Organisation

Introduction to Bournemouth School Combined Cadet Force

So what's it all about then?.... the Combined Cadet Force (CCF) is a tri-Service military cadet organisation based in schools and colleges throughout the UK. Although it is administered and funded by the Services it is a part of the National Youth Movement.

There are some 240 CCF contingents with 40,000 cadets. The role of the CCF is to help boys and girls to develop powers of leadership through training, which promotes qualities of responsibility, self-reliance, resourcefulness, endurance, perseverance and a sense of service to the community. Military training is also designed to demonstrate why defence forces are needed, how they function and to stimulate an interest in a career as an officer in the Services.

Additionally, the CCF contributes yet another challenging dimension to what is already an intensive educational programme at Bournemouth School.

You can learn more about the Corps' structure and examples of typical activities throughout this site.  In recent years students from Bournemouth School for Girls, which is sited nearby, have also been offered the opportunity to join up.... and many seize it.

The CCF Contingent at Bournemouth School has been established for approaching 60 years and covers all three services. CCF members are drawn from year nine of both the Boys and the Girls Grammar School. Membership is not compulsory but due to the enthusiasm of the senior cadets, it is the most popular organisation in the School with over 200 members. Currently “old boys” of the contingent are serving with all three arms of the Services.

The CCF receives assistance and support for its training programme from the Regular and Reserve Forces, but the bulk of adult support is provided by members of school staffs who are responsible to head teachers for the conduct of cadet activities. CCF officers wear uniform but they are not part of the Armed Forces and carry no liability for service or compulsory training.

Without these staff being prepared to dedicate significant amounts of their own time to these extra curricular activities, the Corps would simply not exist.

The CCF is however not primarily intended as a recruiting wing for the Armed Forces and carries no liability for military service.  Having said that, 35% of commissioned officers within the Armed Services have previously been members of a CCF contingent somewhere in the UK (which is a bit worrying on the basis of this picture - Ed.!)

All said and done, Bournemouth School CCF is great fun and should be considered a 'must do' for any student at the school.