The Ministry of Defence has confirmed plans to significantly expand the number of cadets across the UK, with a 30% growth target set out in the recently published Strategic Defence Review.
In response to parliamentary questions from Ben Obese-Jecty MP, Al Carns, Minister for Veterans, outlined the government’s ambitions for cadet recruitment, noting that while specific numbers for new detachments in 2025–26 have not yet been confirmed, work is ongoing to deliver on the broader expansion.
“The Cadet Expansion Programme (CEP) is a joint Department for Education and Ministry of Defence initiative, underway since 2012, which aims to increase the number of cadet units in schools, and the number of cadets within those units,” said Carns.
He clarified that “the CEP does not cover cadet units in the community,” distinguishing it from broader cadet force initiatives. However, both school-based and community-based cadet units are now part of the government’s longer-term expansion goal.
“Given the fantastic benefits which can be gained from the cadet experience the Government wants more young people to be able to become cadets,” Carns said. “Our recently published Strategic Defence Review recommended an expansion of Cadet Forces across the country by 30% by 2030 – both in-school and community-based. We will bring forward more detail in due course.”
The CEP has been a central part of efforts to widen access to cadet activities in schools across England, particularly in non-selective state schools. As of 2024, over 500 CEP units had been established since the programme’s launch in 2012.
We reported last month that the UK Government was reviewing ways to expand cadet forces across the country, recognising the benefits of cadet training for young people. The move comes as part of a broader review of defence priorities following recent commitments to increase military expenditure.
Responding to a written parliamentary question from Luke Evans, Conservative MP for Hinckley and Bosworth, Defence Minister Al Carns said:
“We want more young people to be able to become Cadets given the tremendous benefits which can be gained from the experience. We are committed to sustaining Cadet Forces across the UK, and we are looking to significantly grow Cadet numbers and support youngsters throughout the UK to enrich their lives by choosing to join the Cadets.”
Carns confirmed that he has ordered a review into how the size and opportunities provided by cadet forces can be increased, stating:
“To this end, I have directed that a review is carried out to look at how we can increase the size and offer of the Cadet Forces. Defence officials have engaged with a wide range of stakeholders to consider how we can deliver these aims.”
He noted that the review has sought input from a range of experts and advocates, including cadet leaders within the Ministry of Defence, Lords Lieutenants, and Cadet Honorary Colonels.
While acknowledging that resource requirements for expanding the cadet programme must be assessed against other defence needs, Carns said the value of investing in youth programmes. He highlighted that “the total annual cost of the Cadets is fully covered if the life outcomes of just 1% of Cadets change each year so that they are in education, training, or employment.”
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They certainly spend money on the cadets, my school got £3000 of MoD funding to buy new flight simulators.
Still won’t let us visit bases, though.
I was discussing the Cadets only yesterday, over lunch with a family member who is Training Sergeant Major ( CSM ) at a certain Cadet Company.
She mentioned their weapon types had reduced from 4 to only 2.
And about 30% of cadets actually go on to sign up for real.
The lady in question has met HM The Queen, when she was the top cadet in her unit.
Yep, I’m very proud of her.
30% of cadets join the forces? Is this ATC or CCF, because from my experience of CCF about 30% usually carry on for extra years to become NCOs.
Maybe 2-5% will ever join the forces.
We only used the term “Cadets”
Her own experience is with the Rifles.
Oh, might be the external Army Cadets then.
That’s a much more niche force, I wouldn’t be surprised if 30% of them went on to the service afterwards.
Ah the cadets. I remember them. It was all taken very seriously back then. Itchy uniforms, no tramlines allowed et al. The camps were good though. Cranwell, Coningsby, Sealand and others. Along with the flying, shooting, endless tripods and bed squares.
I was a cadet just after the Iraq invasion, I remember having long chats with the leaders who had not long returned and had stories to tell. Unfortunately the cadets I belonged to was very badly run and in the end at the grand old age of 14 and only 1 year in the cadets it put me off joining the forces altogether and went a different direction. If my experience is anything to go by then a decent cadet force could do wonders for future recruitment but better to have none at all if the resources are not there to run it well.