ITV star Lorraine Kelly has hailed the thousands of Armed Forces cadets who have been remembering our nation’s fallen heroes this week as Britain’s “future leaders”. More than 82,000 of the UK’s 136,500 Army, Air Force and Royal Navy cadets have commemorated our war heroes at parades either on Remembrance Sunday or will do on Armistice Day today.
Now household favourite broadcaster Lorraine, National Honorary Colonel in the Army Cadet Force, has said the huge turnout of youngsters means our military past is in safe hands. Lorraine said: “The cadets on parade this Armistice Day are the pride of our nation.
“They are the youngest guardians of remembrance, of the freedoms our sailors, soldiers and aviators fought for. They are also future leaders of bright, flourishing and united communities.
“I am constantly impressed by the maturity, poise and spirit of these young people, and how they have been shaped by their experiences in the cadets.”
The Ministry of Defence stressed the “huge turnout of cadets demonstrates a steadfast commitment among young people to service and community.
“Their well-rehearsed drill and discipline on parade show how tradition endures, even as the cadet forces modernise and expand to give more young people skills for life.”
The government has set out plans to expand the number of cadets by 30 per cent, or 41,000 young people, by 2030. This will help drive community renewal and resilience and erase barriers to opportunity.
A funding uplift of £70 million will broaden access to the cadets across all four nations while extending the qualifications and development opportunities available to members, particularly in STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths).
Last week the Express joined 300 boys and girls from the UK’s community-based Army Cadet Force (ACF) and school-linked Combined Cadet Force (CCF) in Dorset for the annual ‘Army Cadet STEM Camp’ – and saw how being a cadet can boost school learning and careers opportunities.
A University of Northampton study shows being a cadet leads to better resilience, school attendance, academic achievement, mental health and fewer behaviour issues.
On Armistice Day, Defence Minister for Veterans and People Louise Sandher-Jones MP said: “It is brilliant to see so many cadets join serving personnel and veterans to pay tribute to those who fought and died for our freedoms.
“Joining the cadets is for many young people a life changing decision, opening the way to new experiences and skills and helping them discover their potential.
“£70 million is being invested in our cadet forces to ensure many more young people have the chance to gain qualifications, improve their confidence, and learn about the military.”
The MoD said the contribution of cadets to remembrance parades provides a “blueprint for future generations as the government embarks on the most ambitious plans in decades to expand the cadet forces”.
Chief of the Defence Staff Air Chief Marshal Sir Rich Knighton said: “Remembrance reconnects the country with our Armed Forces.
“The huge cadet contribution to the nation’s remembrance events shows the support and respect for the Armed Forces from across different generations and communities.
“A strong link between the Armed Forces and the communities we serve strengthens our ability to keep the country safe and protect our values.”
The cadet forces also aim to recruit more adult volunteers, who are instrumental to the running of the cadet forces. They provide guidance, training and support to cadets.
The announcement followed the Strategic Defence Review, which placed an emphasis on a whole-of-society approach to strengthening UK defence and reconnecting communities with the Armed Forces.
Imogen Rowlands, 17, of Llandudno Detachment, Clywd & Gwynedd Army Cadet Force, marched at the Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday.
She said: “Marching at the Cenotaph makes me appreciate my life, and what others, including my own family, have sacrificed in order for me to achieve what I have.
Remembrance is a reminder to appreciate each day and make the most of it.”
The figure of 82,000 includes cadets on parade on Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day at community commemorations across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The total comprises 18,400 Royal Navy and Royal Marines cadets, 38,000 Army cadets and 26,300 Royal Air Force cadets – 120 cadets attended the National Act of Remembrance at the Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday.