Its aim is to "provide a disciplined organisation in a school so that pupils may develop powers of leadership by means of training to promote the qualities of responsibility, self reliance, resourcefulness, endurance and perseverance".

On 12 May 1859, the Secretary of State for War, Jonathan Peel, sent out a circular letter to the public schools and universities inviting them to form units of the Volunteer Corps.

Felsted already had an armed drill contingent at the time of the War Office letter under the command of Sgt.

Major Rogers RM; its claim on these grounds to be the oldest school corps was upheld by Field Marshal Earl Roberts in a letter to the Headmaster of 1904.

[9] Since the Cadet Expansion Programme was launched in 2012 the number of contingents has reached 500, beating the target set by the government.

[12][13] In 2012 payouts made to victims of sexual abuse across all Cadet Forces, including the CCF, totalled £1,475,844.

Number 3 uniform is normally the parade uniform for the CCF (RN) and consists of a white shirt, black tie, blue trousers,[15] and blue heavy wool jersey, worn with plain black shoes; a brassard (armband) should be worn on the right arm, displaying qualification badges.

[17] Royal Marines sections wear the bronzed Royal Marines cap badge of other ranks with a red "tombstone" backing on a blue beret with MTP (Multi-Terrain Pattern) clothing, and either brown or black boots.

Cadets may be given permission to wear a stable belt of CCF, school, or affiliated unit pattern.

Cadet Force Adult Volunteers (CFAVs) wear rank slides with "CCF" underneath.

[26] The strength of CCF, both Cadets and CFAVs is published every year by the Office for National Statistics, usually in April.

[27] In November 2019 the Government announced that it had achieved its target of 500 contingents under the Cadet Expansion Programme (CEP)[29]

Cadet Under Officers' rank badges are blue bands 12 mm wide across each shoulder slide, with the addition of the letters CCF underneath.

Although they are civilians, they retain their rank as a courtesy and are employed by the school to instruct and assist in the running of the Contingent.

There is usually only one SSI per Contingent and they are also supported by other external staff, including the RN's Area Instructors, various Brigade Cadet Training Teams (CTTs) and RAF TEST SNCOs.

or more generalised role when the establishment level of officers does not include sufficient suitably qualified and experienced personnel to teach these subjects.

[35] The strength of CCF CFAVs is published every year by the Office for National Statistics, usually in April.

Cadets in the Royal Navy section receive instruction in boat-work and other naval subjects (including flying with the Fleet Air Arm).

The Royal Marines section, although a part of the Navy, tend to train independently, covering battle drills, weapons handling and marksmanship, fieldcraft, camouflage and concealment and the history of the Royal Marines.

The Army section follows the Army Proficiency Certificate (APC) subjects such as drill and turnout, skill at arms, shooting, map and compass, fieldcraft and first aid.Army Cadets get the option to attend specialist to arm courses such as Combat Information Systems (CIS) at Blandford giving them skills in radio, semaphore and morse code.

Cadets can also be involved in a multitude of battle training and tactics as well as opportunities to fly in various aircraft from the RAF and allied nations.

Completing Part 4, also known as the Master Cadet Award, leads to a BTEC Level 2 in Aerospace Studies (accredited by Pearson) being awarded, although CCF cadets, unlike those in the ATC, have to pay to receive this BTEC.