Be wary of, but don’t assume motive. It’s not uncommon for young people to form a platonic attachment to someone they admire, respect, or consider to be whatever the latest word for “cool” is.
There can be a tendency to want to please people and be seen to be doing good things and performing well.
In addition to hormone and identity crises, plus potentially other individual characteristics that you might not be privy to, social skills aren’t fully formed and boundaries of what’s appropriate might not known.
Ignore the gender - it doesn’t matter.
Certainly letting staff know that it’s happening is necessary, because early honesty means it can be monitored, but if you don’t and it blows up later then it sets you on the back foot.
My other advice would be to appreciate the gesture but explain that because you’re almost legally an adult and therefore staff cadet, and an NCO responsible for managing and training them it’s not appropriate to continue, plus it’s their money and they should be using it for themselves and not you. Similar for anything else not money related.
You can add in a bit about them doing well and not needing to do these things to prove themselves and be respected.
I’d recommend the conversation be private but within earshot* of someone you trust. In this scenario, having a witness formally present is a little intimidating and potentially appears more disciplinary than it is. However, this should be after you speak with staff and you could suggest this method if you wish to but follow their advice. Report back to them afterwards.
(* more legitimately sharing the same space on their own task than clandestinely hanging around outside the door)
If it was on my Squadron, my view is that staff should only step in if things continue, especially if they escalate. I would initially treat it as a teachable moment, not a disciplinary one.