Scotland celebrates cadets' 150th anniversary

Now firmly established as some of the largest youth organisations in Britain today, the long history of the movement spans back to when the Army Cadet Force (ACF), Combined Cadet Force (CCF), and Sea Cadet Corps were originally formed in order to help defend our shores from the French. The Air Training Corps came along later.

Sea, Army and Air Cadets were joined by the Combined Cadet Force to celebrate the anniversary in Scotland this week by trying to outdo each other climbing up towers, over assault courses, in fast jet simulators and in rigid inflatable dinghies.

And, as with all birthday parties, it wasn't complete without a bouncy castle - although this being the cadets, it was the Royal Marines inflatable assault course version.

A crack ACF team from Ayrshire went up against the might of Kelvinside Academy CCF, while the Air Cadets more than held their own with their flight simulators and gliders.

Camping out on the grass, the Army Cadets were cooking up a storm with MOD ration packs, while the Air Cadet Band made sure everyone knew when the curry was ready by frequent use of their bugle call.

Excellent boat-landing skills ensured that the Sea Cadets got more than their share of the sausages, while the Army Cadets' ambushing tactics meant that all the chocolate miraculously disappeared.

Inside, cadets showed off their first aid skills and entertained the VIPs with music from their band, while senior cadets talked about foreign trips that would put the Discovery Channel to shame.

But it isn't all expeditions and adventures. The cadet organisations are based on a firm set of principles regarding equality, fairness, teamwork and public spirit.

All cadets have to undertake public service tasks in order to rise through the ranks. The life skills and self-esteem that the cadet awards are designed to develop are the very same qualities that are highlighted in the Curriculum for Excellence.

The Cadet Vocational Qualification Organisation has even developed BTEC qualifications in public service and in music, both of which are recognised by colleges and universities and become useful extra qualifications on CVs.

In fact, since the awards' inception the cadet organisations have become the largest trainer of young pipers in the country, with over 1,000 young people having studied for their BTEC in music.

Louise Macaulay, a former Army Cadet with The Black Watch Battalion ACF (The Royal Regiment of Scotland), explained:

"I am currently in my first year at Dundee University studying Community Learning and Development. On getting into my course my tutor later revealed that it was my Cadet BTEC award in public service that got me my place on the course as it showed dedication to work outside of school."

Former Scottish international rugby player Gavin Hastings, who was recently appointed by Her Majesty The Queen as Honorary Colonel of his local Army Cadet Force Battalion, attended the celebrations. He said:

"I firmly believe that the cadet organisations are excellent for young people who wish to develop the life skills that they need to make the most of their lives.

"Watching the cadets today assures me that the future of Scotland will be great in their hands."

Also present to supervise the adventure were the loyal band of adult volunteers and instructors, many of them former cadets.

The volunteers, who have the chance to study for management qualifications, are the backbones of the organisations, as they turn out every week, as well as the monthly residential weekends at camps.

Everyone agreed it was a fantastic day. As Air Cadet Lucy Scudder said:

"Being a cadet is great. There are so many opportunities. You can do lots of different things such as adventure training.

"Before I became a cadet, I didn't have a lot of confidence, but now I am able to walk into a room full of people and I'm fine."

Brigadier David Allfrey, Commander of 51 (Scottish) Brigade, who commands the Army Cadet Force in Scotland, said:

"The scale of the cadet movement in Scotland is enormous.

"We have ten Army Cadet Force Battalions covering the country from Shetland and Orkney, across to the Hebrides, and south to Dumfries and Galloway and the Borders."

He said 400 officers, 700 adult instructors - all volunteers - offered an organised cadet experience to nearly 5,000 cadets in the community-based Army Cadet Force and more still in 16 Combined Cadet Force contingents based in schools.

The Sea Cadet Corps and Air Training Corps add their special expertise and weight towards a massive 11,000-total cadet population in Scotland.