National Cadets Week 2026 - Key Guidance

Written By Laura Westrope

National Cadets Week is a national celebration of the Cadet movement.

Sponsored by the Ministry of Defence, it brings together five Cadet Forces: the Sea Cadet Corps, Volunteer Cadet Corps, Army Cadet Force, Air Training Corps and the Combined Cadet Force.

Together they support 137,000 cadets and 28,000 adult volunteers across the UK.

This year marks the launch of Phase 1 of the National Cadets Action Plan, setting out the framework for sustainable growth of the Cadet Forces by 30%, delivering over 40,000 more cadet places by 2035.

Cadet units across the UK will open their doors to schools, families and local communities, with activities including first aid demonstrations, STEM challenges, climbing walls, fieldcraft demonstrations and more. Entry is free. Contact your local unit for event details.

Find out more about the Cadets Here

Get involved as an employer

Access the employers’ toolkit for tips on how to get involved, including showing your commitment to Cadets and Cadet Force Adult Volunteers by:

  • publicly pledging 5 days of paid volunteering leave for employees who volunteer as Cadet Force Adult Volunteers

  • sharing the pledge on social media using the hashtag #NationalCadetsWeek and tagging @MinistryOfDefence across socials

  • updating your website to show your support and any related activity you’re conducting

  • updating your job advertisements to share this commitment to paid volunteering leave.

Access the Employers' Toolkit Here

National Cadets Week timetable

Each day during National Cadets Week has a different focus with a variety of ways you can get involved:

  • Monday 5 October: Look out for the launch of the Cadets Action plan, how the cadets will achieve the government ambition on a 30% increase in Cadets by 2035.

  • Tuesday 6 October: Are you an employer or teacher? Get your pupils or employees presenting on their experience within cadets.

  • Wednesday 7 October: Has a volunteer really impacted your life? Reach out and share your thanks.

  • Thursday 8 October: Cadet units are all taking part with family and friends to train as many people as possible across the UK in key first aid skills.

  • Friday 9 October: Launching of the framework for businesses to better support cadets.

  • Saturday 10 October: Open Days across the UK.

Laura Westrope
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