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The New Zealand Cadet Forces (NZCF or Cadet Forces) is the parent organisation of the three corps New Zealand Cadet Corps, New Zealand Sea Cadet Corps, and New Zealand Air Training Corps.

It is a voluntary, disciplined, uniformed training organisation for youth. Its members are civilians. Members have no obligation to head into the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF); however, some do choose to join the NZDF.

Introduction

The NZCF is a disciplined and well structured youth development and leadership-training organisation, with units comprises from Kerikeri to Invercargill, which provide male and female teenagers from 13 – 18 years old, with an opportunity to experience a wide range of outdoor activities and develop leadership qualities.

A New Zealand Cadet Corps unit on exercise

shut up The structured training provides a 3-year programme and promotes teamwork, self-reliance, resourcefulness, perseverance and an ethic of community service. The training is developed by using the processes developed by and for the NZDF, modified to be implemented by civilian cadet force officers and undertaken by young and developing adults.

The NZDF provides assistance to the NZCF within the limitations directed by the Government. The policy for the use of this limited assistance is largely established in consultation with the recognised civilian support organisations, but facilities and resources of the NZDF are available in support of cadet activities provided defence priorities permit.

Members of the NZCF are, by definition in the Defence Act 1990, not members of the NZDF but the aim is to train cadets for citizen leadership in the communities, through training courses and programmes similar to those used in the NZDF.

The NZCF is a youth training organisation governed and supported by the NZ defence Force dependant on community support and volunteer Officers. Young adults with respect for themselves and the community and environment are the products of this system, which, in its present form has existed since 1971.

General information

The Defence Act 1990 gives the Minister of Defence discretion to raise a Cadet Force. The organisation is not part of the NZDF but is controlled by the NZDF and is supported in partnership by the Government, through the NZDF, and the community.

Training programmes emphasise personal development. The organisation offers a quality, nationally coordinated training programme which aims to:

The conduct of training courses or training programmes similar to those undertaken by the Armed Forces;
The promotion of an appreciation among members of the Cadet Forces of the functions and operation of the Armed Forces; and
The development of good citizenship among members of the Cadet Forces.

The NZCF is a youth programme sponsored by the NZDF. Cadets have great fun challenging themselves. Mentally and physically.

Teenagers, aged 13 (or above) or in Year 9 at a New Zealand Secondary School can join the NZCF, the NZCF is open to both girls and boys. It costs between: $10.00-$20.00, per school term; (each unit sets its own fees). The majority of cadets serve for up to three years. After that, senior cadets, can serve until their 20th birthday; however, as the NZCF is voluntary, they can leave at any time.

There is no requirement to meet a specific level of fitness to join the NZCF. However, like many activities, if cadets are fit they will get greater enjoyment from their experiences.

There are over 100 Units across New Zealand, See here for the locations of cadet units, around New Zealand

Mission statement

File:Lieutenant Colonel Bob Campbell.jpg

Lieutenant Colonel Bob Campbell, Commandant Cadet Forces

The NZCF is a voluntary, disciplined, uniformed youth leadership training organisation for both boys and girls aged 13 to 18.

The organisation is not part of the NZDF, but is directed by the Chief of Defence Force, on behalf of the Minister of Defence, and is supported in partnership by the NZDF and the community.

Training programmes emphasize personal development and include a quality, nationally co-ordinated annual programme, which aims to:

Foster a spirit of adventure and teamwork, and to develop those qualities of mind and body essential for good citizens and leaders.
Provide challenging and disciplined training activities, which will be useful in either Service or civilian life.
Promote an awareness of the Armed Forces, and the role they play in the community.

Success is measured by the numbers of cadets recruited and retained by community units and who graduate from the NZCF training courses and programmes, having met predetermined performance criteria.

Sea Cadet Corps

The Sea Cadet Corps, is the maritime arm of the NZCF.

Air Training Corps

The Air Training Corps, is the air arm of the NZCF, formed in September 1941, there are over 50 ATC Squadrons located throughout New Zealand which all deliver a quality nationally co-ordinated programme.

Cadet Corps

The Air Training Corps, is the land arm of the NZCF, founded in 1864. The Cadet Corps does activites ranging from Drill to First Aid, Search and Rescue, Navigation, Survival skills and various Courses and Competitions.

