Young cadets do better at school, report finds

A new report has found that children who join the cadets do better at school, have better attendance and behaviour, and are more likely to go to university.

In collaboration with the University of Nottingham, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) today launches its latest report, The Impact and Value of School-based Cadet Forces in the UK, which shows the positive impact of the Cadet Forces on social mobility, employability, mental health and, in particular, schools. Cadet Force UK is a publicly funded national youth organisation for 12-18-year-olds.

According to 98.9 per cent of headteachers surveys, a cadet unit in schools have a positive impact on the resilience of students that are cadets.

The report builds on previous research that discovered that if every year the cadet experience helps just one per cent of cadets improve their life, education-wise or employment-wise, the annual costs of the cadet forces is completely covered.

Participating in the Cadet Force can produce an annual return in the region of about £120 million year, just on health and wellbeing alone. The annual lifetime value of vocational qualifications gained by the most disadvantaged cadets comes in at over £130 million.

To mark the publication of the report, defence minister Alistair Carns joined cadets and former cadets at Frimely Park Cadet Training Centre in Surrey.

Minister for veterans and people, Alistair Carns, said: “Joining the cadets is more than just an opportunity — it’s a transformative experience. It empowers young people to build character, resilience, and teamwork. They learn to lead with integrity, serve with purpose, and grow with honour.

“This news report unequivocally demonstrates that being a cadet gives pupils an ‘edge’ in applications for college, university, apprenticeships, and employment. This government has a Plan for Change, and that includes an unwavering commitment to investing in our youth with programmes like the Cadet Expansion Programme.”