Army Cadet Force

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Army Cadet Force (ACF)
Army Cadet Force Insignia
Founded	1859[1]
Country	United Kingdom
Branch	British Army
Type	Volunteer Youth Organisation British Army
Size	38,180 cadets (as of 1st April 2023)[2] 8,020 Cadet Force Adult Volunteers[2]
Headquarters	CTC Frimley Park
Motto(s)	To Inspire to Achieve
Website	Army Cadets
Commanders
Colonel Commandant	Major General Jonathan
Command Sergeant Major	David Lightfoot
Colonel in Chief	Vacant
National Honorary Colonel	Lorraine Kelly
National Ambassador	Jordan Wylie

The Army Cadet Force (ACF), generally shortened to Army Cadets, is a national youth organisation sponsored by the United Kingdom's Ministry of Defence and the British Army.^[3] Along with the Sea Cadet Corps and the Air Training Corps, the ACF make up the Community Cadet Forces. It is a separate organisation from the Combined Cadet Force which provides similar training within principally private schools.

Although sponsored by the Ministry of Defence, the ACF is not part of the British Army, and as such cadets are not subject to military 'call up'.^[4] Some cadets do, however, go on to enlist in the armed forces later in life.

The Army Cadet Charitable Trust UK (ACCT UK) is a registered charity that acts in an advisory role to the Ministry of Defence and other Government bodies on matters connected with the ACF.^[5][6]

As of 1 April 2023, there are 38,180 cadets, and 8,020 Cadet Force Adult Volunteers (CFAVs).^[7]