New Zealand Cadet Forces

The Cadet Forces is made up of three branches or corps. Each corps is modelled on a corresponding branch of the NZDF: the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN), the New Zealand Army and the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF).[6]

Each corps has its own training curriculum, uniforms and organizational structures aligned with its parent regular force branch.

Sea Cadet Corps Crest

The Sea Cadet Corps (SCC) is the maritime arm of the NZCF, and is aligned with the RNZN. The smallest of the three branches, the SCC has 16 Training Ships in all three NZCF areas.[8]

The SCC training focus is maritime based, with a high level of sailing time allowing personnel to develop their skills on the water including a swimming test in the beginning of service. It also includes shooting, bushcraft, and other useful skills. Each area (Southern, Central, Northern) hold an annual regatta with all units, focussing on competitive application of corp skills, with the winning team from each area later in the year competing at a national competition.

The two sailing boats that the SCC use are the Crown and the RS Feva. The Crown is a 4-person dinghy, specifically designed for the use of the units. Recently the NZCF acquired RS Feva's for SCC units as modern vessel which could be raced in local, national and international regattas.

New Zealand Cadet Corps Crest

The New Zealand Cadet Corps (NZCC) is the land component of the NZCF, founded in 1864 and is aligned with the New Zealand Army. There are 34 units nationwide.[8]

Cadet Corps training includes drill, first aid, land based navigation, land based search and rescue (SAR), survival skills and weapons training. A Cadet Skills Competition is held annually, pitting the units from across New Zealand against each other to find the best overall. A national course in bushcraft is also offered.

Air Training Corps Crest

The Air Training Corps (ATC) is the aviation arm of the NZCF and is aligned with the RNZAF. Formed in September 1941 originally for the purpose of training young pilots ready for active service. There are 49 ATC squadrons located throughout New Zealand.[8]

The ATC curriculum contains aviation, bushcraft, drill commands, leadership, search and rescue (SAR), survival skills, organisational knowledge of NZDF and NZCF and weapons training. National courses are provided in powered flying, aeronautical navigation, gliding and bushcraft.

The NZDF and the NZCF work together in a combined structure to deliver the NZCF's Mission and Core Values.

The NZDF provides 27 RF personnel and six NZDF civilian employees to perform training development, administration and logistics for Cadet Force operations. These operations are commanded from HQNZCF, based in Trentham Military Camp in Wellington.

There are three Cadet Force Training Support Units (CFTSUs), each covering a Cadet Force region and operating from an NZDF establishment. Northern Area CFTSU is based in Swanson, Auckland; Central Area CFTSU at RNZAF Base Ohakea near Palmerston North; and Southern Area CFTSU at Burnham Military Camp just South of Christchurch.

The New Zealand Cadet Force is under the command of the Commandant NZCF, Commander Andrew Law, RNZN. The Commandant of the NZCF is given a three-year appointment.

Working alongside the NZDF personnel are NZCF Officers and Senior Cadets from all three Corps appointed to key strategic, operational and tactical positions.

They provide:

• Policy advice and recommendations that will enhance both the support and training.
• Representation to the community meeting the Government/Community partnership requirement to develop and implement strategies for growth by raising the national profile of the NZCF.
• Quality Control for the cadets by ensuring the content of the entire training programme is relevant and suits the needs of today's youth.[6]

NZCF Structure Chart

Three non-profit organizations, the Sea Cadet Corps Association of New Zealand Inc. (SCANZ),[9] the Cadet Corps Association of New Zealand Trust (CCANZ),[10] and the Air Training Corps Association of New Zealand Inc (ATCANZ)[11] have been appointed by the Chief of the Defence Force (CDF) to play an integral role in the Cadet Forces' management. They are responsible for developing policy in regards to training and NZDF involvement, national marketing, liaison with non-recognized organizations with CF involvement, and additional logistical support. They also represent individual units and their support committees in the Standing Committee of the Cadet Advisory Council and via direct consultation from the Commandant Cadet Forces.

All associations have a National Executive to deal with the NZCF directly, while each unit is represented by an association branch.

