King Charles marks first National Cadets Week

Buckingham Palace released a message from King Charles, who praises the “teamwork, leadership, [and] service” of young people around the United Kingdom during the inaugural National Cadets Week. 

In the inaugural National Cadets Week, from 5-11 October, King Charles has recognised more than 137,000 “compassionate and confident young people who are prepared to make a positive difference.”

Sponsored by the Ministry of Defence and jointly supported by around 28,000 adult volunteers, the Cadet Forces — Sea Cadet Corps, Volunteer Cadet Corps, Combined Cadet Force, Army Cadet Force, and Air Training Corps — aim to inspire young people between the ages of 12 and 18 to challenge “their limits, grow their abilities and go further in life” with military-themed community activities in more than 3,000 locations around the country.

Alongside the five military groups, the Head of the Armed Forces also praised the National Fire Cadets, St John Ambulance Cadets and the Volunteer Police Cadets. The King’s message coincided with the opening of a new Joint Cadet Centre in Hastings, East Sussex, part of the National Cadets Action Plan, in which the government aims to expand the Cadet Forces by 10% in 2030 and 30% in 2035.

“For more than a century, the Cadet Forces have helped generations of young people discover their strengths, broaden their horizons and develop the confidence to face life’s challenges. In every part of our country, from our cities and towns to our rural and coastal communities, cadets come together to learn new skills, build lasting friendships and contribute positively to the communities in which they live.

At a time when young people are growing up in an increasingly complex and rapidly changing world, opportunities to develop resilience, responsibility and a sense of purpose have never been more important. The Cadet Forces provide exactly that. Through adventure, teamwork, leadership, service and personal challenge, they help young people realise their potential, whilst fostering the qualities that strengthen both individuals and society as a whole.”  — King Charles III