CCF history in pictures cCF Timeline

1859

Forerunners of cadet forces in schools first appeared when a number of schools formed units for the defence of the UK in response to the threat of invasion by France. Although the threat receded, the units remained and, over time, more schools formed units which evolved into the Junior Officers’ Training Corps, administered by the War Office.

1948

It was decided to combine all cadet units in schools into one organisation named the Combined Cadet Force (CCF), with contingents being able to have one or more service sections. There were 247 schools that accepted the invitation to adopt the new scheme and the new CCF was honoured by His Majesty King George VI becoming its Captain General.

1952

The Combined Cadet Force Association was established to represent all the schools with CCF units.

1953

Sedbergh School guard inspection in 1987

Eastbourne College in 1952

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Is your CCF contingent celebrating CCF 75 with a special event? If so, don't forget to email us a post-event report with large high-resolution pictures for possible inclusion in the magazine. Send to RC-Cdts-CMC-0mailbox@mod.gov.uk

2010

The cadet forces celebrated their 150th anniversary throughout 2010. On 7 July there was a Royal Review, when cadets and adult volunteers from all cadet forces marched down The Mall. The then Prince of Wales took the salute outside Clarence House, which was followed by a Royal Garden Party in Buckingham Palace.

2012

The Government launched the Cadet Expansion Programme (CEP) to strengthen the cadet forces. The aim of the CEP was to form new cadet units in English statefunded secondary schools, focusing on state schools in areas of high deprivation. It was a joint Ministry of Defence and Department for Education programme. £50 million from LIBOR fines was committed to the programme.

2023

Since the start of CEP in 2012, 362 schools have been approved to establish a cadet unit. The Government’s ambition now is to increase the number of cadets in schools from 43,000 to 60,000 by April 2024. This has completely changed the shape of the CCF from being an organisation where independent school contingents outnumbered state school contingents, to now being one where state school contingents are in the majority.