SCANZ has the additional responsibilities of acquiring national resources and assets for SCC training use - as the Navy is unable to provide these facilities - and provide a disputes resolution process for SCC unit support committees.[6]

The Royal New Zealand Returned Services Association (RNZRSA) supports NZCF involvement in its ceremonial and commemorative activities, encourages its members to join the support committees of individual cadet units, and provides additional support and resources.[6]

Many RNZRSA members have formally served for branches of the Cadet Forces.

Each individual unit has a Cadet Unit Support Committee. Made up of voluntary members of the community, often parents and relatives of cadets, the committees assist units with fundraising and the supply of voluntary labour and resources when required.

NZCF Active List

NZCF Active Service is under the current regulations of the Policy and Administration Manual (PAM) where such service is in direct support to recognised and authorised units in accordance with the Defence Act. Every NZCF Officer attached to the strength of a unit is on NZCF Active Service and has the option of taking Cadet Unit Commander's Leave or transferring either to the Supernumerary List of that unit or to the NZCF Reserve or NZCF Standby Reserve as the regulations allow.

NZCF Non Active List

The NZCF Non-Active List is for NZCF Officers who do not belong to an NZCF Unit but remain committed to providing local, area and national support. It is intended that those on the NZCF Non-Active List are senior officers who have commanded units and have the experience to provide support at National and Area level. The NZCF Non-Active List will initially be restricted to those officers appointed to national and area support roles.

Commissioned Personnel Ranks

Navy Cadets	Army Cadets	Air Cadets	Notes
Commander (CDR)	Lieutenant Colonel (LTCOL)	Wing Commander (WGCDR)	This rank is held only by the Assistant Commandant, NZCF
Lieutenant Commander (LTCDR)	Major (MAJ)	Squadron Leader (SQNLDR)	This rank was previously only available to Unit Commanders, but this has been changed to be only available to Area Support Officers
Lieutenant (LT)	Captain (CAPT)	Flight Lieutenant (FLTLT)
Sub Lieutenant (SLT)	Lieutenant (LT)	Flying Officer (FGOFF)
Ensign (ENS)	Second Lieutenant (2LT)	Pilot Officer (PLTOFF)
Officer Cadet (OFFCDT)	Officer Cadet (OFFCDT)	Officer Cadet (OFFCDT)	This rank was previously only available to students on a NZCF Commissioning Course, but this has been changed to replace the UO rank

Note: Once an Officer Cadet passes the Commissioning Course, they are promoted to the rank of Acting Ensign (A/ENS), Acting Second lieutenant (A/2LT), or Acting Pilot officer (A/PLTOFF).

Commissioned Officer Rank and Insignia

NZCF Officers OFF 6 OFF 5 OFF 4 OFF 3 OFF 2 OFF 1 Navy Cadets Commander Lieutenant Commander Lieutenant Sub Lieutenant Ensign Officer cadet CDR LTCDR LT SLT ENS OFFCDT NZCF Officers OFF 6 OFF 5 OFF 4 OFF 3 OFF 2 OFF 1 Army Cadets Lieutenant Colonel Major Captain Lieutenant Second Lieutenant Officer cadet LTCOL MAJ CAPT LT 2LT OFFCDT NZCF Officers OFF 6 OFF 5 OFF 4 OFF 3 OFF 2 OFF 1 Air Cadets Wing Commander Squadron Leader Flight Lieutenant Flying Officer Pilot Officer Officer cadet WGCDR SQNLDR FLTLT FGOFF PLTOFF OFFCDT

• JNCO Course - Equivalent of NZDF Junior NCO Course. Held at Tamaki Leadership Centre (Formerly RNZN Base Whangaparaoa), Base Auckland(Whenuapai airbase), Linton Military Camp, RNZAF Base Ohakea and Burnham Military Camp.
• SNCO Course - Equivalent of NZDF Senior NCO Course. Held at Tamaki Leadership Centre (Formerly RNZN Base Whangaparaoa), Base Auckland(Whenuapai airbase), Linton Military Camp, RNZAF Base Ohakea and Burnham Military Camp.
• Officer Bushcraft Course - For the training of commissioned NZCF officers. Successful candidates receive necessary credentials to lead unit expeditions and staff Cadet Bushcraft Activity.
• Officers ITTM Course - Required training for commissioned NZCF officers in Instructional Technique and Training Management.
• Shooting Coaches Course - Training for Senior NCOs (Flight Sergeant/Staff Sergeant/Chief Petty Officer and above) and Officers in shooting coaching technique.
• Range Conducting Officer Course - Required training for Officers to become Range Conducting Officer on unit range shoots.
• Officers Commissioning Course
• Officers Command Course

