The Societal Impact of Cadet Forces Graham Moon University of Southampton Liz Twigg Jo Horwood University of Portsmouth A Report Prepared for the Council for Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Associations November 2010 Executive Summary Cadet forces, sponsored by the Ministry of Defence (MoD), provide young people aged 12-18 with training in leadership, team building and life skills in general. Cadet activities are delivered by civilian volunteers. The cadet experience has a potential impact that extends beyond the concerns of the MoD to include broader issues such of youth development. This report sets out the findings of a comprehensive study of the societal impact of cadet forces in the UK. The study covers all MoD cadet forces: the Combined Cadet Force (CCF), Sea Cadet Corps/Royal Marine Cadets, Army Cadet Force (ACF) and Air Training Corps (ATC). It has been commissioned by the Council for Reserve Forces‟ and Cadets‟ Associations with two aims: To identify existing knowledge concerning the individual and societal impact of cadet forces. To ascertain views about the societal impact of cadet forces from (a) cadets, (b) volunteers, and (c) schools and other organisations hosting cadet forces. The report is based on an online survey of 5100 cadets and 5342 adult volunteers, and telephone interviews with a sample of adult volunteers in community-based cadet units and head teachers in schools hosting CCF contingents. For cadets, great value is attached to the personal gains that flow from the nature of the cadet experience and from belonging to the „cadet family‟. There is a particular emphasis on the richness of the activity package on offer in the cadets, including opportunities not generally provided to others. The opportunity to gain qualifications is also important. Cadets clearly see membership in terms of future benefits: for CV enhancement, for personal development and skills acquisition. There are, of course, many who contemplate a career in the armed forces, but there is also a general recognition of wider benefits. For several, the cadets have been a literal lifeline, providing positive direction in unfavourable circumstances. Results suggest that cadets tend to have high levels of respect for authority and others and high levels of self esteem. They are likely to be committed citizens and have heightened aspirations. For adult volunteers, often well-supported by employers, there are many similarly positive benefits. Volunteers are motivated by a desire to help young people but are also aware of improvements in their own skill sets – particularly with regard to leadership and enhanced self-confidence. Like cadets, volunteers tend to be concerned, committed citizens Interview findings gave added emphasis and depth to the themes identified in the surveys. The idea that cadet forces constitute a community that cares for its members and values each member was one important theme. Both community-based units and school-based CCFs saw the cadets as an enriching force, able to engage a diverse range of young people. A second theme was the effective way in which cadet forces are able to inculcate a respect for authority. This effectiveness is linked to the voluntary nature of adult and youth involvement and also to the nature of the activities. Uniform, presentation and „being on show‟ provided a third theme. Cadet forces provide a service to their host communities and this service is often enhanced by its uniformed nature. Finally, there was consensus that cadets provide a good preparation for adult life and a strong antidote to prevailing negative stereotypes of youth. These findings represent a significant contribution to Every Child Matters outcomes and to contemporary visions of a „Big Society‟ in which individuals are empowered to take active roles in society. Membership of a cadet force confers numerous short, medium and long term benefits both on the cadets themselves and also on society generally. The Council for Reserve Forces‟ and Cadets‟ Associations (CRFCA) will wish to highlight these benefits in its ongoing work to raise awareness of the cadets. Contents Introduction ............................................................................................................................................. 2 Study Rationale ................................................................................................................................ 2 Study Aims ...................................................................................................................................... 2 Current Knowledge .................................................................................................................................. 4 The academic literature .................................................................................................................... 4 Past surveys...................................................................................................................................... 6 A policy perspective ......................................................................................................................... 7 Study Methodology ................................................................................................................................ 10 Online survey. ................................................................................................................................ 10 Telephone survey ........................................................................................................................... 10 Follow-up activity .......................................................................................................................... 11 Findings: Cadet Perspectives .................................................................................................................. 12 Sample details ................................................................................................................................ 12 Reasons for joining cadets .............................................................................................................. 16 Other benefits of membership ......................................................................................................... 18 If cadets were not cadets ................................................................................................................. 22 Impact of cadet activities ................................................................................................................ 23 Skills improvement ........................................................................................................................ 23 Academic, employment and training benefits ................................................................................. 24 Personal development and self-esteem ............................................................................................ 25 Future intentions............................................................................................................................. 25 Collective efficacy.......................................................................................................................... 27 Findings: Adult Volunteer Perspectives .................................................................................................. 29 Sample details ................................................................................................................................ 29 Volunteering and employment pressures ........................................................................................ 29 Reasons for volunteering ................................................................................................................ 30 Importance of involvement with the cadets. .................................................................................... 32 Training opportunities and skills improvement ............................................................................... 32 Personal Development .................................................................................................................... 33 Collective efficacy.......................................................................................................................... 34 Findings: Telephone Interviews ............................................................................................................. 35 Community-based cadet force interviews ....................................................................................... 35 Teacher perspectives on CCFs ........................................................................................................ 37 The bigger picture: benefits to society ............................................................................................ 39 Conclusions ........................................................................................................................................... 41 Acknowledgements ................................................................................................................................ 42 Annexes ................................................................................................................................................. 43 1: Online Survey ............................................................................................................................ 43 2: Interview template