Combined Cadet Force

Why Join Us?

Pupils who join the CCF can expect to be challenged, both physically and mentally, whether that is through the expectation that they will maintain their own uniform or taking part in leadership exercises aimed at stretching their capabilities. Ultimately, they will become the leaders and instructors for the recruits and cadets that will follow in their footsteps in the years to come. Some will take the academic steps in their stride, but struggle to maintain their uniform, others will lead themselves everywhere but be unable to lead others anywhere. This is where the bond of service will help them to come together to achieve both their own personal goals as well as those of the organisation.

As they progress, cadets will be given the opportunities to take ownership of their activities including: arranging demonstrations for visitors, organising trips, recruit training, mentoring younger cadets and recruits, charitable activities, annual inspections and the overall running of the training programme. This environment will provide opportunity for the cadets to plan, organise and orchestrate, activities from beginning where the need to take control or to support, communicate through both talking and listening, find solutions through knowledge or trial and error, and gain the understanding that failure can teach as much as success, are key factors in developing themselves.

All pupils, when they reach Year 8, are eligible to apply to join the CCF Contingent but places are limited, so a selection and trial period is held in the final term of Year 7 for volunteers to be assessed for suitability. This activity along with the regular parades, takes place each Monday afternoon. Pupils can remain in the Cadets until you leave school in either Year 11, 12 or 13. All the Officers and Civilian Instructors are members of School Staff.

During their recruitment phase, the trainee cadets will be learning the basics of military drill, which teaches people to obey orders without question and is the basis for teaching teamwork. This is not to make them automatons but help them to identify and function in environments where control, from a safety perspective, must be absolute: Such times are faced by the Police, Ambulance Service, Fire Service, Coastguard and many other organisations on a daily basis. In addition, recruits will also learn about the history of the RAF, Airmanship, Principles of Flight, First Aid and Initial Expedition Training, all of which are focussed on the three targets of camping overnight in a tent, achieving their Part One badge and their first flight in a powered aircraft. On receipt of their Part One badge the recruits become fully fledged Cadets.
As places are limited and there will always be more applicants than places, the Contingent will have high expectations of those granted a place. These expectations will include: consistent attendance in uniform, the highest standards of turnout, and the application of the core ethos. These are Respect, Integrity, Service before Self and Excellence.

The Cadet recruitment programme will operate with those who have been accepted on the to the program as a trial between September and October. Potential cadets will parade outside of the CCF Office at 14:30 before boarding the transport to Bloxwich Academy our parent detachment. The sessions will last until 17:00. Activities will involve those similar to the Cadet programme.

Cadets wishing to continue after this taster session will be invited to join after the half term break subject to exemplary attendance and behaviour.