First aid, Healthy Minds and medical support

Advances in digital technology have opened up a number of opportunities in signals and cyber defence training, giving cadets the chance to hone their communications skills and introducing them to future careers in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM).

25 February CIS Conference

10-12 March Ex Rolling Thunder National CIS Competition

1-6 April Advanced Signaller Course

1-6 April CyberFirst Advanced 24-30 June CIS Intermediate Instructor

29 July-4 August CIS Intermediate Instructor

21-27 October STEM Camp

Every year a range of courses and conferences are run to support cadet and volunteer first aid training, culminating in a National First Aid Competition. It gives cadets and CFAVs the opportunity to respond to real-life scenarios – from tent fires and car crashes to diabetic emergencies and choking casualties. Training takes place over two weeks: 14-19 May and 29 October-3 November. The following courses run simultaneously throughout these weekends: CCF/ACF First Aid Teacher, CCF/ACF First Aid Trainer Development MSO/MSA and the CCF/ACF Healthy Minds Facilitator Course

As well as first aid training, Army Cadets offers Healthy Minds awareness training for senior cadets and volunteers, and medical support training for larger events and activities.

If you are interested in training, contact your county. Virtual Healthy Minds awareness courses, Virtual Medical Support Officer CPD events and Medical Support Officer assessment weekends will be held over the next 12 months and posted on Westminster.

Cadets who play for their county bands not only have the chance to gain internationally recognised qualifications in musicianship, but they also get to play at events such as military tattoos and remembrance parades.

A highlight for many cadet musicians is the chance to attend a National Music Camp. This year, the Army Cadets Bands and Corps of Drums Music Camp will be held from 1-8 April, Pipes and Drums Concentration from 1-9 April, and the Army Cadets Bands and Corps of Drums Music Camp from 21-28 October.

Army Cadets is an organisation that celebrates diversity and aims to create a safe space for young people from all walks of life where they feel accepted and can realise their full potential.

To highlight the importance of diversity and inclusion (D&I) Army Cadets will run online courses in 2023. There will be D&I Awareness courses on 11 March, 16 September and 4 November. D&I Allies courses will run on 13 May and 2 December.

This year there'll be four national DofE expeditions. ACF and CCF cadets who are registered for Gold DofE will be invited to bid for a place and able to take part in both practice and assessed expeditions. Cadets can apply for any expedition, regardless of where they live.

Wales 27 May-2 June Bethesda

Ireland 6-12 August Ballykinler

England 19-25 August Dartmoor

Scotland 23-29 October Dunkeld

Cadets can compete at local and regional levels and progress to national championships to represent their region.

24-26 February National Football 31 March-2 April Rugby Sevens 12-14 May National Archery 16-18 June National Athletics 6-8 October National Cross Country 6-8 October National Orienteering 24-26 November National Swimming