Passing It On: How Veterans can inspire the next generation as Cadet Force Adult Volunteers
The Army Cadets is one of the UK’s largest voluntary youth organisations, giving thousands of young people the chance to challenge themselves, make friends, and develop skills that will serve them for life. Behind the badges and berets, however, are the adults who make it all possible: Cadet Force Adult Volunteers (CFAVs).
The backbone of the Army Cadets, the CFAVs support, mentor and encourage Cadets to grow into confident, capable young adults.
The CFAVs not only inspire the next generation, they also act as positive role models. With Army Cadets operating nationally with diverse groups, this is highly important at a time when many young people could turn to negative social media role models to fill a void. Volunteers become the guidance that young people can trust.
For many Veterans, stepping into this role is a natural fit. It provides a chance to remain connected to the wider Armed Forces Family, to wear the uniform again and to pass on values to the next generation. The Army Cadets recently hosted a survey with its adult volunteers for insight into their previous Service and thoughts on becoming a volunteer for the Army Cadets thereafter. While many shared that they were once Cadets themselves, almost all spoke about wanting to give something back to the organisation that had shaped them in their youth. They remembered how much they had gained in terms of discipline, self-confidence and belonging, and they wanted today’s young people to have the same opportunities.
Aiming high
That wish to inspire is at the heart of why Veterans make such effective CFAVs, though it’s not limited to Army Cadet alumni. Every Veteran has qualities that Cadets can benefit from: resilience, teamwork, respect, integrity, loyalty and leadership. These values, lived day-to-day during Service, are precisely what Cadets need to see in action from the adults around them. By volunteering, Veterans demonstrate what those values look like in practice and encourage Cadets to aim high.
The survey also revealed just how rewarding volunteering can be for Veterans themselves. Many described the sense of pride in wearing green again; of feeling part of a team and of continuing to Serve, even after their Military career had ended. For some, particularly those who had to leave Service for medical reasons, the Army Cadets provided an outlet to still enjoy Military-style activities in a supportive environment. Being back in familiar surroundings and able to contribute their experience made a real difference to their mental wellbeing.
So, Veterans have the perfect skillset to inspire the next generation of the youth organisation. The Army Cadets recognises that and has therefore made the pathway into volunteering often more straightforward for Veterans than for those without Service backgrounds. Because of their existing training and experience, the induction process is shortened. Depending on qualifications, it may be as simple as completing a Familiarisation and Assessment weekend followed by Safe Person Training, spread over two weekends. This means Veterans can be quickly integrated and start sharing their skills with Cadets.
Inspire
The benefits go both ways. While Cadets gain from having inspiring role models, Veterans also gain from joining a new community. Many speak about rediscovering camaraderie and the sense of belonging that can be so hard to find after leaving the Forces. Volunteering opens doors to both civilian and Military qualifications, including first aid and leadership training, that can strengthen employability and personal development.
These voices show that being a CFAV is more than just volunteering, it is a two-way exchange between generations. Veterans bring their knowledge, discipline and lived experience. Cadets bring their energy, curiosity and ambition. Together they create a cycle of learning where both sides grow.
The presence of Veterans in the Army Cadets does more than inspire individuals, it benefits society as a whole. The organisation helps young people develop qualities that will stay with them into adulthood: confidence, teamwork, leadership, and a commitment to community. This is proven by a recent University of Northampton report, which shares that Army Cadets have an advantage over others, along with statistically being less likely to commit crime and be excluded from school. By guiding Cadets, Veterans are investing in the future and ensuring that the next generation has the values and resilience to thrive in whatever path they choose. This is even more important now, after the findings in the recent Lost Boys Report, which found that young boys are falling behind, with a lack of direction, higher rate of obesity, low grades and poor mental health.
Giving back
For Veterans thinking about their next step after Service, the message from those already volunteering is clear. Becoming a CFAV is a way to continue Serving, to give back to an organisation that shapes lives, and to find camaraderie and purpose in civilian life. It is about wearing the uniform again with pride, creating new friendships, and using hard-earned skills in a role that matters. Most of all, it is about inspiring young people to achieve more than they thought possible, and in doing so, leaving a legacy that will last long after the parade ground has fallen quiet.
If you would like to join the Army Cadets as a Cadet Force Adult Volunteer,
please browse the following link, and sign up on the corresponding form. The Army Cadets would be honoured to receive your knowledge, skills and advice for their young Cadets.