Courses

There are numerous NZCF courses to attend. The first course cadets will attend is Junior Leaders. Then from there such courses like Bushcraft, National Aviation(Power & Navigation) Senior Leaders, Advance Leaders and shooting courses.

History

1864-1902

The first unit raised was at Otago Boys High School in 1864, making it one of the oldest youth service organisations in New Zealand. By 1870 there were several secondary school units in existence, among the first being Nelson College, Christ's College, Wellington College and Auckland Grammar School.

From 1864 untill 1902 the training followed that used in the British public schools. The emphasis was on rigid discipline and shooting marksmanship and it was entirely controlled by the Headmaster; the Army was not involved. The Education Act of 1902 was responsible for most secondary schools forming cadet units and the Army became directly involved in the Cadets training following their Boer War participation.

1903-1940

In 1911, Lord Kitchener stated, during his visit to New Zealand, that the Cadet movement had an important role to play in the Defence of the Empire. Subsequently, the Army began to provide uniforms, rifles and other equipment to the units. This Army support continued through World War I, with many school cadets making up the officers and non-commissioned officers of the First Expeditionary Force.

In 1919 Compulsory Military Training was for all males from 14 – 21 years, thus Cadet units were structured into Cadet Battalions. Territorial regiments were raised and on completion of Secondary school schoolboys were posted to these Regiments.

In 1932 CMT was abolished, but most Cadet Units continued at the schools on a voluntary basis, supported by teachers who had experienced World War I. During World War II the Army could not support the cadet movement but Officers ineligible for war service continued to manage the organisation.

In 1929 the first open Sea Cadet Corps was formed in Christchurch, by the Canterbury Navy League. Units formed in the four main centres and were controlled nationally by the Canterbury branch of the League. The Navy League continued to manage these open community Sea Cadet units even when they came under the control of the Royal New Zealand Navy.

1941-1970

The Air Training Corps was formed in September 1941, Its purpose was to train potential airmen, basic knowledge and provide an insight into Air Force work to prepare young men for the Air Force when they were old enough.

In the 1950's specialist training appropriate to their parent service was introduced for the cadet forces. The rate of increase in the cadet movement from 1948 – 1960 eventually proved counter productive in the 1960’s as the Army could not effectively support the numbers while meeting their own commitments.

By 1964 the NZCF reached peak strength, mainly in school units of 198 units, with 1000 officers and about 54,000 cadets.

Reorganisation saw many schools cease cadet support and by 1965 there were about 20,000 cadets; further changes to support by the Army and the communities reduced school cadet numbers to 34 units and 10,300 cadets by 1970. Open community Sea Cadet Corps and Air Training Corps units had, meanwhile, slowly decreased to 55 units with 3,200 cadets.

1971-1984

The 1971 Defence Act, established the NZCF, as a volunteer organisation, for which the Minister of Defence was responsible. The open units were required to be initiated and funded by the community and the Chief of Defence Forces was authorised to “direct and supervise” the NZCF and provide military support which was initially confirmed as uniforms, training and some equipment at a cost of no greater than $400,000.

Centralised supervision was established by the Chief of Defence Force of all three Corps and a Commandant appointed with Regular Force Defence personnel, under the control of the Commandant, provided at 5 locations around New Zealand to support units. Cadet Force officers were appointed by the Minister of Defence with Cadet Force commissions, on a voluntary unpaid basis with authority to wear military uniform and rank.

The role of the NZCF ceased being primarily of military training and the preparation of young men for the Armed Forces and became predominantly adventure and development motivated with a military flavour and about 50% military subjects associated with providing knowledge of the roles and functions of the NZDF. The new thrust was to provide “good citizenship skills” to young men under the training methods used by the Military Forces. Female cadets were accepted from approximately 1978 and although the service flavour and well tried and tested services training methods and character was retained, additional training was introduced by units, which were desired by them and the community supporters.

1985 to the present day

The loss of Government financial support and turbulent social change in the 1970’s caused school units to be abandoned such that by 1985 there were only 9 remaining units, including the two earliest formed at Christ’s and Nelson Colleges. Meanwhile the Sea Cadet Corps had increased to 17 units and the ATC to 50 in the open community units. A significant development saw the introduction of Cadet Corps Units into the open community to satisfy the demand which the schools had abandoned, the first open Cadet Unit being City of Porirua unit in October 1985.

External links

Cadet ForcesWeb Page

Category:New Zealand Cadet Forces Category:Youth organisations of New Zealand