• Cadet Sailing Charge Course - Whangaparaoa (5 days)
• National Sailing Regatta - Held every year between the winning three teams from regional regatta.
• Operation SEENAVY - A programme touring the Navy's bases and craft.
• Officer Marine Supervisor - FPTO HMNZS Philomel (4 days)[17]

• Cadet Skills at Arms - Area competitions between units held at Whangaparaoa, Waiouru Military Camp and Burnham Military Camp. The national competition is now shared around the country alternating between military camps.
• Army Experience - Candidates choose a trade and are given a practical, four-day tour.

• National Aviation Course - Course consists of two sections: Powered Flying (9 days), in which candidates study towards the FRTO section of the Private Pilot License exam and improve their powered flying skills in light aircraft, candidates have the opportunity to fly solo during the course and receive solo flight wings, and Navigation (7 days) in which candidates study towards the Aeronautical Navigation PPL exam in a practical environment and if successful receive a navigation brevet. Held at RNZAF Base Woodbourne annually.
• National Gliding Course - Held annually at both Matamata and Waipukurau Aerodromes. Five days of practical glider training.
• Air Force Experience - An opportunity to visit all three RNZAF Bases and learn about the work of the Air Force. Includes travel in a range of RNZAF aircraft. Replaces the more hands-on Live and Work course, in which candidates spent an actual week in the life of a chosen Air Force career.

Excluding the Regular Force Element, all service is voluntary and unpaid apart from commissioned officers and Cadet NCOs who are paid by the NZDF for staffing nationally organised (authorised) courses.

The first unit raised was at Otago Boys' High School in 1864, making it one of the oldest youth service organisations in New Zealand. By 1870 there were several secondary school units in existence, among the first being Nelson College, Christ's College, Wellington College and Auckland Grammar School.

From 1864 until 1902 the training followed that used in the British public schools. The emphasis was on rigid discipline and shooting marksmanship and it was entirely controlled by the Headmaster; the Army was not involved. The Education Act of 1902 was responsible for most secondary schools forming cadet units and the Army became directly involved in the Cadets training following their Boer War participation.

In 1911, Lord Kitchener stated, during his visit to New Zealand, that the Cadet movement had an important role to play in the Defence of the Empire. Subsequently, the Army began to provide uniforms, rifles and other equipment to the units. This Army support continued through World War I, with many school cadets making up the officers and non-commissioned officers of the First Expeditionary Force.

In 1919 Compulsory Military Training was for all males from 14 – 21 years, thus Cadet units were structured into Cadet Battalions. Territorial regiments were raised and on completion of Secondary school schoolboys were posted to these Regiments.

In 1932 CMT was abolished, but most Cadet Units continued at the schools on a voluntary basis, supported by teachers who had experienced World War I. During World War II the Army could not support the cadet movement but Officers ineligible for war service continued to manage the organisation.

In 1929 the first open Sea Cadet Corps was formed in Christchurch, by the Canterbury Navy League. Units formed in the four main centres and were controlled nationally by the Canterbury branch of the League. The Navy League continued to manage these open community Sea Cadet units even when they came under the control of the Royal New Zealand Navy.

The Air Training Corps was formed in September 1941, Its purpose was to train potential airmen, providing basic knowledge and training as well as to provide an insight into Air Force work to prepare young men for the Air Force when they were old enough.

In the 1950s specialist training appropriate to their parent service was introduced for the cadet forces. The rate of increase in the cadet movement from 1948 – 1960 eventually proved counter productive in the 1960s as the Army could not effectively support the numbers while meeting their own commitments.

