What are the New Zealand Cadet Forces?

NZ Cadet Forces is a youth leadership training scheme run in partnership between the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) and the community. It's open to young people between the ages of 13 to 18 years old. The New Zealand Cadet Forces (NZCF) has three arms - the Air Training Corps, the Sea Cadet Corps and the New Zealand Cadet Corps.

What does the NZCF do?

Your leadership is developed through gaining skills in a wide range of areas. These include:

• power and gliding flights
• navigation in the air, on land and at sea
• boat work
• bush work
• weapons training and marksmanship and
• a wide range of recreational skills.

What's in it for me?

Many young people are looking for after school employment. Serving with NZ Cadet Forces provides you with proven skills that employees are looking for.

You'll develop:

• self-discipline
• the capability to learn new skills
• the desire and ability to present yourself with pride
• an understanding of the value of punctuality
• a commitment to the concept of service.

These attributes are sought after by employers.

The leadership skills you'll develop are also sought after by schools when searching for their senior leaders such as prefects or peer support leaders. Many cadets are selected to take senior student leadership roles in their schools.

You'll get to meet a whole new range of people and, most importantly, you'll have fun.

Where can I learn more?

The NZCF has a website which will answer all your questions and tell you how to get in touch with your local Cadet Force. Visit www.cadetforces.mil.nz.