Hi Sgt Sim,
One of My friends who was a cadet when I was an Instructor many years ago is Iranian, when he went to become a Cadet Instructor he was refused, He was also refused the entry in to the UK forces, although he had lived here all his life, it was his Father that was in the Iranian Air force that put the ka-bosh on him been able to get in due to Security Checks !!
Sgt Sim said:
This tread seems to be about general questions about the ACF and Adult Instructors. Good! I have written to ACF with a special question, but not got any respons. Can someone here mayby help me with this: Do you need to be an British citizen/commonwealth citizen to become a Adult Instructor with the ACF or is it enogh with a EU- citizenship (I am swedish by birth), that you have piced up residence in the UK (Scotland to be more precis) and been living and working in the Republic of Ireland and the UK since 1.5 years?
The reason for my question is that i have been involved with the swedish equviliant of the ACF since 1995 and I now, after moving here and giving up my position in sweden, feels that there is something missing..... I do think that you how are Adult Instructors kind of know what I mean.
On the Subject of the ACF, by attending the cadets it more than likley saved me from doing many nasty things. The Cadets made me a great person in mind and body. The only problem with now and then in the Cadets is all the paperwork that goes with it, disclamers for this and that, some of the essence of the Adventure part seemed to die, (I thought) anyway. When I became an Instructor in Cadets I tried very hard to instill the same amount of joy and education I got out of it, having the Respect from the cadets helps a great deal in motivation from the kids/Young adults. One of the Best courses I ever did while a Cadet was the 4 star Leadership course, two weeks in Penhale Camp, Happy days back in 1990.
A change in career and other commitments meant I could not give my time to Cadets anymore, Do I miss it ? Yes I do. I still get pleasure from it in other ways When I see ex cadets that have gone on to join the Army and have said to me thank you for helping me. Like someone else said further down, it don't matter if we help 1,2, 202 people in our lives, just steering one person in the right direction of life is a great achievement in itself. I Always suggest to people with kids around the 12/13 age band to get them into the cadets, whether it's the ACF,CCF ATC etc, it's a good way of the kids finding out who they are !!
Basha72