It is a separate organisation from the Combined Cadet Force which provides similar training within principally private schools.

Although sponsored by the Ministry of Defence, the ACF is not part of the British Army, and as such cadets are not subject to military 'call up'.

[7] In 1859 the British Army was heavily committed to suppressing the Indian Mutiny which left a shortage of Armed Troops in Britain to dissuade or repel a French invasion which at the time was a very real threat.

In 1889 renowned social reformer Miss Octavia Hill formed the first independent Cadet Battalion in Southwark.

[9] Octavia Hill considered strongly that the military context of the Volunteer Cadet Companies could be used to socialise urban youths struggling for direction, and wrote that "There is no organisation which I have found that influences the boys so powerfully for good as our cadets ... and if such ideals can be brought before the young lad before he gets in with a gang of loafers it may make all the difference to his life".

The award of the certificate permitted the holder to wear a four-pointed star (red with khaki edgings) on the lower sleeve.

In 1956, with World War II over and with National Service coming to an end, the government set up the Amery Committee to report on the future organisation and training of Cadets.

Following the publication of the Amery Report by the government in 1957, the ACF assumed its role as a national youth organisation sponsored by the War Office.

Female instructors and cadets were formally enrolled into the ACF following numerous pilot schemes over several years; this led to the introduction of the ACF APC Syllabus in 1990, which noticeably dropped the requirement for hand-to-hand combat and included a major overhaul of instruction, tactics, and subjects.

The main ceremonial event took place on 6 July 2010, when over 1,700 Cadets and adult volunteers paraded down the Mall for inspection by His Royal Highness, Charles the Prince of Wales before joining friends, family, and VIP guests at a garden party in the grounds of Buckingham Palace.

The counties, or sectors in London, are generally split into companies, each of which includes several detachments, the name given to a unit of cadets that parade in a particular town or village.

Some battalions or Counties are affiliated with a certain Regiment or Corps within the British Army, and wear their insignia including cap badge, colour of beret and stable belt subject to individual County/Area regulations.

They will attend 1 further training event to be classed as a "Safe Person" after completing modules on child protection, unit administration and introduction to the ACF.

Only once completed they are invited to attend an Advanced Instructors Course (AIC) held over one week at brigade level and run by a Cadet Training Team (CTT).

[20] On successful completion of a course like this (which demonstrates the ability to plan and manage detachment level training) an AI is eligible for promotion to the rank of Staff Sergeant Instructor (SSI).

Like most organisations involving young people, all adult volunteers are required to undergo a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check before having unsupervised contact with cadets.

[32] As part of a platoon, cadets set up harbour areas (operations bases), post sentries, and send out patrols to carry out reconnaissance, lay ambushes, and assault enemy positions.

Cadets become familiar with hand signals for silent communication, and patrol formations for crossing different types of terrain.

Once deemed competent, the cadet can fire the weapon using blank rounds in field exercises using the Safe Blank Firing System (SBFS) and with live rounds on a range possibly gaining marksman qualification badges based on their accuracy.

[37] As of late 2024 the MoD and cadet forces have opened discussions to retire the L81 target rifle due to its age amongst other factors, with no current firm plan to replace it after the 2025 shooting season.

Cadets can take part in competitions such as Exercise Rolling Thunder, using all the skills taught to compete nationally.

[43][44] The Duke of Edinburgh's Award is a voluntary, non-competitive programme of practical, cultural and adventurous activities for young people aged 14–25 (year 9, if they're a cadet).

Many cadet force activities can count towards each level of a participants' DofE programme and very often gets them recognition for developing skills and giving to their communities.

The DofE is widely recognised by employers as it helps demonstrate that young people who hold a Duke of Edinburgh's are keen to take on new challenges, have a higher level of self-confidence than their counterparts and have leadership qualities with the added experience of teamwork.

Many detachments hold charity events, and participate in various activities such as tree planting, or carrying their standards at a Remembrance Parade in their local area.

[48] The course is open to members of all the Cadet Forces (SCC, ACF, ATC and CCF) providing they are over 16 and have passed their APC 3 star or equivalent.

All Cadets and CFAVs are issued with Personal Clothing System Combat Uniform (PCS-CU) in Multi-Terrain Pattern (MTP).

Cadets are scaled to receive the following:[50] Some counties may charge a small deposit for uniform that is refundable on its return.

As the Army allows its soldiers to take on responsibility and leadership as non-commissioned officers (NCOs), so too does the ACF.

[60] Victoria Cross recipient, WO2 Johnson Beharry opened the National Army Cadet Force Museum in Octavia Hill’s Birthplace House, Wisbech on 11th Sept 2023 to mark Octavia’s legacy from 1889, when she established the first Independent Army Cadet Unit.