The Cadet Corps, the forerunners of the Combined Cadet Forces, were formed firstly in certain schools as a means of training young people to support the masses of volunteers required to boost Army numbers in the likelihood of war.
Britain was facing the threat of invasion - a hostile nation was occupying the channel ports with the means of landing an army on England's south coast. A second Napoleon was Emperor of France, and his armies, reformed after disasters in earlier wars, were flexing their muscles, eager for revenge.
These Cadet Corps were recognised by the War Office and permitted to wear the uniforms of their parent Volunteer battalions.
Gradually there developed additional battalions in schools.
As the threat of war receded, some Cadet Corps developed into Rifle Clubs, and cadet battalions not associated with schools became Social Welfare Organisations - the forerunners of the current Army Cadet Force.
The ACF was reformed in 1942, and in 1957 its purpose was altered from a direct HM Forces support role to that of a national youth organisation sponsored by the MOD.
The Sea Cadet movement was created by communities wanting to give young people instruction on a naval model.
Traditionally old seafarers provided training while local businessmen funded the headquarters. The Sea Cadet Corps (SCC) became a national organisation in 1904.
The Air Training Corps (ATC) has its origins in the Air Defence Cadet Corps.
The earliest squadrons paraded in October 1938, and the administration of each squadron was in the hands of a committee of local citizens, thus establishing the twin military and civilian streams of support which make up the present day organisation.
In 1941, in order to provide the means of giving part-time air training to young men destined for the Royal Air Force, the Air Defence Cadet Corps was formally established as the Air Training Corps.
After the Second World War, and following subsequent reassessments, the purpose of the ATC was changed and greater emphasis was given to general youth and citizenship training.
In 2001 the Cadet Vocational Qualification Organisation (CVQO) was set up to enable cadets and adult instructors in all four Cadet Forces to gain recognised vocational qualifications for their cadet activities.
Nowadays the Cadet Forces exist as voluntary youth organisations, using the ethos of today’s Armed Forces to provide young people with the opportunity to develop and test themselves through adventurous activities and challenges, learning new skills and the chance to gain additional qualifications along the way.
Cadets not only have the opportunity for self-development, but to get involved with volunteer and charitable work in the community.
Cadets and adult volunteers also have the opportunity to gain recognised qualifications at various levels, from BTECs and NVQs through to the equivalent of a Master’s degree.
Many cadets do go on to join the Armed Forces but there is absolutely no pressure for cadets to follow military careers.
The Ministry of Defence accepts that the Cadet Force organisations add value to the youth of today and for this reason continues to support them wholeheartedly.