Army Cadet Force looking to recruit new members

Numbers in the military youth organisation have fallen in the last 18 months or so and Major Liz Curtis said they would like to build them up again.

‘I think all youth organisations have taken a hit with Covid,’ she said.

‘Youngsters need routine and when we had to close down for a while some never came back.’

There are currently 15 cadets, which Major Curtis said was slightly down on previous times.

The GACF is open to boys and girls between the ages of 12 [must be school Year 8] and 18.

It parades at its Rifles House headquarters in New Road, St Sampson’s, between 7 and 9pm on Wednesdays and on Sunday mornings from 10am to noon, when they usually do field work.

Sergeant Alfie Elliott, 16, who attends Elizabeth College, joined the GACF about four years ago.

‘It’s taught me a lot about organisation and to learn to respect those above me due to the hierarchy,’ he said.

The newest recruit, Eva Hurrell, 14, who goes to Les Beaucamps High, joined the GACF in September.

‘I like learning new things which I wouldn’t get the chance to do anywhere else,’ she said.

Eva added that she would certainly be interested in a career in the armed forces.

The GACF is not a recruitment organisation but if anyone has an interest in joining the army, Major Curtis said it was the place for them. Ex-military personnel act as instructors and more of those would be welcome too.

People with medical conditions and learning disabilities are welcome to join.

Cadets are taken through a range of military style training which is all based on what the British Army does but is child-friendly. This includes navigation, field craft, drill and turn out, military knowledge and shooting.

The GACF is a detachment of the Channel Islands Army Cadet Force. The Army Cadet Force itself has been in existence for some 200 years.

Anyone interested in joining the GACF either as a cadet or as helper is asked to make contact via the Guernsey Army Cadet Force page on Facebook. All are welcome.