What is the CCF?
The Combined Cadet Force (CCF) is a voluntary organisation which has support from the Ministry of Defence. Our aim is to provide a disciplined organisation in which pupils may develop powers of leadership by means of training to promote the qualities of responsibility, self-reliance, resourcefulness, endurance and perseverance. Members of the CCF are not part of the Armed Forces and so are not liable for service or compulsory training in the Armed Forces, but the CCF’s training does impart a basic knowledge and understanding of the role of the Armed Forces.
Here at Sandbach School the CCF Contingent has three separate sections – Navy, Army and RAF. Each section has its own officers, uniform and training programme, though many activities are also shared. The basic training for the CCF takes place during Tuesday parades which are held after school between 3.15pm and 5.20pm. Cadets learn a wide variety of basic military and adventurous training skills, details of which can be found in the individual section pages.
The CCF Charter
“The broad function of the Combined Cadet Force is to provide a disciplined organisation within a school so that boys and girls may develop powers of leadership by means of training to promote the qualities of responsibility, self-reliance, resourcefulness, endurance and perseverance, and a sense of service to the community. It is firmly believed that the self-discipline required in Service life are equally important in the civil life of the nation today.
The specific function of the service training in the C.C.F. is to provide the opportunity for young people to exercise responsibility and leadership, and to learn from the services how they can best be developed: Show them why the defence forces are needed and how they function: encourage those who have an interest in the services to become Officers of the Regular or Reserve Forces.” C.C.F. Charter as published by the Ministry of Defence)
The Purpose of the CCF
The Charter mentioned clearly sets out the overall purpose of the Combined Cadet Force. However, it is well worth emphasising the
salient points, which are:
- To provide a disciplined organisation in a school so that its members, both boys and girls, may develop:
- Self-discipline
- Responsibility
- Self-reliance
- Endurance
- Resourcefulness
- Perseverance
- Leadership
- To encourage a positive attitude to service to the community
- To impart an understanding of why this country’s Defence Forces are needed and how they carry out their functions.
The CCF also organises its own training camps and field days during the year. These cover a wide variety of activities including obstacle courses, first aid, orienteering, patrolling, leadership and self-reliance training, sailing and flying. A typical weekend away on camp would cost £10, an eight day summer camp£100. There is an annual subscription of £50 that covers the purchase of equipment used for training.
Joining CCF
If your son wishes to join our CCF Contingent, then kindly print the form below, complete in black ink and bring to CCF hut any Tuesday afternoon.