Combined Cadet Force – South East RFCA

the combined cadet force

Schools Cadet Expansion Officer

My name is Rod Gray the Schools Cadet Expansion Officer for the South East England covering the counties of Kent, Surrey, Sussex, Hampshire and Isle of Wight, Berkshire, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire.

The Combined Cadet Force in the SE of England now consists of 101 schools (47 Independent and 54 State) consisting of 244 Service Sections (Army, RAF, Navy and Royal Marines).

Any school that may express an interest in having a Combined Cadet Force or to have a partnership with a Legacy school, please send an email (this will place you on the system) to: expansion.CADET@education.gov.uk expressing an interest in forming a new CCF or partnership, please copy Rod Gray: se-sceo@rfca.mod.uk and include the following:

PoC for the School (Name, email and contact number)
Address of School
Head’s Name and Contact Details
Short statement expression an interest to form a partnership or stand-a-lone CCF

What is the social impact and return on investment resulting from expenditure on the Cadet Forces in the UK? Find out in the Northampton University Report

Testimonial – A Parent’s Perspective

“I believe that my daughter’s involvement in the CCF has not only enriched her secondary school experience but will also help her academically with transferable skills such as self-discipline, problem solving and strong communication skills.

Since joining the cadets, she has had the chance to participate in an extensive range of activities – she’s not only had a fantastic amount of fun, but she’s also been challenged in new and exciting ways. As a result, I’ve seen her confidence soar, her resilience strengthen, and her leadership skills really shine through. In my opinion, these are more than just skills; they are attributes that will shape her character and guide her throughout life.

I wholeheartedly recommend the cadet experience. It’s been an exceptional journey for my daughter, offering her the chance to challenge herself, grow her abilities, and most importantly contribute to the wider service community.

If your child has the opportunity to become a cadet, I encourage you to embrace it.”

The following Schools across the South East currently have a Combined Cadet Force:

National statistics MOD sponsored cadet forces: 1 April 2023

Published 6 July 2023

This annual publication presents figures on the number of Cadets and Adult Volunteers in the Cadet Forces sponsored by the Ministry of Defence (MOD). Statistics are provided for the Community Cadets (the Sea Cadet Corps, the Volunteer Cadet Corps, the Army Cadet Force, and the Air Training Corps) and the Combined Cadet Force.

CADET FORCE STATISTICs 2023

Funding opportunities

To assist all Combined Forces in the South East, the following links that may be able to provide funding aid your Contingents for both Cadet Force Adult Volunteers and Cadets:

The Combined Cadet Force Association

The Combined Cadet Force Association, through its membership scheme, investments and individual donors, is able to support a variety of grant programmes. These grants are available to all CCF contingents to support a variety of activities that enhance the cadet experience.

Small Grants (for individual cadets) This fund is open, please apply. Any advice, please contact the SCEO.

Funding up to £350 per cadet

Deadlines: no specific deadline, we take applications at any time

Group Activity Grants (for contingent led activities)

Funding up to £750 per activity

Contingent Growth Fund All bids submitted through the SCEO, Rod Gray. Funding of up to £10,000 (20% paid by the school) for infrastructure category and up to £5,000 for “other” category. If you need any advice or assistance in writing your bid please contact the SCEO – “Please send me a copy of your bid prior to any signatures, I will check it over, I will send it back to you, once signed – send it back to me in Word Format, I will endorse and send it to the TRUST.”

More information and applications for all of the 3 programmes can be downloaded from the funding page of the CCF website here:

Combined Cadet Force | Funding Opportunities

South East Reserves’ and Cadets’ Welfare Fund

This is open to Army Cadet Sections in the CCF covering the Counties of Kent, Surrey and Sussex. The SCEO will inform you when the window is open, which happens twice a year.

The Connaught Trust

Specific counties of Surrey, West Sussex, Berkshire, Hampshire and IoW: https://www.connaught-trust.co.uk/grtants/ – up to £5000. If you need any advice or assistance in writing your bid please contact SCEO.

The Ulysses Trust

This is open to Cadets to assist in Adventurous Training: www.ulyssestrust.co.uk

Cadet Centre for Adventurous Training

Mr Chris Heslop, CCAT Centre Manager Halton. Should you have any queries ref Halton courses, please email halton@ccat-hq.com or call 01524 380324

Cadet Vocational College

Cadet Vocational College is a UK education charity, providing vocational qualifications to youth group memebers and their adult instructors. Our qualifications are accredited by Pearson BTEC, ILM and City & Guilds – https://cvcollege.org/home/

SERFCA Cadet Link

Publications – South East RFCA (serfca.org) Produced every six months. Please send interesting articles to SCEO.

The PWRR Regimental Benevolence Fund

Are you aware that PWRR-badged ACF detachments and PWRR-badged CCF school cadets are able to ask for monetary support from the PWRR? This is to support the well-being of cadets. Requests for funds up to £500 can be made through Col (Retd) Patrick Crowley to Regimental HQ at any time of the year. Bidders need to contact the SCEO for relevant forms.