By 1964 the NZCF reached peak strength, mainly in school units of 198 units, with 1,000 officers and about 54,000 cadets.

Reorganisation saw many schools cease cadet support and by 1965 there were about 20,000 cadets; further changes to support by the Army and the communities reduced school cadet numbers to 34 units and 10,300 cadets by 1970. Open community Sea Cadet Corps and Air Training Corps units had, meanwhile, slowly decreased to 55 units with 3,200 cadets.

The 1971 Defence Act, established the NZCF, as a volunteer organisation, for which the Minister of Defence was responsible. The open units were required to be initiated and funded by the community and the Chief of Defence Force was authorised to “direct and supervise” the NZCF and provide military support which was initially confirmed as uniforms, training and some equipment at a cost of no greater than $400,000.

Centralised supervision was established by the Chief of Defence Force of all three Corps and a Commandant appointed with Regular Force Defence personnel, under the control of the Commandant, provided at 5 locations around New Zealand to support units. Cadet Force officers were appointed by the Minister of Defence with Cadet Force commissions, on a voluntary unpaid basis with authority to wear military uniform and rank.

The role of the NZCF ceased being primarily of military training and the preparation of young men for the Armed Forces and became predominantly adventure and development motivated with a military flavour and about 50% military subjects associated with providing knowledge of the roles and functions of the NZDF. The new thrust was to provide “good citizenship skills” to young men under the training methods used by the Military Forces. Female cadets were accepted from approximately 1978 and although the service flavour and well tried and tested services training methods and character was retained, additional training was introduced by units, which were desired by them and the community supporters.

The loss of Government financial support and turbulent social change in the 1970s caused school units to be abandoned such that by 1985 there were only 9 remaining units, including the two earliest formed at Christ's and Nelson Colleges. Meanwhile, the Sea Cadet Corps had increased to 17 units and the ATC to 50 in the open community units. A significant development saw the introduction of Cadet Corps Units into the open community to satisfy the demand which the schools had abandoned, the first open Cadet Unit being the City of Porirua unit in October 1985.

The NZCF celebrated its 150th anniversary in January 2014, with an exercise held at Waiouru Military Camp, involving more than 1,200 personnel from around the country, as well as cadets from Canada and Australia. In late 2014 the internal structure of the NZCF also changed, with NZCF commissioned officers now taking a bigger role in running the organisation at the national and area levels. This change saw the appointment of the first ever senior NZCF officer at the rank of a Wing Commander who has control over the day to day CF volunteers, and their operational running of the organisation in consultation with the Commandant NZCF.

In July 2016 Cadet Forces was restructured further to:

• Better align the NZCF organisation with the NZDF and volunteer organisations’ best practice.
• Improve linkages to NZDF recruiting objectives, and
• Better enable achievement of the NZCF Mission.

In August 2018, the New Zealand Cadet Forces introduce a new Visual Identity System.[20] Under this new system the NZCF allowed the use of Navy Cadets, Army Cadets, and Air Cadets for the members of the Sea Cadet Corps, the New Zealand Cadet Corps, and the Air Training Corps respectively. The system also introduced a new logo for each corps and a primary logo for the NZCF. The primary logo is an amalgamation of the three separate corps logos. “The new NZCF logo is an opportunity to refresh and modernise the NZCF brand. It is a clean and modern visual representation of the three component organisations which comprise the NZCF.” [20] The badges of the three cadet forces remain official emblems. These badges have Royal Assent and are protected by the Flags, Emblems and Names Protection Act 1981. In 2020 the NZCF held Exercise Cadet 2020 from the 13th of January to the 20th of January at Waiouru Military Camp. Approximately 1500 Cadets and Officers attended.

Badges and Logos of the New Zealand Cadet Forces

Name	Official Badge	Current Logo	Former Logo
New Zealand Cadet Forces	Nil
Sea Cadet Corps			Nil
New Zealand Cadet Corps			Nil
Air Training Corps			Nil

• Ranks of the Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps
• Cadet grades and insignia of the Civil Air Patrol
• Ranks of the cadet forces of the United Kingdom
• Cadets Canada Elemental Ranks
• Australian Defence Force Cadets ranks