival skills, first aid, climbing, Duke of Edinburgh (TBC), visiting regular and reserve units, communications, observation, and many other individual service-based activities and competitions.

The cadets also get the chance to take part in weekend activities, including camps and courses where a huge range of activities take place. The aim is to empower cadets with responsibility, self-reliance, resourcefulness, respect, resilience and a sense of public service.

Developing team work and leadership skills

Although CCF is happy to support cadets with service aspirations, they are never pushed towards a military career. However, CCF cadets are regularly awarded university scholarships and bursaries from the Services, and involvement in the CCF is frequently seen as a positive addition to CVs and application forms.

What skills could you learn from being a Cadet?

We caught up with a number of Cadets over the summer to find out what they have to say about being in the Combined Cadet Force.

Video credit: SERFCA and Stewart Turkington Photography.

Developing team work and leadership skills

While some students may choose to pursue a career in the armed forces, for many students it provides an insight into the roles played by the armed forces, and gives a flavour of their values, activities and influence in changing times

Developing team work and leadership skills

Being part of the CCF helps students to develop skills as they progress through their career within the CCF. Senior Cadets will increase in ran eventually to take a leadership role to deliver training to junior cadets and new recruits.