Why are we discussing drone policy?
Apple have apps, we have threads, and there’s a thread for that.
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Topics!
Letter this morning to all SCC CFAVs:
Dear Volunteer,
We are writing to you with great pride and enthusiasm following the publication of the Government’s ‘Strategic Defence Review 2025 – Making Britain Safer’.
The Review recognises the vital role played by cadet forces, like Sea Cadets, in inspiring and supporting young people across the UK, and it sets out an ambitious vision for growth, innovation and national resilience in which cadet forces will play an increasingly important role.
In particular, the Review details a national ambition to grow Cadet Forces by 30% by 2030, with a longer-term vision of reaching 250,000 cadets across the UK. It also champions a whole-of-society approach to resilience and service – acknowledging the importance of volunteering and explicitly highlighting the need for more flexible ways for people to get involved. We warmly welcome this recognition. It reflects our long-held belief that by removing barriers and enabling people to give their time in ways that suit their lives, we can unlock the full potential of our communities to help young people thrive.
This is a moment of huge significance for Sea Cadets – and for all of us who care so deeply about what we do. As volunteers, you are the beating heart of this organisation. It is your dedication, your kindness, and your belief in young people that makes the difference every day in units across the country. The path ahead to delivering success will take all of us – volunteers, employees, MSSC and the Royal Navy – working together in step.
The task ahead is bold, and rightly so. At its heart is the recognition that what Sea Cadets offers – skills for life, a sense of belonging, and the confidence to aim high – has never been more relevant or more needed. The Royal Navy and MSSC will work more closely than ever before to make this growth a reality, building on our rich history together and the deep respect we have for one another’s work.
The target equates to approximately 4,700 more sea cadets over five years. We need to work together to bring in new volunteers, simplify processes to allow more engagement with young people and to find innovative ways to accommodate additional cadets. Each unit will need to consider how best this challenge can be met. We may also need to grow new units.
Through Sea Cadets, we have a unique role to play in preparing young people for these pathways and ensuring they leave us ready to thrive in whatever they choose to do next.
Whether they move on to higher education, employment, volunteering or service – including options like the new voluntary gap year in the armed forces – we are here to support them in pursuing their ambitions with purpose and resilience.
Whilst we await guidance from the Ministry of Defence, including what resources might be available, we would ask you to consider how best your unit and district can help achieve this target. We will shortly be starting a consultation process to channel your ideas into the organisations business planning.
We will be in touch again when we know more but please share your ideas with us as we understand opportunities.
Thank you for your continued support to our young people.
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leaves me in no doubt SSC HQ value the volunteer
(anyone recall HQAC offering such praise ever, let alone in a “call to arms” message?)
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They don’t have the time. They’re too busy dismissing staff for attending local fetes out of uniform.
Seen this from that other thread.
HQAC seriously needs to give their heads a wobble. We’re down 21% since 2021 in terms of ATC staff. The sea cadets are up 42%.
If we want to increase in size, this needs to change. (Well, SCC needs to carry on! We need to change)
Is this a thing?
It’s a reference to something that has genuinely happened in the past year. I don’t remember the specific details, but it is true.
It sadly is/was a thing.
HQAC stopped all activities. (Heat, wind, not sure, can’t remember) Some CFAV decided to go and help at a local event that would have had cadets helping, just as ‘civvies’ to make sure the event could go ahead. They didn’t bring cadets with them. Wing staff then got involved trying to kick them out.
Keeling has a lot to answer for!
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No trying about it. Everyone was at least reduced in rank, removed from post or recommended for dismissal. I’m unsure if the dismissals were then authorised by the CAC.
Nothing to do with Keeling either, this was the former WCO for DSW and Region.
Mental. Somehow doesn’t surprise me though, especially in SW…
We do not do ourselves any favours sometimes as am organisation. Overreach in lots of places.
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But there’s the problem in the organisation at present. Individuals would have fought the situation under normal circumstances, but we are that battered and bruised through the constant turmoil of RAFAC, people just go ‘what the heck’ and leave without a fight.
Someone on an ego trip that caused all sorts of issues!!
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Oh they fought, but the organisation was against them from the start.
The worrying trend of this, is also the ACF decreasing but still having slightly more staff. Depending on how the next 2-3 years go if STEM within a cadet event environment is a serious thing, we could end up with a serious discussion about funding from the MOD, if we aren’t meeting expansion targets. A “Combined Army and ATC” (Not CCF) would give us circa 18,000 staff vs around 75,000 combined cadets as of today. They could easily say apart from the odd few differences merge the budget, cut out the doubling up of Drill, DofE, AT, Shooting, fieldcraft and sports etc and have a "MOD cadets (for a better phrase) with opportunities of visits to MOD sites and the odd flying/gliding.
As putting the sea cadets and other volunteer organisations to one side, we are competing to sell “our product” brand RAFAC, to additional staff and cadets not only against the ACF that are funded like us but also Scouts, youth clubs, sports clubs etc that all need volunteers to run and players to play. 30% is a big upturn especially when you look at the average age of RAFAC staff we are probably more looking like needing to recruit 50%
I suppose what you could do is merge command streams above sector level to make it more purple & better use of resources
So
Unit Cdr - service specific
Staff Off /Coy OC/Distric off - service specific
County comdt/OC Wg/Area Officer - any service
If policies for shooting, fieldcraft AT & DofE are harmonised why duplicate?
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I can see that working - working well even
It might need an easier way than the current to change cap badges for SMEs, I’d say shooting / fieldcraft became solely Army led.
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It already works for the CCF under unified (Army) command: so why not?
It would need some standardisation as sqns and coys should be synonymous, but are used differently. Neutral terms like detachment / unit and area / district work though.